How SB 951 changes current law

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds definitions related to first responders and establishes funding allocations for first responder training programs in community colleges.

• Section 1901-A

  "First responder" shall mean any of the following public servants: (i) An emergency medical services provider or EMS provider, as defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 8103 (relating to definitions), who is an active volunteer, employe or member of an emergency medical service company that is: (A) designated by a municipality as the municipality's primary emergency medical service provider; or (B) dispatched by a public safety answering point as defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 5302 (relating to definitions) or in accordance with a mutual aid agreement under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7504 (relating to coordination, assistance and mutual aid).

  This change adds a definition for 'first responder' that includes various types of emergency service providers.

• Section 1901-A

  "First responder training program" shall mean a for-credit, two-year or less-than-two-year occupational or technical program to prepare students to enter first responder occupations.

  This change introduces a definition for educational programs aimed at training first responders.

• Section 1901-A

  "Noncredit first responder training courses" shall mean noncredit courses provided off-campus, on-campus or through any form of distance education for the specific purpose of providing opportunities for students and incumbent workers to develop or upgrade skills necessary in first responder occupations.

  This change defines noncredit training courses for first responders.

• Section 1913-A

  (1.10) For the 2025-2026 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, each community college shall receive a first responder training allocation to be calculated as follows: (i) Determine a weighted first responder training enrollment for each community college by calculating the sum of the following based upon the most recent year available: (A) The audited full-time equivalent students enrolled in a first responder training program at the community college multiplied by 1.50. (B) The audited full-time equivalent students enrolled in noncredit first responder training courses at the community college.

  This provision establishes a funding allocation formula for first responder training at community colleges.

• Section 1913-A

  (iii) a verification of equivalent full-time students enrolled in the community college in each of the following categories: credit, noncredit, first responder training programs and courses and each economic development stipend category, during the fiscal year for which the audited financial statement is presented.

  This change requires financial statements to include verifications for first responder training program enrollments.