35 Pa.C.S. § 8151 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8151
Limitations on liability.
Status: in_force

The following shall apply:

(1) No medical command physician, medical command facility medical director or medical command facility, which in good faith provides a medical command to an EMS provider or student enrolled in an EMS course of instruction approved by the department, shall be liable for civil damages as a result of issuing the instruction, absent a showing of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(2) No EMS agency, EMS agency medical director or EMS provider who in good faith attempts to render or facilitate emergency medical care authorized by this chapter shall be liable for civil damages as a result of an act or omission, absent a showing of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This paragraph shall also apply to students enrolled in approved courses of instruction and supervised pursuant to rules and regulations.

(3) No approved EMS training institute nor any entity participating as part of any approved educational program offered by the institute as authorized by this chapter shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of primary and continuing educational practice by duly enrolled students under proper supervision, absent a showing of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(4) No EMS provider who in good faith attempts to render emergency care authorized by this chapter at an emergency scene while en route to a place of employment shall receive any form of reprimand or penalty by an employer as a result of late arrival at the place of employment. An employer may require written verification from the EMS provider who shall obtain the written verification from either the police officer or other person who is in charge at the emergency scene.

(5) No EMS agency medical director or regional medical director who in good faith gives instructions to or provides primary and continuing educational training to an EMS provider shall be liable for civil damages for issuing the instructions, education or training, absent a showing of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(6) Neither the department, the Commonwealth EMS Medical Director, a regional EMS council medical director nor any other official or employee of the department or a regional EMS council shall be liable for civil damages arising out of an EMS provider or a student enrolled in an EMS course of instruction approved by the department following protocols approved under this chapter.

(7) No EMS provider or EMS agency may be subject to civil liability based solely on failure to obtain consent in rendering EMS to any person, regardless of age, where the person is unable to give consent for any reason, including minority, and where there is no other person reasonably available who is legally authorized to give or refuse to give consent, if the EMS provider has acted in good faith and without knowledge of facts negating consent.

(8) No EMS provider or EMS agency may be subject to civil liability based solely on refusal to provide treatment or services requested by the patient or the person responsible for making medical care decisions for the patient if the treatment or services requested are not prescribed or authorized by Statewide or regional protocols established under this chapter and the EMS provider has:

(i) contacted a medical command physician who refused to authorize the requested treatment or service; or

(ii) made a good faith effort to contact a medical command physician and was unable to do so.

(9) No dispatcher of EMS who in good faith collects information about a patient from a caller or makes dispatch assignments based upon the information collected may be subject to civil liability based upon the information collected or a dispatch assignment, absent a showing of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7801 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 78 / Section 7801
Scope of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter relates to grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies. (June 29, 2012, P.L.663, No.78, eff. imd.; June 30, 2016, P.L.432, No.60, eff. imd.)
35 Pa.C.S. § 7370 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7370
Refunding bonds.
Status: in_force

The Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer are authorized to provide, by resolution, for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds issued under this subchapter and then outstanding, either by voluntary exchange with the holders of the outstanding bonds or by providing funds to redeem and retire such outstanding bonds with accrued interest and any premium payable thereon, at maturity or at any call date. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof and the duties of the Governor, Auditor

General and the State Treasurer in respect to the same shall be governed by this subchapter, insofar as this subchapter may be applicable. Refunding bonds may be issued by the Governor, Auditor General and the State Treasurer to refund bonds originally issued or to refund bonds previously issued for refunding purposes.
35 Pa.C.S. § 57A02 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 57 / Section 57A02
Enforcement officer disability benefits.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--A person covered under section 1(a) of the act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.477, No.193), referred to as the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law, who contracts or is diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as identified in the proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the Governor on March 6, 2020, published at 50 Pa.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020), or is subject to quarantine resulting from exposure to COVID-19, and by reason thereof is temporarily incapacitated from performing his duties, shall be compensated in accordance with section 1(a) of the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law.

(b) Limitation.--A benefit received under subsection (a) shall be limited to 60 days for each incident.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79A14 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79A14
Limitations.
Status: in_force

A tax credit established under this chapter may be used against the active volunteer's tax liability for the current taxable year and every year thereafter. The tax credit established under this chapter shall remain in effect until the governing body of the municipality repeals the tax credit.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8104 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8104
Emergency medical services system programs.
Status: in_force

(a) Planning and coordination.--The department shall plan, guide and coordinate programs on the following matters to promote effective and efficient operation of Statewide and regional EMS systems:

(1) The number and distribution of EMS providers and other persons integral to an EMS system, such as medical command physicians and EMS agency medical directors, with appropriate training and experience.

(2) Reasonably accessible training for EMS providers and other persons integral to an EMS system, including clinical training and continuing education programs coordinated with other programs providing similar, complementary and supplemental training and education.

(3) The joining of personnel, facilities and equipment coordinated through a communication system to ensure that EMS requests will be handled by communications facilities that:

(i) utilize emergency medical telecommunications screening to determine the appropriate emergency agency response;

(ii) are accessible to the general public through a common telephone number and, where feasible, through the universal emergency telephone number 911; and

(iii) will have direct communications with appropriate personnel facilities and equipment resources.

(4) The number and distribution of ambulances and other EMS vehicles in which:

(i) ambulances and other vehicles meet appropriate criteria relating to location, design, performance and equipment; and

(ii) operators and other personnel staffing vehicles meet appropriate training and experience requirements.

(5) The number and accessibility of facilities that:

(i) are collectively capable of providing EMS on a continuous basis;

(ii) have appropriate specialty capabilities;

(iii) meet appropriate standards relating to capacity, location, personnel and equipment; and

(iv) are coordinated with other health care facilities and resource centers.

(6) Access and transportation to trauma centers and specialty care receiving facilities.

(7) Transfer of patients between facilities or to programs offering necessary follow-up care and rehabilitation.

(8) Utilization of appropriate personnel, facilities and equipment of each entity providing EMS.

(9) Regional EMS councils that provide persons residing in an EMS region, and who have no professional or financial interest in the provision of health care, with an adequate opportunity to participate in the making of policy for the regional EMS system.

(10) The provision of EMS to all persons requiring those services.

(11) A standardized data collection system that covers all phases of the EMS incident, including, but not limited to, the dispatch report and contact, treatment and transport of a patient in the EMS system.

(12) Programs of public education, information and prevention, integrated with public health education and taking into account needs of visitors and residents, concerning methods for accessing EMS and stressing dissemination of information as to first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(13) The provision of periodic comprehensive review and evaluation of the extent and quality of the EMS provided in

each regional EMS system and reports to the department of each review or evaluation.

(14) Plans to assure that each regional EMS system will be able to provide or secure EMS during mass casualty situations, natural disasters and declared states of emergency in accordance with Chapter 71 (relating to general provisions) and the instructions of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

(15) Appropriate intrastate and interstate arrangements for the provision of EMS as needed.

(b) Limitations.--This section is intended to identify EMS objectives to be pursued and achieved by the department in its role as lead agency for EMS. Nothing herein shall be construed to confer regulatory powers upon the department beyond those conferred elsewhere in this chapter. Cross References. Section 8104 is referred to in sections 8106, 8109 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79A22 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79A22
Service record.
Status: in_force

(a) Log.--The chief of a volunteer fire company or the supervisor or chief of a nonprofit emergency medical services agency or their designees shall establish and maintain a service log that documents the activities of each volunteer that qualify for credit toward active service under the volunteer service credit program and the calculation of the total credits earned for each volunteer in the volunteer fire company or nonprofit emergency medical services agency.

(b) Review.--Service logs established and maintained by volunteer fire companies or nonprofit emergency medical services agencies shall be subject to periodic review by the commissioner, the Auditor General, the governing body where the volunteer fire company or nonprofit emergency medical services agency is located and the governing body where the volunteer fire company or nonprofit emergency medical services agency provides services.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8142 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8142
Emergency medical services agency license sanctions.
Status: in_force

(a) Grounds for discipline.--The department may discipline an EMS agency or, as applicable, refuse to issue an EMS agency license for any of the following reasons:

(1) Violating the requirements of this chapter or regulation adopted under this chapter.

(2) Failing to submit a plan of correction acceptable to the department or correct a deficiency as required under section 8141 (relating to plans of correction) or failing to comply with the plan of correction.

(3) Refusing to accept a conditional temporary license properly sought by the department or to abide by its terms.

(4) Fraud or deceit in obtaining or attempting to obtain a license.

(5) Lending its license or, except as permitted under section 8129(f) (relating to emergency medical services

agencies), enabling another person to manage or operate the EMS agency or any service covered by the license.

(6) Using the license of another or in any way knowingly aiding or abetting the improper granting of a license, certification, accreditation or other authorization issued under this chapter.

(7) Incompetence, negligence or misconduct in operating the EMS agency or in providing EMS to patients.

(8) The licensee is not a responsible person or is not staffed by responsible persons and refuses to remove from its staff the irresponsible person or persons when directed to do so by the department. For purposes of this paragraph, "staff" and "responsible person" shall have the meanings set forth in section 8129(c)(1).

(9) Refusing to respond to an emergency and render EMS because of a patient's race, sex, creed, national origin, sexual preference, age, handicap, medical problem or financial inability to pay.

(10) Conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or related to the practice of the EMS agency.

(11) Making misrepresentations in seeking funds made available through the department.

(12) Failing to continue to meet applicable licensure requirements.

(13) Violating an order previously issued by the department in a disciplinary matter.

(b) Disciplinary options.--If the department is empowered to impose discipline against an EMS agency under this section, the department may do one or more of the following:

(1) Deny the application for a license.

(2) Administer a written reprimand with or without probation.

(3) Revoke, suspend, limit or otherwise restrict the license.

(4) Impose a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each incident in which the EMS agency engages in conduct that constitutes a basis for discipline.

(5) Stay enforcement of any suspension, revocation or other discipline and place the facility on probation with the right to vacate the probationary order for noncompliance. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8142 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093. Cross References. Section 8142 is referred to in section 8139 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 3308 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 33 / Section 3308
Right-to-Know Law and access to council data.
Status: in_force

(a) Public access.--The information and data received by the council shall be utilized by the council for the benefit of the public and public officials. Subject to the specific limitations set forth in this section and section 3101.1 of the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, the council shall make determinations on requests for information in favor of access. Payor discounts and allowances are confidential proprietary information and, as such, are not records subject to the requirements for public access under the Right-to-Know Law.

(b) Outreach programs.--The council shall develop and implement outreach programs designed to make the council's information understandable and usable to purchasers, providers, other Commonwealth agencies and the general public. The programs shall include efforts to educate through pamphlets, booklets, seminars and other appropriate measures and to facilitate making more informed health care choices.

(c) Limitations on access.--Unless specifically provided for under this chapter, neither the council nor any contracting system vendor shall release and no data source, person, member of the public or other user of any data of the council shall gain access to:

(1) Any raw data of the council that does not simultaneously disclose payment, as well as provider quality and provider service effectiveness pursuant to sections 3304(d)(5) (relating to powers and duties of council) and 3305(d) (relating to data submission and collection).

(2) Any raw data of the council which could reasonably be expected to reveal the identity of an individual patient.

(3) Any raw data of the council which could reasonably be expected to reveal the identity of any purchaser, other than a purchaser requesting data on its own group or an entity entitled to said purchaser's data pursuant to subsection (g).

(4) Any raw data of the council relating to actual payments to any identified provider made by any purchaser, except that this provision shall not apply to access by a purchaser requesting data on the group for which it purchases or otherwise provides covered services or to access to that same data by an entity entitled to the purchaser's data pursuant to subsection (g).

(5) Any raw data disclosing discounts or allowances between identified payors and providers unless the data is released in a Statewide, aggregate format that does not identify any individual payor or class of payors, directly or indirectly through the use of a market share, and unless the council assures that the release of such information is not prejudicial or inequitable to any individual payor or provider or group thereof. Payor data shall be released to individual providers for purposes of verification and validation prior to inclusion in a public report. An individual provider shall verify and validate the payor data within 30 days of its release to that specific individual provider.

(d) Unauthorized use of data.--A person who knowingly releases council data violating raw data safeguards under this section to an unauthorized person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. An unauthorized person who knowingly receives or possesses the data commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(e) Unauthorized access to data.--If a person inadvertently or by council error gains access to data that violates the safeguards under this section, the data must immediately be returned, without duplication, to the council with proper notification.

(f) Public access to records.--Each public report prepared by the council shall be a public record and shall be available to the public for a reasonable fee. Copies shall be provided, upon request of the chairperson, to the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the Health Committee and Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives.

(g) Access to council raw data by purchasers.--Pursuant to sections 3304(d)(6) and 3306(b) (relating to data dissemination and publication) and subject to the limitations on access under subsection (c), the council shall provide access to the council's raw data to purchasers, excluding purchasers that provide covered services other than through the purchase of fully funded insurance from a health care insurer but that are not elective health care payor data sources, in accordance with the following procedure:

(1) Special reports derived from raw data of the council shall be provided by the council to the purchaser requesting such reports.

(2) A means to enable computer-to-computer access by the purchaser to raw data of the council shall be developed, adopted and implemented by the council. The council shall provide the access to the council's raw data to a purchaser upon request.

(3) If an employer obtains from the council, under paragraph (1) or (2), data pertaining to the employer's employees and the employees' dependents for whom the employer purchases or otherwise provides covered services and who are represented by a certified collective bargaining representative, the collective bargaining representative shall be entitled to the data after payment of fees under paragraph (4). If a certified collective bargaining representative obtains from the council, under paragraph (1) or (2), data pertaining to the employer's members and the member's dependents who are employed by and for whom covered services are purchased or otherwise provided by an employer, the employer shall be entitled to the data after payment of fees under paragraph (4).

(4) In providing for access to its raw data, the council shall charge the purchasers which originally obtained the access a fee sufficient to cover the council's costs to prepare and provide special reports requested under paragraph

(1) or to provide computer-to-computer access to its raw data requested under paragraph (2). If a second or subsequent party requests the information under paragraph (3), the council shall charge the party a reasonable fee.

(h) Access to council raw data by State agencies.--The council shall develop and execute memoranda of understanding with any State agency upon request of that agency, including the Insurance Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, to allow the agency access to the data.

(i) Access to council raw data by other parties.--Subject to the limitations on access to council raw data under subsection (c), the council may provide special reports derived from the council's raw data or computer-to-computer access to parties other than purchasers provided access under subsection

(g). The council may publish regulations that set forth the criteria and the procedure the council shall use in making determinations on the access, pursuant to the powers vested in the council under section 3304. In providing the access, the council shall charge the party requesting the access a reasonable fee. Cross References. Section 3308 is referred to in sections 3304, 3306 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 3305 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 33 / Section 3305
Data submission and collection.
Status: in_force

(a) Submission of data.--

(1) The council is authorized to collect and data sources are required to submit, upon request of the council, all data required in this section, according to uniform submission formats, coding systems and other technical specifications necessary to render the incoming data substantially valid, consistent, compatible and manageable using electronic data processing according to data submission schedules. The schedules shall avoid, to the extent possible, submission of identical data from more than one data source. The uniform submission formats, coding systems and other technical specifications may be established by the council pursuant to its authority under section 3304(b) (relating to powers and duties of council). If payor data is requested by the council, it shall, to the extent possible, be obtained from primary payor sources. The council shall not require any data source to contract with any specific vendor for submission of any specific data elements to the council.

(2) In carrying out its responsibilities, the council shall not require health care facilities to report data elements which are not included in the manual developed by the National Uniform Billing Committee. The council shall publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin a list of no more than 35 diseases, procedures and medical conditions for which data under subsections (c)(22) and (d) shall be required. The list shall not represent more than 50% of total hospital discharges, based upon the previous year's hospital discharge data. Subsequent to the publication of the list, any data submission requirements under subsections (c)(22) and (d) previously in effect shall be null and void for diseases, procedures and medical conditions not found on the list. All other data elements under subsection (c) shall continue to be required from data sources. The council shall review the list and may add no more than a net of three diseases, procedures or medical conditions per year over a five-year period. The adjusted list of diseases, procedures and medical conditions shall at no time be more than 50% of total hospital discharges.

(b) Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form.--The council shall maintain a Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form format. The council shall furnish the claims and billing form format to all data sources, and the claims and billing form shall be utilized and maintained by all data sources for all services covered by this chapter. The Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form shall consist of the Uniform Hospital Billing Form, as developed by the National Uniform Billing Committee, with additional fields as necessary to provide all of the data set forth in subsections (c) and (d).

(c) Data elements.--For each covered service performed in this Commonwealth, the council shall be required to collect the following data elements:

(1) uniform patient identifier, continuous across multiple episodes and providers;

(2) patient date of birth;

(3) patient sex;

(4) patient race, consistent with the method of collection of race/ethnicity data by the United States Bureau of the Census and the United States Standard Certificates of Live Birth and Death;

(5) patient zip code number;

(6) date of admission;

(7) date of discharge;

(8) principal and secondary diagnoses by standard code, including external cause of injury, complication, infection and childbirth;

(9) principal procedure by council-specified standard code and date;

(10) up to three secondary procedures by council-specified standard codes and dates;

(11) uniform health care facility identifier, continuous across episodes, patients and providers;

(12) uniform identifier of admitting physician, by unique physician identification number established by the council, continuous across episodes, patients and providers;

(13) uniform identifier of consulting physicians, by unique physician identification number established by the council, continuous across episodes, patients and providers;

(14) total charges of health care facility, segregated into major categories, including, but not limited to, room and board, radiology, laboratory, operating room, drugs,

medical supplies and other goods and services according to guidelines specified by the council;

(15) actual payments to health care facility, segregated, if available, according to the categories specified in paragraph (14);

(16) charges of each physician or professional rendering service relating to an incident of hospitalization or treatment in an ambulatory service facility;

(17) actual payments to each physician or professional rendering service under paragraph (16);

(18) uniform identifier of primary payor;

(19) zip code number of facility where health care service is rendered;

(20) uniform identifier for payor group contract number;

(21) patient discharge status; and

(22) provider service effectiveness and provider quality under section 3304(d).

(d) Provider quality and provider service effectiveness data elements.--In carrying out its duty to collect data on provider quality and provider service effectiveness under subsection (c)(22) and section 3304(d)(5), the council shall define a methodology to measure provider service effectiveness, which may include additional data elements to be specified by the council sufficient to carry out its responsibilities under section 3304(d)(5). The council shall not require health care insurers to report on data elements that are not reported to nationally recognized accrediting organizations, to the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services or the Insurance Department, in quarterly or annual reports. The council shall not require reporting by health care insurers in different formats than are required for reporting to nationally recognized accrediting organizations or on quarterly or annual reports submitted to the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services or the Insurance Department. The council may adopt the quality findings as reported to nationally recognized accrediting organizations. Additional quality data elements must be defined and released for public comment prior to use.

(e) Reserve field utilization and addition or deletion of data elements.--The council shall include in the Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form a reserve field. The council may utilize the reserve field by adding other data elements beyond those required to carry out its responsibilities under subsections (c) and (d) and section 3304(d)(4) and (5), or the council may delete data elements from the Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form only by a majority vote of the council and only pursuant to the following procedure:

(1) The council shall obtain a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed addition or deletion which shall include the cost to data sources of any proposed additions.

(2) The council shall publish notice of the proposed addition or deletion, along with a copy or summary of the cost-benefit analysis, in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and the notice shall include a provision for a 60-day comment period.

(3) The council may hold additional hearings or request such other reports as it deems necessary and shall consider the comments received during the 60-day comment period and any additional information gained through the hearings or other reports in making a final determination on the proposed addition or deletion.

(f) Other data required to be submitted.--Each provider is required to submit, and the council is authorized to collect, in accordance with submission dates and schedules established

by the council, the following additional data in its possession, provided the data is not available to the council from public records:

(1) Audited annual financial reports of all hospitals and ambulatory service facilities providing covered services as defined in section 3302 (relating to definitions).

(2) The Medicare cost report for Medical Assistance or successor forms, including the settled Medicare cost report.

(3) Additional data, including, but not limited to, data which can be used in reports about:

(i) the incidence of medical and surgical procedures in the population for individual providers;

(ii) physicians who provide covered services and accept medical assistance patients;

(iii) physicians who provide covered services and accept Medicare assignment as full payment;

(iv) mortality rates for specified diagnoses and treatments, grouped by severity, for individual providers;

(v) rates of infection for specified diagnoses and treatments, grouped by severity, for individual providers;

(vi) morbidity rates for specified diagnoses and treatments, grouped by severity, for individual providers;

(vii) readmission rates for specified diagnoses and treatments, grouped by severity, for individual providers;

(viii) rate of incidence of postdischarge professional care for selected diagnoses and procedures, grouped by severity, for individual providers; and

(ix) data from other public sources.

(4) Any other data the council requires to carry out its responsibilities under section 3304(d).

(g) Review and correction of data.--The council shall provide a reasonable period for data sources to review and correct the data submitted under this section which the council intends to prepare and issue in reports to the General Assembly, to the general public or in special studies and reports under section 3309 (relating to special studies and reports). When corrections are provided, the council shall correct the appropriate data in its data files and subsequent reports.

(h) Allowance for clarification or dissents.--The council shall maintain a file of written statements submitted by data sources who wish to provide an explanation of data that they feel might be misleading or misinterpreted. The council shall provide access to the file to any person and shall, where practical, in its reports and data files indicate the availability of such statements. When the council agrees with such statements, it shall correct the appropriate data and comments in its data files and subsequent reports.

(i) Allowance for correction.--The council shall verify the patient safety indicator data submitted by hospitals under subsection (c)(8) within 60 days of receipt. The council may allow hospitals to make changes to the data submitted during the verification period. After the verification period, but within 45 days of receipt of the adjusted hospital data, the council shall risk adjust the information and provide reports to the patient safety committee of the relevant hospital.

(j) Availability of data.--Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a purchaser from obtaining from its health care insurer, nor relieve the health care insurer from the obligation

of providing the purchaser, on terms consistent with past practices, data previously provided or additional data not currently provided to the purchaser by the health care insurer pursuant to any existing or future arrangement, agreement or understanding. Cross References. Section 3305 is referred to in sections 3302, 3304, 3306, 3308, 3310 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8117 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8117
Paramedics.
Status: in_force

(a) Scope of practice.--A paramedic is a higher-level EMS provider than an advanced EMT. A paramedic performs basic and advanced EMS skills which include interventions and administration of medications with basic and advanced equipment found on an EMS vehicle as follows:

(1) For an EMS agency as a member of the crew of an ambulance.

(2) For an EMS agency as a member of a QRS to stabilize and improve a patient's condition in an out-of-hospital emergency until an ambulance arrives at the scene and then may assist the ambulance crew.

(3) As a first aid or safety officer, or in a similar capacity, for or independent of an EMS agency, as prescribed by regulation of the department.

(4) For an EMS agency in another capacity authorized by regulation of the department.

(b) Paramedic training.--To be eligible to enroll in a paramedic training course required for certification as a paramedic, an individual must satisfy all of the following:

(1) Be at least 18 years of age when the course commences.

(2) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(3) Be currently certified by the department as an EMT or advanced EMT.

(c) Certification.--The department shall certify as a paramedic an EMT or advanced EMT who meets all of the following:

(1) Is at least 18 years of age.

(2) Has successfully completed a paramedic training course which:

(i) teaches basic life support skills;

(ii) teaches advanced life support skills deemed appropriate by regulation of the department; and

(iii) is approved by the department.

(3) Has a current certificate evidencing successful completion of a CPR course acceptable to the department.

(4) Has passed a paramedic skills practical examination approved by the department.

(5) Has passed a written paramedic certification examination approved by the department.

(d) Biennial registration.--A paramedic's certification is deemed registered when the certification is issued. The initial registration shall expire as set forth in section 8113(n) (relating to emergency medical services providers). Except for the initial registration period, a paramedic must register the paramedic certification at two-year intervals by completing an application for biennial registration on a form or through an electronic process as prescribed by regulation of the department. The following shall apply:

(1) The department shall issue a biennial registration of a paramedic certification to a paramedic who meets all of the following:

(i) Has a current registration and applies for a new registration no later than:

(A) 30 days before the current registration is to expire; or

(B) a lesser time established by regulation of the department.

(ii) Successfully secures continuing education credits for paramedic biennial registration as required

by the department in continuing education programs approved by the department.

(2) A paramedic whose registration of a paramedic certification has expired must qualify for a biennial registration of the certification as prescribed by regulation of the department. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8117 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79A13 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79A13
Real property tax credit.
Status: in_force

The governing body of a municipality may provide, by ordinance or resolution, for a tax credit against real property tax to be granted to an active volunteer. The tax credit shall apply to tax levied on residential real property owned and occupied by an active volunteer who is certified under section 79A23 (relating to certification). The amount of the tax credit authorized by an ordinance or resolution may not exceed 100% of the tax liability of the active volunteer. (Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 79A13 is referred to in section 79A03 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7375 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7375
Expenses of preparation, issue and sale of bonds.
Status: in_force

There is appropriated to the State Treasurer from the proceeds of the bonds issued as much moneys as may be necessary for all costs and expenses in connection with the issue of and sale and registration of the bonds in connection with this subchapter.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7903 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 7903
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Adjusted loss." The difference between:

(1) eligible loss; and

(2) covered loss.

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

"Covered loss." An amount received by or due the recipient from private insurance and Federal grants and loans, including applicable State matching funds, related to an eligible loss. The term does not include an insurance deductible paid by the recipient.

"Disaster emergency area." An area included under a declaration of disaster emergency issued by the Governor under section 7301 (relating to general authority of Governor).

"Eligible loss." Damage to a public facility caused by a natural or man-made disaster in a disaster emergency area.

"Man-made disaster." Any industrial, nuclear or transportation accident, explosion, conflagration, power failure, natural resource shortage or other condition, except enemy action, resulting from man-made causes, including oil spills and other environmental contamination, which threatens or causes substantial damage to property, individuals, loss of life or other hardships.

"Natural disaster." Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion or other catastrophe not resulting from a man-made cause which threatens or causes substantial damage to property or individuals, possible loss of life or other hardships.

"Program." The Public Disaster Assistance Grant Program established under Subchapter B (relating to Public Disaster Assistance Grant Program).

"Public facility." Any facility which is owned, operated or maintained by a political subdivision or municipal authority of this Commonwealth. The term shall include:

(1) buildings and equipment;

(2) bridges, roads, highways and public ways;

(3) parks and recreational facilities;

(4) power generation and distribution facilities, including natural gas systems, wind turbines, generators, substations and power lines;

(5) sanitary sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities;

(6) drainage and flood control facilities;

(7) water treatment, water storage and water distribution facilities; and

(8) any other improvement or infrastructure.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7336 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7336
License, certificate and permit portability.
Status: in_force

If a person holds a license, certificate or other permit issued by a participating political subdivision or the Commonwealth evidencing qualification in a professional, mechanical or other skill and the assistance of that person or entity is requested by a participating political subdivision, the person shall be deemed to be licensed, certified or permitted in the political subdivision requesting assistance for the duration of the incident response or authorized drills or exercises and subject to any limitations and conditions the chief executive of the participating political subdivision receiving the assistance may prescribe by executive order or otherwise.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5202 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 52 / Section 5202
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Controlled substance." As defined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Health care facility." A health care facility as defined in section 103 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, or any other facility or institution licensed, registered or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with or prescribe or administer a controlled substance containing an opioid or other controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this Commonwealth.

"Licensing board." The term shall include the following:

(1) The State Board of Medicine as set forth in the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985.

(2) The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine as set forth in the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act.

(3) The State Board of Nursing as set forth in the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law.

(4) The State Board of Podiatry as set forth in the act of March 2, 1956 (1955 P.L.1206, No.375), known as the Podiatry Practice Act.

(5) The State Board of Dentistry as set forth in the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law.

"Opioid." Any of the following:

(1) A preparation or derivative of opium.

(2) A synthetic narcotic that has opiate-like effects but is not derived from opium.

(3) A group of naturally occurring peptides that bind at or otherwise influence opiate receptors, including an opioid agonist.

"Patient." An individual who is under the medical care of a practitioner.

"Practitioner." A health care practitioner as defined in section 103 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act.

"Secretary." The Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth.

"System." The Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program electronic prescription monitoring system with a database component as established under the act of October 27, 2014 (P.L.2911, No.191), known as the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Act.

"Voluntary nonopioid directive." A written instruction form executed by a patient evidencing the named patient's request not to have a controlled substance containing an opioid offered, supplied, prescribed or otherwise administered to the named patient by a practitioner.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8106 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8106
Emergency medical services patient care reports.
Status: in_force

(a) Preparation.--An EMS agency shall ensure that its responding EMS providers complete an EMS patient care report for each response made in which it encounters a patient or a person who has been identified as a patient to the EMS agency, unless the department by regulation exempts certain types of patient contact from the reporting requirement. The department shall employ an electronic EMS patient care reporting process that shall solicit standardized data and patient information. The department may require an EMS agency to complete a different standardized report or different fields in a standardized report based upon the type of resources the EMS agency uses in responding. The department shall permit an EMS agency to file a paper report for extraordinary reasons as determined by the department on a case-by-case basis.

(b) Content.--The report shall contain information as solicited on the form or other reporting process developed by the department. The reporting process shall solicit essential information in reasonable detail. The department may also use the reporting process to collect data to enhance its ability to carry out its responsibilities under sections 8104 (relating to emergency medical services system programs) and 8105 (relating to duties of department).

(c) Patient medical record.--If a patient is transported to a hospital or from a hospital to another health care facility, information about the patient and EMS performed on the patient that is solicited through the reporting process

shall be provided by the EMS agency to the hospital or other health care facility and become part of the patient's medical record.

(d) Reporting.--An EMS agency shall report to the department or a regional EMS council, as determined by department regulation, data that is solicited through the reporting process.

(e) Confidentiality.--

(1) Patient information collected by an EMS agency shall be confidential and shall not be released by the EMS agency or a health care facility except as follows:

(i) To the patient who is the subject of the report or to a person who is authorized to exercise the rights of the patient with respect to securing the report.

(ii) Pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, including a subpoena when it constitutes a court order, except that disclosure pursuant to a subpoena shall not be permitted as to information in the report that is of such nature that disclosure pursuant to a subpoena is not otherwise authorized by law.

(iii) To a health care provider to whom a patient's medical record may be released under the law.

(iv) For billing purposes.

(v) For quality improvement activities.

(vi) To the department or a regional EMS council for the purpose of investigating possible violations of this chapter or related regulations.

(vii) To a government agency or its agent, as authorized by the department, for the purpose of the agency performing official government duties.

(2) Notwithstanding the duty of confidentiality applicable to department and regional EMS councils concerning reports under paragraph (1), the report may be released for specific research or EMS planning purposes approved by the department, subject to department approval and supervision to ensure that use of the report is strictly limited to the purposes of the research.

(f) Vendors.--A vendor may not sell or otherwise provide or offer reporting forms or software marketed as appropriate for use in making reports required under this section unless the vendor submits the product to the department for review and receives department approval. Thereafter, the vendor shall submit any modification of the product to the department for review and approval if the vendor intends to offer the modified product for use in the EMS patient care reporting process. If the department makes changes to the EMS patient care report, it shall publish a notice of the changes in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The effective date for the changes shall be no fewer than 60 days following publication. After publication of changes, a vendor may not market a product as one appropriate for use in making an EMS patient care report, any reporting forms or software approved by the department prior to publication of the changes, unless the vendor clearly discloses that the forms or software were approved prior to publication of the changes. The department may assess a vendor a $5,000 civil penalty for each day a vendor violates the provisions of this subsection. Cross References. Section 8106 is referred to in section 8109 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7383.1 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7383.1
Curriculum, training and education certification management system.
Status: in_force

(a) Duty to establish guidelines.--The commissioner shall establish guidelines for the development, delivery and maintenance of fire and emergency services training and an education certification management system.

(b) Training.--

(1) Training shall be lecture-based, hands on or online.

(2) Training may be conducted at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, a county training center, a community college or other approved educational training agency.

(3) The training records shall be incorporated into the training and education certification management system approved by the commissioner.

(4) An individual who successfully completes fire suppression training as a condition of employment may provide a letter or certificate stating the number of hours of training completed, which is signed by the individual who conducted the training, to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for approval to count towards the required number of hours of instruction needed to obtain a Firefighter I certification.

(b.1) Entry level training and testing.--Fire and emergency services training at the Firefighter I level established under this section shall provide the following testing options to trainees:

(1) a cumulative test to be completed at the end of the fire and emergency services training program; or

(2) a test to be completed following a successive training module of the program, provided that all individual tests are completed in the same National Fire Protection Association accreditation standard period.

(c) Certificate of completion.--The commissioner shall provide a certificate of completion to an individual who successfully completes a fire or emergency services training program. The training and education certification management system shall include a method by which the trainee can download and print the certificate.

(d) Publication.--(Deleted by amendment).

(e) Accessibility.--The commissioner shall facilitate access to each available fire and emergency services training course through a publicly accessible Internet website or portal. The Internet website or portal shall record firefighter training

and certification. The commissioner shall establish and maintain or participate in an existing electronic database or portal that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) Allows for user registration for an individual trainee or an accredited provider.

(2) Allows a user to register for courses offered through the database or portal and in any other format authorized under this section.

(3) Establishes a course completion transcript and certificate for a registered user.

(4) Facilitates communication and access to training materials between an accredited provider and a registered trainee using the database or portal.

(f) Fees.--The commissioner may establish a fee of no more than $1 per course on the training and education certification management system, which shall be used for administrative costs within the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

(g) Annual reports.--

(1) The commissioner shall prepare an annual report on the training and education certification management system. The report shall include all of the following information:

(i) The total number of firefighters in the system, delineated between paid and volunteer firefighter.

(ii) The number of firefighters under subparagraph

(i) who took a course on the system during the previous year.

(iii) The number of firefighters under subparagraph

(i) who are certified as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I or Fire Officer I.

(iv) A summary of courses that were taken by firefighters under subparagraph (i).

(v) A summary of how the funds under this section were expended.

(2) The commissioner shall submit the annual report under paragraph (1) no later than October 1, 2023, and by October 1 of each year thereafter, to all of the following:

(i) The chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate.

(ii) The chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives.

(3) The commissioner shall post the annual report under paragraph (1) on the Office of the State Fire Commissioner's publicly accessible Internet website. (Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.; June 30, 2025, P.L.80, No.25, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2025, P.L.115, No.33, eff. 6 months) 2025 Amendments. Act 25 amended subsec. (b) and Act 33 amended subsec. (g)(1) and added subsec. (b.1).
35 Pa.C.S. § 5311.12 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5311.12
Regulations (Deleted by amendment).
Status: in_force

2015 Amendment. Section 5311.12 was deleted by amendment June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, effective August 1, 2015.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79B17 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79B17
Recoupment of tuition or loan assistance payments.
Status: in_force

(a) Noncompliance.--An individual who fails to satisfy the requirements under the program shall be liable to the Commonwealth for the full amount of tuition or loan assistance received by the individual, unless the failure and inability to do so is a result of an injury while responding to an emergency as an active volunteer that prevents the individual from complying with the requirements under the program. The promissory note under section 79B14 (relating to promissory note) shall be repaid by the individual upon demand by the agency on a schedule as the agency may determine.

(b) Notice.--A volunteer organization shall notify the agency if an active volunteer fails to satisfy the volunteer requirements under the program. Cross References. Section 79B17 is referred to in section 79B14 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5311.6 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5311.6
Reporting (Deleted by amendment).
Status: in_force

2015 Amendment. Section 5311.6 was deleted by amendment June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, effective August 1, 2015.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7712 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 77 / Section 7712
Firefighters' Memorial Sunday.
Status: in_force

§ 7713. Prohibition on certain service. § 7714. Soliciting by first responder organizations.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7513 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 75 / Section 7513
Agreements among political subdivisions.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Where a local organization has jurisdiction in an area including all or parts of more than one political subdivision which does not include the whole area of any county, the political subdivisions, all or part of which lie within the jurisdiction of the organization, shall, before paying any expenses of the organization, enter into an agreement designating one of the political subdivisions as the agent of each of them for the purpose of paying the expenses of the local organization. The agreement shall also set forth the proportionate share of the expenses of the organization to be paid by each political subdivision party to the agreement and an estimate of the amount required to be appropriated by each of them for the purpose of paying the expenses. The agreement shall be effective when approved by the corporate authorities of each of the political subdivisions by a majority vote and each of the subdivisions shall thereupon make an appropriation pursuant to section 7511 (relating to appropriations by political subdivisions) sufficient to pay its share of the expenses of the organization.

(b) Counties.--Where the local organization has jurisdiction in an area including the whole area of one or more counties which is not coterminous with any one county, before paying any expenses of the organization, the counties, all or part of which lie within the jurisdiction of the organization, shall enter

into an agreement in the manner and form provided in subsection

(a) and with like effect, and no other political subdivision lying within the jurisdiction of the organization shall be a party to the agreement. Cross References. Section 7513 is referred to in sections 7511, 7515 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8103 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8103
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Advanced emergency medical services." Emergency medical services exceeding the scope of practice of an emergency medical technician.

"Advanced emergency medical technician." An individual who is certified by the Department of Health as an advanced emergency medical technician.

"Advanced life support squad vehicle." A vehicle which:

(1) is maintained or operated to transport emergency medical service providers above the advanced emergency medical technician level, equipment and supplies to rendezvous with the crew of an ambulance for the purpose of providing advanced emergency medical services to patients; and

(2) is not used in the transportation of patients.

"ALS." Advanced life support.

"Ambulance." A ground, water or air vehicle which is maintained or operated for the purpose of providing emergency medical services to and transportation of patients.

"Ambulance attendant." An individual who is 16 years of age or older and satisfies one of the following:

(1) Possesses a certificate evidencing successful completion of an advanced first aid course sponsored by the American Red Cross and a current certificate evidencing successful completion of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course acceptable to the Department of Health.

(2) Possesses a current certificate evidencing successful completion of a course determined by the Department of Health to be equivalent to the requirements in paragraph (1).

"Basic emergency medical services" or "basic EMS." Emergency medical services included within, but not exceeding, the scope of practice of an emergency medical technician.

"Basic life support squad vehicle." A vehicle which:

(1) is maintained or operated to transport emergency medical services providers, equipment and supplies to rendezvous with the crew of an ambulance for the purpose of providing emergency medical services at or below the advanced emergency medical technician level to patients; and

(2) is not used in the transportation of patients.

"BLS." Basic life support.

"Board." The State Advisory Board, which is the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.

"Catchment area." An area surrounding a hospital that is located less than 25 miles of travel distance established by roadways from a Level I, Level II or Level III trauma center. "Commonwealth emergency medical services medical director" or "Commonwealth EMS medical director." A physician who is approved and employed by the Department of Health to advise and formulate policy on matters pertaining to emergency medical services.

"Comprehensive emergency services." The capacity of a hospital emergency department to maintain staff and provide immediate and advanced care for Pennsylvania patients who require trauma care treatment 24 hours per day and seven days per week based on the availability of the following services:

(1) At least two qualified physicians to staff the emergency department during periods of peak utilization.

(2) At least one registered nurse with specialized training in advanced life support techniques at all times.

(3) Anesthesia services at all times.

(4) Physician specialists who can immediately consult by telephone or radio and can report immediately to the hospital emergency department as needed.

(5) Ancillary services, such as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and respiratory therapy, at all times, with appropriate personnel who can report immediately to the hospital emergency department as needed.

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Emergency." A physiological or psychological illness or injury of an individual, such that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the absence of immediate emergency medical services to result in:

(1) placing the health of the individual or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child, in serious jeopardy;

(2) serious impairment of bodily functions; or

(3) serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part. "Emergency medical responder" or "EMR." An individual who is certified by the Department of Health as an emergency medical responder. "Emergency medical services" or "EMS." Any of the following:

(1) The medical care, including medical assessment, monitoring, treatment, transportation and observation, which may be provided to a person in responding to an actual or reported emergency to:

(i) prevent or protect against loss of life or a deterioration in physiological or psychological condition; or

(ii) address pain or morbidity associated with the person's condition.

(2) The transportation of an individual with medical assessment, monitoring, treatment or observation of the individual who, due to the individual's condition, requires medical assessment, monitoring, treatment or observation during the transport. "Emergency medical services agency" or "EMS agency." An entity that engages in the business or service of providing emergency medical services to patients within this Commonwealth by operating any of the following:

(1) An ambulance.

(2) An advanced life support squad vehicle.

(3) A basic life support squad vehicle.

(4) A quick response service.

(5) A special operations EMS service. This paragraph includes, but is not limited to:

(i) a tactical EMS service;

(ii) a wilderness EMS service;

(iii) a mass-gathering EMS service; and

(iv) an urban search and rescue EMS service.

(6) A vehicle or service which provides emergency medical services outside of a health care facility, as prescribed by the Department of Health by regulation. "Emergency medical services agency medical director" or "EMS agency medical director." A physician who is employed by, contracts with or volunteers with an emergency medical services agency either directly or through an intermediary to:

(1) evaluate the quality of patient care provided by the emergency medical services providers utilized by the emergency medical services agency; and

(2) provide medical guidance and advice to the emergency medical services agency. "Emergency medical services provider" or "EMS provider." Any of the following:

(1) An emergency medical responder.

(2) An emergency medical technician.

(3) An advanced emergency medical technician.

(4) A paramedic.

(5) A prehospital registered nurse.

(6) A prehospital physician extender.

(7) A prehospital emergency medical services physician.

(8) An individual prescribed by regulation of the Department of Health to provide specialized emergency medical services. "Emergency medical services system" or "EMS system." The arrangement of personnel, facilities and equipment to prevent and manage emergencies in a geographic area. "Emergency medical services vehicle operator" or "EMS vehicle operator." An individual certified by the Department of Health to operate a ground emergency medical services vehicle. "Emergency medical technician" or "EMT." An individual who is certified by the Department of Health as an emergency medical technician.

"Facility." A physical location at which an entity operates a health care facility licensed under Federal or State law.

"Foundation." The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, a nonprofit Pennsylvania corporation whose function is to accredit trauma centers that receive or seek to receive Commonwealth funds.

"Hospital." An institution having an organized medical staff that is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of physicians, diagnostic and therapeutic services or rehabilitation services for the care or

rehabilitation of injured, disabled, pregnant, diseased, sick or mentally ill persons. The term includes a facility for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders within the scope of specific medical specialties. The term does not include a facility caring exclusively for the mentally ill.

"Medical command facility." A distinct unit which contains the necessary equipment and personnel for providing medical command to and control over emergency medical services providers.

"Medical command order." An order issued by a medical command physician to an emergency medical services provider who is functioning on behalf of an emergency medical services agency.

"Medical command physician." A physician certified by the Department of Health to give medical command orders to emergency medical services providers.

"Medical monitoring." Performing continuous or periodic observations of an individual's condition or continuation of an ordered treatment plan for an individual to prevent pain, suffering or the exacerbation of a preexisting condition.

"Medical observation." Performing continuous or periodic observations of an individual's stable condition to determine whether there is a change in that condition.

"Paramedic." An individual who is certified by the Department of Health as a paramedic.

"Patient." An individual for whom an emergency medical services provider is:

(1) providing emergency medical services on behalf of an EMS agency; or

(2) required to provide emergency medical services on behalf of an EMS agency because the individual's condition requires or may require medical observation, monitoring, assessment or treatment for an illness, disease, injury or other disability.

"Peer review." The evaluation by health care providers of the quality and efficiency of services ordered or performed by emergency medical services providers and physicians who direct or supervise EMS providers under this chapter and the regulations of the Department of Health.

"Physician." A person who has a currently registered license to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in this Commonwealth. "Prehospital emergency medical services physician" or

"prehospital EMS physician." A physician who is certified by the Department of Health as a prehospital emergency medical services physician. "Prehospital physician extender" or "PHPE." A physician assistant who is certified by the Department of Health as a prehospital physician extender. "Prehospital registered nurse" or "PHRN." A registered nurse who is certified by the Department of Health as a prehospital registered nurse. "Quick response service" or "QRS." An operation in which emergency medical services providers of an EMS agency:

(1) respond to an actual, reported or perceived emergency; and

(2) provide emergency medical services to patients pending the arrival of an ambulance. "Regional emergency medical services council" or "regional EMS council." A nonprofit incorporated entity or appropriate equivalent that is assigned by the Department of Health to:

(1) plan, develop, maintain, expand and improve emergency medical services systems within a specific geographic area of this Commonwealth; and

(2) coordinate those systems into a regional emergency medical services system. "Regional emergency medical services medical director" or

"regional EMS medical director." The medical director of a regional emergency medical services council.

"Review organization." A committee which engages in peer review as authorized by the regulations of the Department of Health.

"Rural area." An area outside urbanized areas as defined by the United States Bureau of the Census.

"Special care unit." An appropriately equipped area of a hospital where provisions have been made for a concentration of physicians, nurses and others who have special skills and experiences to provide medical care for critically ill patients.

"Trauma care." Medical services provided to an individual with a severe, life-threatening injury that is likely to result in mortality or permanent disability.

"Trauma center." Any of the following:

(1) A hospital accredited as a Level I, Level II, Level III or Level IV trauma center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation in accordance with this chapter.

(2) An out-of-State hospital that qualifies as a trauma center under the Title XIX State Plan that:

(i) has paid to the foundation the annual participation fees that would be due if the hospital were to obtain accreditation from the foundation; and

(ii) has submitted to the foundation on an annual basis:

(A) the clinical patient data that the hospital submits to the National Trauma Database regarding residents of this Commonwealth who receive trauma services from the hospital; and

(B) the information necessary to calculate the supplemental payment under section 8107.3 (relating to funding) as provided in the Title XIX State Plan.

"Travel distance." The distance traveled by a motor vehicle on paved public roads having at least two driving lanes of width and on which a motor vehicle would reasonably travel in the transport of patients. Travel distance is calculated by rounding up to the next whole mile for a portion of a mile over a whole mile for the distance traveled. (July 2, 2019, P.L.359, No.54, eff. imd.) 2019 Amendment. Act 54 amended the def. of "trauma center" and added the defs. of "catchment area," "comprehensive emergency services," "trauma care" and "travel distance." See section 5 of Act 54 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law. Cross References. Section 8103 is referred to in sections 79A03, 79B01, 79C11, 8107.3 of this title; sections 3505, 4306 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses); section 6502 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); section 4901 of Title 40 (Insurance); section 304 of Title 53 (Municipalities Generally).
35 Pa.C.S. § 5502 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 55 / Section 5502
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administer." The direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual.

"Authorized entity." Any entity or organization, other than a school entity or a nonpublic school under section 1414.2 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, which has an employee or agent who has completed the required training and at which allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present, including, but not limited to:

(1) recreation camps;

(2) colleges and universities;

(3) day-care facilities;

(4) youth sports leagues;

(5) amusement parks;

(6) restaurants;

(7) places of employment;

(8) sports arenas; and

(9) law enforcement agencies.

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Epinephrine auto-injector." A single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body.

"Health care practitioner." An individual who is authorized to practice some component of the healing arts by a license, permit, certificate or registration issued by a Commonwealth licensing agency or board.

"Law enforcement agency." The Pennsylvania State Police or a police department of a city, borough, incorporated town or township.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7706 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 77 / Section 7706
Compensation for accidental injury.
Status: in_force

(a) Benefits.--All duly enrolled emergency management volunteers, and such other volunteers as the agency shall by regulation qualify, who are not eligible to receive benefits under the Workmen's Compensation Laws shall be entitled, except during a state of war or period of armed conflict within the continental limits of the United States, to the following benefits relating to injuries sustained while actually engaged in emergency management activities and services or in or en

route to and from emergency management tests, drills, exercises or operations authorized by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and carried out in accordance with rules and orders promulgated and adopted by the agency:

(1) A sum of $20,000 for accidental injury directly causing or leading to death.

(2) A sum not exceeding $15,000 for reimbursement for medical and hospital expenses associated with accidental injury.

(3) Weekly payments of $200, not to exceed six months in duration, beginning on the eighth day of disability directly arising from accidental injury rendering the individual totally incapable of following his normal gainful pursuits.

(b) Source of funds.--All benefits hereby authorized shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the agency. Payments shall be made on the basis of claims submitted to the agency through the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with rules and orders promulgated and adopted by the agency. (July 13, 1988, P.L.501, No.87, eff. imd.) 1988 Amendment. Act 87 amended subsec. (a).
35 Pa.C.S. § 8113 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8113
Emergency medical services providers.
Status: in_force

(a) Certification.--The department shall issue certifications for the following types of EMS providers, which shall be permanent, subject to disciplinary action pursuant to section 8121 (relating to certification sanctions):

(1) Emergency medical responder.

(2) Emergency medical technician.

(3) Advanced emergency medical technician.

(4) Paramedic.

(5) Prehospital registered nurse.

(6) Prehospital physician extender.

(7) Prehospital EMS physician.

(8) Any other class of EMS provider the department establishes by regulation.

(b) Other emergency medical services providers.--The department may establish, by regulation as the need arises, classes of EMS providers to provide specialized EMS. The regulations shall establish certification, practice, disciplinary and other provider standards consistent with the purposes of this chapter and the statutory regulatory schemes applicable to paramedics except as necessary to meet the special EMS needs for which the class of EMS provider is created.

(c) Application.--An applicant for EMS provider certification shall complete an application for certification on a form or through an electronic application process prescribed by the department.

(d) Education.--The department shall assist, encourage and coordinate the education of EMS providers.

(1) The department shall develop standards through regulations for the accreditation, reaccreditation and operation of educational institutes to provide the training persons must successfully complete to be certified as EMS providers.

(2) The department shall develop standards through regulations for the approval of continuing education courses for EMS providers and for the accreditation of persons and Commonwealth agencies that provide continuing education EMS providers may take to secure renewal of registration.

(3) The department, in consultation with the board, shall review and update the permitted scope of continuing education programs not less than biennially.

(4) If the educational institute or provider of continuing education courses fails to satisfy the operational standards or fails to continue to meet the accreditation standards, the department may take one or more of the following actions:

(i) Deny the application for reaccreditation.

(ii) Impose terms of probation.

(iii) Revoke, suspend, limit or otherwise restrict the accreditation.

(iv) Impose a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each infraction.

(e) Examinations.--

(1) A person who intends to secure EMS provider certification shall take the required certification examinations within one year after completing the EMS provider training required for certification.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person who fails a written or practical skills examination for an EMS provider certification may repeat the failed examination without retaking the examination the person passed.

(3) A person who fails the written examination three times shall complete a refresher course approved by the department or repeat the EMS provider training program before taking the examination again.

(4) A person who fails the practical skills examination three times shall complete a remedial course approved by the department or repeat the EMS provider training program before again taking the examination.

(5) A person who fails either examination six times or who does not pass the required examinations within two years after completing the EMS provider training program shall

receive no credit for an examination previously passed and shall repeat the training program for the EMS provider certification before the person may take the certification examinations again.

(6) If the standards a person needs to satisfy to take a certification examination change after the person has failed the examination, the person may not retake the examination unless the person meets the new standards.

(7) The department may, by regulation, change the standards in this subsection.

(f) Reciprocity and endorsement.--The department may issue EMS provider certifications by reciprocity or endorsement as follows:

(1) If the department, upon review of the criteria for certification of a type of EMS provider in another state, determines that the criteria is substantially equivalent to the criteria for a similar certification in this Commonwealth, the department may enter into a reciprocity agreement with its counterpart certifying agency in the other state to certify that type of EMS provider based solely on the other state's certification of the provider. No reciprocity agreement may deprive the department from denying a certification based on disciplinary considerations.

(2) If the department, upon review of a course or an examination approved by another state for EMS provider certification or continuing education or upon review of a national course or examination, determines that the course or examination meets or exceeds the standards for such a course or examination for a similar type of certification in this Commonwealth, or for registration of the certification, the department may endorse the course or examination as meeting the course or examination requirements for that type of EMS provider certification in acting upon an applicant's application for certification or registration of the certification in this Commonwealth.

(g) Skills.--The department shall publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin a list of skills within the scope of practice of each type of EMS provider. The list shall be updated by publication as necessary.

(h) Medical command orders and protocols.--

(1) An EMS provider, other than a prehospital EMS physician, shall provide EMS pursuant to department-approved protocols and medical command orders.

(2) The protocols shall identify circumstances in which an EMS provider shall seek direction from a medical command physician, which direction may be given by the physician in person or through an authorized agent or via radio or other telecommunications device approved by the department, and shall address the responsibilities of an EMS provider when medical command cannot be secured or is disrupted.

(i) Reports of convictions, discipline and exclusions.--

(1) An applicant for an EMS provider certification shall report to the department all misdemeanor, felony and other criminal convictions that are not summary or equivalent offenses, and all disciplinary sanctions that have been imposed upon a license, certification or other authorization of the applicant to practice an occupation or profession, and any exclusion from a Federal or State health care program of the applicant or an entity in which the applicant had equity or capital, stock or profits of the entity equal to at least 5% of the value of the property or assets of the entity at the time of the exclusion.

(2) The applicant shall also provide the department with a certified copy of the criminal charging, judgment and sentencing documents for each conviction and a certified copy of an adjudication or other document imposing discipline against the applicant.

(3) The department may not certify an applicant until the department receives the documents, unless the applicant establishes that the documents from which certified copies are to be made no longer exist.

(4) An EMS provider shall report the same type of convictions, disciplinary sanctions and exclusions and provide the same documents to the department within 30 days after each conviction, discipline and exclusion.

(j) Identification.--

(1) An EMS provider shall provide proof of authority to practice as an EMS provider if requested when providing services as an EMS provider.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, "proof of authority to practice" means a card or certificate issued by the department that shows current registration of the EMS provider's certification.

(k) Change of address.--

(1) An EMS provider and an applicant for EMS provider certification shall ensure that the department has the current address at which the person can be reached by mail at all times.

(2) Neither an EMS provider's home address, telephone number nor any other residential contact information provided to the department shall be deemed a public record.

(l) Current registration.--To provide EMS, an EMS provider shall maintain current registration of his certification as an EMS provider.

(m) Downgrading certification or practice.--

(1) An EMS provider who has a currently registered certification as an advanced EMT or higher-level EMS provider and is not permitted to practice at that level by an EMS agency pursuant to sections 8125(b)(2) (relating to medical director of emergency medical services agency) and 8129(k) (relating to emergency medical services agencies) may function as a lower-level EMS provider for that EMS agency, as authorized by the EMS agency medical director, if the EMS agency permits.

(2) Upon expiration of the biennial registration period, an EMS provider who is at or above the advanced EMT level and whose practice for an EMS agency has been downgraded pursuant to sections 8125(b)(2) and 8129(k) may choose to maintain current registration of the EMS provider's certification by meeting the biennial registration requirements for that certification.

(3) An EMS provider who has a currently registered certification as an advanced EMT or higher-level EMS provider and does not meet the requirements for biennial registration of that certification may apply to and secure from the department registration of a lower-level EMS provider certification if the EMS provider meets the registration requirements for that certification.

(4) Instead of a registration certificate, the department shall issue a lower-level certification to an EMS provider who does not already have that certification and applies for a registration of that certification under this subsection.

(5) An EMS provider whose practice level has been downgraded under this section and who does not maintain current registration of the higher-level certification may not display an insignia, patch or any other indicia of the higher-level certification when providing EMS.

(n) Biennial registrations.--

(1) The biennial registration of each EMS provider certification subject to a biennial registration requirement shall expire on January 1 of the next even-numbered year.

(2) The continuing education requirements for the biennial registration following the initial registration of a certification shall be prorated based upon the month in which the EMS provider became certified, with any fractional requirement rounded down.

(o) Exceptions for members of armed forces returning from tour of duty.--EMS providers and EMS vehicle operators returning from active military service who have a certification registration that expired during their tours of duty or will expire within 12 months after their return from military duty may secure an exception to satisfying the continuing education requirements for certification registration as follows:

(1) EMS providers who have a triennial certification registration requirement may secure an exception to the period of time in which they would otherwise need to meet continuing education requirements for triennial registration of their certifications, as the department deems appropriate.

(2) EMS providers and EMS vehicle operators who have a biennial certification registration requirement may secure an exception to the period of time in which they would otherwise need to meet continuing education requirements for biennial registration of their certifications, as the department deems appropriate. Before an EMS provider without a current biennial registration begins to work for an EMS agency, the EMS agency medical director must determine that the EMS provider has continuing competency in the knowledge and skills required to provide the services the EMS agency will assign to the EMS provider.

(3) EMS providers may seek an exception to their continuing education requirements for certification registration by asking the department to endorse their relevant military training as satisfying some or all of the applicable continuing education requirements. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that subsecs. (a), (c), (d) and (n) shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093. Cross References. Section 8113 is referred to in sections 8116, 8117, 8118, 8119, 8120 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5401 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 54 / Section 5401
Scope of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter relates to cancer trial access for Pennsylvania patients.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79A01 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79A01
Scope of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter relates to incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7304 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7304
Community disaster loans.
Status: in_force

Whenever, at the request of the Governor, the President has declared a major disaster to exist in this Commonwealth, the Governor is authorized:

(1) Upon determining that a political subdivision of this Commonwealth will suffer a substantial loss of tax and other revenues from a major disaster and has demonstrated a need for financial assistance to perform its governmental functions, to apply to the Federal Government, on behalf of the political subdivision, for a loan and to receive and disburse the proceeds of any approved loan to any applicant political subdivision.

(2) To determine the amount needed by any applicant political subdivision to restore or resume its governmental functions and to certify the amount to the Federal Government. No application amount shall exceed 25% of the annual operating budget of the applicant for the fiscal year in which the major disaster occurs.

(3) After review, recommend to the Federal Government the cancellation of all or any part of repayment when, in the first three full fiscal-year periods following the major disaster, the revenues of the political subdivision are insufficient to meet its operating expenses including additional disaster-related expenses of a municipal operation character. Cross References. Section 7304 is referred to in section 7306 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7381 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7381
Scope of subchapter.
Status: in_force

This subchapter relates to the State Fire Commissioner.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7427 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 74 / Section 7427
Violations.
Status: in_force

(a) Employers.--An employer who willfully and knowingly violates this subchapter shall be required to revoke a disciplinary action and any penalty attached thereto or to reinstate such employee to his former position and shall be required to pay the employee all lost wages and benefits for the period between termination and reinstatement and reasonable attorney fees incurred in an action to recover lost wages and benefits.

(b) Statute of limitations.--An action to enforce this subchapter shall be commenced within two years of the date of violation, and the action shall be commenced in the court of common pleas of the county in which the employer is located.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7515 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 75 / Section 7515
Payments involving two or more political subdivisions.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Where two or more political subdivisions have entered into an agreement as provided by section 7513 (relating to agreements among political subdivisions), all bills and claims for expenses incurred by or for the local organization shall thereafter be paid in the first instance by the political subdivision named as agent in the agreement in the manner provided in section 7514 (relating to payments involving one political subdivision) as though the organization were coterminous with the political subdivision, and the organization shall be subject to all of the laws governing the making of contracts or purchases, the employment of persons or otherwise incurring financial obligations which apply to the political subdivision.

(b) Accounting by agent.--The political subdivision designated as agent shall, not later than the fifteenth day of each month, submit an itemized account of the expenses of the organization paid by it during the preceding calendar month to each of the other political subdivisions party to the agreement, together with a request for reimbursement of the proportionate share of expenses agreed to be paid by each of the other political subdivisions.

(c) Reimbursement of agent.--Each political subdivision requested to make reimbursement shall do so within 30 days after the request from the appropriation made for the payment of the expenses of the organization and, in the event of failure to

do so, mandamus shall lie to compel the officers of the political subdivision to pay the agreed-upon proportionate share of the proper expenses of the organization out of the first moneys thereafter in the treasury of the political subdivision and not previously pledged to any other purpose. No political subdivision may be compelled to pay for any one year an amount greater than the amount estimated in the agreement as its proportionate share. Any payment made by any political subdivision to the political subdivision named as agent in the agreement for reimbursement for the payment of the expenses of the organization shall be credited by the agent political subdivision to the appropriation made by it for the payment of the expenses of the organization and shall be available for the payment of future expenses of the organization without further appropriation or action by the agent political subdivision.

(d) Gift or grant of money.--Any gift or grant of money made to or for the local organization, if made to a political subdivision, shall be deposited in its treasury and be appropriated by it for the purpose for which the gift or grant was made and the political subdivision shall notify the political subdivision named as agent in the agreement of the appropriation and the purpose for which it is available. If the gift or grant of money is made to the organization, it shall be deposited in the treasury of the political subdivision named as agent in the agreement and shall be appropriated by the political subdivision for the purpose for which the gift or grant was made. Any expenditure made by the agent political subdivision from any gift or grant deposited in its treasury or reimbursed from any gift or grant deposited in the treasury of any other political subdivision shall not be included in computing the reimbursement requested from any other political subdivision under the agreement.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7215 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 72 / Section 7215
Specialized Statewide response teams.
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.--The Commonwealth may establish one or more specialized Statewide response teams. These specialized Statewide response teams shall also provide professional, logistical, material and other forms of support to the regional counterterrorism task forces and specialized regional counterterrorism response teams organized in this Commonwealth.

(b) Organization and responsibilities.--Specialized Statewide response teams shall be organized in accordance with guidelines developed by the Commonwealth in consultation with applicable Federal or State agencies.

(c) Activation.--Specialized Statewide response teams may only be activated and deployed to the scene of a disaster in accordance with policies developed by the agency.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8112 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8112
Contracts and grants.
Status: in_force

(a) General power.--The department may enter into contracts or grants with entities to serve as regional EMS councils responsible for the initiation, expansion, maintenance and

improvement of regional EMS systems that are in accordance with the Statewide EMS system plan.

(b) Limitation.--An entity with which the department enters into a contract or grant under this section to serve as a regional EMS council shall carry out the duties assigned by the department under section 8109(c) (relating to regional emergency medical services councils).

(c) Purposes.--In contracting with or giving a grant to regional EMS councils, the department may allocate Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund moneys appropriated to the department only for the following purposes:

(1) Providing programs of public education, information, health promotion and prevention regarding EMS.

(2) Purchasing ambulances, other EMS vehicles, medical equipment and rescue equipment.

(3) Applying to costs associated with conducting training and testing programs for EMS providers.

(4) Applying to costs associated with inspections and investigations conducted to assist the department to carry out its regulatory authority under this chapter.

(5) Purchasing communications equipment and services, including alerting equipment, provided that the purchases are in accordance with the Statewide EMS system plan.

(6) Assisting with the merger of EMS agencies or assisting an EMS agency to acquire another EMS agency, when the department determines circumstances exist such that the transaction and financial assistance are needed to serve the public interest.

(7) Applying to costs associated with the maintenance and operation of regional EMS councils. Those costs may include, but shall not be limited to, salaries, wages and benefits of staff, travel, equipment and supplies, leasing of office space and other costs incidental to the conduct of business which are deemed by the department to be necessary and appropriate for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

(8) Applying to costs associated with collection and analysis of data necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of EMS systems in providing EMS and to administer quality improvement programs.

(9) Applying to costs associated with assisting EMS agencies to recruit and retain EMS providers.

(d) Restriction.--In contracting with or providing grants to regional EMS councils, the department may not allocate Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund moneys appropriated to the department for the following purposes:

(1) Acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of facilities or buildings, except renovation as may be necessary for the implementation or modification of EMS communication systems.

(2) Purchasing hospital equipment, other than communications equipment for medical command and receiving facilities, unless the equipment is used or intended to be used in an equipment exchange program with EMS agencies.

(3) Maintenance of ambulances, other EMS vehicles and equipment.

(4) Applying to costs deemed by the department as inappropriate for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

(5) Applying to costs which are normally borne by patients, except for extraordinary costs as determined by the department.

(e) Reports.--The recipient of a contract or grant under this chapter shall make reports to the department as may be required by the department.

(f) Contract and grant prerequisites.--The department shall not contract with or provide a grant to an entity for that entity to serve as a regional EMS council unless:

(1) The entity has submitted a contract or grant application to the department in a form and format prescribed by the department that is consistent with the Statewide and regional EMS system plans.

(2) The application addresses planning, maintenance and improvement of the regional EMS system.

(3) The entity demonstrates to the department's satisfaction the qualifications and commitment to plan, maintain and improve a regional EMS system and that the entity has the required organizational structure and provisions for representation of appropriate entities.

(g) Technical assistance.--The department shall provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to regional EMS councils and to such other eligible entities as necessary for the purpose of their carrying out the provisions of contracts and grants under this section, with special consideration for contractors and grantees representing rural areas.

(h) Payments.--Payments pursuant to a contract or grant under this section may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement and in installments and on conditions as the department determines will most effectively carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(i) Other funds considered.--

(1) In determining the amount of a contract or grant under this section, the amount of funds available to the contractor or grantee from non-State contributions and Federal grant or contract programs pertaining to EMS shall be taken into consideration.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, "non-State contributions" include the outlay of cash and in-kind services to the contractor or grantee or toward the operation of a regional EMS system by private, public or government third parties, including the Federal Government.

(j) Other contracts and grants.--The department may enter into contracts and grants with organizations other than regional EMS councils in order to assist the department in complying with the provisions of this section and chapter.

(k) Public disclosure.--

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), finalized contracts and grants shall be deemed public records subject to disclosure.

(2) The department may not disclose information in contracts or grants that could be used by persons to undermine measures to combat, respond to or recover from terrorist attacks.

(l) Sole source contract or grant.--Upon expiration of a contract or grant with an entity to carry out the duties of a regional EMS council as set forth in subsection (c), the department, without undertaking a competitive bidding process, may enter into a new contract or grant with the same entity for that entity to continue to serve as a regional EMS council and perform the duties set forth in subsection (c), as determined by the department, if that entity, in carrying out the prior contract or grant, demonstrated its ability and commitment to the department's satisfaction to plan, maintain and improve the

regional EMS system consistent with the terms of the prior contract or grant. Cross References. Section 8112 is referred to in sections 8108, 8111, 8153 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 3302 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 33 / Section 3302
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Ambulatory service facility." A facility licensed in this Commonwealth which is not part of a hospital and which provides medical, diagnostic or surgical treatment to patients not requiring hospitalization, including ambulatory surgical facilities, ambulatory imaging or diagnostic centers, birthing centers, freestanding emergency rooms and any other facilities providing ambulatory care which charge a separate facility charge. The term does not include the offices of private physicians or dentists, whether for individual or group practices. "Charge" or "rate." The amount billed by a provider for specific goods or services provided to a patient, prior to any adjustment for contractual allowances.

"Council." The Health Care Cost Containment Council.

"Covered services." Any health care services or procedures connected with episodes of illness or injury that require either inpatient hospital care or major ambulatory service, including any initial and follow-up outpatient services associated with the episode of illness or injury before, during or after inpatient hospital care or major ambulatory service. The term does not include routine outpatient services connected with episodes of illness that do not require hospitalization or major ambulatory service.

"Data." Data collected by the council under section 3305 (relating to data submission and collection). The term includes raw data.

"Data source." The term includes a provider.

"Health care facility." A general or special hospital, including:

(1) Psychiatric hospitals.

(2) Kidney disease treatment centers, including freestanding hemodialysis units.

(3) Ambulatory service facilities.

(4) Hospices, including hospices operated by an agency of State or local government.

"Health care insurer." As follows:

(1) A person, corporation or other entity that offers administrative, indemnity or payment services for health care in exchange for a premium or service charge under a program of health care benefits, including, but not limited to:

(i) An insurance company, association or exchange issuing health insurance policies in this Commonwealth governed by the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.

(ii) A hospital plan corporation as defined in 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to hospital plan corporations).

(iii) A professional health service corporation as defined in 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to professional health services plan corporations).

(iv) A health maintenance organization governed by the act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364), known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act.

(v) A third-party administrator governed by Article X of the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.789, No.285), known as The Insurance Department Act of 1921.

(2) The term does not include:

(i) Employers, labor unions or health and welfare funds jointly or separately administered by employers or labor unions that purchase or self-fund a program of health care benefits for their employees or members and their dependents.

(ii) The following types of insurance or any combination thereof:

(A) Accident only.

(B) Fixed indemnity.

(C) Hospital indemnity.

(D) Limited benefit.

(E) Credit.

(F) Dental.

(G) Vision.

(H) Specified disease.

(I) Medicare supplement.

(J) Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) supplement.

(K) Long-term care or disability income.

(L) Workers' compensation.

(M) Automobile medical payment insurance.

"Health maintenance organization." An organized system which combines the delivery and financing of health care and which provides basic health services to voluntarily enrolled subscribers for a fixed prepaid fee, as defined in the Health Maintenance Organization Act.

"Hospital." An institution licensed in this Commonwealth which is:

(1) A general, mental, chronic disease or other type of hospital.

(2) A kidney disease treatment center, including kidney disease treatment centers operated by an agency of State or local government.

"Major ambulatory service." Surgical or medical procedures, including diagnostic and therapeutic radiological procedures, commonly performed in hospitals or ambulatory service facilities, which are not of a type commonly performed, or which cannot be safely performed, in physicians' offices and which require special facilities such as operating rooms or suites or special equipment such as fluoroscopic equipment or computed tomographic scanners, or a postprocedure recovery room or short-term convalescent room.

"Medical procedure incidence variations." The variation in the incidence in the population of specific medical, surgical and radiological procedures in any given year, expressed as a deviation from the norm, as these terms are defined in the classical statistical definition of "variation," "incidence," "deviation" and "norm."

"Payment." The payments that providers actually accept for their services, exclusive of charity care, rather than the charges they bill.

"Payor." Any person or entity, including, but not limited to, health care insurers and purchasers, that make direct payments to providers for covered services.

"Physician." An individual licensed under the laws of this Commonwealth to practice medicine and surgery within the scope of the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, or the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985.

"Preferred provider organization." Any arrangement between a health care insurer and providers of health care services which specifies rates of payment to such providers which differ from their usual and customary charges to the general public and which encourages enrollees to receive health services from such providers.

"Provider." A hospital, a health care facility, an ambulatory service facility or a physician.

"Provider quality." The extent to which a provider renders care that, within the capabilities of modern medicine, obtains for patients medically acceptable health outcomes and prognoses, adjusted for patient severity, and treats patients compassionately and responsively.

"Provider service effectiveness." The effectiveness of services rendered by a provider, determined by measurement of the medical outcome of patients grouped by severity receiving those services.

"Purchaser." Corporations, labor organizations or other entities that purchase benefits which provide covered services for their employees or members, either through a health care insurer or by means of a self-funded program of benefits, and a certified bargaining representative that represents a group or groups of employees for whom employers purchase a program of benefits which provide covered services, but excluding any entity defined in this section as a "health care insurer."

"Severity." In any patient, the measureable degree of the potential for failure of one or more vital organs. Cross References. Section 3302 is referred to in section 3305 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5304.2 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5304.2
Addressing authorities.
Status: in_force

Each addressing authority in this Commonwealth shall have the following powers and duties related to the 911 system:

(1) To issue new addresses in compliance with next generation 911 standards.

(2) To provide new addresses to counties in a timely manner to assist with provisioning new addresses into the next generation 911 system and to assist first responders with locating a site and structure. If an addressing authority is unable to provide the county addresses in a timely manner, the addressing authority shall consider assigning the authority to assign addresses to the county. The county and existing addressing authority shall develop processes and agreements to assign and share address data.

(3) If a property is readdressed, the property shall be assigned an address in compliance with NG911 standards. (Nov. 18, 2024, P.L.1186, No.147, eff. 180 days) 2024 Amendment. Act 147 added section 5304.2.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7417 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 74 / Section 7417
Cooperation agreements.
Status: in_force

Two or more volunteer firefighters' relief associations may jointly cooperate to enter into agreements to make expenditures that are authorized under this subchapter. A joint cooperation agreement may be enforced by and against a volunteer firefighters' relief association.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8156 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8156
Penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) Unlicensed agency.--A person who operates a service or vehicle for which a license is required under section 8129 (relating to emergency medical services agencies) and who does not have a license to operate the service or vehicle commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(b) Unauthorized practice.--A person who provides EMS without an EMS provider's certification or other legal authority to provide EMS commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. A provider who provides EMS without a current registration of the EMS provider's certification and without other legal authority to provide EMS commits a summary offense.

(c) Fine.--In addition to any other civil remedy or criminal penalty provided for under this chapter, the department may levy a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per day upon a person who owns or operates an EMS agency in this Commonwealth, without having a license to operate that agency in this Commonwealth, and a fine of up to $1,000 per day upon a person who provides EMS without an EMS provider's certification or other legal authority to provide EMS. Cross References. Section 8156 is referred to in section 8139 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5203 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 52 / Section 5203
Voluntary nonopioid directive.
Status: in_force

(a) Duty of department.--

(1) In consultation with a Statewide professional organization representing physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, Statewide organizations representing nursing homes, registered professional nurses, emergency medical systems and a Statewide organization representing health care facilities, the department shall develop and publish a uniform voluntary nonopioid directive form which may be used by a patient to deny or refuse the administration or prescribing of a controlled substance containing an opioid by a practitioner.

(2) The voluntary nonopioid directive form developed by the department in accordance with paragraph (1) shall indicate to all prescribing practitioners and health care facilities that the named patient shall not be offered, prescribed, supplied with or otherwise administered a controlled substance containing an opioid.

(3) The voluntary nonopioid directive form shall be posted in a downloadable format on the department's publicly accessible Internet website.

(b) Execution of form.--The following shall apply:

(1) A patient may execute and file a voluntary nonopioid directive form with a practitioner or other authority authorized by the secretary to accept the voluntary nonopioid directive form for filing. Each practitioner or other person authorized by the secretary to accept a voluntary nonopioid directive form for filing shall date and affix his signature to the form in the presence of the patient as evidence of acceptance and shall provide a signed copy of the form to the patient.

(2) The patient executing and filing a voluntary nonopioid directive form with a practitioner shall sign and date the form in the presence of the practitioner, a designee of the practitioner or other person authorized by the secretary to accept a voluntary nonopioid directive form for filing. In the case of a patient who is unable to execute and file a voluntary nonopioid form, the patient may designate a duly authorized guardian or health care proxy to execute and file the form in accordance with paragraph

(1).

(3) A patient may revoke the voluntary nonopioid directive form for any reason and may do so by written or oral means.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), before signing a voluntary nonopioid directive form a practitioner may, if deemed appropriate, assess the patient's personal and family history of alcohol or drug abuse and evaluate the patient's risk for medication misuse or abuse. In evaluating such risks, the practitioner shall access the system to determine whether an unusual or suspect pattern for the prescribing of controlled substances containing opioids to the patient has been reported to the system. If a practitioner reasonably believes that a patient is at risk for substance misuse or abuse or a practitioner believes in the practitioner's expert medical opinion that for any other reason the nonopioid directive is appropriate, the practitioner shall sign the form. The practitioner signing the nonopioid directive form shall note doing so in the patient's medical record.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7305 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7305
Individual and family assistance.
Status: in_force

(a) Grants by Federal Government.--Whenever the President, at the request of the Governor, has declared a major disaster or emergency to exist in this Commonwealth, the Governor is authorized:

(1) Upon determining that assistance under The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.), and from other means is insufficient to meet the disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster, to accept a grant from the Federal Government for the purpose of meeting the expenses or needs of disaster victims, subject to any terms and conditions imposed upon the grant.

(2) To enter into an agreement with the Federal Government or any Federal agency or officer pledging the Commonwealth to participate in the funding of the assistance authorized in paragraph (1) and, if Commonwealth funds are not otherwise available to the Governor, to accept an advance

of the Commonwealth share from the Federal Government to be repaid when the Commonwealth is able to do so.

(b) Grants by Governor.--To implement subsection (a), the Governor is authorized to make grants to meet disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster declared by the President. Any grant shall not exceed the amount authorized by The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by applicable State law to an individual or family in any single major disaster.

(c) Penalty for false application.--Any person who fraudulently or willfully makes a misstatement of fact in connection with an application for assistance under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (May 31, 1996, 2nd Sp.Sess., P.L.1762, No.2, eff. imd.)
35 Pa.C.S. § 7922 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 7922
Eligibility.
Status: in_force

To be eligible for a grant under this subchapter, a political subdivision or municipal authority must suffer eligible loss which is not covered by insurance.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5713 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 57 / Section 5713
Real property tax relief.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other law and subject to subsection (b), a taxing district may, by majority vote of the taxing district's governing body, do any of the following for the collection of a tax imposed on the assessed value of real property that would otherwise be due by December 31, 2020:

(1) Collect the tax at the taxing district's prescribed discount rate, if any, no later than August 31, 2020.

(2) Waive any fee or penalty otherwise associated with the late payment of the tax if paid in full by December 31, 2020.

(b) Resolution required.--Any taxing district electing to exercise a power under subsection (a) shall do so by delivering a resolution of the governing body to the tax collector for the taxing district within 30 days of the effective date of this subsection.
35 Pa.C.S. § 3304 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 33 / Section 3304
Powers and duties of council.
Status: in_force

(a) General powers.--The council shall exercise all powers necessary and appropriate to carry out its duties, including the following:

(1) To employ an executive director, investigators and other staff necessary to comply with the provisions of this chapter and regulations promulgated thereunder, to employ or retain legal counsel and to engage professional consultants, as it deems necessary to the performance of its duties. Any consultants, other than sole source consultants, engaged by the council shall be selected in accordance with the provisions for contracting with vendors set forth in section 3314 (relating to contracts with vendors).

(2) To fix the compensation of all employees and to prescribe their duties. Notwithstanding the independence of the council under section 3303(a) (relating to Health Care Cost Containment Council), employees under this paragraph shall be deemed employees of the Commonwealth for the purposes of participation in the Pennsylvania Employee Benefit Trust Fund.

(3) To make and execute contracts and other instruments, including those for purchase of services and purchase or leasing of equipment and supplies, necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the council. Any such contract shall be in accordance with the provision for contracting with vendors set forth in section 3314.

(4) To conduct examinations and investigations, to conduct audits, under the provisions of subsection (c), and to hear testimony and take proof, under oath or affirmation, at public or private hearings, on any matter necessary to its duties.

(5) To provide hospitals with individualized data on patient safety indicators under section 3305(c)(8) (relating to data submission and collection). The data shall be risk adjusted and made available to hospitals electronically and free of charge on a quarterly basis within 45 days of receipt of the corrected quarterly data from the hospitals. The data is intended to provide the patient safety committee of each hospital with information necessary to assist in conducting patient safety analysis.

(6) To do all things necessary to carry out its duties under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Rules and regulations.--

(1) The council may promulgate rules and regulations as necessary and appropriate to implement this act.

(2) Regulations promulgated by the council shall be promulgated in accordance with the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act.

(3) Rules and regulations in effect prior to the effective date of this section shall remain in effect.

(c) Audit powers.--The council shall have the right to independently audit all information required to be submitted by data sources as needed to corroborate the accuracy of the submitted data, pursuant to the following:

(1) Audits of information submitted by providers or health care insurers shall be performed on a sample and issue-specific basis, as needed by the council, and shall be coordinated, to the extent practicable, with audits performed by the Commonwealth. All health care insurers and providers are required to make those books, records of

accounts and any other data needed by the auditors available to the council at a convenient location within 30 days of written notification by the council.

(2) Audits of information submitted by purchasers shall be performed on a sample basis, unless there exists reasonable cause to audit specific purchasers, but in no case shall the council have the power to audit financial statements of purchasers.

(3) All audits performed by the council shall be performed at the expense of the council.

(4) The results of audits of providers or health care insurers shall be provided to the audited providers and health care insurers on a timely basis, not to exceed 30 days beyond presentation of audit findings to the council.

(d) General duties and functions.--The council is hereby authorized to and shall perform the following duties and functions:

(1) Develop a computerized system for the collection, analysis and dissemination of data. The council may contract with a vendor who will provide data processing services. The council shall assure that the system will be capable of processing all data required to be collected under this chapter. Any vendor selected by the council shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of section 3314, and the vendor shall relinquish any and all proprietary rights or claims to the database created as a result of implementation of the data processing system.

(2) Establish a Pennsylvania Uniform Claims and Billing Form for all data sources and all providers, which shall be utilized and maintained by all data sources and all providers for all services covered under this chapter.

(3) (Reserved).

(4) Collect and disseminate data, as specified in sections 3305 and 3306 (relating to data dissemination and publication), and other information from data sources to which the council is entitled, prepared according to formats, time frames and confidentiality provisions as specified in sections 3305 and 3308 (relating to Right-to-Know Law and access to council data), and by the council.

(5) Adopt and implement a methodology to collect and disseminate data reflecting provider quality, provider service effectiveness, utilization and the cost of health care services under sections 3305 and 3306.

(6) Subject to the restrictions on access to raw data set forth in section 3308, issue special reports and make available raw data to a purchaser requesting it. Sale by a recipient or exchange or publication by a recipient, other than a purchaser, of council raw data to other parties without the express written consent of, and under terms approved by, the council shall be unauthorized use of data under section 3308(d).

(7) On an annual basis, publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin a list of all the raw data reports it has prepared under section 3308(g) and a description of the data obtained through each computer-to-computer access it has provided under section 3308(g) and of the names of the parties to whom the council provided the reports or the computer-to-computer access during the previous month.

(8) Promote competition in the health care and health insurance markets.

(9) Assure that the use of council data does not raise access barriers to care.

(10) Provide information on the allowed and paid costs of medical services in terminology that may be reasonably understood by the average individual consumer of health care services. The council shall present the cost information in conjunction with information on quality of care delivery, if quality information is reasonably available to the council, so that the average individual consumer of health care services may use the information to inform purchasing decisions.

(11) In consultation with the Insurance Department and the Department of Health, make annual reports to the General Assembly on the rate of increase in the cost of health care in this Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) The rate of increase in health insurance premiums in this Commonwealth.

(ii) Regional trends in cost of health care and health insurance premiums.

(iii) The effectiveness of the council in carrying out the legislative intent of this chapter.

(iv) The quality and effectiveness of health care and access to health care for all citizens of this Commonwealth.

(12) In the discretion of the council, make recommendations on the need for further health care cost containment legislation.

(13) Conduct studies and publish reports analyzing the effects that outpatient, alternative health care delivery systems have on health care costs. The systems shall include, but are not limited to, health maintenance organizations; preferred provider organizations; primary health care facilities; home health care; attendant care; ambulatory service facilities; freestanding emergency centers; birthing centers; and hospice care. The reports shall be submitted to the General Assembly and shall be made available to the public.

(14) Conduct studies and make reports concerning the utilization of experimental and nonexperimental transplant surgery and other highly technical and experimental procedures, including costs and mortality rates. Cross References. Section 3304 is referred to in sections 3305, 3308, 3312 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5902 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 59 / Section 5902
Urine drug screening requirement.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), if a urine drug screening is conducted in an emergency department within an acute care hospital to assist in diagnosing a patient's condition, the urine drug screening shall include testing for fentanyl and xylazine.

(2) The xylazine testing under paragraph (1) shall only be required if testing is available as part of the urine drug screening panel.

(b) Reporting.--

(1) If the urine drug screening conducted in accordance with subsection (a) detects fentanyl or xylazine, the emergency department shall report the test results, which shall be deidentified, to the department and shall provide informational materials under section 5903(a)(2) (relating to xylazine awareness education).

(2) The department shall determine the manner of submission of test results.

(3) Reporting for fentanyl and xylazine shall occur when results meet a screening threshold set by the department.

(4) The department shall transmit notice of the manner of submission of test results under paragraph (2) and the screening threshold under paragraph (3) to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

(5) Prior to the transmittal of the notice under paragraph (4), the department shall consult with stakeholders regarding the manner of submission of test results and the screening threshold.

(c) Applicability.--The requirements of this chapter shall not apply if a health care practitioner of the emergency department determines that a positive test result for fentanyl is due to a legally prescribed course of treatment for the patient. The health care practitioner shall denote this exception in the patient's medical record.

(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Acute care hospital." A facility that provides inpatient and outpatient hospital services and is licensed by the department as a general or tertiary care hospital. The term does not include a specialty hospital.

"Controlled substance." A drug, substance or immediate precursor included in Schedules I through V of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Emergency department." An entity within a hospital that is organizationally distinct from other outpatient facilities and whose primary function is to provide emergency accident or emergency medical or surgical care. The term includes an outpatient emergency department.

"Health care practitioner." As defined in section 103 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act.

"Urine drug screening." A chemical analysis intended to test a patient for the presence of a controlled substance or xylazine.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8130 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8130
Advanced life support ambulances.
Status: in_force

(a) Purpose.--An ALS ambulance crew provides medical assessment, triage, monitoring, treatment, transportation and observation of patients who require EMS above the skill level of an advanced EMT.

(b) Staffing requirements.--

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, minimum staffing requirements for an ALS ambulance when responding to a call to provide EMS for a patient requiring EMS above the skill level of an advanced EMT is one EMS provider at or above the EMT level, one EMS provider above the advanced EMT level and one EMS vehicle operator. Only the two EMS providers need to respond if one of them is also the EMS vehicle operator. When present, an EMS provider qualified to provide the type and level of EMS required by the patient must attend to the patient at the scene and during transportation. If a member of the ambulance crew arrives at the scene before another crew member, that person shall begin providing EMS to the patient at that person's skill level.

(2) Minimum staffing requirements for an ALS ambulance is the same as for a BLS ambulance when the ALS ambulance responds to a call to provide EMS for a patient requiring EMS at or below the skill level of an advanced EMT. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8130 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093. Cross References. Section 8130 is referred to in section 8129 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7363 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7363
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Accessory equipment." Firefighting, ambulance and rescue equipment necessary to carry out the ordinary functions of supporting fires, life and rescue activities.

"Agency." (Deleted by amendment).

"Apparatus equipment." Elevated equipment, pumpers, tankers, ladder trucks, utility or special service vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles or other large equipment used for firefighting and emergency services.

"Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner.

"Communications equipment." Any voice or original transmission system required to support the operation of the volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and volunteer rescue squad. "Emergency medical services company" or "EMS company." A career, nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services company.

"Establishing." In the context of establishing or modernizing facilities, the term means both the construction of new buildings and the acquisition or renovation of existing structures.

"Facilities." Facilities used to house firefighting equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles. The term shall not include meeting halls, social rooms or any other facilities not directly related to firefighting.

"Fire company." A volunteer nonprofit chartered fire company or municipal-owned fire company or department.

"Fund." The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund established under section 7365 (relating to Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund).

"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town or township.

"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards." Apparatus and equipment, including personal protective equipment, shall be deemed to meet the requirements of compliance with the applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), except that:

(1) New apparatus shall be constructed to meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of manufacture.

(2) Used firefighting apparatus shall:

(i) in no instance meet lesser requirements than the standards for apparatus adopted by the National Fire Protection Association in 1991; and

(ii) beginning June 25, 1999, meet the National Fire Protection Association standards for apparatus in effect at the time of original manufacture, except that no loans shall be considered or made for apparatus that cannot meet the National Fire Protection Association standards in effect no more than 12 years prior to the date of the application for loan financing.

(3) New equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of original manufacture.

(4) Used equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of original manufacture, except that no loans for used equipment shall be considered or made for equipment more than five years old at the time of application for loan assistance.

(5) In every instance, used equipment and apparatus shall meet the applicable National Fire Protection Association standards at the time that the loan funds are advanced.

"Office." The Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

"Protective equipment." Any equipment used by firefighters, volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer rescue service personnel to protect their person from injury while performing their functions, including, but not limited to, helmets, turnout coats and pants, boots, eyeshields, gloves and self-contained respiratory protection units.

"Rescue vehicle." Any vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a watercraft, used for rescue services.

"Utility or special service vehicle." A vehicle carrying accessory equipment, including, but not limited to, ladders, oxygen equipment, generators and adaptors, floodlights, smoke ejectors and other equipment necessary to perform the ordinary functions of supporting firefighting activities.

"Volunteer ambulance service." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth and which is regularly engaged in the service of providing emergency medical care and transportation of patients.

"Volunteer Companies Loan Fund." (Deleted by amendment).

"Volunteer fire company." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection services and other voluntary emergency services within this Commonwealth. Voluntary emergency services provided by a volunteer fire company may include voluntary ambulance and voluntary rescue services.

"Volunteer rescue service." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides rescue services in this Commonwealth. (Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1256, No.129, eff. 60 days; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days; Feb. 10, 2022, P.L.41, No.10, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 10 amended the def. of "fire company." 2020 Amendment. Act 91 added the defs. of "emergency medical services company" or "EMS company," "fire company," "fund" and "municipality" and deleted the def. of "Volunteer Companies Loan Fund." 2013 Amendment. Act 129 added the defs. of "commissioner" and "office" and deleted the def. of "agency."
35 Pa.C.S. § 79B14 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79B14
Promissory note.
Status: in_force

Before participating in the program, an individual must sign a promissory note obligating the individual to repay the full amount of the tuition or loan assistance received by the individual if the individual fails to satisfy the requirements under the program as specified under section 79B17 (relating to recoupment of tuition or loan assistance payments). Cross References. Section 79B14 is referred to in section 79B17 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8136 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8136
Special operations emergency medical services.
Status: in_force

(a) Purpose.--A special operations EMS service provides EMS in situations or austere environments that require specialized knowledge, equipment or vehicles to access a patient or address the patient's emergency medical needs. The department shall by regulation provide for specific types of special operations EMS teams.

(b) Personnel requirements.--By regulation, the department may establish additional training or expertise requirements for the EMS agency medical director and the EMS providers who staff a special operations EMS service.

(c) Other requirements.--By regulation, the department may establish staffing, equipment, supply and any other requirement for a special operations EMS service.

(d) Extraordinary applications.--An entity may propose to provide a special operations EMS need that has not been addressed by applying to the department for an EMS agency license to carry out the special operations EMS or, if it is licensed as an EMS agency, the entity may apply to the department to be authorized to provide the special operations EMS under its license. The department shall address each application on an individual basis and may conditionally deny or grant an application as appropriate to protect the public health and safety. The grant of an application shall be subject to compliance with any later-adopted regulations addressing the type of special operations EMS being provided by the entity.

(e) Protocols.--The department may include in its Statewide EMS protocols special operations EMS protocols. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8136 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8129 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8129
Emergency medical services agencies.
Status: in_force

(a) License required.--A person may not, as an owner, agent or otherwise, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise or otherwise engage in or profess to be engaged in operating or providing an ambulance, advanced life support squad vehicle, basic life support squad vehicle, quick response service, special operations EMS service or other vehicle or service as prescribed by the department by regulation to provide EMS outside a health care facility or on roadways, airways or waterways of this Commonwealth unless the person holds a current EMS agency license authorizing the particular service or operation.

(b) Application.--An application for an EMS agency license shall be submitted on a form or through an electronic application process prescribed by the department.

(c) Issuance of license.--The department shall issue a license to an applicant when it is satisfied that:

(1) The applicant and persons having substantial ownership interests in the applicant are responsible persons and the EMS agency will be staffed by and conduct its activities utilizing responsible persons. For purposes of this paragraph:

(i) a responsible person is a person who has not engaged in any act contrary to justice, honesty or good morals which indicates that the person is likely to betray the public trust in carrying out the activities of an EMS agency or a person who has engaged in such conduct but has been rehabilitated and establishes that he or she is not likely to again betray the public trust;

(ii) a person has a substantial ownership interest if the person has equity in the capital, stock or the profits of the EMS agency equal to 5% or more of the value of the property or assets of the EMS agency; and

(iii) a person staffs an EMS agency if the person engages in an activity integral to operation of the EMS agency, including, but not limited to, making or participating in the making or execution of management decisions, providing EMS, billing, calltaking and dispatching.

(2) The applicant meets supply and equipment requirements and each ambulance or other vehicle that will be used in providing EMS is adequately constructed and equipped and will be maintained and operated to safely and efficiently render the services offered.

(3) The applicant will meet the staffing standards for its vehicles and services.

(4) The applicant will provide safe and efficient services that are adequate for the emergency medical care, the treatment and comfort and, when appropriate, the transportation of patients.

(5) The applicant will have an EMS agency medical director who, in addition to satisfying the criteria of section 8125(a) (relating to medical director of emergency medical services agency), satisfies other criteria the department may establish by regulation based on the types of vehicles and services the applicant intends to provide under the EMS agency license.

(6) The applicant is in compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter.

(d) Persons under 18 years of age.--An EMS agency shall ensure that a person under 18 years of age, when providing EMS on behalf of the EMS agency, is directly supervised by an EMS provider who is at least 21 years of age who has the same or higher level of EMS provider certification and at least one year of active practice as an EMS provider.

(e) Triennial registration.--An EMS agency's license is deemed registered for three years after the issuance. An EMS agency must register its license at three-year intervals by completing an application on a form or through an electronic application process prescribed by the department. The department shall act on the application within 90 days of receipt of a complete and accurate application. The department shall not deny a registration of a license without giving the applicant prior notice of the reason for denial and providing an opportunity for a hearing.

(f) Nontransferability of license.--An EMS agency may not transfer its license. An EMS agency may enter into a contract with another entity for that entity to manage the EMS agency if that entity has been approved by the department to manage an EMS agency. The department may deny approval to an entity to provide management services for an EMS agency if:

(1) the entity is not in compliance with this chapter or applicable regulations;

(2) the entity is not a responsible person as defined in subsection (c)(1)(i);

(3) a person having a substantial ownership interest in the entity is not a responsible person;

(4) the entity will not be staffed by or conduct its activities through responsible persons; or

(5) the entity refuses to provide the department with records or information reasonably requested to enable the department to make a determination.

(g) Display.--As prescribed by department regulation, a current department-issued inspection sticker shall be displayed on each ambulance, advanced life support squad vehicle, basic life support squad vehicle and, as required by regulation, any other EMS vehicle authorized by the department.

(h) Inspection.--The department or its agent shall inspect an applicant's vehicles, equipment and personnel qualifications prior to granting an EMS agency license and shall inspect an

EMS agency from time to time, as deemed appropriate and necessary, but not less than once every three years.

(i) Dispatching.--

(1) An EMS agency that operates a communications center dispatching EMS resources shall use calltakers and dispatchers who satisfy the requirements of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency under section 3(a)(6) of the act of July 9, 1990 (P.L.340, No.78), known as the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act, and shall use an emergency medical dispatch program approved by the department. An emergency medical dispatch program is a system or program that enables patients to be assessed and treated via telecommunication by using accepted medical dispatch standards.

(2) Operation by an EMS agency of a communications center that dispatches EMS resources shall be considered part of the EMS agency's licensed operation and shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter and the department's regulations.

(j) Construction, equipment and supplies.--Within two years after the effective date of this chapter, the department shall publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and update as necessary, vehicle construction and equipment and supply requirements for EMS agencies in this Commonwealth based upon the types of EMS vehicles operated and the services provided.

(k) Implementation of credentialing decisions.--An EMS agency may not permit an EMS provider at or above the advanced EMT level to provide EMS at that level unless its EMS agency medical director apprises that the EMS provider satisfies the criteria of section 8125(b)(2). An EMS agency may permit an EMS provider who does not satisfy the section 8125(b)(2) criteria to continue to work for the EMS agency at a lower EMS provider level if the EMS provider is authorized to do so by the EMS agency medical director. The EMS agency shall notify the department of that decision within ten days after it is made. If the EMS agency medical director has determined that the EMS provider has not demonstrated competency in the knowledge and skills necessary to competently perform the skills within the scope of practice of the EMS provider at that level or has not demonstrated a commitment to adequately perform other functions relevant to the EMS provider providing EMS at that level and the EMS agency medical director chooses to impose restrictions on the EMS provider's practice, such as requiring the EMS provider to function under the supervision of another EMS provider or requiring the EMS provider to contact a medical command physician prior to providing EMS, then the EMS agency may permit the EMS provider to provide EMS only with the restrictions directed by the EMS agency medical director.

(l) Staffing.--The department may by regulation revise the staffing standards for ambulances, squad vehicles and quick response services set forth in sections 8130 (relating to advanced life support ambulances), 8131 (relating to air ambulances), 8132 (relating to advanced life support squad vehicles), 8133 (relating to basic life support ambulances), 8134 (relating to basic life support squad vehicles) and 8135 (relating to quick response services).

(m) Custody or control of patient.--If a law enforcement officer is at the scene of a police incident when an EMS provider arrives, the law enforcement officer may preclude the EMS provider from entering the scene to provide EMS until the law enforcement officer determines that it is safe for the EMS provider to enter. Under such circumstances, the law enforcement officer shall permit the EMS provider access to the patient

before the officer transports the patient. If, pursuant to a medical treatment protocol or medical command order, an EMS agency is required to transport to a receiving facility a patient whom a law enforcement officer has taken or wants to take into custody or whom the law enforcement officer believes needs to be spoken with immediately, the EMS agency shall transport the patient to a receiving facility, and the law enforcement officer shall have discretion to accompany the patient in the EMS vehicle and authority to employ security precautions deemed necessary by the law enforcement officer to ensure the safety of the officer and others, except that the security precautions shall not unreasonably interfere with the provision of EMS to the patient.

(n) Cessation of operations.--Upon suspension or revocation of a license, the EMS agency shall cease operations and no person shall permit or cause the EMS agency to continue.

(o) Discontinuance or reduction of service.--An EMS agency shall not discontinue providing service it is licensed to provide or reduce the hours when it provides service until a minimum of 90 days after notifying the department in writing of the change. Notice shall include a statement that the licensee has notified the chief executive officer of each political subdivision in the licensee's service area of the intent to discontinue providing the service or reduce the hours it provides the service and that the intent to discontinue or reduce hours has been advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the licensee's service area.

(p) Regulations.--The department shall promulgate regulations setting forth requirements for EMS agencies in this Commonwealth based upon the types of EMS vehicles they operate and the services they provide.

(q) Transition for ambulance services and quick response services.--Upon the effective date of this section, an entity that is licensed as an ambulance service or recognized as a QRS immediately prior to the effective date of this section may continue to operate as an EMS agency if it meets the staffing and other operational requirements of this chapter, and it shall be considered to be an EMS agency with a current registration of its license. The initial registration of the EMS agency's license shall expire on the same date that the entity's license as an ambulance service or recognition as a QRS would have expired if it had remained in effect.

(r) Exemptions.--The following are exempt from the licensing provisions of this chapter:

(1) Privately owned vehicles not ordinarily used to transport patients.

(2) An EMS agency licensed in another state and not under this chapter that is dispatched to respond to an emergency within this Commonwealth when an EMS vehicle or service licensed under this chapter is unable to respond within a reasonable time or its response is not sufficient to deal with the emergency.

(3) An EMS agency licensed in another state that limits its operations in this Commonwealth to the transportation and provision of medical care incidental to transportation of patients and other persons requiring transportation by EMS vehicles from locations outside this Commonwealth to locations within this Commonwealth.

(4) EMS vehicles owned and operated by an agency of the Federal Government.

Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8129 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093. References in Text. The act of July 9, 1990 (P.L.340, No.78), known as the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act, referred to in subsec. (i), was repealed by the act of November 23, 2010, P.L.1181, No.118. The subject matter is now contained in Chapter 53 of this title. Cross References. Section 8129 is referred to in sections 8113, 8142, 8156 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7354 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7354
Persons admitted.
Status: in_force

All firefighters who are regularly employed by any local political subdivision of this Commonwealth and all regularly enrolled members of volunteer fire companies shall be eligible for admission to the school and shall be chosen by the governing authority of each political subdivision. The Public Service Institute Board shall apportion the number admitted to the school so that each county is represented in the ratio that the number of firefighters in each county bears to the total number of firefighters in this Commonwealth.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8152 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8152
Peer review.
Status: in_force

(a) Immunity from liability.--

(1) A person who provides information to a review organization shall have the same protections from civil and criminal liability as a person who provides information to a review organization under the act of July 20, 1974 (P.L.564, No.193), known as the Peer Review Protection Act.

(2) An individual who is a member or employee of a review organization or who furnishes professional counsel or services to the organization shall have the same protections from civil and criminal liability for the performance of any duty, function or activity authorized or required of the review organization as a person who performs the duty, function or activity under the Peer Review Protection Act.

(b) Confidentiality of review organization's records.--The proceedings and records of a review organization shall be held in confidence and shall have the same protections from discovery and introduction into evidence in civil proceedings as they would under the Peer Review Protection Act. A person who was in attendance at a meeting of a review organization shall be subject to the same testimony restrictions as a person who was in attendance at a meeting of a review organization under the Peer Review Protection Act.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7711 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 77 / Section 7711
Firefighters' Memorial Flag.
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.--There is established a Firefighters' Memorial Flag for this Commonwealth.

(b) Description.--The flag established in subsection (a) shall be a field of blue with a gold keystone in the center which surrounds a Maltese cross, and, at the bottom of the blue field, in gold capital letters, there is shown the phrase, "Lest We Forget."

(c) Use of flag.--The Firefighters' Memorial Flag may be displayed over firefighters' memorials, during firefighter funeral processions and from the poles of any public ground or political subdivision for a period of not more than seven days after the death of a firefighter and as further directed by the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner.

(d) Agency responsibility.--The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, through the Office of the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner, shall maintain the official flag and have the responsibility to implement the provisions of this section and oversee the production, acquisition and distribution of the flag.

(e) Limitation.--Authorized utilization of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag by the Commonwealth or an entity thereof shall not constitute a presumption of eligibility nor be permissible as substantiating evidence for claims filed under the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.

(f) Appropriation.--The moneys necessary for the production, acquisition and distribution of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag in the first year shall be paid from period appropriations from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's budget as funds are required to support memorializing firefighters in this Commonwealth. Such funds are to be allocated to a segregated account maintained by the State Fire Commissioner. (Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1181, No.118, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. Act 118 added section 7711. Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 7(b.1)(11) of Act 118 of 2010 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law. § 7712. Firefighters' Memorial Sunday. The Sunday that marks the beginning of Fire Prevention Week of every year shall be designated "Firefighters' Memorial Sunday" to honor paid and volunteer firemen who have died during the previous year, either in the line of duty or of natural causes. If Fire Prevention Week begins on a day other than Sunday, the Sunday that falls within Fire Prevention Week shall be designated Firefighters' Memorial Sunday. (Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1181, No.118, eff. 60 days)

2010 Amendment. Act 118 added section 7712. Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 7(b.1)(12) of Act 118 of 2010 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7211 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 72 / Section 7211
Counterterrorism planning, preparedness and response program.
Status: in_force

(a) Coordination and consultation.--The agency shall coordinate and consult with other State agencies, departments and offices, including the Office of Homeland Security of the Commonwealth, to establish, develop and maintain a counterterrorism planning, preparedness and response program to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of emergency responders, public officials and the general public from actual or potential disasters in this Commonwealth.

(b) Agency responsibilities.--The agency shall:

(1) Define the necessary components and composition of regional counterterrorism task forces and specialized regional counterterrorism response teams and the respective regional counterterrorism zones for each, but shall not be responsible for appointing individual members to the regional counterterrorism task forces or the specialized regional counterterrorism response teams.

(2) Provide training and technical assistance for counterterrorism planning, preparedness and response.

(3) Establish guidelines and policies to coordinate emergency response activities with Federal, State, county and municipal emergency management, health, law enforcement,

public safety and other officials and representatives from volunteer service organizations, private business and industry, hospitals and medical care facilities and other entities responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the residents of this Commonwealth. The agency shall consult with representatives of the regional counterterrorism task forces to develop such policies and guidelines necessary to carry out this chapter.

(4) Require the regional counterterrorism task forces to prepare counterterrorism emergency response plans or protocols, readiness evaluation reports or other documents deemed necessary by the agency.

(5) Provide grants and other funding assistance as required by this chapter.

(6) Conduct terrorist incident exercises.

(7) Provide technical assistance to regional counterterrorism task forces in developing and entering into mutual aid agreements and letters of agreement.

(8) Establish a certification program for specialized regional counterterrorism response teams that may include standards for the administration, composition, training and equipping of the teams.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7704 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 77 / Section 7704
Immunity from civil liability.
Status: in_force

(a) General rule.--Neither the Commonwealth, nor any Commonwealth agency, nor any political subdivision, nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, recklessness or bad faith, the agents, employees or representatives of any of them engaged in any emergency services activities, nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, recklessness or bad faith, any individual or other person under contract with them to provide equipment or work on a cost basis to be used in disaster relief, nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, recklessness or bad faith, any person, firm, corporation or an agent or employee of any of them engaged in emergency services activities, while complying with or attempting to comply with this part or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this part, shall be liable for the death of or any injury to persons or loss or damage to property as a result of that activity.

(a.1) Deployment protections.--A person that or an agent or employee of an employer who is temporarily deployed by the Commonwealth or provides equipment for the purpose of emergency services activities in response to a mutual aid request by the agency shall be granted immunity under subsection (a), except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, recklessness or bad faith, and shall not be liable for the death or injury to persons or for damage to or loss of property as a result of that activity. No immunity, rights or privileges shall be granted to persons under this subsection unless deployed by the Commonwealth in accordance with subsection (a.2).

(a.2) Deployment by the Commonwealth.--The agency shall promulgate, adopt and enforce rules, regulations, standards, directives and orders as may be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions under subsection (a.1).

(b) Real estate owners.--Any person, organization or authority owning or controlling real estate or other premises, who voluntarily and without compensation, grants a license or privilege or otherwise permits the designation or use of the whole or any part or parts of the real estate or premises for any emergency services purpose, shall, together with his successors in interest, if any, not be civilly liable for negligently causing the death of or injury to or loss or damage to the property of any person who is upon the real estate or other premises for that purpose.

(c) Other benefits unaffected.--This section does not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled under this part or under the workmen's compensation laws or under any pension law, nor the right of any person to receive any benefits or compensation under any Federal law. (July 23, 2020, P.L.670, No.69, eff. imd.) 2020 Amendment. Act 69 amended subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (a.1) and (a.2).
35 Pa.C.S. § 7377 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7377
Quorum.
Status: in_force

Whenever under this subchapter an action is to be taken or a decision is to be made by the Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer, and the three officers shall not be able to agree unanimously, the action or decision of the Governor and either the Auditor General or State Treasurer shall be binding and final.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5304.1 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5304.1
Pennsylvania State Police.
Status: in_force

(a) Powers and duties.--The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, or the designee of the commissioner, shall have the following powers and duties in relation to a Pennsylvania State Police telecommunications facility:

(1) To designate, with specificity, which Pennsylvania State Police facilities shall be considered Pennsylvania State Police telecommunications facilities under this chapter.

(2) To designate a commander of a Pennsylvania State Police telecommunications facility, who shall serve as the point of contact with the agency and the counties and shall oversee the implementation, operation and maintenance of a Pennsylvania State Police telecommunications facility. A Pennsylvania State Police facility shall, where technologically feasible, be adequate to provide service to the designated area of coverage.

(3) To request authority to access ANI/ALI database information relating to 911 calls for emergency services from the counties and PSAPs within the designated area of coverage of a Pennsylvania State Police telecommunications facility. No county or PSAP shall be required to comply with such a request unless it is made by the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police or the designee of the commissioner under section 5304(a)(8) (relating to counties).

(4) To provide training and certification for all call takers/dispatchers and call taker/dispatcher supervisors that meet or exceed the training and certification standards that are provided for in 4 Pa. Code Ch. 120c (relating to training and certification standards for 911 emergency communications personnel) or any successor standard.

(b) Ineligible reimbursement.--The Pennsylvania State Police is not eligible to receive reimbursement from the fund, nor may the Pennsylvania State Police impose a tax, fee or surcharge upon subscribers or customers of any provider. (June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, eff. Aug. 1, 2015) Cross References. Section 5304.1 is referred to in section 5304 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7352 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7352
Supervision and control.
Status: in_force

The management of the school and the control and care of the buildings and grounds owned and used by the Commonwealth for

the school and the conduct of instruction at the school shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Education.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5311.16 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5311.16
Business MLTS (Repealed).
Status: repealed

2024 Repeal. Section 5311.16 was repealed November 18, 2024, P.L.1186, No.147, effective immediately.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5307 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5307
Payment, collection and remittance of surcharge by providers of 911 communications services.
Status: in_force

(a) Collection and remittance of surcharge.--

(1) Providers shall assess and collect the surcharge monthly from each subscriber and forward the collection quarterly less the actual uncollectibles to the State Treasurer for deposit in the fund.

(2) The surcharge shall be stated separately in the subscriber billing.

(3) (Deleted by amendment).

(a.1) Department of Revenue.--The Department of Revenue shall:

(1) Request information and require audits or reports relating to program compliance from any entity remitting the surcharge to the fund.

(2) Execute an agreement with the agency to memorialize their respective duties and responsibilities in support of audits or reports relating to program compliance.

(b) Multiline telephone systems.--In the case of Centrex or similar multiline telephone system subscribers, except PBX subscribers, the following multipliers shall be applied to determine the rate of the surcharge for each subscriber:

(1) For the first 25 lines, each line shall be assessed the surcharge.

(2) For lines 26 through 100, each line shall be assessed 75% of the surcharge.

(3) For lines 101 through 250, each line shall be assessed 50% of the surcharge.

(4) For lines 251 through 500, each line shall be assessed 20% of the surcharge.

(5) For lines 501 or more, each line shall be assessed 17.2% of the surcharge.

(6) As of August 1, 2015, for each digital transmission link, including primary rate interface service or Digital Signal-1 (DS-1) level service, or equivalent, that can be channelized and split into 23 or 24 voice-grade or data-grade channels for voice communications, that when the digits 9-1-1 are dialed provides the subscriber access to a PSAP through permissible interconnection to the dedicated 911 system, a subscriber's assessments shall be increased to 23 surcharges per transmission link.

(7) Each VoIP provider shall collect the uniform 911 surcharge for the number of VoIP service lines, Session

Initiation Protocol (SIP) access lines or access line equivalents for which the VoIP provider has enabled the capacity for simultaneous outbound calls regardless of actual usage.

(8) Each VoIP provider that remits the surcharge shall certify the accuracy of the remittance annually as required using agency procedures and forms.

(c) Applicability.--The provisions of this section shall not apply to sellers or consumers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service.

(d) Reimbursement to municipalities.--(Deleted by amendment).

(e) Collection enforcement.--(Deleted by amendment).

(f) Prohibition against release of information.--(Deleted by amendment). (June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, eff. Aug. 1, 2015; Nov. 18, 2024, P.L.1186, No.147, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 147 amended subsec. (b)(7) and added subsec. (a.1). Cross References. Section 5307 is referred to in section 5306.1 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8141 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8141
Plans of correction.
Status: in_force

(a) Correction of violation.--Upon determining that an EMS agency has violated this chapter or regulations promulgated under this chapter, the department may issue a written notice to the EMS agency specifying the violation or violations that have been found. The notice shall require the EMS agency to take immediate action to discontinue the violation or to submit a plan of correction to the department, or both, to bring the EMS agency into compliance with applicable requirements. If the nature of the violation is such that the EMS agency cannot remedy the problem immediately and a plan of correction is therefore required, the department may direct that the violation be remedied within a specified period of time. The EMS agency shall submit a plan of correction within 30 days of the department's issuance of the written notice. If immediate corrective action is required, the notice from the department shall request and the EMS agency shall provide prompt confirmation that the corrective action has been taken.

(b) Discretion.--The department shall not afford the EMS agency an opportunity to correct a violation without facing disciplinary charges if the department determines that it is not in the public interest to do so. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8141 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093. Cross References. Section 8141 is referred to in section 8142 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7802 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 78 / Section 7802
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Advanced life support services." The term shall have the meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system).

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

"Airport fire company." A fire company that does all of the following:

(1) Is associated with an airport.

(2) Has a mutual aid agreement with a neighboring municipality.

(3) Has responded to at least 15 fire or rescue emergency calls annually to neighboring fire companies as provided in documentation requested by the State Fire Commissioner.

"Basic life support services." The term shall have the meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system).

"Career emergency medical services." As follows:

(1) A for-profit chartered emergency medical service corporation, association or organization which meets all of the following:

(i) Is located in this Commonwealth.

(ii) Is licensed by the Department of Health.

(iii) Is not associated or affiliated with a hospital, unless recognized in accordance with section 7823(b.1) (relating to award of grants).

(iv) Is regularly engaged in the provision of emergency medical services, including basic life support or advanced life support services and advanced life support squads as defined in 28 Pa. Code § 1027.1 (relating to general provisions).

(2) The term shall not include a corporation, association or organization that is primarily engaged in the operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the routine transport of individuals who are convalescent or nonambulatory and who do not ordinarily require emergency medical treatment while in transit.

"Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner. "Emergency medical services company" or "EMS company." A career or volunteer emergency medical services company.

"Facility." A structure or portion thereof intended for the purpose of storage or protection of firefighting apparatus, ambulances and rescue vehicles and related equipment and gear. The term does not include meeting halls, social halls, social rooms, lounges or any other facility not directly related to firefighting or the furnishing of ambulance or rescue services.

"Fire company." A volunteer fire company, a municipal fire company or a combined volunteer and municipal fire company located in this Commonwealth. The term includes an airport fire company.

"Grant program." The Fire Company Grant Program established in Subchapter B (relating to fire company grant program) or the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program established in
35 Pa.C.S. § 5311.20 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5311.20
ALI database maintenance.
Status: in_force

If applicable, MLTS operators must arrange to update the ALI database with an appropriate master street address guide valid address and call-back information for each MLTS telephone, such that the location information specifies the dispatchable location of the caller. These updates must be downloaded or otherwise made available to the ALI database provider as soon as practicable for a new MLTS installation, or within one business day of record completion of the actual changes for

MLTS installed before the effective date of this section. The information is subject to all Federal and State privacy and confidentiality laws. The MLTS operator shall audit accuracy of information contained in the ALI database at least once annually. (June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, eff. 180 days; Nov. 18, 2024, P.L.1186, No.147, eff. imd.)
35 Pa.C.S. § 52A01 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 52 / Section 52A01
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Authorized adult." An adult who has a valid health care proxy to consent to the minor's medical treatment.

"Bureau." The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

"Controlled substance." A drug, substance or immediate precursor included in Schedules II, III, IV and V of section 4 of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

"Licensing board." A Commonwealth board which licenses, registers or certifies a prescriber.

"Medical emergency." A situation which, in a prescriber's good faith professional judgment, creates an immediate threat of serious risk to the life or physical health of a minor.

"Minor." An individual under 18 years of age. The term excludes an individual who is emancipated by:

(1) marrying;

(2) entering the armed forces of the United States;

(3) being employed and self-sustaining; or

(4) otherwise being independent from the care and control of the individual's parent, guardian or custodian.

"Opioid." Any of the following:

(1) A preparation or derivative of opium.

(2) A synthetic narcotic that has opiate-like effects but is not derived from opium.

(3) A group of naturally occurring peptides that bind at or otherwise influence opiate receptors, including opioid agonist.

"Prescriber." A person that is licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to distribute, dispense or administer a controlled substance, other drug or device in the course of professional practice or research in this Commonwealth. The term does not include a veterinarian.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5309 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 53 / Section 5309
Telephone records.
Status: in_force

(a) Access.--(Deleted by amendment).

(a.1) Access.--

(1) A 911 service provider with the ability to originate a 911 call shall provide customer telephone numbers, names, service addresses and geolocation information, where

applicable, according to Federal regulations to PSAPs for use in responding to 911 calls.

(2) 911 service providers shall synchronize their customer 911 information with the PSAPs' GIS database layers used for geospatial call routing or with the master street address guide, whichever is applicable, by utilizing the ALI database management and discrepancy reporting systems provided by the NG911 service provider. If a 911 service provider's service location does not match the PSAPs' GIS data for address validation, the 911 service provider must provide the PSAP and appropriate addressing authority any known information about the service location.

(3) A wireless provider shall provide the telephone number and geographical location of the wireless device, as required under the FCC E-911 Order, 47 CFR (relating to telecommunication) and any other applicable Federal law, to PSAPs for use in responding to 911 calls. Customer telephone numbers, names and service addresses and geographical locations of wireless devices shall remain the property of the disclosing wireless provider.

(4) Wireless provider ALI data shall be provided to the PSAPs' selected 911 service provider for purposes of 911 call routing and delivery along with ALI delivery. ALI may be provided directly to the 911 service provider via routine uploads or via a third-party database provider interfaced with the 911 service providers' ALI database. ALI data shall be maintained by the wireless provider and made available to the 911 service provider as required to ensure accurate ALI information is provided to the PSAP.

(5) ALI data shall be provided to 911 service providers and emergency support services, solely for the purposes of delivering or assisting in the delivery of emergency notification services and emergency support services.

(6) The total cost of the 911 system shall include expenses to reimburse telephone service suppliers for providing and maintaining 911 information.

(7) A telephone service supplier shall not be reimbursed directly from the fund for providing and maintaining 911 information. This information shall be used only in providing emergency response services to a 911 call, synchronizing master street address guide, ALI and GIS data sets or for purposes of delivering or assisting in the delivery of emergency notification services or emergency support services. A person who uses or discloses ANI and ALI database information for purposes other than providing emergency response services to a 911 call, delivering or assisting in the delivery of emergency notification services, commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(b) Privacy waived.--Private listing service customers in a 911 service district shall waive the privacy afforded by nonlisted and nonpublished numbers with respect to the delivery of emergency services.

(c) Immunity.--(Deleted by amendment). (June 29, 2015, P.L.36, No.12, eff. Aug. 1, 2015; June 28, 2019, P.L.142, No.17, eff. imd.; Nov. 18, 2024, P.L.1186, No.147, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 147 added subsec. (a.1) and deleted subsec. (a).
35 Pa.C.S. § 52B03 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 52 / Section 52B03
Regulations.
Status: in_force

(a) Promulgation.--The department shall promulgate temporary regulations within 90 days of the effective date of this subsection. The temporary regulations shall not be subject to:

(1) Sections 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.769, No.240), referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law.

(2) Sections 204(b) and 301(10) of the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act.

(3) The act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act.

(b) Expiration.--The temporary regulations under subsection

(a) shall expire on the promulgation of final-form regulations, or two years following the effective date of this section, whichever is later.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5602 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 56 / Section 5602
Nonprofit Security Grant Fund.
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.--The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund is established as a special fund in the State Treasury.

(b) Appropriation.--All money deposited in the fund under subsection (d) and the interest the money accrues shall be appropriated to the commission on a continuing basis to award grants under this chapter.

(c) Transfers from General Fund.--Money available to the fund shall include transfers from the General Fund as provided under subsection (d).

(d) Transfer by Secretary of the Budget.--No later than 30 days after the effective date of this section, the Secretary of the Budget shall transfer to the fund $5,000,000 of the unexpended, unencumbered prior year funds that were originally appropriated from the General Fund to any executive branch agency which is subject to the policy, supervision and control of the Governor. The Secretary of the Budget may only make the transfer of funds if the transfer will not result in a deficit in any appropriation from which the funds are transferred. No less than 10 days prior to the transfer, the Secretary of the Budget shall send notification of the transfer in writing to the chairperson and the minority chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and the minority chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.

(e) Appropriation by General Assembly.--Beginning with the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the General Assembly may appropriate money to the fund.

(f) Lapse of funds.--All unexpended and unencumbered funds remaining in the fund as of July 1, 2029, shall lapse and be transferred to the General Fund. (Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 104 amended subsec. (f). Cross References. Section 5602 is referred to in section 5601 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7385.2 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7385.2
Capital grants for emergency service training centers.
Status: in_force

(a) Source.--Money transferred under 3 Pa.C.S. § 1113(a)(5) (relating to disposition of certain funds) shall be utilized by the commissioner to administer capital grants.

(b) Recipients.--Emergency services training centers, community colleges, county-owned facilities, municipal or fire department-owned facilities or nonprofit countywide associations recognized by the commissioner under standards developed through rules and guidelines in consultation with the State Fire Advisory Board may be recipients of grants under subsection (a) upon application. A privately owned facility shall not be eligible for a grant under subsection (a).

(c) Purposes.--Capital grants administered to recipients under this section shall be used to:

(1) Establish or modernize facilities that house firefighting equipment, ambulances or rescue vehicles.

(2) Acquire or renovate existing structures to house firefighting equipment, ambulances or rescue vehicles or for the construction or modernization of facilities.

(3) Repair or purchase firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment as necessary to provide proper and adequate training.

(d) Restrictions.--Capital grants administered under this section may not be used for:

(1) Operating expenses.

(2) Refinancing of renovated structures.

(3) Refinancing the construction or modernization of facilities.

(4) Apparatus equipment, communication equipment or accessory equipment.

(5) Reduction of debt or other obligations issued prior to the effective date of this section.

(e) Applications.--The following apply:

(1) Every application for a capital grant shall be accompanied by a notarized financial statement of the entity making the application accompanied with information sufficient to show need for the grant funding.

(2) Applications shall be reviewed by the Application Review Committee utilizing criteria established under subsection (b).

(f) Amounts and criteria.--The following apply:

(1) Capital grant amounts and the criteria for determining amounts shall be established by the commissioner in consultation with the State Fire Advisory Board.

(2) An entity may be awarded a capital grant, if available, for an approved project in lieu of approved reimbursement payments or, if not available, shall receive payments in the form of reimbursements.

(g) Use.--Capital grants may be used in combination with the funding authorized under section 7813(e) (relating to award of grants) if an applicant is officially proceeding with an approved project evidenced by required documentation as determined by the commissioner.

(h) Administration.--The commissioner may use up to $50,000 of the funds available under this section for administrative costs.

(i) Annual reports.--

(1) The commissioner shall prepare an annual report on the capital grants administered under this section. The report shall include all of the following information:

(i) The total number of applications received for capital grants.

(ii) The total number of applications approved and the amounts funded for each recipient.

(iii) An analysis of how the grants were used by each recipient.

(2) The commissioner shall submit the annual report under paragraph (1) no later than October 1, 2023, and by October 1 of each year thereafter, to all of the following:

(i) The chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate.

(ii) The chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives.

(3) The commissioner shall post the annual report under paragraph (1) on the Office of the State Fire Commissioner's publicly accessible Internet website. (Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 104 added section 7385.2.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79B18 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79B18
Service records.
Status: in_force

(a) Logs.--For the purpose of ensuring compliance with the requirements under the program, the chief of a volunteer fire company or the supervisor or chief of an emergency medical services agency or their designees shall establish and maintain a service log that documents the services provided by an active volunteer participating in the program, including a calculation of the amount of time the active volunteer conducts activities with the volunteer organization.

(b) Review.--Service logs under subsection (a) shall be subject to periodic review by the agency and the Department of the Auditor General for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the requirements under this subchapter.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7358 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7358
Leasing by Commonwealth.
Status: in_force

The Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized to enter into a lease for not more than 99 years to acquire the use of the buildings and structures and any lands connected therewith and the furnishings and equipment thereof for the purpose of having the same managed and operated by the Department of Education.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7388.1 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 73 / Section 7388.1
Money for online training for firefighters.
Status: in_force

Money transferred under 3 Pa.C.S. § 1113(a)(2) (relating to disposition of certain funds) shall be utilized by the commissioner for the purposes under section 7388 (relating to online training for firefighters). (Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 104 added section 7388.1.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5402 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 54 / Section 5402
Legislative findings and intent.
Status: in_force

(a) Findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) A Pennsylvanian will be diagnosed with cancer approximately every four minutes, and a Pennsylvanian will die of cancer every 10 minutes. African-American Pennsylvanians in particular face higher rates of cancer incidence and mortality compared to other races and ethnicities.

(2) The ability to translate medical findings from research to practice relies largely on having robust and diverse patient participation in cancer clinical trials.

(3) A low participation rate or a homogenous participant group prevents segments of the population from benefiting from advances achieved through clinical research, creates uncertainties over the applicability of research findings and has proven to develop lifesaving drugs that work for some ethnic populations but not others.

(4) Conversely, some drug trials are canceled because they do not show promise for the current homogenous study population of patients but could be beneficial to other ethnicities who are not receiving the trial drug because of poor participation rates.

(5) Diverse patient participation in cancer clinical trials depends, in part, on whether a participant can afford

ancillary medical and other costs, including transportation for clinical visits required by trial participation, which are not covered by standard of care, or lodging during the course of his or her participation. A national study in 2015 found that patient households making less than $50,000 annually were almost 30% less likely to participate in clinical trials.

(6) Another barrier to cancer clinical trial participation is the cost of travel, lodging and other expenses for a patient's travel companion, including a family member, friend, health care provider or chaperone that attends cancer clinical trial treatments to provide emotional, physical and mental support to the trial participant. Some trial participants are too old, too young or too ill to simply travel on their own.

(7) Cancer clinical trials often only cover the actual cost of the drug being tested and very rarely the direct costs of participation by a patient-subject. There are often significant expenses associated with enrollment in a clinical trial that are not covered by the clinical trial site or sponsor. These include travel expenses to and from the clinical sites whether by air, car, bus, train, taxi or public transportation along with the travel costs of parking, car rental, gas, tolls and lodging.

(8) This disparity threatens one of the most basic ethical underpinnings of clinical research, the requirement that the benefits of research be made available equitably among all eligible individuals.

(9) According to the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Clinical Trials Resource Guide, some of the barriers preventing individuals, with cancer or at high risk of developing cancer, from participating in clinical trials are direct and indirect financial and personal costs, including travel.

(10) Some corporations, individuals, public and private foundations, health care providers and other stakeholders are hesitant to contribute to or accept funds from programs that are organized to alleviate financial burdens faced by patients who wish to participate in clinical trials and their caregivers due to concerns that the United States Food and Drug Administration or other Federal regulators would view the payments made from those funds as prohibited inducements for patients to receive the health care services provided during clinical trials.

(11) While the United States Food and Drug Administration recently confirmed to Congress and provided guidance that, in fact, reimbursement of direct patient-incurred expenses is not inducement, many organizations, pharmaceutical companies, philanthropic individuals, charitable organizations, government entities and others still operate under the understanding that such reimbursement could be, in fact, considered inducement.

(b) Intent.--It is the intent of the General Assembly to enact legislation to define and establish a clear difference between what is considered inducement for a patient to participate in a clinical trial and direct reimbursement of patient-incurred expenses for participating in a cancer clinical trial.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7812 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 78 / Section 7812
Publication and notice.
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall publish notice of the grant program availability through the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by August 8 for each fiscal year. The commissioner shall post a notice of the grant program and application for the grant program on the Office of the State Fire Commissioner's publicly accessible Internet website.

(1) (Deleted by amendment).

(2) (Deleted by amendment). (Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91, eff. 60 days)
35 Pa.C.S. § 7403 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 74 / Section 7403
Insurance and compensation.
Status: in_force

A city, borough or township may expend out of the public funds of the municipality an amount necessary to secure insurance or compensation for volunteer firemen killed or injured while going to, returning from or attending fires in the municipality or territory adjacent thereto. Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 7(b.1)(1) of Act 118 of 2010 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79C13 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79C13
Recipients.
Status: in_force

(a) Recipient.--An award may be awarded to any of the following:

(1) A first responder who suffers a career-ending injury in the line of duty.

(2) The surviving next of kin of a first responder who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty.

(3) A Federal law enforcement officer who suffers a career-ending injury in the line of duty assisting a State or local law enforcement agency in this Commonwealth.

(4) The surviving next of kin of a Federal law enforcement officer who sustains a fatal injury while assisting a State or local law enforcement agency in this Commonwealth.

(b) Submission of information to committee.--The head or executive officer of an entity or agency that a first responder was a member or employee of may submit to the committee in writing the name and a description of an individual under the following categories:

(1) A first responder who was killed or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty.

(2) A Federal law enforcement officer who was killed or suffered a career-ending injury assisting a State or local law enforcement agency in this Commonwealth.

(c) Rules and guidelines.--

(1) The committee shall establish rules and guidelines for its operations, for the execution of this subchapter and for the submission of information and criteria for eligibility under subsection (b).

(2) The committee shall issue a rule for awards issued in 2024 that permits the consideration of first responders or Federal law enforcement officers under subsection (a) who were injured or killed in the line of duty on or subsequent to three years prior to the effective date of this section.

(d) Construction.--

(1) Nothing under this subchapter shall be construed to apply to:

(i) The act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act.

(ii) The act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.477, No.193), referred to as the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law (Heart and Lung Act).

(iii) The act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.

(iv) Any other determination of benefits.

(2) Receipt of any benefit from a statute listed in paragraph (1) may be used by the committee for the purposes of section 79C12(c)(3) (relating to Keystone First Responder Award).

(e) Purpose of award.--The award shall only be for recognition purposes.

(f) First awards.--Awards issued under this chapter shall be issued no sooner than January 1, 2024.
35 Pa.C.S. § 79B20 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 79B20
Administrative costs.
Status: in_force

The administrative costs of the program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and each fiscal year thereafter shall not exceed 3.5% of the total amount of money appropriated to the agency to implement the program.
35 Pa.C.S. § 5701 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 57 / Section 5701
Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"COVID-19 disaster emergency." The duration of the proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the Governor on March 6, 2020, published at 50 Pa.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020) and any renewal of the state of disaster emergency. Cross References. Section 5701 is referred to in section 3309 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 8135 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 81 / Section 8135
Quick response services.
Status: in_force

(a) Purpose.--A QRS uses EMS providers to respond to calls for EMS and provide EMS to patients before an ambulance arrives.

(b) Staffing requirements.--The minimum staffing requirement for a QRS is one EMS provider. Effective Date. Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that section 8135 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of the notice in section 7. The notice was published October 12, 2013, at 43 Pa.B. 6093.

Cross References. Section 8135 is referred to in section 8129 of this title.
35 Pa.C.S. § 7924 — PA Code / Title 35 / Chapter 79 / Section 7924
Grant funds.
Status: in_force

Grants under this subchapter shall be made from funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the program and from other Federal or State funds the agency may receive for the program. The agency may use up to 3% of available program funds for the administration of the program.