2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY › Chapter 81 - Emergency Medical Services System › Section 8153 - Support of emergency medical services

§ 8153. Support of emergency medical services.
(a) Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund.--
There is established a special fund to be known as the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, which shall be administered by the department.
(b) Source.--
The following are the sources of the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund:
(1) Money collected under 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3121 (relating to EMS costs) and 3807(b)(1)(ix) (relating to Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition).
(2) All fees, fines and civil penalties collected by the department under this chapter.
(3) Appropriations.
(4) Contributions.
(c) Purpose of fund.--
Except as provided under subsection (d), 75% of the money from the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund shall be disbursed by the department in the following manner:
(1) To EMS agencies, in accordance with section 8112(c) (relating to contracts and grants), 30% of funds must be allocated to specifically provide training to underserved rural areas. Not less than 10% of funds shall be provided to EMS agencies to assist with medical equipment purchases for ambulances.
(2) To the board for the performance of duties imposed upon it under this chapter.
(3) To regional EMS councils for the development, maintenance and improvement of EMS systems, including ambulance and communications equipment, and for training, education and EMS agency licensure purposes.
(4) To other contractors and grantees as authorized under section 8112(j).
(d) Allocation to Catastrophic Medical and Rehabilitation Fund.--
Twenty-five percent of the money in the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund shall be allocated to a Catastrophic Medical and Rehabilitation Fund for victims of trauma and to carry out the provisions of Chapter 75A (relating to emergency responder mental wellness and stress management). After the exhaustion of all alternative financial resources, other than those excluded by the department from consideration, the catastrophic fund shall be available for the purchase of medical, rehabilitation and attendant care services for trauma victims and may be made available for the purchase of supportive services such as respite care and counseling services for the family or household members of trauma victims. The department may, by regulation, prioritize the distribution of funds by and within classification of traumatic injury.
(e) Audit.--
The Auditor General shall review collections and expenditures made under this section and report its findings to the General Assembly annually. The audit shall include a review of the collections and expenditures of the regional EMS councils.
(f) Review by Legislative Budget and Finance Committee.--
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall review court records to ensure that money for the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund is being properly collected and deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund. The review shall be completed within one year of the effective date of this subsection and shall include recommendations as to any appropriate action to be taken. In conducting the review, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall examine the pertinent records of the past five years of all courts required to impose costs under 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3121 and 3807(b)(1)(ix).
(July 23, 2020, P.L.670, No.69, eff. imd.; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.773, No.93, eff. 120 days)
2020 Amendments.
Act 69 amended subsec. (d) and Act 93 amended subsec. (c) and added subsec. (f).