THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY WATSON, FAIRCHILD, MELIO, MURT, ROHRER, BEAR, BELFANTI, BEYER, BOYD, CAUSER, COHEN, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, EVERETT, FLECK, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HESS, KORTZ, MILLER, MOUL, PAYNE, QUINN, READSHAW, ROCK AND SIPTROTH, MARCH 5, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 5, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending the act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), entitled "An

act relating to the prevention and reduction of premature

death and disability in this Commonwealth; providing for

assistance, coordination and support of the development and

maintenance of a comprehensive emergency medical services

system and for qualifications, eligibility and certification

of emergency medical services personnel and licensing

ambulance services; imposing powers and duties on the

Department of Health; and making repeals," further providing

for the definition of "emergency medical services"; and

providing for the definition of "emergency medical services

agency."

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The definition of "emergency medical service" in

section 3 of the act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), known as

the Emergency Medical Services Act, is amended and the section

is amended by adding a definition to read:

Section 3.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

* * *

["Emergency medical services."  The services utilized in

responding to the needs of an individual for immediate medical

care in order to prevent loss of life or aggravation of

physiological or psychological illness or injury.]

"Emergency medical services agency."  An entity that engages

in the business or service of providing emergency medical

services to patients in 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;

(iv)  an urban search and rescue EMS service; and

(v)  a bike medic.

(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.

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.