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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 7, 2013 04:09 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jerry Stern |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Protection of Utility Line Crew Act |
| I plan to introduce legislation to include utility line crew as emergency responders during declared disaster emergencies under Title 75, (Vehicle Code). As you may know, the Commonwealth of PA currently has a defined list of emergency service responders, who are given specific protections during emergencies and when directing protected traffic in hazardous areas in order to keep drivers and emergency workers safe at the scene. Specifically, Section 3327 of Title 75 provides for the duties of drivers to pass an emergency response area carefully following traffic markers, road flares, signs, or directions of emergency responders, and requires all drivers to travel cautiously at reduced speeds. Additionally, these emergency service responders may file a written report with a police officer when observing a violation within an emergency response area. Failure of a driver to adhere to requirements under this section results in a summary offense, and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of no more than $500, and will be required to pay any restitution in the amount equal to the cost of damages due to the driving violation. Currently, some emergency service responders include: * A police officer * A firefighter * Ambulance personnel * Highway maintenance and construction personnel * Emergency medical services personnel * Towing and recovery personnel. In addition, this legislation will define electric utility personnel as emergency service responders during the first seventy-two hours after a declared emergency or until the expiration of a declared emergency, whichever is later. I believe it is appropriate that we give these emergency utility workers a safer and more effective traffic-controlled environment, where they may be able to provide disaster-related work for the betterment of our communities as safe as possible. These utility line crews deserve our support in their efforts to help provide disaster-relief services, especially at a time when electricity restoration is paramount. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1246