PRINTER'S NO. 1114

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

955

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY DAVIS, SCHLOSSBERG, MURT, MADDEN, KINSEY,

DRISCOLL, McNEILL, SCHWEYER, READSHAW, V. BROWN, D. COSTA,

KORTZ, DeLUCA, SAINATO, SNYDER, NEILSON, DONATUCCI, DAVIDSON,

Mental Health Commission and providing for powers and duties

of the commission, for emergency workers hotline, for

emergency workers Internet website, for posters and for

regulations of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

79B06. Emergency workers Internet website.

79B07. Posters.

79B08. Regulations.

§ 79B01. Short title of chapter.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency

Workers Mental Health Act.

§ 79B02. Definitions.

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:

(2) A career or volunteer emergency medical services

provider as defined by section 8103 (relating to

definitions).

(3) A career or volunteer rescue squad member.

(4) A law enforcement officer.

§ 79B03. Emergency Workers Mental Health Commission.

(a) Establishment.--The Emergency Workers Mental Health

Commission is established under the Pennsylvania Emergency

Management Agency.

(b) Composition.--The commission shall be composed of:

(2) The following members who shall be appointed by the

Governor:

(i) A representative of the Fraternal Order of

Police.

(ii) A representative of the Pennsylvania

Professional Firefighters Association.

(iii) A representative of the emergency medical

services community.

(iv) A representative of the volunteer firefighter

community.

(c) Terms of office.--The members of the commission

appointed by the Governor shall serve for a period of three

years. Any member of the commission, immediately upon

termination of holding the position, shall cease to be a member

of the commission.

(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the commission shall be filled,

for the remainder of the unexpired term, by the respective

appointing authority. Any member, upon the expiration of the

member's term, shall continue to hold office until the successor

is appointed. A member may not be removed from office during the

attending the meetings of the commission and in the performance

of their duties under this chapter.

(f) Meetings.--The commission shall meet as necessary to

carry out its business but not less than four times per year. A

quorum shall consist of six members of the commission.

(g) Administrative support.--The agency shall provide

administrative support, meeting space and any other assistance

required by the commission to carry out its duties.

§ 79B04. Powers and duties of commission.

The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(3) Organize a Statewide, peer-to-peer network of

emergency medical workers.

(4) Recruit and train veteran emergency workers to speak

with and counsel emergency workers in need of mental health

support.

(5) Establish a network of mental health providers to

provide counseling services to emergency workers.

§ 79B05. Emergency workers hotline.

The commission shall create a toll-free telephone hotline for

emergency workers to call in the event they are experiencing

§ 79B06. Emergency workers Internet website.

The commission shall create a publicly accessible Internet

website that provides information on all of the following:

(1) Stress associated with emergency work.

(2) Posttraumatic stress disorder.

(3) Depression.

(4) Addiction and self-medication.

(5) Contact information for mental health providers in

each region of this Commonwealth.

(6) The emergency workers hotline telephone number for

(2) The emergency workers Internet website address.

(3) Common symptoms of depression and posttraumatic

stress disorder and related addiction.

(4) Contact information for all of the following in each

geographic region:

(i) A mental health care provider.

(ii) A local support group.

(b) Display.--A fire station, emergency medical service

headquarters or police department shall display the poster in a

conspicuous manner in an area where employees regularly gather.

utilize the services under this chapter.