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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/18/2024 08:54 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=35048
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 12, 2021 06:50 AM
From: Senator Patrick J. Stefano
To: All Senate members
Subject: EMS Compact
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation making Pennsylvania the 22nd state to join the EMS Compact.
 
Simply put, the EMS Compact facilitates the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state boundaries in the performance of their duties as assigned by an appropriate authority without jeopardizing public safety. 

Amongst the provisions: 
 
*States would need to utilize the National Registry of EMTs examination as a condition of issuing initial licenses at the EMT and Paramedic levels; require EMS personnel to complete an FBI biometric criminal background check when applying for a new EMS License; share licensure data -- including license discipline actions -- with other Compact states; and have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about individuals
*EMS personnel would need to be licensed in good standing in a home state as an EMT, Advanced EMT, a Paramedic, or a level in between EMT and Paramedic -- be at least 18 years of age -- and practice under the supervision of a physician.  Qualified EMS Personnel in Compact states are extended a “Privilege-to-Practice” in other compact states, on a short-term, intermittent basis.
*The EMS Compact is governed by Commissioners appointed to the "Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice" by member states.  Each state has one seat on the Commission and one vote on each matter brought before the body. 
 
Pennsylvania is having an exceedingly difficult time in recruiting and retaining licensed EMS providers as put forth in the SR 6 Report of 2018.  The EMS Compact would help address this issue by making Pennsylvania more attractive to out-of-state EMS personnel -- help with staffing during emergencies -- as well as making it easier for Pennsylvania residents to practice out-of-state.  Furthermore, our military families would be served well by having a means to move more expeditiously from state-to-state.
 
I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation.
 


Introduced as SB861