PRINTER'S NO. 2120

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1369

Session of

2020

INTRODUCED BY L. WILLIAMS, IOVINO, MUTH, KEARNEY, HUGHES,

SANTARSIERO, FONTANA, BLAKE, HAYWOOD, A. WILLIAMS, COLLETT,

BOSCOLA, SABATINA, COSTA, FARNESE, TARTAGLIONE, STREET,

honoring first responders.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 21 of Title 53 of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:

Sec.

2191. Definitions.

2192 . Establishment of program.

"First responder." A volunteer or career fire, rescue or EMS

member, law enforcement personnel, fire police or 911

dispatcher.

§ 2192 . Establishment of program.

A program is established for the Governor to recognize and

decorate first responders in this Commonwealth who have

demonstrated bravery, sacrifice or other exceptionally

meritorious conduct in the line of duty. The Municipal Police

Officers' Education and Training Commission established in

Subchapter D (relating to municipal police education and

be nominated for a medal under this subchapter.

(b) Application.--An application that nominates a first

responder for a medal may be submitted to the Municipal Police

Officers' Education and Training Commission or the Office of the

State Fire Commissioner by the Governor, a member of the General

Assembly, the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, a

county sheriff , the chief executive of a municipality or police

department , the chief of a volunteer or career fire department

or the head of a volunteer or career EMS department.

(c) Review and issuance of medals.--The Municipal Police

compliance. The final decision to issue a medal under this

subchapter shall rest with the Governor. The Governor may

delegate to the Lieutenant Governor or a member of the General

Assembly the act of presenting a medal.

§ 2194 . Form of medals.

(a) General rule.--The medals authorized under the program

shall be in the following forms:

(1) Star of Valor, which may be awarded to first

responders who have shown exceptional gallantry, heroism and

bravery in the face of life-threatening circumstances above

(b) Design.--The design of each medal shall be approved by

the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission

and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner . Each medal shall

be cast in bronze or other metal and the design shall

incorporate the seal of the Commonwealth.

(c) Cost.--The cost of a medal shall be paid by the

Pennsylvania State Police , county sheriff's department , the

police department by which the law enforcement officer is or was

employed or the company for which the first responder serves or

served . The family of a medal recipient may request a second