PRINTER'S NO. 788
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
804
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, HENNESSEY, HOHENSTEIN, A. DAVIS, KULIK,
SANCHEZ, STRUZZI, D. WILLIAMS, MADDEN, RYAN, HILL-EVANS,
COOK, FREEMAN, ROZZI, DeLUCA, GALLOWAY, WEBSTER, THOMAS,
DELLOSO AND SAINATO, MARCH 8, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 8, 2021
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in fees, providing for exemption of active first
responders from fees.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 1901.1. Exemption of active first responders from fees.
(a) General rule.-- N o fees may be charged under sections
1305 (relating to application for registration) and 1309
(relating to renewal of registration) to an active volunteer
first responder certified under subsection (b) for a vehicle
owned by the active volunteer first responder for the purpose of
responding to emergencies.
(b) Certification.--To receive an exemption under subsection
(a), an individual shall apply for certification as an active
volunteer first responder. To obtain certification under this
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subsection:
(1) An applicant shall submit a signed application to
the executive officer of the first response organization.
(2) The executive officer and another officer of the
first response organization shall:
(i) Sign the application attesting to the
individual's status as an active volunteer first
responder.
(ii) Forward the application to the department for
final review and approval and include vehicle information
for the vehicle used by the active volunteer first
responder to respond to emergencies.
(3) In reviewing an application for certification, the
department shall consider the following factors:
(i) The number of emergency calls to which the
volunteer responds.
(ii) The level of training and participation in
formal training and drills of the volunteer.
(iii) The total amount of time expended by the
volunteer on administrative and other support services,
including fundraising and facility or equipment
maintenance.
(iv) The involvement of the volunteer in other
events or projects that aid the financial viability,
emergency response or operational readiness of a
volunteer fire company or a nonprofit emergency medical
services agency.
(c) Guidelines.--The department shall adopt guidelines,
including forms and applications, necessary to implement this
section.
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(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Active volunteer first responder." A member of a first
response organization who does not receive compensation for the
member's services.
"Emergency medical services agency." As defined in 35
Pa.C.S. § 8103 (relating to definitions).
"Executive officer." The chief or president of the first
response organization that a qualified applicant serves.
"First response organization." Any of the following:
(1) An emergency medical services agency.
(2) A volunteer fire company.
(3) A volunteer rescue company.
"Volunteer fire company." As defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 7802
(relating to definitions).
"Volunteer rescue company." As defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 7802.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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