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Who cares
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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides that authorities having control of a fire department or fire company which provide emergency medical services may establish fees and charges for services
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Ronald Canestrari
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4856
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law and the town law, in relation to authorizing fees and charges for emergency medical services
Purpose
The bill would allow fire departments to charge for emergency medical services provided. They are prohibited from doing so at this time.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends section 209-b(4) of the general municipal law to remove the prohibition of fire department emergency medical billing. This bill also amends section 122-b(1)(e) of the general municipal law and section 184(1) of the town law in order to authorize contracting with fire department emergency medical service units.
Justification
Paragraph 4 of section 209-b of the general municipal law prohibits any ambulance service, which is run as part of a fire department, from charging a fee for such services. Every other emergency medical provider in the state is allowed to charge for such service. If enacted, this bill would simply allow fire departments to recover costs for services rendered. The ever-increasing cost of state mandates, coupled with increases in equipment and personnel costs have led many municipal and volunteer ambulance providers to charge for this very costly services. If the ambulance is provided through a police department, ambulance department, volunteer ambulance corps, or even contracted with a proprietary/for-profit service, a fee can be charged. However, if the service is rendered by a fire department, no fee may be charged. This legislation would not require any fee to be established, but would offer municipalities and volunteer fire companies the opportunity to recover these ever increasing, mandated costs.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.