What's happening
This bill creates a pilot program to fund collegiate emergency medical services at certain New York colleges to reduce strain on local emergency infrastructure.
Why it matters
Targets communities with high tax-exempt property. The pilot program specifically supports colleges in areas where over 35% of property is tax-exempt (often due to the presence of large nonprofits or educational institutions), which can strain local budgets for emergency services.
Aims to ease local EMS burdens. By funding campus-based emergency medical services, the bill intends to offset the disproportionate impact that large college populations can have on municipal emergency response systems, potentially improving response times and resource allocation for the broader community.
Promotes student training and mutual aid. The program isn’t just about providing medical care; it also includes formal training for students in emergency response and requires coordination with local fire and EMS, potentially increasing the pool of trained responders and strengthening community-campus partnerships.
Provides multi-year, renewable funding with accountability. Each participating institution is guaranteed at least $60,000 in the first year and can receive funding for up to five years, but must submit annual reports detailing implementation, participation, challenges, and sustainability plans—emphasizing transparency and the potential for long-term impact.
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Start College EMT Pilot
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2156
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating a collegiate emergency medical services pilot program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new article 129-C to read as follows:
ARTICLE 129-C
COLLEGIATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM Section 6450. Collegiate emergency medical services pilot program.
§ 6450. Collegiate emergency medical services pilot program. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law to the contrary, and subject to appropriation, the commissioner is hereby authorized to establish a collegiate emergency medical services pilot program at any qualified independent institution of higher education which meets the requirements of this section, upon application by such institution and within limits of amounts appropriated.
2. A "qualified institution" shall mean any college or university chartered by the regents or incorporated by special act of the legislature that maintains a campus in New York; and which is located within any city, town, village or fire district in which the total amount of tax exempt property represents more than thirty-five percent, by value, of the total amount of property in such city, town, village, or fire district.
3. The commissioner shall establish a collegiate emergency medical service pilot program for the purpose of enabling college campuses and universities to construct independent emergency services to offset the disproportionate impact that campuses may have on local infrastructure. The program shall include, but not be limited to, the provision of basic emergency medical services to students, faculty, and visitors of the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04891-01-7
S. 2156 2
campus, mutual aid to local fire and emergency services, and training for students of universities in emergency response. The program shall coordinate with local fire and emergency services in order to ensure continuity of service and appropriate provision of care.
4. Within amounts appropriated, the commissioner shall establish a collegiate emergency medical services pilot program at a qualified institution including, but not limited to, monies allocated for training, equipment, and administration. The commissioner shall make grants of no less than sixty thousand dollars per qualified institution in the first year of the operation of the program. Each qualified institution shall be required to submit a report to the legislature by February first, two thousand eighteen, which shall include, but not be limited to, documentation of participation rates, any impediments to implementation encountered, steps taken to establish insurance reimbursement protocols, and recommendations to ensure sustainability of the program. Such qualified institutions shall be eligible to receive funding under this section annually for up to five years.
5. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a qualified institution from receiving non-state sources of funding to support the collegiate emergency services pilot program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to creating a collegiate emergency medical services pilot program
Purpose
To establish an emergency medical service pilot program designed to enable certain universities and college campuses to construct their own independent services which will offset their impact on local tax districts.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends the education law by adding a new article 129-C which authorizes the commissioner to establish a collegiate emergency medical services pilot program. "Qualified institutions" are defined as a chartered or incorporated college or university located within certain tax districts in New York in which more than 35% of the total value of the property is tax exempt.
Such a pilot program can include, but not be limited to, the provision of basic emergency medical services around the campus, mutual aid to local fire and emergency services and emergency response training for students, all of which will be coordinated with local fire and emergency services. The minimum grants for each qualified institution will be $60,000 for the first year of operation. Each qualified institution shall be required to submit a report to the legislature on the program, including information on participation rates, impediments to implementation, steps taken to establish insurance reimbursement protocols, and recommendations to ensure sustainability.
Section 2: Provides the effective date.
Justification
Although it is essential that New York continues to recognize the importance of separating certain institutions from the tax rolls, it is also essential that we address certain issues that can arise as a result of this practice. Many local governments and other tax districts have been left to spread the tax burden of a significant amount of property on to a disproportionately small number of people due to the tax exempt status of colleges and universities. Just because property owned by a college or university is not on a tax roll does not mean that it does not require emergency medical service coverage.
By creating this pilot program, New York will be assisting in enabling colleges and universities to pursue establishing their own emergency medical services which can be attuned to their specific needs. Meanwhile, the extra burden certain taxpayers have had to cover would be reduced instead of simply spreading the burden over more people.
Legislative history
2016: S.7698 Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
Subject to appropriation
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.