The PA PSAP (9-1-1) Community is monitoring following Bills in the PA General Assembly -

HB 36 - An Act establishing a first responder building mapping system for buildings of State agencies and political subdivisions; and for providing for the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

HB 224 and SB 385 - Voice over Internet Protocol and Multi-Line Telephone Systems - Regarding VoIP, PSAPs are losing wireline funding as consumers opt to install VoIP telephones in their homes and businesses. This movement reduces wireline funds, which are not recoverable because Pennsylvania does not have a 9-1-1 surcharge on VoIP service. PA NENA supports the institution of a 9-1-1 surcharge payable directly to the counties, just like current wireline funds. VoIP business concerns that they are not set-up to pay the surcharge to the counties should be discounted. Wireline interests (telephone companies) weren't set-up to directly pay the counties back in 1990 when Act 78 was enacted, but they made it happen.

The Multi-Line Telephone System initiative asks facilities over a certain size to install telephone systems capable of identifying the location of individual telephone sets throughout the facility, complex, campus, or remote locations. This initiative is not retroactive. It does not penalize businesses. It is not an unfunded mandate. It merely states that should an eligible firm be planning to replace its' telephone system, it must replace the system with a system that allows it's telephone stations to be addressed. Such a system will help 9-1-1 dispatchers locate an emergency in large facilities. PA NENA supports a VoIP surcharge and MLTS legislation.

HB 911 - Reorganization/Consolidation of state departments with an involvement in public safety - This measure seeks to streamline agencies of "like" missions into a Homeland Security
Agency and a Department of Public Safety. PA NENA has not taken a position on this bill.

HB 1610 - An Act amending the act of July 9, 1990 (P.L. 340, No.78), known as the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act, further defining "contribution rate"; and further providing for county plan and expenditures.

HB 2112 - An Act establishing a state-wide intrastate mutual-aid agreement recognizing that emergencies do not recognize geo-political boundaries and eliminating the need for individual mutual-aid agreements.

SB 510 - Requires the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a statewide AED registry. Any public access AED, or public safety AED, will need to be registered with the DOH. The registry will be provided to EMS regional councils and then to public safety answering points. The benefit of such a registry is somewhat dubious. PA NENA has not taken a position on this bill.

SB 1000 - An Act prohibiting the regulation of VoIP and other Internet enabled products and services; and providing for preservation of consumer protection, for fees and rates and for preservation of cable franchise authority.