BILL NUMBER:  S7275

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the general municipal law, in
relation to classifying emergency medical services provided by
municipalities as essential services for the purposes of applying for
and receiving state aid

 PURPOSE :

To classify emergency medical services as essential services for the
purposes of state aid

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends § 122-b of the General Municipal Law by adding a new
subdivision providing that emergency medical services provided for
pursuant to § 122-b(1) of the General Municipal Law shall be deemed
essential services for the purposes of applying for and receiving
state aid.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 EXISTING LAW :

Section 122-b of the General Municipal Law relates to general
ambulance services. Section 122b(1) provides, any county, city, town,
              

or village acting individually or jointly, may provide an emergency
medical service, a general ambulance service, or a combination of such
services, for the purpose of providing pre-hospital emergency medical
treatment or transporting sick or injured persons found within the
boundaries of the municipality for the municipalities acting jointly
to a hospital, clinic, sanatorium, or other place for treatment of
such illness or injury.

This measure adds an additional subdivision (6) to Section 122-b and
deems emergency medical services provided pursuant to subdivision (1)
of Section 122-b essential services for the purposes of applying for
and receiving state aid.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Throughout our state, volunteer emergency medical services play a
vital role in keeping our communities safe.

In addition to working hard to safeguard the public, volunteers also
work hard to generate the funds necessary to purchase up to date
equipment, maintain buildings and vehicles, as well as to address any
other issues related to the efficient operation of their
organizations.

By classifying emergency medical services as "essential services,"
organizations will be able to tap into an increased number of funding
sources and in turn, will be able to keep our communities safer.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.