Pennsylvania Act 2014-57 — EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEMORIAL FLAG

Act text

An Act

Establishing an emergency medical services memorial flag; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health.

WHEREAS, The provision of an emergency medical services memorial flag is a small but important act by Commonwealth government to signify its thanks and recognition for the sacrifice of a life in service to the citizens of this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly enacts this legislation on behalf of all Commonwealth citizens to honor emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Emergency medical services memorial flag.

(a) Establishment.--An emergency medical services memorial flag is established for this Commonwealth.

(b) Description.--The flag established in subsection (a) shall be created by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.

Section 2. Use of flag.

The emergency medical services memorial flag may be displayed over emergency medical service memorials and emergency medical service funeral processions and from the poles of any public ground or political subdivision for a period of not more than seven days after the death of a member of any emergency medical service, and as further directed by the Director of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health.

Section 3. Agency responsibility.

The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health shall maintain the official flag and have the responsibility to implement the provisions of this act and oversee the production, acquisition and distribution of the flag.

Section 4. Limitation.

Authorized utilization of the emergency medical services memorial flag by the Commonwealth or an entity of the Commonwealth shall not constitute a presumption of eligibility or be admissible as evidence for a claim under the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.

Section 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.