Pending the signature of Gov. Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania will be the 22nd state to join an EMS compact making it easier for emergency workers to practice across state lines.
The agreement standardizes privilege to practice rules, validates licenses in a national registry, and grants emergency medical workers the ability to work across state lines on a short-term basis. By aligning rules and standards, Pennsylvania poses fewer barriers to out-of-state workers who may relocate to the commonwealth.
The legislation, Senate Bill 861, has been signed by both chambers of the General Assembly and was presented to Wolf on Wednesday.
“Simply put, the EMS Compact facilitates the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state boundaries in the performance of their duties as assigned by an appropriate authority without jeopardizing public safety,” Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Connellsville, wrote in a legislative memo.