Bill could provide state comp benefits to first responders

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill that would provide state workers compensation coverage to first responders who are injured during emergencies on state game lands.

The Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1363 in September, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website. The bill has been sent for consideration to the full Pennsylvania Senate. 

S.B. 1363, introduced by Democratic state Sen. John T. Yudichak, would provide state workers comp coverage to first responders, rather than requiring them to be covered for workers comp by the municipalities that employ them, according to a statement from Sen. Yudichak’s office.  

Bill language posted online says that any member of a "volunteer fire company, volunteer fire department, volunteer ambulance corps or rescue and lifesaving squad ... injured in the performance of duties on state game land" would be considered an employee of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. 

“No municipality should be footing the bill when one of their emergency responders are injured while volunteering their efforts on any state property,” Sen. Yudichak said in a statement.  

S.B. 1363 was prompted by emergency incidents at the Glen Onoko Trail state game lands in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Between 10 to 20 first responders have been injured during emergency rescues at Glen Onoko, according to Sen. Yudichak’s statement.