State Representative Wants To Waive Some Fees For First Responders

A Bristol Township state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would exempt emergency responders and volunteers from background check fees.

Surrounded by emergency responders from Bristol Township, Hulmeville and Middletown, State Rep. Tina Davis (D-141) announced House Bill 1081 at the Newportville Fire Company in Bristol Township. She was also joined by State Rep. John Galloway (D-140), State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-31), a representative from State Rep. Frank Farry’s (R-142) office and a member of State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo’s ( R-18) staff.

Proposed House Bill 1081 would spare paid and volunteer firefighters, fire police and emergency medical service responders from having to pay nearly $50 in background checks that are now required under state law. According to officials, medical responders in January started paying $27.50 for an FBI criminal background checks; $10 for a Pennsylvania criminal record background checks; and $10 for a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. Starting in July, firefighters would also have to start paying the fees.

“I understand and endorse the need for better protections for our children,” Davis said. “However, first responders who have proven their integrity and value to their communities deserve a break from the financial burdens of such background checks.”

Davis said the Newportville Fire Company’s volunteer axillary group along with firefighters would have to undergo the background checks under a new state law that was passed this year. She added that the fee is revenue for the state and would not cost taxpayers anything extra because the infrastructure is already in place.

Newportville Fire Company President Jennifer Labor said the fees were just one more thing volunteer firefighters would have to contend with on top of their training and hours spent volunteering.

State Rep. John Galloway said firefighters need the support of the community and waiving the free is one way to do that.

There is currently no provision on the bill to reimburse emergency medical service responders who have already paid for the background checks this year, according to Bryan Allen, Davis’ chief of staff.

Currently, the bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

“Our firefighters and EMS providers save lives and property throughout the commonwealth every day, and I believe they deserve to be spared from clearance fees when their records warrant such consideration,” Davis said. “We always want to weed out the bad apples but not punish those who through their years of service have proven to be upstanding citizens.”