An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.
What changed between versions
The maximum loan amount for purchasing protective, accessory, or communication equipment was increased from $25,000 to $100,000.
Civil penalties collected for PFAS violations are now deposited into the Fire Company Grant Program, whereas previously they went to a specific training reimbursement account.
A new requirement was added for the commissioner to maintain a list of vendors authorized to remove and incur liability for transporting and removing PFAS-containing firefighting foam, in consultation with the Department of General Services.
The exemption for federal requirements regarding PFAS in firefighting foam was updated to reference January 1, 2027, instead of July 1, 2025.
The effective date for the ban on using class B firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals was changed from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028.
Enforcement authority for PFAS violations was transferred from the Office of Attorney General to the Department of Environmental Protection.
The list of eligible recipients for loans for protective equipment was expanded to explicitly include EMS companies alongside fire companies.
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