Public Safety - 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System - Definition of First Responders
Summary
HB106 expands the statutory definition of “first responder” in Maryland’s Public Safety Article as it applies to the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System. Under current law, the term already covers firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, rescue squad members, certain fire marshal personnel, some volunteer fire and rescue workers, certain licensed or certified individuals under the Education Article, and 9-1-1 specialists. This bill adds three categories of employees of the Department of Transportation: emergency response technicians, facility maintenance technicians, and vehicle services and recovery technicians.
The practical effect is to place these Department of Transportation employees within the state’s first responder definition for purposes tied to the 9-1-1 system and any related statutory benefits, recognition, or administrative treatment that depends on that definition. The bill does not create a new program or funding source; rather, it amends an existing definition in the Public Safety Article and takes effect October 1, 2025.
Impact
HB106 amends § 1-301(j) of the Public Safety Article to broaden the legal definition of “first responder” for the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System. The change specifically adds Department of Transportation emergency response technicians, facility maintenance technicians, and vehicle services and recovery technicians to the list of covered personnel. This could affect how these employees are treated under state law in contexts that reference the first responder definition, including eligibility for certain protections, acknowledgments, or related administrative policies tied to emergency response roles.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be a straightforward, noncontroversial classification measure. Its purpose is limited and technical, focusing on aligning the statutory definition with the duties of certain Department of Transportation employees. There is no evidence in the provided record of opposition, amendments, or divided voting.
Contention
No specific contention is shown in the provided materials. The only potentially debatable issue is whether Department of Transportation employees whose work supports emergency response—such as maintenance, recovery, and emergency response technicians—should be treated the same as traditionally recognized first responders. Support would likely come from those seeking recognition of these roles as part of the emergency response system, while any concern would likely center on the scope of the definition and whether it should extend beyond conventional public safety personnel.