SB 756-FN-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2020 SESSION
20-3132
01/10
SENATE BILL 756-FN-LOCAL
AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.
SPONSORS: Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Rep. Woods, Merr. 23
COMMITTEE: Commerce
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20-3132
01/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Insurance Coverage for Emergency Volunteers. Amend RSA 153-A by inserting after section 36 the following new subdivision:
Insurance Coverage for Emergency Volunteers
153-A:37 Insurance Coverage for Emergency Volunteers.
I. In this subdivision "volunteer" means an individual performing services for a nonprofit organization or government entity who does not receive compensation, other than reimbursement for expenses actually incurred for such services. Such volunteers shall possess proper certification or validation of competence in the rules, procedures, practices, and programs of the athletic activity.
II. Any state, municipal, or authorizing agency responding to an emergency and using the services of volunteers shall:
(a) Maintain a roster of potential persons volunteering.
(b) Identify and designate which volunteers are appropriate to serve for each event.
(c) Require all volunteers actively involved in any given event to sign in for each event at the time of service or within 48 hours, to include:
(1) Signature of volunteer.
(2) Address of volunteer.
(d) Require insurance coverage for all volunteers, which shall include:
(1) All events to which the volunteers are appointed.
(2) All training required to participate in such events.
(3) Coverage for indemnity and injury.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
20-3132
Revised 2/27/20
SB 756-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Various Governmental Funds | |||
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COUNTY: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires insurance coverage for emergency volunteers. The Insurance Department assumes the required insurance is casualty coverage for the actions of volunteers. Such coverage would likely result in additional expenditures for State agencies and municipalities whether they purchase coverage, self-insure or participate in a risk sharing pool. The Department indicates it is not possible to estimate the additional cost because it would depend on the limits of coverage, the number of expected volunteers, and the likelihood of a triggering event.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association indicates it is not able to determine the intent of the bill. The Association indicates the bill appears to conflate emergency volunteers with volunteers for athletic activities. The Association is unable to determine the fiscal impact on local government.
It is assumed the fiscal impact of the bill would not occur until FY 2021.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Insurance Department and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2020 | Senate | Hearing |
March 11, 2020: Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 03/11/2020; SJ 6
March 12, 2020: Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/12/2020; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 10
March 11, 2020: Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/11/2020; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 10
March 3, 2020: Hearing: 03/03/2020, Room 103, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 9
Feb. 13, 2020: Introduced 02/13/2020 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 5