2012 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 53 - Emergency Telephone Service
Section 5312.1 - Legislative study

     § 5312.1.  Legislative study.
        (a)  Requirement.--The Legislative Budget and Finance
     Committee shall study the 911 and wireless E-911 funding systems
     under section 5311.4 (relating to Wireless E-911 Emergency
     Services Fund). In conducting the study, the committee shall
     consider cost-benefit analyses to determine the cost
     effectiveness of the systems both within the agency and the
     counties. At a minimum, the committee shall inquire into and
     make recommendations with respect to:
            (1)  The efficacy by which the VoIP service 911 fee, the
        contribution rate, the wireless E-911 surcharge and the
        prepaid wireless E-911 surcharge are collected and remitted
        for intended purposes set forth in this chapter.
            (2)  The expenditures authorized for payment from a
        county's restricted account for the purposes of nonrecurring
        and recurring charges billed for the 911 system.
            (3)  Disbursements made by the agency from the fund.
            (4)  The method and amount of funding collected through
        the VoIP service 911 fee, the contribution rate, the wireless
        E-911 surcharge and the prepaid wireless E-911 surcharge in
        comparison to 911 and wireless E-911 funding systems utilized
        in other states.
            (5)  The feasibility and effectiveness of consolidating
        PSAPs in this Commonwealth.
            (6)  Any other cost-saving measures that may be utilized
        by the PSAPs or the agency which will not jeopardize public
        safety.
            (7)  National initiatives being considered or implemented
        in other states intended to provide cost savings in 911
        systems without impacting public safety.
            (8)  A review of the current auditing requirements of
        State and county 911 expenditures under this chapter.
            (9)  The issues the Commonwealth will need to consider in
        incorporating "Next Generation 911" and other nontraditional
        communication technologies into its emergency response
        system.
            (10)  Any technology-neutral 911 funding options by
        either the Commonwealth or political subdivisions which do
        not rely on disparate technologies, fee amounts and grant
        structures.
        (b)  Report.--The committee shall submit a final report with
     recommendations to the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief
     Clerk of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2011, and
     shall transmit a copy of the final report to the Legislative
     Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin
     within 30 days of the submission of the final report.

        Effective Date.  Section 8(1)(i) of Act 118 of 2010 provided
     that section 5312.1 shall take effect immediately.
        Special Provisions in Appendix.  See section 7(b)(3) of Act
     118 of 2010 in the appendix to this title for special provisions
     relating to continuation of prior law.