SB756: relative to insurance coverage for emergency volunteers.

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

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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.

LBAO

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

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

COUNTY:

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

LOCAL:

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