An Act To Require Credentials for Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Volunteers

Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §703, sub-§2-C  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 37-B MRSA §703, sub-§2-D  is enacted to read:

Sec. 3. 37-B MRSA §705-A  is enacted to read:

§ 705-A.  Emergency communications; rules

Sec. 4. 37-B MRSA §784-A,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 630, §2, is further amended to read:

§ 784-A. Right to call for and employ assistance

The Maine Emergency Management Agency and local organizations for emergency management may employ any person considered necessary to assist with emergency management activities. All persons called and employed for assistance , including, but not limited to, emergency communications volunteers, shall proceed as directed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Any person called and employed for assistance is deemed to be an employee of the State for purposes of immunity from liability pursuant to section 822 and for purposes of workers' compensation insurance pursuant to section 823, except for persons excluded from the definition of employee pursuant to Title 39-A, section 102, subsection 11. A health care worker licensed in this State, either designated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency to perform emergency management or health activities in this State in a declared disaster or civil emergency pursuant to section 742 or designated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency to render aid in another state under chapter 16, is deemed to be an employee of the State for purposes of immunity from liability pursuant to this section and section 926 and for purposes of workers' compensation insurance pursuant to sections 823 and 928, except for persons excluded from the definition of employee pursuant to Title 39-A, section 102, subsection 11.

summary

This bill includes registered emergency communications volunteers among those individuals that the Maine Emergency Management Agency may employ to assist with emergency management activities. This bill creates a definition for emergency communications volunteer that requires volunteers to meet certain requirements before they may receive a valid identification card from the agency. This bill also directs the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency to adopt rules to implement a state radio amateur civil emergency services plan in accordance with Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. It also requires the director to adopt rules governing registration requirement levels for emergency communications volunteers.