35 Pa. C.S. § 75A01

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92

Section 75A01 - Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Cooperating officials and agencies." Includes the following:

(1) The Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

(2) A county mental health office located within this Commonwealth.

(3) The State Fire Commissioner.

(4) The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs of the Commonwealth.

"Corrections officer." A full-time employee assigned to the Department of Corrections whose principal duty is the care, custody and control of inmates of a penal or correctional institution operated by the Department of Corrections.

"Critical incident." A situation to which an emergency responder responds that presents or involves either the death or serious bodily injury of an individual, or the imminent potential of death or serious bodily injury, or any situation faced by an emergency responder in the course of duty which causes or may cause the emergency responder to experience strong negative emotional reactions.

"Critical incident stress management network." A network that meets the requirements of membership with the Pennsylvania Voluntary Critical Incident Stress Management Network as administered by the department.

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Emergency responder." Any of the following:

(1) A current or former certified emergency medical services provider, current or former member of an emergency medical services agency, fire company or rescue company.

(2) A peace officer.

(3) A 911 dispatcher.

(4) A coroner or medical examiner who responds in an official capacity to an emergency.

(5) A corrections officer.

"Mental wellness and stress management guidelines." A plan that:

(1) Requires education and training on traumatic brain injuries and traumatic stress, including acute stress reactions, acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress injuries and other emotional reactions and components of trauma reaction for emergency responders.

(2) Sets responsibilities for public agencies and emergency responders who sustain a posttraumatic stress injury or traumatic brain injury arising from their work.

(3) Provides remedial supportive actions for public agencies in response to a report of a posttraumatic stress injury or traumatic brain injury sustained by an emergency responder.

"Peace officer." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to definitions).

"Peer-to-peer support program." A regional peer support service program established under section 75A03 (relating to peer-to-peer support programs) which offers services:

(1) designated by the department to be used in:

(i) recognizing the symptoms of a mental health condition, including those caused by a critical incident; and

(ii) making a behavioral health referral through an employee assistance program or other mental health agency for treatment by a licensed behavioral health professional; and

(2) delivered by a trained peer support provider.

"Post-traumatic stress injury." A post-traumatic stress disorder as defined by the American Psychiatric Association and documented in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition.

"Public agency." As defined under section 5302 (relating to definitions).

"Secretary." The Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Trained peer support provider." An emergency responder who has the training, credentials or experience to provide support and advocacy services and is recognized by the department under this chapter.

35 Pa.C.S. § 75A01

Added by P.L. TBD 2020 No. 69, § 2, eff. 7/23/2020.