Pennsylvania Act 2006-76 — AT-RISK ELDERLY WIRELESS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE PROGRAM ACT

Act text

AT-RISK ELDERLY WIRELESS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE PROGRAM ACT
                  Act of Jul. 7, 2006, P.L. 356, No. 76               Cl. 71
                                  AN ACT

     Establishing the At-Risk Elderly Wireless Emergency Telephone
        Program; conferring powers and duties on the Department of
        Aging; and providing additional powers to the area agencies
        on aging.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Short title.
        This act shall be known and may be cited as the At-Risk
     Elderly Wireless Emergency Telephone Program Act.
     Section 2.  Legislative intent.
        The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
            (1)  The General Assembly intends to establish a program
        that provides at-risk elderly persons with wireless emergency
        telephone service to provide immediate access to the 911
        emergency telephone number as well as the appropriate
        protective services unit at area agencies on aging.
            (2)  This act authorizes the Department of Aging to
        develop a request for proposal for the purpose of entering
        into a public-private partnership with a wireless
        telecommunications provider.
            (3)  This act will provide at-risk elderly persons living
        independently in the community the access to emergency
        contacts through the use of wireless telecommunications
        systems allowing the at-risk elderly persons to continue to
        live independently with the means to access necessary
        emergency services.
     Section 3.  Definitions.
        The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
     have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     context clearly indicates otherwise:
        "AAA."  An area agency on aging, which acts as the local
     representative of the Department of Aging.
        "At-risk elderly person."  A person who is at least 60 years
     of age and has been identified by the area agency on aging as a
     person who is susceptible to or has a high probability of
     incurring a danger to that person's daily living routine.
        "Department."  The Department of Aging of the Commonwealth.
        "Eligible participant."  A person who is at least 60 years of
     age, who has been a resident of this Commonwealth for at least
     90 days and who is classified as at risk as identified by an
     area agency on aging.
        "Program."  The At-Risk Elderly Wireless Emergency Telephone
     Program.
        "Request for proposal" or "RFP."  As defined in 62 Pa.C.S. §
     103 (relating to definitions).
     Section 4.  At-Risk Elderly Wireless Emergency Telephone
                    Program.
        The At-Risk Elderly Wireless Emergency Telephone Program is
     established. The department shall administer the program and
     develop an RFP to provide each AAA the opportunity to enter into
     a public-private partnership with wireless telecommunications
     carriers to provide at-risk elderly persons with immediate
     access to 911 emergency services as well as the appropriate
     protective services unit.
     Section 5.  Program guidelines.
        (a)  Local guidelines.--Each AAA that participates in the
     program shall establish specific guidelines regarding the
     administrative and operating procedures of the program,
     including the acceptance of eligible participants and carrying
     out the RFP process. Participation by an AAA in the program
     shall be at the option of the AAA.
        (b)  Services.--The RFP shall describe the wireless carrier
     services sought, including, but not limited to, free wireless
     service to the 911 emergency telephone number and the
     appropriate local protective services unit telephone number.
     Section 6.  Powers and duties of department.
        (a)  Cooperation.--The department in cooperation with the
     Department of General Services shall develop an RFP pursuant to
     the requirements of 62 Pa.C.S. § 513 (relating to competitive
     sealed proposals).
        (b)  Project description.--The department shall provide each
     AAA with a complete program description and the procurement
     policies and procedures developed by the department.
        (c)  Public notice.--The department shall publicize the
     program to the aging community.
        (d)  Technical assistance.--The department shall provide
     technical assistance through program implementation to each AAA
     as needed.
     Section 7.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect immediately.