Pennsylvania HB 1303: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in other required equipment, providing for heat detection devices in emergency vehicles.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1497
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1303
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN, NEILSON, SANCHEZ, HANBIDGE, GIRAL, HILL-
EVANS, CIRESI, HADDOCK, HOWARD, HARKINS AND GREEN,
APRIL 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, APRIL 28, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in other required equipment, providing for heat
detection devices in emergency vehicles.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 4574. Heat detection devices in emergency vehicles.
(a) Heat detection device.--An emergency vehicle
transporting a K-9 officer shall be equipped with a heat
detection device.
(b) Minimum requirements.--A heat detection device installed
in an emergency vehicle transporting a K-9 officer shall, at a
minimum:
(1) alert the vehicle operator that the vehicle has a
cabin temperature that is unsafe for the K-9 officer by
utilizing the horn, sirens and lights; and
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(2) automatically roll down two windows when the vehicle
reaches an unsafe cabin temperature.
(c) Regulations.--The department shall promulgate
regulations governing the type, function, installation,
temperature limits and use of heat detection devices, taking
into consideration different requirements for different classes
or types of vehicles. The department shall have the authority to
regulate the performance of heat detection devices on a vehicle.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Heat detection device." An apparatus that measures the
temperature inside a vehicle passenger space, alerts the vehicle
operator of an unsafe temperature inside the vehicle and
activates the vehicle's electromechanical systems in order to
cool the vehicle to a safe temperature.
"K-9 officer." A dog used by the Pennsylvania State Police,
a police department established by a metropolitan transportation
authority operating under 74 Pa.C.S. Ch. 17 (relating to
metropolitan transportation authorities), a police department
established by a port authority established under the act of
April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1414, No.465), known as the Second Class
County Port Authority Act, the Capitol Police, the Department of
Corrections, a county facility or office or a municipal police
department, fire department, search and rescue unit or agency or
handler under the supervision of the department, search and
rescue unit or agency in the performance of the functions or
duties of the department, search and rescue unit or agency,
whether the animal is on duty or not on duty. The term includes
an accelerant detection dog, bomb detection dog, narcotic
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detection dog, search and rescue dog and tracking animal.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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