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Bill

S 2208

Wildfire Resilient Communities Act

119th Congress Introduced by Jeff Merkley and 3 co-sponsors

Bill S 2208 designates medical providers in police SWAT teams as peace officers, allowing them to carry firearms and provide immediate care in high-risk situations.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2208

Summary of Bill S 2208

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: S 2208
  • Title: Relates to designating certain medical providers employed by a municipal police department, while deployed with the special weapons and tactics team, as peace officers
  • Status: Referred to Codes
  • Introduced: January 15, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 2208 aims to formally designate specific medical providers who are employed by municipal police departments and serve alongside special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams as peace officers. This designation is intended to clarify the legal status and responsibilities of these medical professionals when they are deployed in high-stress, tactical situations.

Key Provisions

  • Designation of Medical Providers: The bill specifically identifies medical providers, such as paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs), who are part of a municipal police department's SWAT team.
  • Peace Officer Status: By granting peace officer status to these medical providers, the bill allows them to perform certain law enforcement functions, which may include:
    • Carrying firearms while on duty with the SWAT team.
    • Providing medical assistance in high-risk situations where law enforcement is also present.
    • Enhancing the overall safety and effectiveness of SWAT operations by ensuring immediate medical care is available.

Impact

  • Affected Parties: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are medical providers working within municipal police departments, particularly those involved with SWAT teams. Additionally, the bill may impact police departments, local governments, and the communities they serve by potentially improving emergency response capabilities during tactical operations.
  • Operational Efficiency: By designating medical providers as peace officers, the bill aims to streamline operations during critical incidents, ensuring that medical personnel can act swiftly without legal ambiguity regarding their authority.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Action: The bill was introduced on January 15, 2025, and has been referred to the Codes Committee for further consideration. The timeline for subsequent actions or votes has not yet been established.

Related Bills

This bill is related to several prior-session bills that may have addressed similar issues or concepts:
- S 6643
- S 1851
- S 243
- S 3487
- S 781

These related bills may provide context or background on the legislative intent surrounding the designation of medical providers in law enforcement settings.

This summary provides a clear overview of Bill S 2208, outlining its purpose, key provisions, potential impacts, and procedural status, making it accessible for both experts and general readers interested in understanding the legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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