DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 195 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Selders
Abstract: Adds civilian emergency dispatchers to the definition of "first responder" for purposes
of emergency assistance and preparedness and provides a definition for "civilian emergency
dispatchers".
Present law (R.S. 23:1017.1(6)) provides a definition of "first responder" as meaning a volunteer
engaged in activities involving the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness pursuant to present law (R.S. 29:721 et seq.) and first responders as defined in present
law (R.S. 40:1231) including but not limited to medical personnel, emergency and medical
technicians, volunteer firemen, auxiliary law enforcement officers, and members of the Civil Air
Patrol.
Present law (R.S. 29:739(C) provides that "first responder" refers to those individuals who in the
early stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property,
evidence, and the environment, including emergency response providers as defined in Section 2 of
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101), as well as emergency management, public
health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel, such as equipment operators
that provide immediate support services during prevention, response, and recovery operations
consistent with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8.
Proposed law retains present law and adds state agency essential workers, emergency service
dispatchers, and emergency response operators to the definition of "first responder".
Proposed law retains present law (R.S. 29:723(9)) and adds state agency essential workers to the
definition of "first responder".
Proposed law retains present law (R.S. 40:1372) and adds the definition for "emergency response
operator", "emergency services dispatcher", and "first responder".
Proposed law authorizes the Louisiana State Law Institute to arrange in alphabetical order and
renumber the definitions provided in R.S. 29:723.
(Amends R.S. 23:1017.1(6), R.S. 29:723(9), and R.S. 40:1372)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill: 1. Make technical changes.
2. Add state agency essential workers, emergency service dispatchers, and emergency
response operators to the definition of "first responder".
3. Add definitions for "emergency response operator", "emergency services dispatcher", and
"first responder" under State Police Law.