Delegation hears bill to clarify emergency lighting for volunteer responders in Baltimore area

Sen. Attar presented Senate Bill 1030 during a March 21 hearing of the Baltimore County House Delegation seeking to clarify state law so that trained volunteer emergency responders with Hatzalah of Baltimore can use emergency lighting on a limited number of privately owned vehicles.

What the bill would do: The sponsor said the bill would mirror existing statutory language that permits up to five privately owned vehicles for volunteer rescue squads to be equipped with emergency lighting; the measure would extend the same clarifying language to trained Hatzalah volunteers who use personal vehicles to respond to priority‑one medical calls. Sen. Attar told the delegation Hatzalah responds to roughly 1,800 calls a year across Baltimore City and Baltimore County and often arrives before an ambulance to stabilize patients.

Sponsor testimony and rationale: Sen. Attar said the Maryland Ambulance Board had allowed the organization to use lights under its understanding of current law but later sought legislative clarification because the board was not certain the statute clearly covers privately owned vehicles used by such volunteers. “They responded, they came, they took care of him until the ambulance came and took him, and they were there within minutes,” Sen. Attar said in recounting a personal emergency response.

Support and concerns: Delegates were generally supportive of the concept but asked procedural and oversight questions. Delegate Dalia Carden asked about organizational governance and transparency (board structure and budgeting), raising whether Hatzalah receives public grants and how funds are used. Sen. Attar and other supporters said the bill does not provide funding and that volunteers must be trained in emergency vehicle operations and that the use would be limited — as with rescue squads — to a small number of high‑ranking volunteers’ vehicles.

Amendment being drafted: Sen. Attar said Baltimore County requested an amendment to name the specific organization in the bill text so the statute would explicitly apply to Hatzalah of Baltimore; the sponsor indicated he would supply that amendment.

Outcome: The delegation treated SB1030 as a hearing and did not vote on it at the March 21 meeting. Delegates indicated they expect to seek letters of support from Baltimore City and Baltimore County and to coordinate with the county delegation before any committee action.

Speakers quoted or cited: Sen. Attar (bill sponsor); Delegate Dana Stein (cross‑file sponsor in the House); Delegate Dalia Carden (questioner).