House adopts law protecting emergency volunteers from job loss while responding to calls

The Utah House passed House Bill 173 on Feb. 14 to protect emergency services volunteers from termination for taking time off to respond to rescues, fires or medical emergencies.

Rep. Snyder, sponsor of the bill, said the measure protects search‑and‑rescue personnel, volunteer firefighters, emergency volunteer EMTs and members of sheriff mounted posses who leave paid employment to respond to emergencies. "This bill says that if an emergency volunteer ... is in the act of serving our community and responding to a rescue, they cannot be terminated from employment," he told the chamber.

Rep. Perry offered Amendment 3, which the sponsor supported, to clarify that volunteers who also work for public‑safety agencies must obtain permission from their employing agency before leaving a paid shift to volunteer so agencies can ensure coverage. After floor debate and clarifications from the sponsor that the amendment resolves ambiguity about employees who are both paid and volunteer, the House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 71–3.

Supporters said the measure helps rural counties where volunteer responders are essential for search and rescue and local emergencies; dissenting lawmakers raised no successful substantive changes. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Next steps: if enacted, agencies and employers will need to update personnel policies and the Legislature indicated implementation guidance will be clarified in the amendment and subsequent rulemaking or agency guidance.