Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 68.

This bill prohibits a municipality, county, political subdivision, organization, agency, or entity from operating a rescue squad within this state, unless the rescue squad has been authorized to perform rescue services by the state fire marshal's office. However, this requirement does not apply to law enforcement agencies or emergency medical agencies licensed by the Tennessee emergency medical services board. This bill requires the state fire marshal, in consultation with the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS) and other interested industry groups, to promulgate rules relative to the standards and qualifications for becoming and remaining a rescue squad. In order to obtain recognition from the state fire marshal's office, this bill requires a municipality, county, political subdivision, organization, agency, or entity to file an application with the state fire marshal's office, and file a renewal application to continue so operating, in accordance with the following: (1) The application must be made on a form prescribed by the state fire marshal and must be accompanied by a processing fee not to exceed $50.00. This bill authorizes the state fire marshal to require that the form also be signed and notarized by the highest ranking official of the rescue squad; (2) Upon being granted recognized status as a rescue squad, the state fire marshal must issue a three-year certificate of recognition to the rescue squad; and (3) Approximately six months prior to the expiration of the three-year certificate, the state fire marshal's office must notify each rescue squad by certified mail of the expiration of the certificate. This bill requires a rescue squad whose certificate is expiring to complete a recognition renewal form prescribed by the state fire marshal and submit a renewal fee not to exceed $50.00. This bill prohibits a new rescue squad from being established or recognized within this state without the approval of the governing body of the local government in whose jurisdiction the rescue squad will operate. This approval must include the geographical territory to be covered by the new rescue squad. This bill further prohibits a governmental unit, person, organization, agency, or entity from doing the following: (1) Representing themselves to be or have a rescue squad without a valid certificate of recognition issued by the state fire marshal; or (2) Receiving or soliciting money from any source, including the local, state, or federal government for the purpose of operating a rescue squad unless the governmental unit, person, organization, agency, or entity holds a valid certificate of recognition issued by the state fire marshal. This bill provides that a person who violates the above provisions is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine only.