This bill amends existing law to permit volunteer emergency workers to utilize a rear-facing blue light on their private vehicles while engaged in emergency services. Specifically, it modifies RSA 266:78-b, III, to include language that allows for the use of blue lights by emergency response employees or volunteers of a city, town, or village district, in addition to the previously authorized vehicles owned or leased by various law enforcement and emergency response agencies. The bill stipulates that when blue lights are installed on a private vehicle owned by or leased to a law enforcement officer, these lights must be covered when the vehicle is operated by someone other than the officer. Furthermore, the bill maintains restrictions on the use of blue lights, stating that they shall be limited to a single, rear-facing light on vehicles not used by sworn law enforcement officers, state probation and parole officers, or state correctional officers during their official duties. It also requires that private ambulance services remove the blue light if they are no longer contracted with a city, town, or village district. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 266:78-b