Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program, authorize regional agencies of the Office of Emergency Medical Services to participate
Impact
The implementation of HB 357 is designed to bolster the recruitment and retention of emergency medical personnel in Alabama. By providing financial assistance for tuition costs, the program encourages students to pursue careers in emergency services while ensuring that they commit to serving their communities post-certification. This aligns with the state's ongoing efforts to enhance the availability and quality of emergency medical services across the region.
Summary
House Bill 357 establishes the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program to support students training for emergency medical services personnel (EMSP) licensure through various educational institutions. This program offers tuition reimbursement for students who agree to work for at least two years with an eligible organization such as a volunteer rescue squad, ambulance service, or volunteer fire department. The bill expands participation in the program to include regional agencies from the Alabama Department of Public Health, thereby increasing access to educational resources for future EMS professionals.
Contention
While the bill aims to generate a more robust EMS workforce, there are potential concerns regarding the financial mechanisms of the program. The proposed reimbursement procedures involve reimbursement liabilities for individuals who fail to fulfill their service commitments, which some critics argue could deter potential applicants who might be wary of financial obligations. Additionally, there may be discourse surrounding the prioritization in fund allocation among volunteer entities, specifically favoring nonprofit organizations.
Relating to the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Act of 2018; to amend Sections 22-18-60, 22-18-61, 22-18-63, and 22-18-64, Code of Alabama 1975, to decrease the required contracted for service time after graduation and licensing from three years to two years; to expand the program to include students who contract and provide service to ambulance services; to provide exclusions from reimbursement; and to increase the amount of operational expenses reimbursed to the Alabama Community College System; and to add Section 22-18-61.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for the retroactive reimbursement of certain fees and expenses.
Relating to the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Act of 2018; to amend Sections 22-18-60, 22-18-61, and 22-18-64, Code of Alabama 1975, to decrease the required contracted for service time after graduation and licensing from three years to two years; to expand the program to include students who contract and provide service to ambulance services; to provide exclusions from reimbursement; and to increase the amount of operational expenses reimbursed to the Alabama Community College System; and to add Section 22-18-61.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for the retroactive reimbursement of certain fees and expenses.
Establishing a tuition credit program for certain members of volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads and their dependent children and spouses.
Relating to volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads; to make legislative findings that volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads fulfill a public purpose; to authorize volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads to purchase kitchen equipment and supplies for their stations; to authorize a tax credit for mileage to firefighters and squad members; and to specify that county commissions are not responsible for the expenditures and activities of volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads.
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported; emergency medical services education; tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; a levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems; eligible expenses of fire dues program; a live 911 pilot program; eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program; and making an appropriation. (FE)
Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported; emergency medical services education; tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners; a levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems; eligible expenses of fire dues program; a live 911 pilot program; eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program; and making an appropriation. (FE)