Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB1567

Introduced
2/19/24  
Refer
2/19/24  
Engrossed
3/7/24  
Refer
3/20/24  
Enrolled
5/1/24  

Caption

Workforce development; revise various provisions related to.

Impact

The provisions in HB 1567 aim to strengthen the healthcare workforce by facilitating training for paramedics and other skilled labor. The scholarship program will cover tuition, fees, and training expenses for eligible applicants committed to serving as paramedics in Mississippi for a minimum of three years. This is particularly significant as the state has experienced a decrease in paramedics by approximately 19%, further jeopardizing emergency medical services.

Summary

House Bill 1567 focuses on workforce development by establishing several programs aimed at addressing the shortage of paramedics in Mississippi. The bill modifies existing laws to create a long-term career coaching program in middle and high schools, outlines the responsibilities of the Office of Workforce Development, and introduces the Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Program. This legislation reflects an urgent need to bolster the paramedic workforce, which has been critically undermined, particularly in rural areas, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1567 is largely positive, with supporters highlighting the essential nature of expanding the paramedic workforce in response to public health needs. Legislators and healthcare advocates view the bill as a proactive step towards ensuring that residents have access to quality emergency care. However, some critics may raise concerns about the long-term viability and funding of the scholarship program as part of broader workforce strategies.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the bill's commitment to enforce repayment of scholarship funds if recipients fail to meet their service obligations. Critics may question whether the requirement to serve three years post-training might deter potential candidates from entering paramedic programs. Moreover, the effectiveness of the career coaching program as a sustainable model for addressing workforce shortages is also a subject of debate.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MS HB844

Office of Workforce Development; revise funding mechanism for and create Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant Program.

MS HB588

Office of Workforce Development; revise funding mechanism for and revise powers and duties of.

MS HB807

Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board; bring forward code sections related to.

MS HB179

Health care and education shortage assistance program; establish to help attract professionals to work in certain counties.

MS SB2810

MS Workforce Training and Education Act; extend repealer on the act and in 2004 chapter law for conforming sections.

MS SB2552

MS Comprehensive Workforce Training & Education Consolidation Act of 2004; extend repealer on code sections conformed to.

MS HB564

MS Workforce Training and Education Act; extend repealer and codify repealers on conforming statutes.

MS HB892

MS Workforce Training and Education Act; extend repealer on act and delete repealer on sections amended to conform in 2004.

MS HB916

General experience rate; provide that noncharges caused by COVID-19 pandemic shall not impact.

MS HB1156

Mississippi Worforce Training and Education Act; extend repealer in 2004 chapter law comforming code sections.

Similar Bills

MS HB1662

Workforce development; revise certain provisions related to.

MS HB1388

Comprehensive Career and Technical Reform Act; create.

MS HB303

"2022 Mississippi Youthbuild Pilot Program Act"; create with programs at Coahoma and Jones County Community Colleges.

MS HB1462

"2023 Mississippi Youthbuild Pilot Program Act"; create with programs at Coahoma and Jones County Community Colleges.

MS HB906

State offenders serving sentences in county jail; may serve sentences in any county jail.

MS HB1052

MS Department of Corrections; provide for Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development.

MS HB273

"2025 Mississippi Youthbuild Pilot Program Act"; create with programs at Coahoma and Jones County Community Colleges.

MS HB602

"2024 Mississippi Youthbuild Pilot Program Act"; create with programs at Coahoma and Jones County Community Colleges.