Texas House Bill HB4521

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/12/25

Caption

Relating to the requirements for certain emergency medical services certification providers; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The legislation introduces a financial component that requires for-profit providers to pay a fee equal to 10 percent of the enrollment cost for each student directly to the Health and Human Services Department. This fee structure is intended to fund state oversight of these certification courses. Importantly, the bill prohibits providers from passing this fee onto students, thus aiming to maintain affordability for individuals seeking certification.

Summary

House Bill 4521 aims to implement specific requirements for certain emergency medical services (EMS) certification providers, particularly for those located in counties adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border. It establishes standards for for-profit EMS certification courses, including mandates for transparency regarding course fees, which must be publicly disclosed on the provider's website. The bill is designed to improve the educational framework for emergency services personnel by ensuring that adequate information is available for potential students.

Contention

Aside from the financial implications, the bill specifies that course coordinators for these training programs must possess a bachelor's degree and have a minimum of ten years of practical experience as basic instructors. This requirement is expected to elevate the standards of training provided in these programs. However, debates may arise regarding the feasibility of maintaining such standards, particularly in less populated regions where experienced instructors may be scarce. Overall, HB4521 seeks to enhance the quality of emergency medical training while balancing the interests of students and training providers.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 773. Emergency Medical Services
  • Section: New Section