SB329 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Act of 2018, tuition reimbursement program for emergency medical technician or paramedic certification established

Summary

SB 329 would create a state tuition reimbursement program for EMT and Paramedic certification tied to service with Alabama volunteer rescue squads.

What This Bill Does

The bill would create the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Act to reimburse students’ actual tuition costs for EMT or Paramedic certification through ACCS member institutions or the Alabama Fire College, funded by the Education Trust Fund. It would require students to serve with a volunteer rescue squad in Alabama after certification for 3 years (EMT/EMT-Advanced) or 5 years (Paramedic). The Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Fire College would administer the program in consultation with the Alabama Rescue Squad Association and may limit applications and reimbursements to keep spending within the budget, with annual reporting to state leaders.

Who It Affects

• Students enrolled in EMT or Paramedic certification programs at ACCS member institutions or the Alabama Fire College who receive tuition reimbursement in exchange for a service commitment to volunteer rescue squads.
• Volunteer rescue squads located in Alabama and related organizations that supervise and coordinate the service commitments of reimbursed students.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Act of 2018 to reimburse tuition costs for EMT or Paramedic certification completed at ACCS member institutions or the Alabama Fire College.
• Requires administration by the Alabama Community College System and Alabama Fire College, with input from the Alabama Rescue Squad Association, and allows setting rules and limits to keep expenditures within funding.
• Sets service obligations: 3 years of service with a volunteer rescue squad after EMT/EMT-Advanced certification, or 5 years after Paramedic certification.
• Tuition reimbursements are paid after completion and certification, covering actual tuition costs; there must be documentation of completion and passing certification exam.
• If the recipient fails to meet service requirements (except extreme hardship), they must repay the total reimbursed amount plus 8 percent interest.
• Funding comes from direct appropriation from the Education Trust Fund; unspent funds carry forward to the next fiscal year; rules may limit applications and reimbursements to stay within funding.
• Requires annual reporting on the program with metrics such as number of participants and total reimbursements, due by the fifth legislative day of each regular session.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education