HB24 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program; to permit regional EMS agencies to participate in education instruction

Summary

The bill adds the Alabama Department of Public Health’s regional EMS agencies to the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program, letting them provide EMS education and reimburse tuition to students who commit to at least two years of service with EMS providers after licensure.

What This Bill Does

It expands eligible education providers to include ADPH regional EMS agencies. It requires joint administration of the tuition program by ACCS, the Alabama Fire College, USA, and the designated EMS regional agencies. Tuition is reimbursed after students complete an approved course, pass the certification exam, obtain an EMS license, and sign a service contract; if they fail to meet service requirements (except for extreme hardship), they owe repayment with 8% interest. Funds are distributed among volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and nonprofit ambulance services based on appropriations, with priority to volunteer groups; a cap on reimbursement amounts is set by ADPH and aligned with caps at the Alabama Fire College; annual reporting is required, and administrative expenses must stay within 10% of the program’s funding.

Who It Affects

• Students pursuing EMS certification who would receive tuition reimbursement and must commit to at least two years of service with an ambulance service, a volunteer rescue squad, or a volunteer fire department.
• Eligible educational institutions (ACCS member schools, Alabama Fire College, University of South Alabama) and the newly added ADPH regional EMS agencies that administer or participate in the program.
• Volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and nonprofit ambulance services that may participate in hosting students and receiving reimbursement payments.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) which will set caps and credentialing standards for EMS education delivered by regional agencies.
• State and taxpayers who fund the program and potential borrowers who repay funds if service commitments are not met.

Key Provisions

• Adds the Alabama Department of Public Health's designated regional EMS agencies as eligible providers in the Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Requires joint development and administration of the program by ACCS, the Alabama Fire College, USA, and the designated EMS regional agencies; defines eligible students and institutions.
• Outlines the tuition reimbursement process: reimbursement occurs after documentation of approved coursework, certification exam success, EMS license, and a service commitment; if service requirements are not met, the recipient owes repayment plus 8% interest.
• Allocates reimbursement funds based on available appropriations with priority to volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and nonprofit ambulance services; imposes a cap on reimbursed tuition amounts set by ADPH and aligned with caps at the Alabama Fire College; limits operating expenses to 10% of annual funding.
• Requires annual reporting on program status and funding to state leaders; establishes a joint agreement governing program operations and application/tuition cap controls as needed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education