House Bill 116 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

The bill expands a tuition reimbursement program for EMS education by adding the Alabama Department of Public Health's regional EMS agencies to participate and requiring a two-year service commitment from graduates.

What This Bill Does

It would add ADPH through its regional EMS agencies to the eligible educational institutions that can provide EMS education and receive tuition reimbursement. Students in approved EMS programs would have their tuition paid or reimbursed in exchange for agreeing to work at least two years for an ambulance service, a volunteer rescue squad, or a volunteer fire department after licensure, with reimbursements paid to the sponsoring organization. It also sets rules on funding allocation, requires documentation before reimbursement, allows caps and priority for certain nonprofits, and establishes reporting and breach provisions along with an October 1, 2026 effective date.

Who It Affects

• Students pursuing EMS licensure who would receive tuition reimbursement and must commit to two years of service with specified EMS employers after licensure
• Educational institutions and ADPH regional EMS agencies that would administer, fund, and regulate the program, coordinating with ACCS, the Alabama Fire College, and the University of South Alabama

Key Provisions

• Adds the Alabama Department of Public Health's regional EMS agencies as eligible entities to provide EMS education and receive tuition reimbursement.
• Requires students to contract to provide two years of EMS service for volunteer squads, volunteer fire departments, or ambulance services after licensure; reimbursements go to the sponsoring organization.
• Tuition reimbursement is limited to costs not covered by grants or scholarships and is based on available appropriations with equitable distribution and priority for volunteer services.
• Requires documentation (course completion, certification exam, EMSP license, service contract) before reimbursement.
• Imposes repayment obligations with 8% interest if service requirements are not met, subject to extreme hardship provisions; associations notify ACCS of breaches.
• Annual reporting on program status and funding, and a joint agreement to cap operating expenses at 10% of funding and to manage applications/reimbursements as needed.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 4, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education