HB 24 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

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

HB 24 modifies the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program. It expands the types of educational institutions eligible to offer medical services certification programs for tuition reimbursement. The bill directs the Alabama Department of Public Health to establish a monetary cap on tuition costs reimbursed for students completing programs through regional EMS agencies, matching the cap for the Alabama Fire College. Additionally, it requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for credentialing and accrediting private companies and instructors that teach on behalf of regional EMS agencies, ensuring equal standards.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 19, 2024 Last action Apr 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Mar 4, 2025

MODERATE

This bill expands the Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program to include the Alabama Department of Public Health as an eligible educational institution, allowing it to offer courses and receive tuition reimbursement. The change broadens access to EMS training funding for students and organizations across the state.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from three educational institutions (ACCS, Alabama Fire College, University of South Alabama) to include the Alabama Department of Public Health through its regional EMS agencies.

ELIGIBILITY

Added the Alabama Department of Public Health and its designated regional EMS agencies as eligible educational institutions that can provide EMS training and receive tuition reimbursement.

DEFINITION

Updated definition of 'Eligible Educational Institution' to include designated regional EMS agencies alongside existing institutions.

Added new definition for 'Designated EMS Regional Agency' to clarify the role of regional agencies under the Department of Public Health.

REQUIREMENT

Modified reimbursement requirements to include documentation of completed coursework, certification exam passage, valid EMSP license, and contractual agreement to meet service requirements.

ENFORCEMENT

Added enforcement provision requiring repayment with 8% interest if recipients fail to meet service requirements, except in cases of extreme hardship.

FISCAL

Established funding distribution standards requiring equitable split of tuition reimbursement funds among volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance services with priority given to nonprofit ambulance services.

TECHNICAL

Made nonsubstantive technical revisions to update code language to current style and formatting.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Add Cosponsor - Adopted Roll Call 338

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 337

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 336

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Ways and Means Education Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means Education)

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Introduced

Ways and Means Education 1st Amendment (Ways and Means Education)

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors