Panel approves adding ADPH regional EMS to volunteer rescue squad tuition reimbursement program

The Ways and Means Education Committee reported House Bill 24 favorably after adopting a sponsor-friendly amendment that adds the Alabama Department of Public Health (through regional offices of the Office of Emergency Medical Services) to the group of educational entities eligible for the volunteer rescue squad tuition reimbursement program.

Representative Oliver, the bill sponsor, said the program pays tuition for students training to qualify for emergency medical services licensure in exchange for a work commitment of at least two years to an ambulance service, volunteer rescue squad or volunteer fire department. The bill as introduced expanded the authorized educational providers; Representative Kiel offered an amendment, requested by the community college system, to add two provisions: a monetary cap on tuition reimbursement set by rule and ADPH authority to adopt credentialing and accreditation rules for private companies providing EMS education.

During discussion, a department representative explained the cap is intended to prevent private providers from raising tuition beyond levels charged by existing public providers; the amendment directs ADPH to implement a rule that would set the cap, with the Alabama Fire College cited as the price benchmark. Representative Stubb seconded the amendment. Representative Collins later moved the bill for favorable passage; Representative Lovern seconded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.

The transcript records no roll-call tally. Proponents said the change would integrate regional public-health EMS offices into the tuition-reimbursement framework while preserving statewide cost controls by allowing ADPH to set reimbursement ceilings by rule.

No objections from committee members were recorded in the transcript; the committee advanced the bill to the next stage.