Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Workforce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This legislation, known as the "PARA-EMT Act of 2025," aims to address the critical national shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. It establishes a new pilot grant program, administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to support eligible emergency medical services agencies. The grants are intended to improve access to and enhance the quality of emergency medical services by funding the recruitment, training, and retention of personnel, including volunteers. Grant funds can be utilized for various purposes, such as obtaining and maintaining licenses and certifications, conducting apprenticeship programs, developing technology-enhanced educational methods, and establishing wellness and mental health programs for EMS personnel. The bill prioritizes grants for agencies that emphasize recruiting and training youth, particularly from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds, and those that assist veterans with military emergency medical training. It also mandates that at least 20 percent of the grants be awarded to small or rural EMS agencies. Furthermore, the bill creates a separate program to award demonstration grants to States, specifically designed to cover transition costs for veterans who completed military emergency medical training. These grants will help veterans meet civilian certification, licensure, and other requirements to become civilian EMTs or paramedics. Finally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to conduct a comprehensive study on the current and projected EMT and paramedic workforce shortage from 2025 through 2034. This study will inform a report to Congress, which will include recommendations to address the shortage, such as potentially expanding Schedule A to include these occupations.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Health
PARA–EMT Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2220| House
| Updated: 3/18/2025
This legislation, known as the "PARA-EMT Act of 2025," aims to address the critical national shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. It establishes a new pilot grant program, administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to support eligible emergency medical services agencies. The grants are intended to improve access to and enhance the quality of emergency medical services by funding the recruitment, training, and retention of personnel, including volunteers. Grant funds can be utilized for various purposes, such as obtaining and maintaining licenses and certifications, conducting apprenticeship programs, developing technology-enhanced educational methods, and establishing wellness and mental health programs for EMS personnel. The bill prioritizes grants for agencies that emphasize recruiting and training youth, particularly from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds, and those that assist veterans with military emergency medical training. It also mandates that at least 20 percent of the grants be awarded to small or rural EMS agencies. Furthermore, the bill creates a separate program to award demonstration grants to States, specifically designed to cover transition costs for veterans who completed military emergency medical training. These grants will help veterans meet civilian certification, licensure, and other requirements to become civilian EMTs or paramedics. Finally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to conduct a comprehensive study on the current and projected EMT and paramedic workforce shortage from 2025 through 2034. This study will inform a report to Congress, which will include recommendations to address the shortage, such as potentially expanding Schedule A to include these occupations.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.