EMS preparedness and response workforce shortage pilot program

Title XII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1204 the following: 1205. EMS preparedness and response workforce shortage pilot program (a) Grants The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, shall establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible emergency medical services agencies to support the recruitment and training of emergency medical technicians and paramedics to improve access to, and enhance the quality of, emergency medical services. (b) Application An eligible emergency medical services agency seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Use of funds An eligible emergency medical services agency receiving a grant under this section shall use funds received through the grant to implement a new program or enhance an existing program to— (1) recruit and retain emergency medical services personnel, which may include volunteer personnel; (2) train emergency medical services personnel to obtain and maintain licenses and certifications relevant to service in an emergency medical services agency; (3) conduct courses and implement apprenticeship programs that qualify graduates to serve in an emergency medical services agency in accordance with State and local requirements; (4) fund specific training to meet Federal or State licensing or certification requirements; (5) develop new ways to educate emergency medical services personnel through the use of technology-enhanced educational methods; (6) establish wellness and fitness programs for emergency medical services personnel to ensure that such personnel are able to carry out their duties, including programs dedicated to raising awareness of, and prevention of, job-related mental health issues; or (7) train emergency medical services personnel to care for people with mental and substance use disorders in emergency situations. (d) Prioritization In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize eligible emergency medical services agencies that— (1) emphasize the recruitment and training of youth, particularly high school students, rural youth, and youth from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds; (2) develop and implement programs to assist veterans who completed military emergency medical technician training while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States to meet certification, licensure, and other requirements applicable to becoming an emergency medical technician or paramedic; (3) are small or are located in rural areas and serve rural populations; or (4) address such other priorities as the Secretary considers appropriate. (e) Allocation of grants to rural emergency medical services agencies The Secretary shall ensure that not less than 20 percent of the total number of grants under this section are made to emergency medical services agencies located in rural areas. (f) Maximum grant amount The amount of a grant made under this section to a single grant recipient shall not exceed $1,000,000. (g) Reports (1) Report to Secretary An eligible emergency medical services agency receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall periodically submit to the Secretary a report evaluating the activities supported by the grant. (2) Report to public The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and make publicly available, a report on the Secretary’s findings with respect to the success of the program under this section in improving access to, and enhancing the quality of, emergency medical services. (h) Definition In this section, the term eligible emergency medical services agency means an entity that is— (1) licensed to deliver medical care outside of a medical facility under emergency conditions that occur as a result of the condition of the patient; and (2) delivers services (either on a compensated or volunteer basis) by an emergency medical services provider or other provider that is licensed or certified by the State involved as an emergency medical technician, a paramedic, or an equivalent professional (as determined by the State). (i) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. (2) Administrative costs The Secretary may use not more than 10 percent of the amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for a fiscal year for the administrative expenses of carrying out this section..