I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2853 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 7, 2011 Mrs. Capps (for herself, Mr. Filner, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Speier, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Engel, and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to State emergency medical service departments to provide for the expedited training and licensing of veterans with prior medical training, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Emergency Medic Transition (EMT) Act of 2011.

2.

Grants for expedited training and licensing of veterans as emergency medical technicians

Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 330J the following new section:

330J–1.

Grants for expedited licensing of veterans as emergency medical technicians

(a)

Grants

The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to provide for the expedited training and licensing, as emergency medical technicians, of veterans who received training as emergency medical technicians while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. (b)

Eligibility

An entity is eligible to receive a grant under this section if— (1)the entity is— (A)a State emergency medical services office; or (B)any other appropriate State entity with jurisdiction over emergency medical personnel; and (2)the entity prepares and submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, that includes— (A)a description of the activities to be carried out under the grant; and (B)an assurance that the eligible entity will comply with the requirements of this section. (c)

Use of funds

(1)

Recruiting and training

An eligible entity shall use amounts received under a grant made under subsection (a)— (A)to recruit emergency medical technicians from among veterans who received training as emergency medical technicians while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; (B)to provide to such veterans required course work and training that take into account, and are not duplicative of, medical course work and training received when such veterans were active members of the Armed Forces of the United States, to enable such veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements in the civilian sector, as determined by the appropriate State regulatory entity; and (C)to reimburse individuals who are certified as emergency medical technicians pursuant to the program under this section for the costs of receiving certification and licensing from the appropriate State entity. (2)

Partnerships with educational and other institutions

An eligible entity may enter into an agreement with any institution of higher education, or other educational institution certified to provide training to emergency medical personnel, for purposes of providing training under this section if such institution has developed a suitable curriculum that meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(B). (3)

Eligible veterans

An individual is eligible to receive training under this subsection if the individual provides to the eligible entity concerned— (A)proof of honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States; (B)proof of successful completion of military emergency medical training, including a detailed description of the emergency medical curriculum completed; (C)a detailed description of the applicant’s clinical experience; and (D)such additional information as the eligible entity considers necessary. (4)

Priority

An eligible entity shall give priority to providing training under this subsection to individuals who will serve as emergency medical technicians in areas that provide a high volume of emergency medical services and trauma care within the State in which the eligible entity is located. (5)

Limitation

None of the funds received under a grant made under subsection (a) may be used by an eligible entity for its operational expenses. (d)

Authorization

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary.

.