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HB 1216

Appropriation; Department of Employment Security for funding Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Grant Program.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Randy Boyd and 4 co-sponsors

Mississippi bill to fund paramedic recruitment and retention scholarships through employment security department appropriations; died in committee without advancing to full vote.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1216

Legislative bill overview

HB 1216 would have appropriated funds from Mississippi's Department of Employment Security to establish and support a Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Grant Program. The bill aimed to provide financial incentives to attract new paramedics to the profession and retain experienced ones through scholarship grants.

Why is this important

Paramedic shortages are a critical public health issue affecting emergency response times and healthcare quality across Mississippi. By using scholarship incentives, the bill attempted to address workforce gaps in emergency medical services, which directly impacts community safety and healthcare access, particularly in rural areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source appropriateness: Using Department of Employment Security funds for paramedic scholarships rather than traditional healthcare or EMS funding sources may have raised questions about whether this was the most efficient allocation
  • Program design details: The bill's lack of specificity regarding grant amounts, eligibility requirements, service commitment periods, and accountability measures could create implementation challenges
  • Scope and sustainability: Without knowing the appropriation amount, it's unclear whether funding would be sufficient to meaningfully impact recruitment/retention or whether ongoing annual appropriations would be needed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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