MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services

By: Representative Henley

House Bill 1274

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-59-31 AND 41-59-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MILITARY VETERANS CLASSIFIED AS COMBAT LIFESAVERS AND/OR MEDICS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS TRAINING PROGRAM IN ORDER TO BE CERTIFIED AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 41-59-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-59-31.  (1)  The board shall develop an emergency medical technicians training program based upon the nationally approved United States Department of Transportation "Basic Training Program for Emergency Medical Technicians-Ambulance" prepared in compliance with recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences.  The program shall be periodically revised by the board to meet new and changing needs. 

     (2)  Upon the successful completion of all other requirements for certification, military veterans who are Mississippi residents and were classified as combat lifesavers and/or medics shall not be required to complete the emergency medical technicians training program in order to be certified as an emergency medical technician if he or she can certify the following:

          (a)  He or she has been honorably discharged, separated or retired from active duty in the United States Armed Forces for one (1) year or less; and

          (b)  He or she provides a DD-214, which shall show that he or she was classified as a combat lifesaver and/or medic during service.

     (3)  The board shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of subsection (2) as soon as practicable after July 1, 2018, but in any case no later than July 1, 2019.

     SECTION 2.  Section 41-59-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-59-33.  (1)  Any person desiring certification as an emergency medical technician shall apply to the board using forms prescribed by the board.  Each application for an emergency medical technician certificate shall be accompanied by a certificate fee to be fixed by the board, which shall be paid to the board.  Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65.  Except as provided in Section 41-59-31, upon the successful completion of the board's approved emergency medical technical training program, the board shall make a determination of the applicant's qualifications as an emergency medical technician as set forth in the regulations promulgated by the board, and shall issue an emergency medical technician certificate to the applicant.

     (2)  Any person who desires to exercise the privilege to practice under the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact must complete the terms and provisions of the Compact as prescribed in Section 41-59-101.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.