HB 5168
To increase funding for EMS first responders.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to increase funding for emergency medical services (EMS) in West Virginia by creating a new fund and allocating money from the State Lottery Fund. Specifically, it establishes the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement, Crisis Response, and Mental Health Treatment Fund to supplement the salaries of EMS personnel and provide crisis response services. The fund will also support mental health treatment for EMS workers, with a focus on retention and recruitment challenges.
Key provisions
- Creates the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement, Crisis Response, and Mental Health Treatment Fund.
- Authorizes the transfer of funds from the State Lottery Fund to the new fund.
- Requires a matching contribution from counties for Lottery Fund transfers.
- Prohibits the use of Lottery Fund transfers for salary increases of EMS personnel.
- Establishes a process for distributing funds to counties based on need, existing levies, and recruitment challenges.
- Requires an annual report to the Legislative Oversight Commission detailing fund distribution and EMS worker numbers.
- Sets aside $12 million annually from the State Lottery Fund for the new fund.
Who is affected
- Emergency Medical Services Personnel
- Counties in West Virginia
- State Lottery Commission
- Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability
- Residents of West Virginia served by EMS
Notable changes
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