HF 2007 (LSB 5073YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2007

BY  GEARHART

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a rural emergency response enhancement program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135.196  Rural emergency response enhancement program.
   1.  For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
   a.  “Emergency medical technician training” or “EMT training” means an accredited training program meeting state and national certification standards for emergency medical technicians.
   b.  “Program” means the rural emergency response enhancement program established in this section.
   c.  “Small rural police department” means a police department serving a population of ten thousand or less according to the most recent federal decennial census.
   d.  “Volunteer fire department” means a fire department primarily staffed by volunteers serving a population of ten thousand or less according to the most recent federal decennial census.
   2.  The rural emergency response enhancement program is established and shall be administered by the department of health and human services for the purpose of providing grants to small rural police departments and volunteer fire departments to enhance emergency response capacity through EMT training.
   3.  a.  To be considered for a grant under the program, a small rural police department or a volunteer fire department must demonstrate a need for EMT training in the small rural police department’s or volunteer fire department’s service area, and commit to deploying personnel who have completed EMT training to provide emergency medical services in the small rural police department’s or volunteer fire department’s service area.
   b.  The department shall review applications, giving priority to the highest demonstrated need for EMT training, and award grants to eligible applicants that may include any of the following:
   (1)  A grant that is a dollar-for-dollar match for each dollar contributed by or on behalf of the eligible applicant.
   (2)  A grant that covers all or part of the costs of the eligible applicant’s EMT training, including tuition, course fees, course materials, training equipment, medical kits, simulation tools, certification fees, and other expenses as approved by the department.
   c.  A small rural police department or a volunteer fire department awarded a grant under the program must submit an annual report to the department that contains all of the following:
   (1)  The number of personnel who successfully completed EMT training.
   (2)  Any improvements made in emergency response time, and, if applicable, the positive impact on the small rural police department’s or volunteer fire department’s service area.
   (3)  Any challenges the small rural police department or volunteer fire department faced when implementing the program.
   4.  The rural emergency response enhancement program fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the department. All moneys deposited or paid into the fund are appropriated to the department to be used to award grants under the program. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of each fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
   5.  For each fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2030, there is appropriated from the general fund of the state for deposit in the rural emergency response enhancement fund, an amount sufficient to cover grants awarded under the program not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year.
   6.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement and administer this section, including rules related to the application process and the awarding of grants.
   7.  On or before December 31, 2029, the department shall submit a report to the general assembly containing an evaluation of the program, including the number of grants awarded, the number of personnel trained, the impact of the program on emergency medical services in rural areas, and any recommendations for the continuation, modification, or termination of the program based on utilization and effectiveness.
   8.  This section is repealed July 1, 2030.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes the rural emergency response enhancement program (program).
   The bill defines “emergency medical technician (EMT) training”, “small rural police department” (police department), and “volunteer fire department” (fire department).
   The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to administer the program for the purpose of providing grants to police departments and fire departments to enhance emergency response capacity through EMT training.
   To be considered for a grant under the program, a police department or fire department must demonstrate a need for EMT training in the police department’s or fire department’s service area, and commit to deploying personnel who have completed EMT training to provide emergency medical services. HHS shall review applications, giving priority to the highest demonstrated need for EMT training, and award grants to eligible applicants to be used for costs associated with EMT training. A police department or fire department awarded a grant must submit an annual report to HHS containing information related to the use of the grant.
   The bill creates a rural emergency response enhancement fund (fund) in the state treasury under the control of HHS. All moneys in the fund shall be used to award grants under the program.
   For each fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2030, there is appropriated from the general fund for deposit in the fund, an amount sufficient to cover the grants awarded under the program, not to exceed $100,000 each fiscal year.
   The bill requires HHS to adopt rules to implement and administer the program.
   On or before December 31, 2029, HHS shall submit a report to the general assembly containing an evaluation of the program, including recommendations for the continuation, modification, or termination of the program.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment. The program is repealed July 1, 2030.