HF1603

Purpose

• Make permanent the paramedic scholarship program and provide ongoing state support to help students enter paramedic programs in Minnesota. The program is designed to encourage training for pre-hospital emergency care and to help address the demand for qualified paramedics.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of a paramedic scholarship program administered by the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education.
• Annual provision of up to 600 scholarships for students entering paramedic programs, with a target to achieve this by 2026.
• Codification of the program into Minnesota Statutes, creating a new statutory section (136A.1278) to govern the program.
• Repeal of the sunset/expiration provision in the 2023 law that previously limited the program (removing the June 30, 2026 expiration).
• Required reporting to lawmakers:
  • By February 1, 2025 and February 1, 2026, the commissioner must report data about the program.
  • Reports must cover information on postsecondary programs that make students eligible for scholarships, including locations, costs, enrollment, capacities, acceptance rates, and other relevant details.
  • Data on current and projected demand for paramedics in Minnesota.
  • Demographic details about award recipients, organized by year of award and by postsecondary institution.
• Funding for the program (see below) and how the money is to be used.

Funding and Appropriations

• General fund appropriations for the paramedic scholarship program:
  • FY 2026: 3,200,000
  • FY 2027: 3,200,000
• Allocation within each fiscal year:
  • 3,000,000 for awarding up to 600 student scholarships
  • 100,000 for program promotion and student recruitment
  • 100,000 for administering the program
• The program is authorized under Minnesota’s general law on higher education (Minnesota Statutes section 136A.1278).

Administrative and Legal Changes

• The revisor of statutes must codify Laws 2023, chapter 41, article 2, section 31 as a new section 136A.1278, reflecting the program as a standing part of the state code.
• Repealer action removing the sunset provision (subdivision 5) from the 2023 law, thereby eliminating the expiration date and making the program ongoing.

Timeline and Expiration

• The bill removes the expiration date associated with the paramedic scholarship program, effectively making it a permanent program rather than one that ends in 2026.
• The target remains to support up to 600 scholarships annually by 2026, with ongoing funding in 2026 and 2027 as described.

Significance and Expected Impact

• Purposeful expansion and permanence of paramedic scholarships to encourage more students to enter paramedic programs.
• Improved data collection on program outcomes and workforce demand to inform future higher education and healthcare workforce planning.
• Clear funding path and administrative framework to sustain scholarship awards, promote participation, and administer the program efficiently.

Relevant Terms - paramedic scholarship program - Office of Higher Education - Minnesota Statutes 136A.1278 - general fund - scholarships - paramedic programs - promotion and recruitment - program administration - reporting requirements - postsecondary programs - locations, costs, enrollment, capacities, acceptance rates - current and forecasted demand for paramedics - demographic data of award recipients - fiscal years 2026 and 2027 - repeal of expiration - permanent program