Ley de Trayectoria Profesional en Servicios Médicos de Emergencia

Section 1. Title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the **"EMS Career Pathway Act."**

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Section 2. Legislative Findings and Intent

The Legislature finds that:

* New York State faces ongoing shortages of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics;
* Many EMS agencies struggle to recruit and retain qualified personnel;
* Communities throughout New York rely upon a strong and sustainable EMS workforce to provide timely emergency medical care;
* High school students increasingly participate in college-credit, vocational, and career-technical education programs prior to graduation;
* Emergency Medical Services provide valuable career pathways into healthcare, public safety, nursing, medicine, firefighting, emergency management, and related professions;
* School districts should have the flexibility to support students pursuing EMS education and certification opportunities;

Therefore, the purpose of this act is to:

* Strengthen New York's EMS workforce pipeline;
* Expand career opportunities for students interested in healthcare and public safety;
* Allow school districts to sponsor student participation in approved EMS training programs;
* Increase the number of certified EMTs entering communities throughout New York State;
* Preserve local control by making participation voluntary for school districts and students;
* Ultimately help ensure quicker emergency medical response times for patients in critical need.

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Section 3. Definitions

For purposes of this act:

**"Board of Education"** means the governing board of any public school district within New York State.

**"Approved EMS Training Program"** means any Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training course approved by the New York State Department of Health.

**"Eligible Student"** means a student meeting the requirements established under Section 5 of this act.

**"Participating School District"** means any school district that elects to participate in the program established by this act.

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Section 4. Authorization

(a) Any Board of Education may establish an EMS Career Pathway Program.

(b) Participation shall be voluntary for both school districts and students.

(c) Participating school districts may:

* Sponsor student enrollment in approved EMS training programs;
* Award academic credit for successful completion of approved EMS coursework;
* Recognize EMS training as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway where applicable;
* Enter into agreements necessary to implement the program.

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Section 5. Student Eligibility

(a) To participate in an EMS Career Pathway Program, a student shall:

* Be enrolled in grades 11 or 12 within a participating school district;
* Be in good academic standing as determined by the participating district;
* Demonstrate satisfactory attendance;
* Obtain parental or guardian consent if under eighteen (18) years of age;
* Meet any eligibility requirements established by the approved EMS training provider.

(b) Participating school districts may establish additional eligibility requirements, provided such requirements are applied uniformly and do not conflict with state or federal law.

(c) Nothing in this act shall prohibit a district from prioritizing students expressing an interest in healthcare, public safety, emergency services, nursing, medicine, firefighting, or related career fields.

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Section 6. Student Participation

(a) Eligible students may enroll in approved EMS training programs while attending high school.

(b) Students successfully completing approved coursework may:

* Receive academic credit as determined by the participating district;
* Receive transcript notation or other recognition authorized by district policy;
* Pursue New York State EMT certification subject to all applicable laws and regulations.

(c) Nothing in this act shall waive any age, certification, examination, licensing, or competency requirements established by state law or regulation.

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Section 7. District Support

(a) Participating school districts may, subject to available funding and local approval:

* Pay tuition or training fees associated with approved EMS programs;
* Cover certification examination costs;
* Purchase required educational materials;
* Provide transportation assistance to approved training locations.

(b) Nothing in this act shall require any district to incur expenses beyond those authorized by its Board of Education.

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Section 8. Local Partnerships

Participating school districts may establish partnerships with:

* Municipal EMS agencies;
* Fire departments providing emergency medical services;
* Hospitals and healthcare systems;
* Community colleges;
* BOCES programs;
* Accredited EMS training providers;
* Other organizations approved by the New York State Department of Health or New York State Education Department.

Such partnerships may be utilized to provide:

* EMT and EMS education;
* Clinical and observational experiences;
* Career exploration opportunities;
* Mentorship programs;
* Workforce development initiatives;
* Other educational opportunities consistent with the purposes of this act.

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Section 9. Program Integrity and Accountability

(a) Any public funds expended pursuant to this act shall be subject to applicable auditing and financial reporting requirements.

(b) Participating school districts shall maintain records regarding:

* Student participation;
* Program expenditures;
* Educational outcomes.

(c) Any misuse of public funds shall be subject to applicable state penalties and recovery procedures.

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Section 10. State Guidance

(a) The New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health may jointly issue model guidance to assist participating districts.

(b) Such guidance may address:

* Academic credit recommendations;
* Student eligibility standards;
* Program administration;
* Partnership best practices;
* Safety and liability considerations.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require participation by any school district.

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Section 11. Severability

If any provision of this act is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions.

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Section 12. Effective Date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply beginning with the first academic year following enactment.