Legislation that increases the reimbursement for emergency services workers passed the Minnesota Senate on Monday. The legislation, Senate File 3159, passed unanimously.

“Finding EMTs, paramedics, and other health care workers to provide ambulance transfers is becoming a significant challenge for many communities, particularly in Greater Minnesota. As we work to find other long-term solutions to this shortage, this is something we can do right now to support these workers on the front lines,” said Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia), the bill’s author. “This bill simply makes sure emergency medical personnel are reimbursed for the costs associated with initial and continuing education.

The bipartisan legislation would allow for a reimbursement of up to $900 for successfully completing an initial education course and up to $375 for successfully completing a continuing education course. Costs associated with tuition, transportation, food, lodging, hourly wages, and other necessary expenditures will be eligible for reimbursement. The companion legislation, House File 3163, is authored by Representative John Huot (DFL-Rosemount).

“Over the past several months, we’ve held listening sessions across Minnesota to understand how we can address this shortage of emergency personnel. This is just the first in a series of forthcoming bills to address many of those concerns and attract more people to this critical industry,” said Senator Lang.

Senator Andrew Lang, of Olivia, represents communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties in the Minnesota Senate.