The proposed bill, Substitute House Bill No. 7131, mandates the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) to identify and disseminate information regarding financial aid sources for students enrolled in paramedic certificate programs approved by the Office of Emergency Medical Services. By October 1, 2025, OWS is required to post a list of these financial aid sources on its website and distribute it to the relevant paramedic programs. Additionally, the bill instructs OWS to develop and implement a financial aid program specifically for these students, with a report due to the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee by January 1, 2026, detailing the aid amounts and any legislative recommendations.

The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and is expected to incur an annual cost of approximately $150,710 to the state, which includes funding for a full-time position to manage the program and marketing expenses. The financial aid program's overall cost is uncertain, as it will depend on the parameters set by OWS, but it is estimated that if 10% of paramedic students received full tuition payments, the financial aid could reach up to $100,000 annually. The bill does not specify a funding source for the program, and the ongoing fiscal impact is anticipated to continue into the future, subject to inflation.