Substitute House Bill No. 7131, also known as Public Act No. 25-158, establishes new provisions for financial aid aimed at students enrolled in paramedic certificate programs. Effective July 1, 2025, the Office of Workforce Strategy is tasked with identifying and posting a list of financial aid sources available to these students, which must be distributed to the respective programs. Additionally, the Chief Workforce Officer will evaluate these programs to determine if they qualify as high-value certificate programs. If deemed high-value, eligible students may receive authority loans as defined in existing statutes.

Furthermore, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority is mandated to create a "High-Value Certificate Loan Program," contingent on available funding, to provide authority loans for students in high-value certificate programs, including paramedic programs approved by the Commissioner of Public Health. This initiative aims to enhance financial support for students pursuing careers in emergency medical services.