Assembly Bill 971 aims to expand the existing reimbursement program for tuition and materials related to emergency medical services training in Wisconsin. The bill modifies current law to include reimbursement for individuals or their employers who incur costs while completing programs necessary for approval as community paramedics or community emergency medical services practitioners. Specifically, it renumbers and amends section 39.378 (1) to clarify the responsibilities of the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) and creates new subsections (1)(b), (2m), and (3m) to outline eligibility criteria for reimbursement.

Under the proposed changes, eligible individuals include those applying for approval as community paramedics or community emergency medical services practitioners, provided they have personally paid for their training. Employers who cover these costs are also eligible for reimbursement. The bill stipulates that to qualify, individuals must complete the required training programs and receive approval from the Department of Health Services. Additionally, the amended section 39.378 (4) now includes both the original eligible persons and the newly defined group under the reimbursement application process.