Senate Bill 996 proposes the establishment of funding for community emergency medical services and falls prevention initiatives through appropriations to the Department of Health Services (DHS). The bill allocates $600,000 for the fiscal year 2025-26 to support grants for emergency medical services programs aimed at employing community paramedics or community emergency medical services practitioners. Additionally, it designates $200,000 for grants to the Wisconsin Institute of Healthy Aging for both fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. However, if related legislation is not passed during the 2025 legislative session, the appropriations will be voided.

The bill also includes a reconciliation provision that ties its effectiveness to the enactment of 2025 Assembly Bill 970 or any identical legislation. Furthermore, it increases the appropriation for falls prevention initiatives by $200,000 for both fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Notably, the newly created section 20.435 (1) (ck) for community emergency medical services grants will be repealed on July 1, 2027, indicating a temporary measure in the funding structure.