This bill amends the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement Fund in West Virginia by reallocating 10 percent of the salary enhancement funds specifically for first responder mental health initiatives. The funds will be overseen by the Director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services, ensuring a more comprehensive statewide approach rather than distributing the funds across all counties. The bill also modifies existing language regarding the administration and distribution of the fund, emphasizing the need for legislative rules to facilitate this new allocation.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the funds in the Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement Fund shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund at the end of the fiscal year but will remain available for expenditure as outlined in the legislation. The Director is tasked with preparing an annual report detailing fund distribution and the number of emergency medical service workers benefiting from salary enhancements, with the first report due by July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-4C-25