SECTION 1. Chapter 111C of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 26. Student tuition reimbursement for rural volunteer EMTs

(a) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

“Sponsoring EMS first responder agency”, a certified EMS provider in the Commonwealth serving as a call or volunteer fire department, call or volunteer ambulance department, or other volunteer EMS agency, operating in a service zone with a population density of less than 500 residents per square mile as designated in a department-approved service zone plan. 

“Volunteer EMT”, a qualified EMT who does not receive monetary compensation for providing emergency medical care through a sponsoring EMS first responder agency, except for when compensation is received by the volunteer EMS first responder in the form of a stipend from the sponsoring EMS first-responder agency.

(b) The department shall administer a student tuition reimbursement program for volunteer EMTs who successfully agree to provide emergency medical services for not less than two successive years through or in association with a sponsoring EMS first responder agency.

(c) Subject to approval by the department, a qualifying volunteer EMT who enters into an agreement with the department to provide emergency medical services through or in association with a sponsoring EMS first responder agency for two successive years shall receive student tuition reimbursement from the department for having successfully completed an EMT training course, approved by the department or offered by an accredited course sponsor, and who is certified by the department, provided that the maximum tuition reimbursement received by the volunteer EMT shall not exceed $1,000 to cover the actual tuition costs paid by the student associated with obtaining the certification.

(d) An applicant for student tuition reimbursement shall submit appropriate documentation with the department for purposes of being eligible to receive student tuition reimbursement, including, but not limited to: copies of original receipts or other documents stating the actual tuition costs paid for by the applicant to enroll in an approved EMT training course; documents indicating successful completion of an approved EMT training course; a copy of EMT certification, issued by the department, indicating that the holder-applicant has met the requirements for an EMT at a specified level of training; documentation from the sponsoring EMS first responder agency indicating the applicant completed two successive years of service as a volunteer EMT.

(e)  An applicant approved for student tuition reimbursement may reapply for additional student tuition reimbursement, so long as the individual successfully completes an additional two years of successive service as a volunteer EMT in association with or through a sponsoring EMS first responder agency and has completed service requirements for prior applications to receive student tuition reimbursements, subject to student tuition reimbursement eligibility requirements set forth in paragraphs (c) and (d).

(f) A recipient who fails to meet service requirements for any reason other than extreme hardship shall be deemed as breaching the student tuition reimbursement agreement and is liable for monetary damages to the state for immediate repayment of the total tuition amount reimbursed plus interest at a monthly rate of five percent.

SECTION 2. The department of public health shall promulgate necessary rules and regulations for purposes of implementing this act.