KentuckyHB 2362026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to medical services.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Grants and wage help for paramedics

The law creates a statewide EMS education grant program. It pays tuition for workers seeking their first paramedic certification through approved programs. It can also reimburse Class I ambulance services for wages paid while staff train, with per‑employee and per‑agency limits set by the Board. Grants can help start or expand EMS training programs by paying for computers, medical training gear, instructors, and operating services. A dedicated Fund in the state treasury supports the program, and Board administrative costs from the Fund are capped at 5%.

New rules and fees for proprietary schools

The law strengthens oversight of fee‑charging private schools. Schools must publish standard facts online and in print, including federal IPEDS data, job placement rates, transfer agreements, complaint steps, and the student protection fund. Ads cannot be false or misleading, and the Commission will review advertising and recruiting. A complaint committee with conflict‑of‑interest safeguards reviews formal complaints, and the Commission can subpoena records. The Commission sets license and renewal fees based on each school’s gross revenue, student count, and where it operates. Appointed Commission members receive $100 per meeting and travel reimbursement. The Commission must meet at least four times per year, follow the Open Meetings Act, file annual reports to lawmakers, and keep strong audit and record controls.

Study on fire and ambulance districts

A task force will study overlaps in fire and ambulance district taxes and service areas. It will meet monthly during the 2026 interim. Findings and recommendations are due to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026.

Stronger EMS board staffing and oversight

The law creates an administrative Office for the EMS Board to run budgets, grants, IT, licensing, and investigations. The executive director and deputy must hold a college degree and have at least five years of administration experience. The Board must employ or contract a Kentucky‑licensed emergency physician and a Kentucky‑licensed attorney. Staff who inspect or investigate must hold the right EMS license and keep it current. An EMS educator now has a seat on the Board. The Board partners with other agencies on trauma systems and focuses on securing trauma center funding.

New EMS licenses and service limits

The Board sets certification and license levels for many EMS roles and entities. It can license mobile integrated healthcare programs that give care outside hospitals for patients who do not need emergency transport. Providers must get a certificate of need before expanding a service area or changing a licensed location. A hospital with a certificate‑of‑need‑exempt ambulance may transport from another facility to its hospital only if the local territorial ambulance provider authorizes it. When complaints or actions involve EMS entities, the Board must notify specified local officials and any public agencies that contract for services.

Unified rules for EMS training providers

The law defines and licenses EMS training and education institutes and puts their programs and educators under the EMS Board. In‑service training must follow state and U.S. DOT standards, and providers must keep required records or risk losing credit for the course. EMS training institutes are not treated as proprietary schools or as “colleges” by default, but they can elect to be governed as proprietary schools by rule. The act repeals an older EMS education statute so current rules come from the new framework.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jared Bauman
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Bill Wesley
Republican • House
Mark Hart
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 86 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2026