Posted: | March 13, 2019 02:45 PM |
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From: | Representative Timothy J. O'Neal |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Transition – Military Medic to Civilian EMT/Paramedic |
In the near future, I intend to re-introduce legislation (HB 302) that will ensure that a service member's military education and training are taken into consideration for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials related to emergency medical services providers. Specifically, my proposal amends section 7502 of Title 51 (Military Affairs), relating to retention of licenses and certifications of persons entering military service. In 2015, the General Assembly passed Act 23, which requires certain Commonwealth agencies to strongly consider a veteran’s military education, training and experience for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials. The intent of that act was to provide the smoothest transition from military life to civilian life for our military personnel after serving their country and who possess certain skills obtained during their service. Under current law, the following Commonwealth departments are included in providing these requirements: the Department of State, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Education, Insurance Department, Department of Banking, or the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. Unfortunately, what is not included in this list is the Department of Health, which certifies our EMTs and paramedics throughout the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania does have many veterans whose Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is combat medic. I propose to add the Department of Health to this list so that our veterans who wish to continue their medic specialty after their service may do so with the least amount of hurdles in obtaining the necessary certification. By doing so, we will prevent the duplication of training and education of a veteran and will assist them in their transition to civilian life. Please join me in continuing to provide our military personnel with the most seamless transition to back to civilian life as possible. |
Introduced as HB925