MS HB1207

Establishes the Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Grant Program administered by the Office of Workforce Development with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security as fiscal agent to provide grants covering full tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and National Registry exam fees for paramedic training.

Requires applicants to be certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with paramedic program prerequisites and commit to working as paramedics in Mississippi for a minimum of three continuous years.

Obligates grant recipients who fail to serve as paramedics or remain in Mississippi to repay grant amounts plus interest at the maximum rate allowed by Mississippi law or federal discount rate plus 5% annually, with exceptions for involuntary active military service.

Authorizes the Office of Workforce Development to enter into memoranda of agreement with public and nonpublic secondary schools to allow students age 17 and older to enroll in accredited paramedic training programs through dual-credit or dual-enrollment at no cost, with certification exam eligibility beginning at age 18.

Requires annual reporting to state leadership on grant program expenditures, participant numbers, and employment outcomes; allows maximum 5% of appropriated funds for program administration.