Sen. Champagne Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill Expanding Paramedic Mental Health First Aid Training

May 13, 2021

Bill co-sponsored by Sen. Champagne seeks to provide cost savings for municipalities, volunteer EMS organizations

 

Assistant Senate Republican Leader Dan Champagne (R-Vernon) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s Senate passage of S.B. 102 that expands the options for Mental Health First Aid training programs for all EMS personnel. Current state law mandates that candidates take the required training from a single private company. The new measure adopted by the Senate enables EMS candidates to receive training from various providers, approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

 

“Presently, paramedics and EMTs can only utilize one company to take this very important training, enabling them to serve our communities. Having one individual training provider has proven to be expensive for municipalities. Allowing other approved companies to provide training will result in cost savings for our towns and volunteer EMS service providers. Knowing the financial challenges that they face, I am proud to have co-sponsored this legislation,” said Senator Champagne.