Section 37-153-233 - Legislative findings and intent(1) The Legislature finds the following: (a) The public health crisis related to COVID-19 resulted in a general disruption in the Mississippi economy and workforce, particularly in the healthcare industry.(b) COVID-19 and the closing of or reduction in services at rural hospitals created an unprecedented demand on emergency medical response providers.(c) Consequently, the number of paramedics decreased in the State of Mississippi by approximately nineteen percent (19%).(d) The lack of paramedics directly impacts all Mississippians ability to rely on quality emergency care.(2) Therefore, the intent of the Legislature is: (a) To provide funding to the Office of Workforce Development to establish a scholarship program for the purposes outlined herein.(b) To provide funding for grants to cover the full cost of tuition, fees, books and any required uniforms for qualified applicants to attend an accredited paramedic program.(c) To provide funding for grants to reimburse the cost of a qualified applicant's fee for the successful completion of the National Registry Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor examinations.(d) To gauge the effectiveness of this program by gathering data related to the participation and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.Added by Laws, 2024, ch. 481, HB 1567,§ 6, eff. 7/1/2024.