What This Bill Does
This bill extends a federal program that helps rural emergency medical services (EMS) get training and equipment. The bill also adds new requirements for EMS workers to train on mental health and substance abuse, and allows them to get overdose treatment drugs and devices.
Who It Affects
Rural emergency medical services personnel and the Assistant Secretary of the Health Resources and Services Administration (the federal agency running the program).
Key Provisions
- Emergency medical services personnel must receive training on mental health and substance use disorders and how to care for people with these conditions during emergencies (Sec. 2(c)(1)(E))
- EMS organizations can acquire drugs or devices approved by federal law for emergency treatment of known or suspected overdose (Sec. 2(c)(2)(D))
- The program is extended through 2028 (Sec. 2(f)(1))
What Changes
The bill transfers responsibility from the Health Resources and Services Administration's "Administrator" to the "Assistant Secretary." It also adds mental health and substance abuse training as a requirement and allows EMS to obtain overdose treatment medications and devices. The authorization period extends from 2023 to 2028.
Important Definitions
None defined in bill text.
[118th Congress Public Law 84]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [[Page 138 STAT. 1544]] Public Law 118-84
118th Congress An Act To reauthorize the rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 26, 2024 - [S. 265]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs Reauthorization Act.>> SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 42 USC 201 note.>> SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs Reauthorization Act'' or the ``SIREN Reauthorization Act''.
SEC. 2. RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Section 330J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-15) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (referred to in this section as the `Secretary')'' and inserting ``the Assistant Secretary,''; (2) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(E) ensure emergency medical services personnel are trained on mental health and substance use disorders and care for individuals with such disorders in emergency situations; and''; and (B) in paragraph (2)-- (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and inserting ``; or''; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: ``(D) acquire drugs or devices approved, cleared, or otherwise legally marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for emergency treatment of known or suspected overdose.''; (3) by striking subsection (f); (4) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f); (5) in subsection (f)(1), as so redesignated, by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028''; (6) by redesignating such section 330J <<NOTE: 42 USC 254c- 15, 290ee-10.>> as section 553 of the Public Health Service Act; and [[Page 138 STAT. 1545]] (7) by transferring such section 553, as so redesignated, to appear at the end of part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.). Approved September 26, 2024. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 265 (H.R. 4646):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118-532 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce) accompanying H.R. 4646.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: Vol. 169 (2023): Dec. 13, considered and passed Senate. Vol. 170 (2024): Sept. 17, considered and passed House. <all>