Frankfort, KY (February 12, 2025) – Last week, Representative Josh Branscum of Russell Springs filed House Bill (HB) 322, which would allow the spouses and children of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who were killed, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or were permanently and totally disabled or injured while in active service or in training for active service, to receive tuition benefits.
“Our EMS personnel face the risk of injury and put their lives on the line each day as they perform lifesaving work and provide care to the citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Branscum. “Providing tuition benefits to the spouses and children of eligible EMS personnel will help reduce barriers for those individuals pursuing higher education and alleviate the financial burden of paying for college.”
Under this measure, the spouses and children of EMS personnel who were killed while in active service or training for active service or who died as a result of a service-connected disability after July 1, 2000, would not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution. Additionally, the spouses, regardless of age, and any children, who are over the age of 17 and under the age of 23, of EMS personnel who were permanently and totally disabled or injured while in active service or in training for active service would not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution for up to a maximum of 128 credit hours of undergraduate instruction.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our EMS personnel, who make daily sacrifices to ensure the well-being of our communities across the Commonwealth,” Branscum added. “I filed HB 322 to honor their service and provide their loved ones with the opportunity to access higher education.”
To keep track of HB 322 during the 2025 Regular Session, please click here or visit legislature.ky.gov.
