HB 7131 Passed!
We are thrilled to share that Connecticut House Bill HB 7131 – championed by Advancing Heroes and in Partnership with State Representative Kara Rochelle – has officially PASSED! This is a huge milestone for our EMS community and the brave individuals who serve on the front lines.
What HB 7131 Does:
• Requires the Office of Workforce Strategy to identify and publish public and private sources of financial aid for Paramedic Students (such as Advancing Heroes). It also instructs this office to determine if they can classify paramedic programs as "High Priority Programs". If they do, then there will be opportunities for lower rates and possibly grants.
• October 1, 2025, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) will be establishing a program for Student Loans for Paramedic programs for all non-profit Paramedic programs (like @EchoHoseTrainingCenter) Previously, Paramedic programs were excluded from this funding.
Why This Matters:
Our EMS heroes deserve every opportunity to continue saving lives. HB 7131 helps break down financial barriers for EMS professionals by supporting ongoing education. By passing this bill, Connecticut is investing in a stronger, more resilient emergency services system.
What Does This Mean for Advancing Heroes?
Our work is just beginning. We will continue to Help Heroes Level Up and will continue to need your help in doing so. While we will Celebrate this small victory at our upcoming Gala, we will continue to strive to raise funds to offset the amount the student needs to borrow. We will also begin work on our Mental Health Initiative to try to destigmatize and increase accessibility to mental health care for work related PTSD issues. And we will need your support more than ever.
A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to everyone who supports our cause: Our Storytellers, Our Loyal Adventurers, Our partner organizations, EMS professionals, and every one of you who raised your voice for this cause. Together, we’ve created real, positive change.
Let’s keep championing our EMS community and continue to Help Heroes Level Up in Jeff’s memory. Our work is just beginning and we look forward to celebrating at our Party in The Fae Wild on July 19