Bill > S1750

This bill renames the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund to the First Responders Trust Fund and modifies its funding sources and uses, with a particular focus on supporting first responder mental health services. The bill increases various traffic violation fines and redirects those additional funds into the renamed trust fund, effectively raising more money for emergency medical and first responder services. Specifically, the bill increases fines for traffic signal violations, reckless driving, and other infractions, with portions of those increased fines now being deposited into the First Responders Trust Fund. The bill also expands the allowed uses of the trust fund to include grants for first responder mental health programs, in addition to its existing purposes of supporting emergency medical services, trauma centers, and other related healthcare initiatives. The legislation makes numerous technical amendments across multiple sections of Florida statutes to implement these changes, ensuring consistent references to the new trust fund name and expanding its potential uses. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, providing time for administrative preparation and implementation of the new funding mechanisms and mental health support provisions for first responders.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1750