REMOTE Act

To provide a pay incentive for border patrol agents to complete emergency medical technician and paramedic training, and for other purposes. 1. Short titles This Act may be cited as the Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act REMOTE Act 2. Medical training for U.S. Border Patrol agents (a) In general Section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 211 (1) in subsection (l)— (A) by striking The Commissioner (1) Continuing education The Commissioner ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Medical training for U.S. border patrol agents (A) In general (i) Availability Beginning not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act EMT (ii) Use of official duty time A U.S. Border Patrol agent shall be credited with work time for any EMT or paramedic training provided to such agent under clause (i) in order to achieve or maintain an EMT or paramedic certification. (iii) Obligated overtime A U.S. Border Patrol agent shall not accrue any debt of obligated overtime hours that the agent may have incurred, pursuant to section 5550(b) of title 5, United States Code, in order to achieve or maintain a paramedic certification. (iv) Lodging and per diem Lodging and per diem shall be made available to U.S. Border Patrol agents attending training described in clause (i) if such training is not available at a location within commuting distance of the agent’s residence or worksite. (v) Service commitment Any U.S. Border Patrol agent who completes a certification preparation program pursuant to clause (i) shall— (I) complete 1 year of service as a U.S. Border Patrol agent following the completion of EMT training; (II) complete 3 years of service as a U.S. Border Patrol agent following the completion of paramedic training; or (III) reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection in an amount equal to the product of— (aa) the cost of providing such training to such agent; multiplied by (bb) the percentage of the service required under subclauses (I) and (II) that the agent failed to complete. (B) Increase in rate of pay for border patrol medical certification (i) Emt certification A U.S. Border Patrol agent who has completed EMT training pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) and has a current, State-issued or State-recognized certification as an EMT shall receive, in addition to the pay to which the agent is otherwise entitled under this section, an amount equal to 5 percent of such pay. (ii) Paramedic certification A U.S. Border Patrol agent who has completed paramedic training pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) and has a current, State-issued or State-recognized certification as a paramedic shall receive, in addition to the pay to which the agent is otherwise entitled under this section (except for subparagraph (A)), an amount equal to 10 percent of such pay. (iii) Existing certifications A U.S. Border Patrol agent who did not participate in the training made available pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i), but, as of the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act (I) 5 percent of such pay for an EMT certification; and (II) 10 percent of such pay for a paramedic certification. (C) Availability of medically trained border patrol agents Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act (i) ensure that— (I) U.S. Border Patrol agents with current EMT or paramedic certifications are stationed at each U.S. Border Patrol sector and remote station along the southern border to the greatest extent possible; (II) not fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to each U.S. Border Patrol sector have EMT certifications; and (III) not fewer than 1 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to each U.S. Border Patrol sector have paramedic certifications; and (ii) in determining the assigned posts of U.S. Border Patrol agents who have received training under subparagraph (A)(i), give priority to remote stations and forward operating bases. (D) Medical supplies (i) Minimum list The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide minimum medical supplies to each U.S. Border Patrol agent with an EMT or paramedic certification and to each U.S. Border Patrol sector, including all remote stations and forward operating bases, for use while on patrol, including— (I) supplies designed for children; (II) first aid kits; and (III) oral hydration, such as water. (ii) Consultation In developing the minimum list of medical supplies required under clause (i), the Commissioner shall consult national organizations with expertise in emergency medical care, including emergency medical care of children. (E) Motor vehicles The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall make available appropriate motor vehicles to U.S. Border Patrol agents with current EMT or paramedic certifications to enable them to provide necessary emergency medical assistance. (F) GAO report Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the REMOTE Act (i) review the progress of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s promotion in reaching the goal of up to 10 percent of all U.S. Border Patrol agents having EMT or paramedic certifications; and (ii) provide a recommendation to Congress as to whether— (I) the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection has effectively and vigorously undertaken an agency-wide effort to encourage and promote the mandate for medical training for U.S. Border Patrol agents under this paragraph; (II) additional incentive modifications are needed to achieve or maintain the goal, including pay differentials; and (III) the 10 percent goal is properly scoped to materially contribute to the preservation of life and the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. Border Patrol operations, including whether the number is too high or too low. ; and (2) in subsection (r), by striking section, the terms (1) the term child (2) the terms . (b) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out section 411(l)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a). 3. Identifying and treating individuals experiencing medical distress (a) Online training (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require all U.S. Border Patrol agents, including agents with EMT or paramedic certification, to complete an online training program that meets nationally recognized standards for the medical care of children to enable U.S. Border Patrol agents— (A) to identify common signs of medical distress in children; and (B) to ensure the timely transport of sick or injured children to an appropriate medical provider. (2) Contract In developing or selecting an online training program under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may enter into a contract with a national professional medical association of pediatric medical providers. (b) Voice access to medical professionals (1) In general The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that all remote U.S. Border Patrol stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry along the southern border of the United States have 24-hour voice access to a medical command physician whose board certification includes the ability to perform this role or a mid-level health care provider with pediatric training for consultations regarding the medical needs of individuals, including children, taken into custody near the United States border. (2) Acceptable means of access Access under paragraph (1) may be accomplished through mobile phones, satellite mobile radios, or other means prescribed by the Commissioner.

Summary: Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act or the REMOTE Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to take actions to improve CBP medical services along the southern border. CBP shall make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training available to selected border patrol agents along the southern border. Agents that complete the training or already have EMT or paramedic certifications shall receive specified pay increases. The bill imposes requirements related to (1) the percentage of agents with EMT or paramedic training assigned in each sector, and (2) minimum levels of various medical supplies in each sector. Furthermore, CBP shall require all border patrol agents and officers to complete online training on how to (1) identify common signs of medical distress in children, and (2) timely transfer sick children to medical care. CBP shall also ensure that all remote stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border have voice access to a medical command physician.