REMOTE Act
Latest action (29 Apr 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
**Summary of S. 1515 — REMOTE Act (117th Congress)**
This bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand medical training and capacity within the U.S. Border Patrol. It directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training, including pediatric care instruction, available at no cost to selected agents in each Border Patrol sector. Agents completing this training would receive pay incentives (5% for EMT, 10% for paramedic certification), have training time counted as work hours, and be subject to service commitments or reimbursement requirements if they leave before fulfilling them. CBP would also be required to station certified agents at remote posts, meet minimum certification staffing targets, supply relevant medical equipment and vehicles, and ensure 24-hour voice access to medical professionals at remote stations. All agents would additionally need to complete online training on recognizing medical distress in children.
The bill primarily affects Border Patrol agents, who would gain new training opportunities, pay incentives, and service obligations, and CBP, which would bear new administrative, staffing, and reporting duties, including a required GAO review after three years. It could also affect migrants and children in custody who might receive care from better-trained agents.
Introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) with bipartisan cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April 29, 2021. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official 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.
Common questions
- What does S. 1515 do?
- **Summary of S. 1515 — REMOTE Act (117th Congress)** This bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand medical training and capacity within the U.S. Border Patrol. It directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training, including pediatric care instruction, available at no cost to selected agents in each Border Patrol sector. Agents completing this training would receive pay incentives (5% for EMT, 10% for paramedic certification), have training time counted as work hours, and be subject to service commitments or reimbursement requirements if they leave before fulfilling them. CBP would also be required to station certified agents at remote posts, meet minimum certification staffing targets, supply relevant medical equipment and vehicles, and ensure 24-hour voice access to medical professionals at remote stations. All agents would additionally need to complete online training on recognizing medical distress in children. The bill primarily affects Border Patrol agents, who would gain new training opportunities, pay incentives, and service obligations, and CBP, which would bear new administrative, staffing, and reporting duties, including a required GAO review after three years. It could also affect migrants and children in custody who might receive care from better-trained agents. Introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) with bipartisan cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April 29, 2021. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in that Congress.
- Has S. 1515 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Apr 2021, S. 1515 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1515?
- S. 1515 was sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich [D-NM] (Democrat-NM), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1515?
- Introduced (29 Apr 2021).
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