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HB 597 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Behavioral health line within 911 system

AI-generated

establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system.

Establishes a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system to enable transfer of calls involving non-emergent behavioral health crises to appropriate service providers.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill defines the designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system to enable the division of emergency services and communications to transfer 911 calls from individuals experiencing non-emergent behavioral health crises and mental health needs to appropriate service providers. The bill is a request of the department of safety, division of emergency services and communications.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bill BoydRPrimeClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Julie MilesR, Rep. Adam PresaR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

119 signed in online · 17 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Kudos to Rep. Boyd and NH Emergency Services & Communications Director Mark Doyle for bringinging this important bill forward. Great job today! Ready access to the most appropriate behavioral and mental health supports and intervention is key when dealing dealing with crises!…”
— Rep. Nancy Murphy, Merrimack · Town of Merrimack/ Hills. 12supports
“My name is Martha Dickey and I believe this bill has the potential to save lives by allowing 911 calls to be transferred to appropriate service providers to a designated behavioral access programs / points within the enhanced 911 system.”
— Martha Dickey, Tiltonsupports
“This is an important part of the safety net of our state. Please vote Ought to Pass.”
— Krystal Bloom, Francestownsupports
“While I am ambivalent regarding this Bill, why is this up for discussion at all? Seems like the Dept. of Safety can just put this in place. If they want money, the answer should be NO.”
— Gordon Springate, wiltonopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-0610:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingcancelled
  • 2025-02-1210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1910:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-099:45 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Feb 6, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/06/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  3. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  6. Mar 19, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/19/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 10
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 13
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 10
  9. Apr 9, 2025SenHearing: 04/09/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 16
  10. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  11. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  12. May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
  13. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 35; eff.07/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.