Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1705 · 2026 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Employee assistance for small-town responders

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders.

Establishes a fund to cover the costs of enrolling small-town and volunteer first responders in the state employee assistance program and outlines eligibility, enrollment, and reporting requirements, contingent on funding.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a fund to cover the costs of enrolling first responders from small communities into the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP) and outlines eligibility, enrollment, and reporting requirements for the department of health and human services. This bill also makes an appropriation for the fund.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Loren SeligDPrime
  • Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Margaret DryeRClerk· Education Policy and Administration
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Jodi NewellD

Public testimony

33 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

73% support27% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Providing mental health and support services for first responders ensures community safety and supports those who serve.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“First responders deserve appropriate immediate support for mental health related to job trauma. Pass this measure.”
— Janice OBrien, Exetersupports
“I support this bill because I think that first responders may have to deal with some traumatic situations which may affect their mental health creating a need for services. They provide a critical service to our communities.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoversupports
“Members of the committee, I urge you to oppose HB 1704. This bill attempts to carve out special status for certain public-sector workers, creating division within the workforce and undermining the collective bargaining process that ensures fair pay, safe working conditions, and basic respect on the job.…”
— Lisa St. Hilaire, Londonderryopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0311:30 amHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative ServicesGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1010:00 amHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative ServicesGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-139:00 amHouse Finance - Division IIIGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-03-1710:00 amHouse FinanceGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-04-089:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 01:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 02/10/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 7 P. 36
  5. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0531h
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MF DV 167-174 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 93
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0531h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 93
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0531h: MA RC 194-154 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 93
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 95
  10. Mar 13, 2026HouseDivision III Work Session: 03/13/2026 09:00 am GP 234
  11. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Mar 17, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 03/17/2026 (Vote 14-10; RC)
  13. Mar 19, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1202h (NT)
  14. Mar 26, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MF DV 167-181 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 36
  15. Mar 26, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1202h (NT): AA DV 299-49 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 36
  16. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1202h: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 37
  17. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  18. Apr 8, 2026SenHearing: 04/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 13
  19. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  20. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  21. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1926s, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18A
  22. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1926s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  23. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1926s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  24. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1926s (Reps. Creighton, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 20
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  27. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 239; eff. 7/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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