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SB 423 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

First responder PTSD study commission

AI-generated

reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.

Reestablishes the commission studying the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders, adds a member representing the comfort dog community, and modifies the commission's duties.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill reestablishes the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders. The bill adds a member to the commission from the New Hampshire comfort dog community and modifies the duties of the commission.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the labor, industrial and rehabilitative services committee, one of whom shall be from the executive departments and administration committee, and one of whom shall be from the state-federal relations and veterans affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.”
RSA 281-A:17-e
“Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.”
RSA 281-A:17-e
“The commission may solicit input from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.”
RSA 281-A:17-e
“The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.”
RSA 281-A:17-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Rep. Timothy SoucyDDeputy Ranking Member· Labor
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

60% support40% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“After years of special benefits bestowed by legislature, we are not done coddling "first-responders" who voluntarily sought this protected government union work, as was offered, with only episodic performance without competition and having unenforceable termination criteria.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration25:47–27:171m 30slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0355s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0355s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0355s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:15:18–1:19:454m 27slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1310h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1310h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:40:05–6:40:5348slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 21, 2026SenHearing: 01/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 2
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0355s, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0355s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0355s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 19, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 03/19/2026 11:10 am GP 231
  8. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 11:10 am GP 231
  9. Apr 1, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2026 11:10 am GP 231
  10. Apr 1, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1310h 04/01/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 18 P. 7
  11. May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1310h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10
  12. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1310h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 10
  13. May 14, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 247
  17. Nov 1, 2027SenI. Section 2 Effective 11/01/2027
  18. Jul 2, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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