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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 and supporting 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. Implementation of the program is contingent upon receipt of funding.

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

“There is established a first responders support fund, which shall be administered by the department of health and human services.”
RSA 281-A:17-g
“Volunteer first responders and full-time first responders from towns with 5 or fewer full-time, paid first responders shall be eligible for the employee assistance program for small communities.”
RSA 281-A:17-h
“This fund shall be used for costs incurred to enroll and administer volunteer first responders and full-time first responders from towns with 5 or fewer full-time, paid first responders into the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP).”
RSA 281-A:17-g
“All fees, monetary grants, gifts, donations, or interest generated by these funds shall be deposited with the state treasurer in a special nonlapsing fund to be known as the first responders support fund and shall be continually appropriated to the department for the administration of this section.”
RSA 281-A:17-g

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services3:31:48–3:37:486mlocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services1:06:36–1:10:313m 55slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:47:01–5:02:2815m 27slocated in the stream transcriptRefer for Interim Study — failed, division 167-174; Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0531h — adopted, roll call 194-154; Amendment # 2026-0531h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III1:54–5:243m 30slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance4:29:03–4:30:211m 18slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:41:37–3:52:3410m 57slocated in the stream transcriptRefer for Interim Study — failed, division 167-181; Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1202h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1202h (NT) — adopted, division 299-49
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:25:11–1:32:477m 36slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1926s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1926s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1926s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:46:16–3:47:231m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1926s (Reps. Creighton, Weyler) — 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, 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.