Revision: March 19, 2026, 11:32 a.m.
Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19
March 17, 2026
2026-1202h
07/05
Amendment to HB 1705-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 New Sections; State-Funded Employee Assistance Program for Small Communities; Establishment of Fund. Amend RSA 281-A by inserting after section 17-f the following new sections:
281-A:17-g First Responders Support Fund. There is established a first responders support fund, which shall be administered by the department of health and human services. 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). 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.
281-A:17-h Eligibility and Enrollment.
I. 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.
II. The department of health and human services shall ensure that these first responders are enrolled in the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP), which offers comprehensive support services, including those for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).
III. The department of health and human services shall develop and implement guidelines for the administration of the fund, including the process for enrollment and provision of services.
IV. The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the usage of the fund, the number of first responders served, and the outcomes of the program.
2 New Subparagraph; New Funding. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (410) the following new subparagraph:
(411) Moneys deposited in the first responders support fund as established in RSA 281-A:17-g.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2027.
2026-1202h
AMENDED 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.