Text to be removed highlighted in red.
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 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 Appropriation. The sum of $114,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services to provide coverage for volunteer first responders and full-time first responders from towns with no more than 5 full-time, paid first responders through the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP). This sum is in addition to any other sums appropriated to the department of health and human services for the biennium. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 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.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
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 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 Appropriation. The sum of $114,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services to provide coverage for volunteer first responders and full-time first responders from towns with no more than 5 full-time, paid first responders through the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP). This sum is in addition to any other sums appropriated to the department of health and human services for the biennium. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 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.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.