This bill establishes a First Responders Support Fund to facilitate the enrollment and support of volunteer and full-time first responders from small communities—specifically those towns with five or fewer full-time, paid first responders—into the state-provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The fund will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and will cover costs associated with enrolling these first responders in the EAP, which provides comprehensive support services, including assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill outlines eligibility criteria, enrollment processes, and mandates the department to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing fund usage and program outcomes.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 6:12 to include a new subparagraph that allows for the deposit of moneys into the First Responders Support Fund. The fund will accept various revenue sources, including gifts, grants, and donations, although specific fee revenue types are not identified. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2027, and while it does not authorize new positions immediately, it anticipates the need for additional staffing to manage the expected increase in EAP services for qualifying first responders and their families, with estimated costs of $114,000 in the first year and $119,000 in the second year of implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12
As Amended by the House: 6:12
As Amended by the House (2nd): 6:12
HB1705 text: 6:12