NH HB1705

Establishes a First Responders Support Fund administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to enroll first responders from communities with no more than 5 full-time paid first responders into the state Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Provides eligible first responders access to comprehensive support services, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress (PTS)

Requires DHHS to develop enrollment guidelines and submit annual reports to the legislature on fund usage, number of first responders served, and program outcomes

Appropriates $1 from the General Fund for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, with the fund also authorized to accept gifts, grants, donations, and fees

Estimated expenditures to create a new DHHS position to handle increased services are $114,000 in FY 2027, $119,000 in FY 2028, and $121,000 in FY 2029, with additional costs indeterminable based on participation