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CHAPTER 247
SB 423 - FINAL VERSION
02/05/2026 0355s
7May2026... 1310h
2026 SESSION
26-2228
05/06
SENATE BILL
423
AN ACT
reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
SPONSORS: Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. Soucy, Merr. 21; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill reestablishes the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders. The bill adds a member to the commission from the New Hampshire comfort dog community and modifies the duties of the commission.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/05/2026 0355s
7May2026... 1310h 26-2228
05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
247:1 Commission to Study the Incidence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders Reestablished. RSA 281-A:17-e is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
281-A:17-e Commission to Study the Incidence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders Reestablished.
I.(a) There is reestablished the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders and whether such disorder should be covered under workers' compensation. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II(c), the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(1) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(2) Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the labor, industrial and rehabilitative services committee, one of whom shall be from the executive departments and administration committee, and one of whom shall be from the state-federal relations and veterans affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(3) The labor commissioner, or designee.
(4) The commissioner of safety, or designee.
(5) The insurance commissioner, or designee.
(6) The commissioner of the department of corrections, or designee.
(7) A representative of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by the association.
(8) A representative of the New Hampshire Association of Counties, appointed by the association.
(9) A representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire, appointed by the alliance.
(10) A fire chief, appointed by the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs.
(11) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police.
(12) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Police Association.
(13) A representative of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.
(14) A representative of the New Hampshire Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, appointed by the association.
(15) A representative of the New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange, appointed by that organization.
(16) An attorney, appointed by the New Hampshire Association for Justice.
(17) A member of the New Hampshire comfort dog community, appointed by the senate president.
(18) A representative of the NH Paramedics Association, appointed by that association.
(19) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association.
(b) Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
II.(a) The commission shall study:
(1) How to create succession plans for experienced first responders.
(2) Peer programs for first responders and whether to build one organization for these programs so all programs are standardized.
(3) Any other matter the commission deems appropriate for study.
(b) The commission may solicit input from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.
III. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Ten members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
IV. On or before November 1, 2026, the commission shall submit an interim report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library and shall submit a final report on or before November 1, 2027.
247:2 Repeal. RSA 281-A:17-e, relative to the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders, is repealed.
247:3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: July 02, 2026
Effective Date:
I. Section 2 effective November 1, 2027
II. Remainder effective July 2, 2026