HB 1705-FN (2026): establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders.

HB 1705-FN (2026)

establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Employment
• Chapter law: 239

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 3, 2026, with 33 people signed in online: 24 in support and 9 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 10, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0531h), by a vote of 11–9. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 19, 2026 the House rejected a motion to study it after the session ends on a division vote 167–174. The committee minority's amendment (2026-0531h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 194–154. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 13, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1202h), by a vote of 14–10. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House rejected a motion to study it after the session ends on a division vote 167–181. The committee minority's amendment (2026-1202h) was adopted on a division vote 299–49 on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1926s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1926s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1926s (Reps. Creighton, Weyler)” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 239 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Loren Selig (D - Straf 10) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Hope Damon (D - Sull 8)
• Rep. Margaret Drye (R - Sull 7)
• Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 3, 2026, 1:30 PM: public hearing, House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services, GP 159
• February 10, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services, GP 159
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 13, 2026, 9:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 234
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 8, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• April 14, 2026: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Refer for Interim Study — yeas 167, nays 174, failed
• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 194, nays 154, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Refer for Interim Study — yeas 167, nays 181, failed
• March 26, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 299, nays 49, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1202h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1926s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1926s (Reps. Creighton, Weyler) — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 281-A
• RSA 6:12

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 32
• HC 7, page 36
• HJ 5, pages 93 and 95
• HJ 9, pages 36 and 37
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 20
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report