The House, Thursday, February 23, 2023

Rep. Mike Belcher (R - Carr 4)Thank you, Mister Speaker, Honorable Members. First of all I rise today in congratulations to the namesake and young man who this bill will be named for, who is with us today in the audience, for being a part of this legislative process, which we all know is difficult. My message to this young man is regardless of the vote outcome today, you have succeeded. You have succeeded because you have brought this issue to this House floor for a debate thereby raising awareness for it. On that I would say congratulations and job well done. Now I must speak for the minority of the committee for some concerns we had about some of the specifics in the bill. First, when it comes to the adding of a new number to an ID card, it's important to note that we currently have a mandate that there is a universal mental health and crisis line on each ID card. This line is staffed 24/7 by operators that are well trained to triage incoming calls, provide the appropriate follow ups and, if necessary, get emergency services to the individual making the call. In questioning, we heard that there is uncertainty as to the staffing hours of this specific hotline for eating disorders. We are unsure of the training for the personnel on the other end of the line. We are unsure of the triage capabilities and we are unsure of their ability to provide emergency services for crises that happen. I would compare this proposed legislation to our current 9-11 system. We have a system wherein in New Hampshire if you dial 911, you reach an operator who is trained to triage the incoming call and provide whatever emergency services are necessary to your location. Before we had this system, each town had separate phone numbers for police, for fire and for EMS. There is legitimate concern that adding additional conditions specific numbers to an ID card would be a step toward the old method of doing things instead of the universal line that is capable of handling all incoming calls. It is for those reasons that I would recommend against the OTP motion, but nonetheless provide thanks to the sponsors and the young man involved. Thank you.

Rep. Rosemarie Rung (D - Hills 12)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Last Fall a constituent of mine from Merrimack, Matthew Brown, who is in the gallery with his parents this morning. He is a 14-year-old freshman at Merrimack High School and he asked me to file a bill to add the eating disorder's helpline to student ID's. He was very concerned about the prevalence of eating disorders among his peers and other young people. When I asked Matthew to describe this problem to me, his answer was astonishing. Almost 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. Many being people between the ages of 12 and 25. Students and adolescents with eating disorders are among the most likely to experience suicidal ideation and medical complications. Those with severe symptoms are 11 times more likely to attempt suicide. These young people don't see that as a mental health issue. They don't see it as to a point where they would call a suicide hotline. They only see and recognize that they have an eating disorder. By promoting the eating disorder's helpline on their school ID's, students will have convenient access to connect to the early treatment they need to find a better, healthier path to a long future. Knowing there is a helpline available, is important to friends and family who are often the ones to seek the help for their loved one. The Emotional Eating Disorders Association provides counsel and guidance for friends and family for how to effectively intercede. Many of us know the helplessness in watching someone we care for continue down a self-destructive path. A path with only intervention before it ever gets to suicide ideation. How that path to early intervention and treatment can turn things around. Eating disorders are complex, their dangerous and they are common. This bill provides students access to help that is specifically responsive to the uniqueness of this issue. The 988 hotline is certainly valuable, but the eating disorders helpline addresses a different need. In closing I want to thank Matthew Brown for his initiative and energy in getting HB 35 to this floor today. His testimony in front of the House Education Committee was so compelling and impressive that the title of HB 35 was amended by the committee to be known as the Matthew Brown Act. Please join me in voting Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 35, the Matthew Brown Act. Thank you, Mister Speaker.

Speaker PackardA division has been called. Members take your seats. Turn on your stations if you haven't already done so. A roll call has been requested. Is that sufficiently seconded? It is sufficiently seconded. This will be a roll call vote. The motion before us is Ought to Pass with Amendment on HB 35. The House will be in order. This is a roll call vote. The Chair recognizes Rep. Belcher for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Mike Belcher (R - Carr 4)Thank you, Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker, if I know that the objective here to raise awareness for the very real issue of eating disorders has been achieved through floor debate. And if I know that currently there is a universal mental helpline on all student ID cards that serves this function, should I now press the red button?

Speaker PackardThe Chair recognizes Rep. Ladd for a parliamentary inquiry.

Rep. Rick Ladd (R - Graf 5)Good morning and thank you very much, Mister Speaker. If I know this bill places the eating disorder helpline phone number on student identification cards. And if I further know that eating disorders among grades 6 through 12 have become a tragic and devastating reality. And if I believe that by placing this help number on student ID's, it will help save lives, families and future generations, would I then support the Matthew Brown Act by pressing the green button? Thank you.

Speaker PackardThe motion before us is the majority committee report of Ought to Pass as Amended on HB 35. This is a roll call vote. If you are in favor, you'll press the green button. If you are opposed, you'll press the red button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. Have all members present had an opportunity to vote? The House will attend to the state of the vote. 238 voting Yea, 105 voting Nay, the motion carries.