281-A:17-h Eligibility and Enrollment. –
I. Volunteer first responders and full-time first responders from towns with 5 or fewer full-time, paid first responders shall be eligible for the employee assistance program for small communities.
II. The department of health and human services shall ensure that these first responders are enrolled in the state-provided employee assistance program (EAP), which offers comprehensive support services, including those for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).
III. The department of health and human services shall develop and implement guidelines for the administration of the fund, including the process for enrollment and provision of services.
IV. The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the usage of the fund, the number of first responders served, and the outcomes of the program.
V. Implementation of the employee assistance program for small communities established in this section shall be contingent upon funding. The department shall indicate the availability of such funding in the report submitted pursuant to paragraph IV, provided that program implementation shall begin upon receipt of such funding, with the initial report submitted shortly thereafter.