NH House Testimony

HB597

House · 2025 sessionBipartisanSigned into law

Behavioral health line within 911 system

AI

Establishes a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system to enable transfer of calls involving non-emergent behavioral health crises to appropriate service providers.

establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system.

State GovernmentPublic and Mental HealthPolice

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

119 submissions
Support 117Oppose 2Neutral 0
Rep. Nancy MurphySupportMerrimack, NHfor Town of Merrimack/ Hills. 12Feb 12, 2025

Kudos to Rep. Boyd and NH Emergency Services & Communications Director Mark Doyle for bringinging this important bill forward. Great job today! Ready access to the most appropriate behavioral and mental health supports and intervention is key when dealing dealing with crises! Thank you to all for working together to make things happen.

Linda HaskinsSupportExeter, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Behavioral Health is more important now than ever before. This bill will allow people experiencing a non-life threatening mental health episode to be transferred to those who can address this situation.

Chelsea MickeySupportStratham, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

See Eugene, Oregon “Cahoots” CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) CRISIS ASSISTANCE HELPING OUT ON THE STREETS And White Bird Clinic for blueprint of behavior health assistance. I saw it do wonders when I lived there briefly

Wynne Graves MoodySupportLee, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

VEHEMENTLY support

Danielle HaggertySupportManchester, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Too often, individuals experiencing mental health crises are met with a law enforcement response rather than the specialized care they need. This bill ensures that people in crisis are directed to trained professionals who can provide the right support, reducing unnecessary police involvement and improving outcomes for those in need. HB 597 is a common-sense step toward a more effective, compassionate emergency response system.

Devon RabtorSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

All citizens should have the access to healthcare that INCLUDES vaccines. This will lower the vaccine rate by making it less accessible to the lower class population and therefore will increase likelihood of the spread of extremely dangerous illnesses.

Eli StephanouSupportPortsmouth, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Having a mental health connection into the emergency services will only benefit everyone in the emergency response system, from dispatchers to responders to the citizens requiring assistance.

Sally PattonSupportNEW LONDON, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

would provide needed tax revenue to support education!

Carol WelshSupportNew Castle, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

I support this Bill - it is important assistant to law enforcement

James HiltzSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

With mental health becoming a bigger and bigger issue in this country, it is important to find ways to help people with our emergency services. This is not meant to disrespect any members of our police force, but most of them have not received the necessary training and expertise that is required to deal with someone in a mental health crisis, especially if it is not an emergency. By creating a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system, we can allow people to get the help they need from the people that are the best fit for, giving the police more time to focus on the work they are trained in, and letting the experts in behavioral science to the work they are trained in.

Ann RettewSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

It just makes sense to have responders who have this expertise.

Alison ThatcherSupportAshland, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

This bill would serve both New Hampshirites who experience mental health crises AND our police officers. I strongly support HB597

Kenneth MayneSupportGreenville, NHfor Myselfflagged non-germaneFeb 12, 2025

Enables the division of emergency services and communications to transfer 911 calls from individuals experiencing non-emergent behavioral health crises and mental health needs to appropriate service providers by establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system.

Debra GreenSupportGreenville, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

We have a mental health crisis in our country. I myself have had a lot of experience with anxiety and depression and at times felt suicidal. It would be wonderful for there to be a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system.

Krystal BloomSupportFrancestown, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

This is an important part of the safety net of our state. Please vote Ought to Pass.

Martha DickeySupportTilton, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

My name is Martha Dickey and I believe this bill has the potential to save lives by allowing 911 calls to be transferred to appropriate service providers to a designated behavioral access programs / points within the enhanced 911 system.

Gordon SpringateOpposewilton, NHfor MyselfFeb 6, 2025

While I am ambivalent regarding this Bill, why is this up for discussion at all? Seems like the Dept. of Safety can just put this in place. If they want money, the answer should be NO.

Benjamin StinsonSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Jane SandersSupportNewmarket, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

David HoltSupportSOMERSWORTH, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Megan HughesSupportWalpole, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Maria BoylanSupportNew Boston, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Emma SevignySupportConcord, NHfor New FuturesFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Jon EatonSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Sharon EatonSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 12, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.