New Hampshire HB 1527: relative to annual notification of benefits to state employees.

Bill Text

HB 1527-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2681

 06/07

HOUSE BILL 1527-FN

AN ACT relative to annual notification of benefits to state employees.

SPONSORS: Rep. Wade, Straf. 15; Rep. H. Howard, Straf. 4; Rep. Schultz, Merr. 29; Rep. N. Germana, Ches. 15; Sen. Watters, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ANALYSIS

 This bill requires state departments to annually notify full-time employees of available benefits, including mental health services, using a standardized template developed by the department of administrative services and allows municipalities and counties to adopt the same practice.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2681

 06/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to annual notification of benefits to state employees.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this act is to improve employee well-being and benefit utilization by ensuring consistent awareness of available resources.

 2 New Section; Annual Benefits Notification; State Employees. Amend RSA 98-A by inserting after section 7 the following new section: 

 98-A:8 Annual Benefits Notification; State Employees. 

 I. Every state department shall annually provide to each full-time state employee a summary of all available benefits, including but not limited to: 

 (a) Retirement plans;

 (b) Health insurance programs;

 (c) Mental health services and mental health check-in opportunities; and

 (d) Any other employee assistance or support programs for which the employee is eligible.

 II. The department of administrative services shall develop, and update as necessary, a standardized summary template, suitable for email and printed distribution, to be used by all departments for purposes of the notification required under paragraph I. Each department shall utilize the department of administrative services template to ensure consistency and clarity of communication.

 III. Municipalities and counties may be encouraged to adopt the same annual notification practice using the template provided by the department of administrative services.

 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 26-2681

 12/5/25

HB 1527-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to annual notification of benefits to state employees.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

Indeterminable Increase in excess of $100,000 per FY

 Funding Source(s)

General Fund, Internal Services Fund, and Various Agency Funds

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires state departments to annually notify full-time employees of available benefits, including mental health services, using a standardized template developed by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Municipalities and counties may also choose to adopt this practice.

DAS states that developing the template and coordinating with agencies will result in an indeterminable increase in state expenditures. Additionally, there will be an indeterminable cost exceeding $100,000 for postage, mailing, and handling. This estimate assumes a cost of $1 per benefit per 10,000 employees for 10 benefits, with an added $10,000 for each benefit beyond the initial 10. The cost of preparing and distributing the benefit summaries, specifically those related to employee health benefits, will be funded through the Internal Services Fund. Printing and mailing expenses will be charged to each applicable agency’s fund, including the General Fund.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Administrative Services