Bill would allow benefits for families of first-responder suicides

New Hampshire Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make the death of first responders by suicide eligible for workers compensation death benefits.

H.B. 91, introduced Monday, would modify the definition of state law pertaining to first responders who are “killed in the line of duty” to include death by suicide. The legislation would make suicide a work-related cause of death for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians or rescue squad members, and entitled families to $100,000 in death benefits.

The bill noted that since 2015, 25 first responders in the state have committed suicide.

If signed into law, the legislation would take effect within 60 days of the governor’s signature.