HB 5326 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT INCREASING THE RATES FOR THE BIRTH-TO-THREE PROGRAM.

HB 5326 increases reimbursement rates paid to providers delivering early intervention services under Connecticut's Birth-to-Three Program. The bill replaces existing rate-setting language with a requirement to establish state-wide rates based on phase two of a 2023 rate study (Public Act 23-186), effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects service providers (such as therapists and clinics) who work with infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays. The key change is raising payment rates to better align with the study's findings, without altering eligibility for families. The bill does not change program eligibility or service requirements.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ED Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' reflecting a joint favorable change. The core policy shift moves the authority for setting birth-to-three service rates from a specific phase of a previous study to the current rates posted on the Office of Early Childhood's website, ensuring providers are paid based on the most recent official data.

Scope change

The scope of the rate-setting mechanism changed from a fixed reference to a dynamic reference tied to the Office of Early Childhood's website.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement to establish service rates was changed from using rates from 'phase two' of a specific past study to using rates posted on the Office of Early Childhood's website.

A new section was added to explicitly mandate that the Office of Early Childhood must post the rates from the most recent comprehensive study on its website.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and numbering were updated to reflect its status as a Substitute Bill with a joint favorable substitute change.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference APP

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

lower

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors