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HB 5379 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT REQUIRING MEDICAL EMERGENCY DRILLS AT CERTAIN CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND YOUTH CAMPS.

HB 5379 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Children and Families to study the effectiveness of programs administered by the Department of Children and Families. The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, with findings reported to the legislature's Children's Committee. This bill does not change existing programs but mandates an evaluation of their current efficacy. The direct effect is on the Department of Children and Families, which must conduct and report the study.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → KID Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from a study on program efficacy to mandatory medical emergency drills at child care facilities and youth camps. The new text replaces the old study requirement with specific regulations requiring staff training in CPR and emergency care, as well as conducting drills every six months. This change ensures that facilities are better prepared to handle medical emergencies involving children.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from a general study of the Department of Children and Families to specific operational requirements for child care centers, group child care homes, and youth camps regarding medical emergency preparedness.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Commissioner of Children and Families to conduct a study on program efficacy and report findings by January 1, 2027.

Added a mandate for child care facilities and youth camps to conduct medical emergency drills at least once every six months.

Added requirements for staff to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and trained in emergency cardiovascular care.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the new regulations from 'upon passage' to October 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Added detailed regulatory language regarding the Commissioner of Early Childhood's authority to set health and safety standards, replacing the previous focus on general program evaluation.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Committee on Children
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.