AN ACT CONCERNING A FIVE-YEAR MEDICAID RATE REVIEW, DENTAL REPRESENTATION ON A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OVERSIGHT COUNCIL, BIOMARKER TESTING AND OPIOID PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS AND A STUDY CONCERNING PAYMENT OF SPOUSES FOR STATE-SUBSIDIZED HOME CARE.
This bill establishes new Medicaid payment rates and service limits for adult dental care and cognitive assessments in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, it requires prior authorization for nonemergency dental services while exempting basic preventive care and medically necessary procedures from a $1,000 annual spending cap. The legislation also directs the state to update Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare standards for cognitive assessments and care planning for patients under 65 showing signs of cognitive impairment. Additionally, it creates a structured advisory council with representatives from various healthcare sectors to oversee Medicaid service modifications and ensure balanced oversight of dental benefit limitations.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 12, 2026
Signed Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Raised Bill
→
HS Joint Favorable Substitute
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill was converted from a standard version to a substitute version that updates the list of qualified medical professionals and adds new requirements for dental services. It also reorganizes the list of individuals appointed to a state advisory committee to include new stakeholder groups.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding eligible medical providers was expanded to include advanced practice registered nurses, and the scope of dental program requirements was modified to mandate prior authorization for nonemergency services.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'clinician' to replace 'nurse practitioner' and 'clinical nurse specialist' with 'advanced practice registered nurse' and 'clinical nurse specialist' respectively.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement that all nonemergency dental services under the Department of Social Services must undergo prior authorization.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the composition of the state advisory committee by adding representatives for substance abuse disabilities, Medicaid dental providers, and the for-profit nursing home industry, while removing the requirement for a member of the General Assembly.
Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 2026
How they voted
36–0
Passed
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D
Democratic25
100% Yea
R
Republican11
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 2, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services
lower
36 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Amy Morrin Bello
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Anne Hughes
DDemocratic
P
Anthony Nolan
DDemocratic
P
Chris Poulos
DDemocratic
P
Eleni DeGraw
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Eric Berthel
RRepublican
P
Geraldo Reyes
DDemocratic
P
Greg Howard
RRepublican
P
Heather Somers
RRepublican
P
Hilda Santiago
DDemocratic
P
Jaime Foster
DDemocratic/Independence/Working Families
P
Jane Garibay
DDemocratic
P
Jill Barry
DDemocratic
P
JS
Jimmy Sánchez
DDemocratic
P
Joshua Hall
DDemocratic
P
Julie Kushner
DDemocratic
P
Kara Rochelle
DDemocratic
P
Kate Farrar
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Laurie Sweet
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Lucy Dathan
DDemocratic
P
M.J. Shannon
DDemocratic
P
Martha Marx
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Martin Looney
DDemocratic
P
Mary Fortier
DDemocratic
P
Matt Lesser
DDemocratic
P
Michael DiGiovancarlo
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Michael Quinn
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Nick Gauthier
DDemocratic
P
Nick Menapace
DDemocratic/Working Families
P
Paul Cicarella
RRepublican
P
Rebecca Martinez
DDemocratic
P
Renee Muir
DDemocratic
P
Sarah Keitt
DDemocratic
P
Saud Anwar
DDemocratic
P
Stephen Harding
RRepublican
P
Tom Delnicki
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 5561
Scope: CT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 5561. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline