Healthcare

SB 191 establishes a state-run pilot program for psychedelic-assisted therapy using MDMA and psilocybin, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects qualified patients in Connecticut who are 18+ and meet specific criteria (veterans, retired first responders, or healthcare workers), providing them access to therapy administered by a state-selected medical school. The program requires federal FDA approval under 21 CFR 312 for research purposes and will terminate once MDMA/psilocybin receive DEA approval for medical use. The bill repeals an existing statute and creates a structured framework for this therapeutic pilot program.

HB 5374 requires individual health insurance policies in Connecticut that cover chemotherapy to also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used to prevent hair loss during treatment. This applies to policies delivered, renewed, or continued on or after January 1, 2027, and mandates coverage "at least equivalent to such coverage provided under Medicare." The bill specifically targets policies covering certain chemotherapy-related treatments, directly affecting patients receiving chemotherapy who may use scalp cooling systems. It does not apply to group plans or other insurance types, focusing solely on individual health insurance policies meeting the specified coverage criteria.

HB 5044 establishes Connecticut's official vaccine standards for children and infants, requiring the Commissioner of Public Health to create and maintain a standard of care based on CDC and medical association guidelines. This standard, posted online, will guide vaccination schedules and safety protocols, and must be updated as needed. The bill also mandates a state immunization program that provides free vaccines to healthcare providers for children, distributes vaccination schedules to parents at hospital discharge, and develops outreach to help children who fall behind on immunizations. It directly affects children (especially infants), healthcare providers, hospitals, and public health departments. The program must use available state and federal funds to support these services without creating new state regulations.

HB 5166 updates Connecticut's social work licensure rules, effective July 1, 2026. It requires master social workers to hold a master's degree from an accredited or candidate-status social work program (with specific timeline limits) and pass a national exam, while clinical social workers must have a master's or doctorate from an accredited program, 3,000 hours of post-master's experience (including 100 supervised hours), and pass a clinical exam. The bill also creates pathways for out-of-state license holders to practice via endorsement if their state's requirements match Connecticut's standards, and mandates exam accommodations for applicants with disabilities. These changes directly affect social workers seeking initial licensure or moving to Connecticut from other states.