HB 5323 requires school-based health centers in Connecticut to use evidence-based screening tools for disordered eating behaviors during annual health assessments for students in grades 9-12, starting January 1, 2028. The bill also creates two new groups: a task force to develop recommendations for identifying and treating disordered eating in children, and a Holistic Food Education Working Group to create a state-wide food education roadmap and nutrition curriculum. Both groups include representatives from education, health, advocacy, and school organizations. The screening is optional for students or their parents/guardians, and the task force must report by January 1, 2028. The bill directly affects schools, health centers, and students in grades 9-12 through these new requirements and planning efforts.
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.
SB 37 eliminates the application fee for health care professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and allied health workers) seeking licensure through the Department of Public Health and caps the total licensure fee at $200. This directly affects individuals applying for or renewing their state licenses to practice in health care roles. The bill removes the current application fee and ensures no professional pays more than $200 for the full licensure process. The change lowers upfront costs for health care professionals entering or maintaining their practice in the state.
SB 193 establishes a licensing requirement for long-term acute care hospitals in the state. This bill directly affects facilities that provide extended, intensive medical care for patients with complex, chronic conditions requiring hospital-level treatment beyond typical acute care stays. The legislation repeals an existing section of law and creates a new licensing framework, requiring these hospitals to obtain and maintain a state license to operate. The bill defines "long-term acute care hospital" as a specific type of facility within broader healthcare definitions but does not detail the specific licensing standards or requirements.
SB 281 establishes a task force to study ways to encourage nursing homes in the state to contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veteran care. The task force, composed of legislative leaders and the Veterans Affairs Commissioner, will examine financial incentives like reimbursement supplements and tax credits to make VA contracting more attractive for nursing homes. Its goal is to increase access to VA-covered nursing home care for veterans who need it, focusing specifically on facilities meeting VA requirements. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027.
HB 5345 requires health insurance companies managing Connecticut's state employee health plans to provide advance written notices to the Comptroller, legislative leaders, and health cost oversight committee about potential termination of agreements with hospitals or healthcare providers. It mandates 90-, 60-, and 30-day written notices before provider agreement expirations and immediate notification of new or extended agreements. The bill also prohibits insurers that terminate provider agreements from bidding on future state health insurance contracts for up to five years, unless the parties agree to renew within 30 days. This directly affects third-party administrators (insurers/health carriers) and their network hospitals or healthcare providers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to improve transparency and continuity in state employee health coverage.
SB 287 requires home health aide agencies to provide free personal protective equipment (PPE) to their home health aide employees. The bill directly affects home health aide employees (both staff and contracted workers) who provide in-home care services. Agencies must supply necessary PPE like gloves, N95 masks, gowns, and hand sanitizers to ensure safe client interactions. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, mandating this provision without additional costs to workers.
SB 238 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Public Health to create a public online dashboard tracking emergency medical services (EMS) response times. The dashboard will display data broken down by location, call type (like heart attacks or injuries), and time of day, while protecting patient privacy. This data will be used to help direct federal grant funding toward communities needing the most improvement in EMS response times. The law affects EMS providers (who must report data), the public (who can access the transparency tool), and state agencies (which will use the data for grant applications). It takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 212 creates a tax credit for individuals and groups purchasing long-term care insurance policies. It credits policyholders for any annual premium increase exceeding 2% of their total premium cost, allowing them to offset future tax liability with unused credits. This directly affects long-term care insurance buyers by reducing their out-of-pocket costs when premiums rise significantly. The credit is calculated annually and can be carried forward to offset taxes in subsequent years.
HB 5378 requires a study to determine if Connecticut can establish a state-run health insurance program (the "Connecticut Option Program") that would allow multiple employers to pool health coverage. The bill also updates definitions related to self-funded health plans shared by multiple employers (known as multiple employer welfare arrangements, or MEWAs) and other insurance terms. It does not create new programs but mandates a feasibility study by the state's insurance department. The study will examine whether such a program could provide affordable coverage options for employers and employees. This bill directly affects employers using self-funded health plans and future participants in the Connecticut Option Program, if established.
