SB 210 would require Connecticut's Medicaid program to increase reimbursement rates for pediatric care services by at least 5% above rates in effect on June 30, 2026. This directly affects healthcare providers who treat children through Medicaid, such as pediatricians and clinics. The bill mandates that the state submit a report assessing how these rate increases impact provider participation, patient access to care, and state budget costs. The policy change aims to improve financial incentives for providers serving Medicaid-covered children. The bill focuses on concrete rate adjustments and reporting, not broader program changes.
HB 5301 excludes income earned by a spouse who provides over 25% of daily care for their partner from income calculations when determining eligibility for home and community-based Medicaid services. It directly affects spouses caring for a partner receiving such services under Medicaid waiver programs. The bill requires the Social Services Commissioner to seek a federal Medicaid waiver or amend the state plan to disregard this spousal income, effective October 1, 2026. This change modifies how income is assessed for Medicaid eligibility under specific home and community-based service programs.
SB 120 suspends annual cost increase limits on direct care expenses for Medicaid-funded intermediate care facilities (long-term care facilities serving individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions). This change directly affects these facilities by removing a cap that previously restricted how much they could raise costs each year to cover inflation. The bill modifies existing law (section 17b-340) to allow facilities to adjust direct care costs without the previous inflation-based limitation. The stated purpose is to reduce financial strain on these facilities operating under Medicaid.
HB 5300 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients living in long-term care facilities to $75, effective July 1, 2026. It requires annual adjustments to this allowance each July 1, increasing it by 25% of the federal SSI cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. The bill directly affects residents in licensed nursing homes, chronic disease hospitals, and similar facilities who receive Medicaid or SSI benefits. Funds will be paid to the facilities to deposit into residents’ personal accounts, ensuring the allowance keeps pace with inflation.
SB 345 requires employers to provide reasonable break times and private, non-toilet spaces (with refrigeration access) for nursing employees to express breast milk during work hours, including before or after shifts. It also prohibits discrimination against employees using these rights and defines "undue hardship" based on business size and resources. The bill establishes a task force to study workplace heat safety standards and recommend best practices, including examining other states' approaches. This law applies to all employers in the state, including government entities, and takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 289 establishes a state-funded quality metrics program for nursing homes, directly affecting facilities serving Medicaid beneficiaries. It creates two funding pools: a $10 million annual pool for performance-based payments tied to quality metrics (using CMS measures and consumer surveys), and a $2.5-$5 million pool for facilities with over 75% Medicaid residents. Nursing homes must report quality metrics annually, with payments determined by performance scores - excluding facilities flagged for serious quality issues. The program begins October 1, 2026, with payments phased in over time using existing Medicaid appropriations.
HB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.
This bill creates a dedicated state fund called the "health care facility durable medical equipment account" to provide grants for healthcare facilities. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to help facilities purchase equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and patient lifts for elderly patients or people with disabilities. The Department of Public Health will manage the fund and issue grants, deducting no more than 2% of the account balance annually for administrative costs. The account will hold ongoing state appropriations, gifts, and investment earnings, with funds available starting July 1, 2026.
SB 38 imposes a capital gains tax on endowment funds at institutions of higher education valued at over $500,000 per student. The tax applies to growth in these endowments and generates revenue specifically for reducing required contributions to Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (Section 31-49g). This bill directly affects public and private universities meeting the per-student endowment threshold. The policy change shifts revenue from higher education endowments to lower costs for workers participating in the state's leave insurance program.
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.
