Rep. Kathy Kennedy

Maddy summaryHB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary task force to study how hate speech affects the mental and physical health and school performance of children. The group will be composed of representatives from various organizations focused on child well-being, pediatric care, and anti-discrimination efforts, alongside state officials in health, education, and mental health. Members appointed by legislative leaders must represent specific areas such as race, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, or disability, while the task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework to address debts incurred by victims of domestic violence under duress, intimidation, or threats. It defines a "coerced debt" as any unsecured personal debt taken out by an individual who is a victim of domestic violence and was forced into the obligation through coercion. Under the new law, debt collectors and buyers must immediately stop all collection efforts once they receive specific documentation, such as police reports, restraining orders, or certified statements from qualified professionals like counselors or attorneys, confirming the debt was coerced. The legislation also imposes civil liability on individuals who cause others to incur such debts, holding them responsible for repaying the amount and covering associated legal fees. These protections apply to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and are designed to prevent further harassment of victims while they seek to resolve the underlying abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to create a streamlined process that helps children enrolled in the HUSKY A health program easily access other nutrition benefits like WIC and SNAP. Starting in January 2025, the Departments of Public Health, Social Services, and Agriculture must work together to simplify enrollment, provide clear fact sheets, and make application forms available online and by phone. The legislation also directs these departments to coordinate specifically for children over six who are transitioning from the WIC program to SNAP, while prohibiting the governor from reducing funding for these specific nutrition programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program called CHESS to help people with complex health needs who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It requires state officials to create a strategic plan that simplifies how agencies work together to get benefits quickly and explores ways to secure additional funding for housing and health support. The legislation also mandates that a progress report be submitted to the state legislature by October 1, 2024, detailing how the program is improving health and housing stability for participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Commissioner of Social Services to cover biomarker testing for Medicaid recipients to help diagnose, treat, and monitor various diseases. The law defines biomarker testing as the analysis of a patient's biological samples to identify specific indicators related to their health condition. Coverage will be approved if there is scientific evidence supporting the test, such as FDA approval, Medicare coverage, or recommendations from independent medical guidelines. Additionally, the bill establishes an online system allowing patients and providers to request exceptions to prior authorization rules for these tests.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for wheelchair dealers in the state to ensure timely repairs and better customer service for people who use wheelchairs. Effective October 1, 2024, dealers selling or leasing wheelchairs must fix them within ten days of a request and provide home repairs for specialized medical wheelchairs upon demand. The law also requires dealers to maintain a phone line for repair requests, respond within one business day, and keep enough parts in stock to complete repairs efficiently. Dealers can charge fees for out-of-warranty repairs but cannot penalize customers for defects caused by abuse or neglect. Violations of these requirements will be treated as unfair trade practices and may result in penalties for those who contract with the Department of Social Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal licensing system for businesses that electronically file vehicle registration and title applications with the Department of Motor Vehicles. To operate in this capacity, companies must pay a $250 fee, maintain specific surety bonds totaling $55,000, and adhere to rules that cap their service charges for electronic filings at $25 per application. The legislation also mandates that these businesses provide customers with a disclosure form explaining their fees and lack of affiliation with the state, while failing to comply with filing requirements results in a $25 penalty per application.

Maddy summaryHB 5491 establishes a new property tax exemption for Connecticut veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill allows these veterans to exempt their primary residence from taxation, or if they lack a home, one motor vehicle garaged in the state. To qualify, veterans must submit proof of their disability rating to their local town assessor, with retroactive refunds available for up to three years if they missed the initial filing deadline. Additionally, the act modifies an existing lower-level disability exemption, increasing the property value threshold for veterans with non-permanent-and-total disabilities and adjusting amounts based on age and disability severity.

Maddy summaryHB 5457 requires nursing homes in Connecticut to maintain transparent waiting lists for indigent applicants, ensuring they are admitted in the order they apply rather than being discriminated against based on their payment source. Facilities must provide receipts upon accepting applications, post notices about non-discrimination policies, and keep electronic records of all applicants to allow for public and state oversight. The bill also mandates that nursing homes send periodic follow-up communications to applicants on the waiting list to confirm they still wish to remain on it, allowing for removal after a set period of non-response. Additionally, the law prohibits nursing homes from asking indigent individuals or their families to pay fees or sign financial agreements as a condition for admission.