SB 239 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING NUTRITION AND FOOD-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE.

SB 239 requires hospitals in Connecticut to examine the nutrition needs of community members with diabetes or congestive heart failure during their community health needs assessments. Hospitals must include these needs in their assessments and prioritize food-based health programs for these patients in their community benefits plans. The law, effective October 1, 2026, applies to all hospitals conducting such assessments under state law. It does not mandate specific dietary changes but directs hospitals to integrate nutrition support into their community health strategies, consistent with federal guidelines.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Mar 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PH Joint Favorable Substitute · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to improve clarity by changing the requirement for hospitals to 'examine' nutrition needs to 'identify' them. Additionally, the language regarding interventions was updated to explicitly state that medically tailored and food-based interventions must be 'included' in the implementation strategy, rather than just prioritized.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the verb from 'examine' to 'identify' regarding the assessment of nutrition needs for patients with diabetes and congestive heart failure to ensure clearer instruction for hospitals.

Modified the mandate for interventions to require that they be 'included' in the hospital's implementation strategy, replacing the previous instruction to 'prioritize' them.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors