Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7185: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF ETHICS.

HB 7185 requires the Office of State Ethics to study current state ethics laws for public officials and lobbyists, assessing whether amendments are needed to strengthen oversight. The study must conclude by February 1, 2026, with findings and recommendations submitted to the legislature’s government oversight committee. This bill does not change existing laws or impose new requirements - it solely mandates a review to inform potential future legislation. It is a procedural measure with no direct impact on individuals or fiscal implications, as noted in the fiscal analysis.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SJ 36: RESOLUTION PROPOSING A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would grant all Connecticut residents an enforceable right to clean air, water, soil, ecosystems, a healthy environment, and a stable climate. It requires the state to protect these rights equitably, avoid unreasonable infringement, and actively conserve natural resources like water, air, and wildlife for current and future generations. If passed by three-quarters of both legislative chambers, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval to become part of Connecticut's constitution. The amendment would not create new regulations but would establish a legal foundation for residents to seek court enforcement of environmental protections.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 7105: AN ACT CONCERNING FORENSIC AUDITS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

HB 7105 modifies how Connecticut's Department of Social Services conducts forensic audits on facilities participating in Medicaid. It directly affects nursing homes, chronic disease hospitals, rest homes with nursing supervision, residential care homes, and facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. Key provisions require 30 days' written notice before audits (unless health/safety risks or fraud exist), limit the use of "extrapolation" to calculate payment errors (only after documented failures to correct errors or when aggregate claims exceed $200,000 annually), and establish a clear process for facilities to dispute findings through exit conferences, rehearings, and binding arbitration. The bill aims to balance audit rigor with fair process for facilities.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 7190: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

HB 7190 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services to study senior citizens' needs across five specific areas: long-term care, transportation, housing assistance, nutritional support, and socialization opportunities. The study must be completed by January 1, 2026, and reported to relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects all senior citizens in Connecticut by identifying gaps in existing services, with no immediate funding or regulatory changes - only a mandated analysis to guide future resource allocation. The study can be conducted using existing agency resources, as noted in the fiscal impact statement.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1474: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

SB 1474 expands Medicaid and HUSKY B coverage for weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery to include individuals with severe obesity (BMI >40 or BMI >35 with related health conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea). It requires coverage for weight loss drugs when a beneficiary’s BMI drops below 35, provided a doctor certifies continued use is necessary to prevent BMI from rising above 35. The bill also adds a separate requirement for doctors prescribing opioids to Medicaid patients to complete training on nonopioid pain management alternatives. These changes directly affect Connecticut Medicaid and HUSKY B beneficiaries seeking obesity-related treatments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1471: AN ACT CONCERNING A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY-BASED MEMORY CARE PROGRAM.

SB 1471 establishes a two-year pilot program in Hartford to provide subsidized memory care services for low-income seniors aged 65+ who qualify for community-based support. The program must be operated by community action agencies with relevant experience, offering an alternative to nursing home placements while complying with existing memory care regulations. The Commissioner of Social Services will develop a funding model using state funds and convene a working group including senior advocates and dementia care specialists to design the program. A report on the pilot’s development must be submitted to legislative committees by September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1479: AN ACT CONCERNING WITHHOLDING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO REQUIRE MANDATORY ARBITRATION IN BILLING DISPUTES.

SB 1479 prohibits healthcare providers from requiring patients to agree to mandatory arbitration for billing disputes as a condition for receiving Medicaid reimbursement. Starting October 1, 2025, providers who include such clauses in patient agreements will lose eligibility for Medicaid payments on services provided to Medicaid recipients. The bill defines "mandatory arbitration clause" as a term forcing patients to use arbitration for billing conflicts. This directly affects healthcare providers seeking Medicaid reimbursement, ensuring patients can resolve billing issues through standard legal channels instead of mandatory arbitration.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1472: AN ACT CONCERNING A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR OPTIMAL USE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES' REGIONAL CENTERS.

SB 1472 establishes a 9-member task force to develop a strategic plan for the state's regional centers that provide care for people with intellectual disabilities. The task force includes representatives from disability advocacy groups, families, service providers, legislative leaders, and state agency commissioners. It must submit its plan to lawmakers by December 1, 2025, with no expected cost impact. This procedural bill creates a process to improve how regional centers serve individuals with intellectual disabilities, without changing current services or funding.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1483: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOME-PLUS PROGRAM.

SB 1483 requires the Department of Social Services to pay federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) participating in the Patient-Centered Medical Home-Plus (PCMH+) program the full amounts they were owed for November and December 2024, which were unpaid due to budget exhaustion in September 2024. This bill directly affects FQHCs that serve HUSKY Health program members, addressing a $1.28 million arrears payment for those two months. The measure prohibits future shared savings payments under the PCMH+ program until these overdue payments are fully resolved. The bill does not alter the program’s structure but ensures timely compensation for providers under existing shared savings and care coordination funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 5766: AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES OF PARKING IN FRONT OF A FIRE HYDRANT.

HB 5766 increases penalties for repeatedly parking too close to fire hydrants. It raises the fine for second or subsequent violations of the existing rule (parking within ten feet of a fire hydrant) to $200. This bill directly affects drivers who repeatedly park in front of fire hydrants, not first-time offenders. The key change is a higher monetary penalty for repeat violations, with no change to the original parking restriction distance.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 1478: AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE TO STREAMLINE MUNICIPAL MEDICAID BILLING.

SB 1478 establishes a task force to simplify how municipalities bill for Medicaid-covered school-based health services. The task force includes state education and social services officials, a policy management representative, and a municipal organization member, and must create a streamlined billing plan by September 2026. It requires monthly meetings and a legislative report by October 2026, but does not change Medicaid eligibility or payment rules. The bill has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the task force will use existing agency expertise.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 576: AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LEARN HERE, LIVE HERE PROGRAM, INCREASING THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SUCH PROGRAM AND MAKING SUCH PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

SB 576 creates Connecticut's "Learn Here, Live Here" program to help graduates buy homes in the state. Eligible participants include Connecticut high school or college graduates (from public/private institutions, health care training schools, or technical programs) with under $75,000 annual income, who can set aside up to $2,500 yearly from state income taxes toward a first home purchase. The program limits total annual spending to $5 million, and participants must repay funds if they leave Connecticut within five years (with declining repayment percentages over time). It requires the state to establish the program by October 2025 and implement public education about homebuying resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Bill results