Healthcare

HB 5267 modifies Connecticut's workers' compensation law to clarify eligibility for incapacity benefits. It specifically prohibits employees who have elected to retire from receiving benefits if they later experience an injury or illness that causes incapacity. The key provision (Section 31-307(a), effective October 1, 2026) states that retirement eligibility eliminates future benefit claims for work-related incapacity. This directly affects workers who retire and then suffer work-related injuries, removing their access to weekly compensation payments under the current system.

HB 5307 requires healthcare providers to notify a minor's parent or guardian after performing an abortion on an unemancipated minor, with specific procedures. It mandates that providers give minors comprehensive pregnancy-related counseling before an abortion (including alternatives like adoption or continuing the pregnancy) and have them sign a form confirming they received this information. After the procedure, providers must notify at least one parent or guardian no later than 48 hours, unless the minor reports abuse (then notification goes to an alternative adult specified by the minor). This bill directly affects minors seeking abortion care, their parents/guardians, and healthcare providers in Connecticut. The law does not restrict abortion access but adds a notification requirement following the procedure.

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.

SB 192 requires Connecticut Valley Hospital to separate patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation by biological sex at all times. This directly affects individuals receiving mental health evaluations at the hospital. The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services develop new policies and standards to implement this separation requirement, effective October 1, 2026. It also references existing discharge protocols for forensic patients but centers its key change on the sex-based separation during evaluations.