Connecticut House Bill HB05232

Connecticut 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/10
• Refer: 2/17/10

Caption

An Act Concerning Transfer Or Discharge Of Residential Care Home Patients.

Impact

The bill mandates that residents and their advocates receive a thirty-day written notification before any involuntary transfer or discharge can take place. This notification must detail the reasons for such actions and inform residents of their rights to appeal. Additionally, the bill allows non-attorney advocates to participate in the appeal process, thereby enhancing the support structures available to residents and ensuring that their voices are heard in proceedings that involve their life decisions.

Summary

House Bill 05232, titled 'An Act Concerning Transfer or Discharge of Residential Care Home Patients,' establishes new guidelines for the process involved in transferring or discharging residents from residential care facilities. The bill specifies that no resident shall be involuntarily transferred or discharged unless certain conditions are met, such as the resident's welfare being endangered or the facility shutting down. This stipulation aims to protect vulnerable individuals from potentially harmful abrupt changes in their living situations without appropriate cause or notice.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 05232 include the adequacy of the appeal process and concerns regarding the potential for administrative overreach by facilities. Advocates argue that while the provisions are a step in the right direction for resident rights, ongoing scrutiny is essential to ensure that facilities comply with these regulations and that the appeal process is not merely a formality that lacks real substance. Discussions also highlight the balance between protecting residents' rights and the operational realities faced by care facilities in managing their resources and capacities.