Connecticut Senate Bill SB00471

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/15
• Refer: 1/22/15

Caption

An Act Requiring Residential Care Facilities To Carry Liability Insurance.

Impact

The enactment of SB00471 would significantly alter the landscape of regulations governing residential care facilities. By mandating liability insurance, the bill seeks to ensure that facilities have the financial capability to address claims resulting from negligence, thereby providing a layer of protection for residents. This requirement could lead to increased operational costs for care facilities, but proponents argue that the benefits of added security for residents outweigh the financial burden on providers.

Summary

SB00471 is a bill legislating that all residential care facilities must carry liability insurance as part of their licensure. The required coverage is a minimum of one million dollars per occurrence and three million dollars in annual aggregate. This bill aims to safeguard residents and guests against injuries that could arise from the negligence or omissions of the facility or its employees. The intent behind this legislation is to enhance the protection of vulnerable populations living in residential care settings.

Contention

While the bill's supporters assert that it will improve the quality of care and offer greater security for residents, there are potential points of contention. Critics may argue that the increased costs for liability insurance could lead to higher fees for residents or even force some smaller facilities to close, limiting access to care. Additionally, there may be debates regarding the adequacy of the minimum insurance amounts specified in the bill, and concerns over how it could affect the operations of these facilities.