Connecticut House Bill HB05358

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/19
• Refer: 1/15/19

Caption

An Act Concerning The Seamless Transition Of Children Among Behavioral Health Providers.

Impact

If enacted, HB05358 would amend existing state statutes to formalize requirements for information sharing among agencies. This will facilitate a smoother transition for children who are receiving behavioral health services from multiple entities, permitting them to maintain access to necessary care without unnecessary duplication or denial of services. The timely sharing of information is a critical aspect of this bill, promoting not only efficiency but also better outcomes in behavioral health treatment for children.

Summary

House Bill 05358 aims to ensure a seamless transition of children among behavioral health providers by mandating improved collaboration and communication between different state agencies involved in the provision of behavioral health services. The primary focus of this legislation is to eliminate barriers that may impede the continuity of care for children who require services from multiple providers. The bill stipulates that all providers must actively share relevant information, ensuring that children do not experience gaps in care due to miscommunication or delays during the transition process.

Contention

During the discussions surrounding HB05358, there were concerns about how effectively different agencies could communicate and collaborate. Some legislators questioned whether the proposed measures would indeed lead to a meaningful change in practice. Additionally, there were discussions about the resources required to implement the necessary systems and processes for data sharing. Supporters of the bill argue that while challenges exist, the benefits of seamless transitions greatly outweigh the potential difficulties in implementation, emphasizing that the legislation is geared towards improving children's health outcomes overall.