Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07163 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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3		-
4		-	Substitute House Bill No. 7163
5		-
6		-	Public Act No. 19-157
7		-
8		-
9		-	AN ACT CONCERNING TH E DEPARTMENT ON AGIN G AND
10		-	DISABILITY SERVICES AND MEALS ON WHEELS.
	3	+	LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-R01-
	4	+	HB.docx
	5	+	1 of 77
	6	+
	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7163
	8	+	January Session, 2019
	9	+
	10	+
	11	+
	12	+
	13	+
	14	+	AN ACT CONCERNING TH E DEPARTMENT OF AGIN G AND
	15	+	DISABILITY SERVICES.
11	16		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
12	17		Assembly convened:
13	18
14		-	Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 3-123aa of the general statutes is
15		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
16		-	October 1, 2019):
17		-	(c) There is established an advisory committee to the Connecticut
18		-	Homecare Option Program for the Elderly, which shall consist of the
19		-	State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Commissioner of Social
20		-	Services, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
21		-	Services, the director of the long-term care partnership policy program
22		-	within the Office of Policy and Management, and the cochairpersons
23		-	and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General
24		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, human
25		-	services and finance, revenue and bonding, or their designees. The
26		-	Governor shall appoint one provider of home care services for the
27		-	elderly and a physician specializing in geriatric care. The advisory
28		-	committee shall meet at least annually. The State Comptroller shall
29		-	convene the meetings of the committee.
30		-	Sec. 2. Section 4-5 of the general statutes, as amended by section 3 of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
31		-
32		-	Public Act No. 19-157 2 of 81
33		-
34		-	public act 18-91, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
35		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
36		-	As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head"
37		-	means Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management,
38		-	Commissioner of Administrative Services, [Commissioner on Aging,]
39		-	Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner,
40		-	Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Consumer
41		-	Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic
42		-	and Community Development, State Board of Education,
43		-	Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection,
44		-	Commissioner of Energy and En vironmental Protection,
45		-	Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health,
46		-	Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of
47		-	Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social
48		-	Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of
49		-	Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of
50		-	Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of
51		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the Commissioner of
52		-	Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military
53		-	Affairs, and the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy. As
54		-	used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means the
55		-	Commissioner of Education.
56		-	Sec. 3. Section 4-5 of the general statutes, as amended by section 6 of
57		-	public act 17-237, section 279 of public act 17-2 of the June special
58		-	session and section 20 of public act 18-182, is repealed and the
59		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020):
60		-	As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head"
61		-	means Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management,
62		-	Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner of Revenue
63		-	Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and
64		-	Families, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
65		-
66		-	Public Act No. 19-157 3 of 81
67		-
68		-	Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development,
69		-	State Board of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and
70		-	Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental
71		-	Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public
72		-	Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner
73		-	of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social
74		-	Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of
75		-	Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of
76		-	Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of
77		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the Commissioner of
78		-	Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs
79		-	and the executive director of the Technical Education and Career
80		-	System. As used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means
81		-	the Commissioner of Education.
82		-	Sec. 4. Section 4-38c of the general statutes, as amended by section
83		-	13 of public act 18-169, is repealed and the following is substituted in
84		-	lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
85		-	There shall be within the executive branch of state government the
86		-	following departments: Office of Policy and Management, Department
87		-	of Administrative Services, [Department on Aging,] Department of
88		-	Revenue Services, Department of Banking, Department of Agriculture,
89		-	Department of Children and Families, Department of Consumer
90		-	Protection, Department of Correction, Department of Economic and
91		-	Community Development, State Board of Education, Department of
92		-	Emergency Services and Public Protection, Department of Energy and
93		-	Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Board of
94		-	Regents for Higher Education, Insurance Department, Labor
95		-	Department, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services,
96		-	Department of Developmental Services, Department of Social Services,
97		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services,
98		-	Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles and Substitute House Bill No. 7163
99		-
100		-	Public Act No. 19-157 4 of 81
101		-
102		-	Department of Veterans Affairs.
103		-	Sec. 5. Section 4-38c of the general statutes, as amended by section 7
104		-	of public act 17-237, section 287 of public act 17-2 of the June special
105		-	session and section 21 of public act 18-182, is repealed and the
106		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020):
107		-	There shall be within the executive branch of state government the
108		-	following departments: Office of Policy and Management, Department
109		-	of Administrative Services, Department of Aging and Disability
110		-	Services, Department of Revenue Services, Department of Banking,
111		-	Department of Agriculture, Department of Children and Families,
112		-	Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Correction,
113		-	Department of Economic and Community Development, State Board
114		-	of Education, Department of Emergency Services and Public
115		-	Protection, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,
116		-	Department of Public Health, Board of Regents for Higher Education,
117		-	Insurance Department, Labor Department, Department of Mental
118		-	Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental
119		-	Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation,
120		-	Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Veterans Affairs and the
121		-	Technical Education and Career System.
122		-	Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 4-61aa of the general statutes is
123		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
124		-	October 1, 2019):
125		-	(a) For purposes of this section, "state Americans with Disabilities
126		-	Act coordinator" means the person appointed by the Governor to
127		-	coordinate state compliance with the federal Americans with
128		-	Disabilities Act of 1990. There is established a committee to advise the
129		-	state Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. The state Americans
130		-	with Disabilities Act coordinator shall appoint the members of the
131		-	committee, which shall be chaired by said coordinator, or his designee, Substitute House Bill No. 7163
132		-
133		-	Public Act No. 19-157 5 of 81
134		-
135		-	and include at least one representative of each of the following:
136		-	(1) The Board of Education and Services to the Blind;
137		-	(2) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of
138		-	Hearing;
139		-	(3) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
140		-	Services;
141		-	(4) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services;
142		-	(5) The Department of Developmental Services;
143		-	(6) The Labor Department;
144		-	(7) The Department of Administrative Services; and
145		-	(8) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
146		-	Sec. 7. Subsection (g) of section 4-89 of the general statutes is
147		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
148		-	October 1, 2019):
149		-	(g) The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations
150		-	to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in
151		-	an amount not greater than the amount of reimbursements of prior
152		-	year expenditures for the services of interpreters received by the
153		-	department during the fiscal year pursuant to section 46a-33b, as
154		-	amended by this act, and such appropriations shall not lapse until the
155		-	end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year of the appropriation.
156		-	Sec. 8. Subdivision (7) of section 4-274 of the general statutes is
157		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
158		-	October 1, 2019):
159		-	(7) "State-administered health or human services program" means Substitute House Bill No. 7163
160		-
161		-	Public Act No. 19-157 6 of 81
162		-
163		-	programs administered by any of the following: The Department of
164		-	Children and Families, the Department of Developmental Services, the
165		-	Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department
166		-	of Public Health, the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
167		-	Disability Services, the Department of Social Services, the Office of
168		-	Early Childhood, and the Office of the State Comptroller, for the State
169		-	Employee and Retiree Health programs, as well as other health care
170		-	programs administered by the Office of the State Comptroller, and the
171		-	Department of Administrative Services, for Workers' Compensation
172		-	medical claims, including such programs reimbursed in whole or in
173		-	part by the federal government.
174		-	Sec. 9. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 4a-82 of the
175		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
176		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
177		-	(1) "Person with a disability" means any individual with a disability,
178		-	excluding blindness, as such term is applied by the Department of
179		-	Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of
180		-	Developmental Services, the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
181		-	Disability Services or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
182		-	and who is certified by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
183		-	Disability Services as qualified to participate in a qualified partnership,
184		-	as described in subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section;
185		-	Sec. 10. Subsections (h) to (k), inclusive, of section 4a-82 of the
186		-	general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
187		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
188		-	(h) The Connecticut Community Providers Association shall
189		-	develop an application process and submit a list of employees who
190		-	have applied to participate in a partnership to the Department of
191		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for certification. Such
192		-	association shall maintain a list of certified employees who are persons Substitute House Bill No. 7163
193		-
194		-	Public Act No. 19-157 7 of 81
195		-
196		-	with disabilities and community rehabilitation programs.
197		-	(i) Any qualified partnership awarded a janitorial or service contract
198		-	pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this
199		-	section shall provide to the Connecticut Community Providers
200		-	Association, not later than six months after the commencement date of
201		-	such contract and annually thereafter, a list of the persons with
202		-	disabilities and persons with a disadvantage employed by such
203		-	contractor that includes the date of hire and employment location for
204		-	each such person. Such association shall certify annually to the
205		-	Department of Administrative Services, the Judicial Branch or the
206		-	Board of Regents for Higher Education, as applicable, in such manner
207		-	and form as prescribed by the Commissioner of Administrative
208		-	Services, Chief Court Administrator or the president of the Board of
209		-	Regents for Higher Education, that the requisite number of persons
210		-	with disabilities for such contract continue to be employed by such
211		-	contractor in positions equivalent to those created under such contract
212		-	and have been integrated into the general workforce of such
213		-	contractor.
214		-	(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the
215		-	responsibilities of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
216		-	Disability Services, as established in subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of
217		-	this section, may not be delegated to an outside vendor.
218		-	(k) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
219		-	Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of
220		-	chapter 54, to undertake the certification requirements established
221		-	pursuant to subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section.
222		-	Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 5-175a of the general statutes is
223		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
224		-	October 1, 2019): Substitute House Bill No. 7163
225		-
226		-	Public Act No. 19-157 8 of 81
227		-
228		-	(a) Vending stand operators, operating stands under permits held
229		-	by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
230		-	pursuant to section 10-303, as amended by this act, shall be members of
231		-	the state employees retirement system, part A, exclusive of the Social
232		-	Security option and benefits in the state employees' retirement system
233		-	dependent thereon. Each such person shall annually, on or before June
234		-	thirtieth, pay five per cent of his adjusted gross income, arising out of
235		-	the operation of such stand, as determined under the Internal Revenue
236		-	Code, during the calendar year preceding to the Department of
237		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services which shall, as the state
238		-	administering agency for such persons, certify such payment and pay
239		-	it over to the State Retirement Commission, provided membership of
240		-	such persons in said system shall be exclusive of disability retirement
241		-	upon the grounds of defects of vision.
242		-	Sec. 12. Subdivision (22) of section 5-198 of the general statutes is
243		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
244		-	October 1, 2019):
245		-	(22) Professional employees in the education professions bargaining
246		-	unit of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
247		-	Services;
248		-	Sec. 13. Subsection (e) of section 5-259 of the general statutes is
249		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
250		-	October 1, 2019):
251		-	(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section,
252		-	vending stand operators eligible for membership in the state
253		-	employees retirement system pursuant to section 5-175a, as amended
254		-	by this act, shall be eligible for coverage under the group
255		-	hospitalization and medical and surgical insurance plans procured
256		-	under this section, provided the cost for such operators' insurance
257		-	coverage shall be paid by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging Substitute House Bill No. 7163
258		-
259		-	Public Act No. 19-157 9 of 81
260		-
261		-	and Disability Services from vending machine income pursuant to
262		-	section 10-303, as amended by this act.
263		-	Sec. 14. Section 7-127b of the general statutes is repealed and the
264		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
265		-	(a) The chief elected official or the chief executive officer if by
266		-	ordinance of each municipality shall appoint a municipal agent for
267		-	elderly persons. Such agent shall be a member of an agency that serves
268		-	elderly persons in the municipality or a responsible resident of the
269		-	municipality who has demonstrated an interest in the elderly or has
270		-	been involved in programs in the field of aging.
271		-	(b) The duties of the municipal agent may include, but shall not be
272		-	limited to, (1) disseminating information to elderly persons, assisting
273		-	such persons in learning about the community resources available to
274		-	them and publicizing such resources and benefits; (2) assisting elderly
275		-	persons to apply for federal and other benefits available to such
276		-	persons; and (3) reporting to the chief elected official or chief executive
277		-	officer of the municipality and the Department of [Rehabilitation]
278		-	Aging and Disability Services any needs and problems of the elderly
279		-	and any recommendations for action to improve services to the
280		-	elderly.
281		-	(c) Each municipal agent shall serve for a term of two or four years,
282		-	at the discretion of the appointing authority of each municipality, and
283		-	may be reappointed. If more than one agent is necessary to carry out
284		-	the purposes of this section, the appointing authority, in its discretion,
285		-	may appoint one or more assistant agents. The town clerk in each
286		-	municipality shall notify the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
287		-	Disability Services immediately of the appointment of a new municipal
288		-	agent. Each municipality may provide to its municipal agent resources
289		-	sufficient for such agent to perform the duties of the office. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
290		-
291		-	Public Act No. 19-157 10 of 81
292		-
293		-	(d) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
294		-	Services shall adopt and disseminate to municipalities guidelines as to
295		-	the role and duties of municipal agents and such informational and
296		-	technical materials as may assist such agents in performance of their
297		-	duties. The department, in cooperation with the area agencies on
298		-	aging, may provide training for municipal agents within the available
299		-	resources of the department and of the agencies on aging.
300		-	Sec. 15. Section 8-119f of the general statutes is repealed and the
301		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
302		-	The Commissioner of Housing shall design, implement, operate and
303		-	monitor a program of congregate housing. For the purpose of this
304		-	program, the Commissioner of Housing shall consult with the
305		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for the
306		-	provision of services for persons with physical disabilities in order to
307		-	comply with the requirements of section 29-271.
308		-	Sec. 16. Subsection (c) of section 9-20 of the general statutes is
309		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
310		-	October 1, 2019):
311		-	(c) The application for admission as an elector shall include a
312		-	statement that (1) specifies each eligibility requirement, (2) contains an
313		-	attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement, and (3)
314		-	requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. Each
315		-	registrar of voters and town clerk shall maintain a copy of such
316		-	statement in braille, large print and audio form. The Department of
317		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall produce a
318		-	videotape presenting such statement in voice and sign language and
319		-	provide the videotape to the Secretary of the State who shall make
320		-	copies of the videotape and provide a copy to the registrars of voters of
321		-	any municipality, upon request and at a cost equal to the cost of
322		-	making the copy. If a person applies for admission as an elector in Substitute House Bill No. 7163
323		-
324		-	Public Act No. 19-157 11 of 81
325		-
326		-	person to an admitting official, such admitting official shall, upon the
327		-	request of the applicant, administer the elector's oath.
328		-	Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 10-76i of the general statutes is
329		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
330		-	October 1, 2019):
331		-	(a) There shall be an Advisory Council for Special Education which
332		-	shall advise the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the
333		-	Commissioner of Education, and which shall engage in such other
334		-	activities as described in this section. On and after July 1, 2012, the
335		-	advisory council shall consist of the following members: (1) Nine
336		-	appointed by the Commissioner of Education, (A) six of whom shall be
337		-	(i) the parents of children with disabilities, provided such children are
338		-	under the age of twenty-seven, or (ii) individuals with disabilities, (B)
339		-	one of whom shall be an official of the Department of Education, (C)
340		-	one of whom shall be a state or local official responsible for carrying
341		-	out activities under Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento
342		-	Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11431 et seq., as amended from time
343		-	to time, and (D) one of whom shall be a representative of an institution
344		-	of higher education in the state that prepares teacher and related
345		-	services personnel; (2) one appointed by the Commissioner of
346		-	Developmental Services who shall be an official of the department; (3)
347		-	one appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families who
348		-	shall be an official of the department; (4) one appointed by the
349		-	Commissioner of Correction who shall be an official of the department;
350		-	(5) one appointed by the director of the Parent Leadership Training
351		-	Institute within the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors
352		-	who shall be (A) the parent of a child with a disability, provided such
353		-	child is under the age of twenty-seven, or (B) an individual with a
354		-	disability; (6) a representative from the parent training and
355		-	information center for Connecticut established pursuant to the
356		-	Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as Substitute House Bill No. 7163
357		-
358		-	Public Act No. 19-157 12 of 81
359		-
360		-	amended from time to time; (7) the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation]
361		-	Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee; (8) five
362		-	who are members of the General Assembly who shall serve as
363		-	nonvoting members of the advisory council, one appointed by the
364		-	speaker of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the
365		-	majority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the
366		-	minority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the
367		-	president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the
368		-	minority leader of the Senate; (9) one appointed by the president pro
369		-	tempore of the Senate who shall be a member of the Connecticut
370		-	Speech-Language-Hearing Association; (10) one appointed by the
371		-	majority leader of the Senate who shall be a public school teacher; (11)
372		-	one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be a
373		-	representative of a vocational, community or business organization
374		-	concerned with the provision of transitional services to children with
375		-	disabilities; (12) one appointed by the speaker of the House of
376		-	Representatives who shall be a member of the Connecticut Council of
377		-	Special Education Administrators and who is a local education official;
378		-	(13) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of
379		-	Representatives who shall be a representative of charter schools; (14)
380		-	one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives
381		-	who shall be a member of the Connecticut Association of Private
382		-	Special Education Facilities; (15) one appointed by the Chief Court
383		-	Administrator of the Judicial Department who shall be an official of
384		-	such department responsible for the provision of services to
385		-	adjudicated children and youth; (16) seven appointed by the Governor,
386		-	all of whom shall be (A) the parents of children with disabilities,
387		-	provided such children are under the age of twenty-seven, or (B)
388		-	individuals with disabilities; (17) the executive director of the
389		-	nonprofit entity designated by the Governor in accordance with
390		-	section 46a-10b to serve as the Connecticut protection and advocacy
391		-	system, or the executive director's designee; and (18) such other
392		-	members as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Substitute House Bill No. 7163
393		-
394		-	Public Act No. 19-157 13 of 81
395		-
396		-	Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, appointed by
397		-	the Commissioner of Education. Appointments made pursuant to the
398		-	provisions of this section shall be representative of the ethnic and
399		-	racial diversity of, and the types of disabilities found in, the state
400		-	population. The terms of the members of the council serving on June 8,
401		-	2010, shall expire on June 30, 2010. Appointments shall be made to the
402		-	council by July 1, 2010. Members shall serve two-year terms, except
403		-	that members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive,
404		-	of this subsection whose terms commenced July 1, 2010, shall serve
405		-	three-year terms and the successors to such members appointed
406		-	pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection shall
407		-	serve two-year terms.
408		-	Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 10-76y of the general statutes is
409		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
410		-	October 1, 2019):
411		-	(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, school
412		-	districts, regional educational service centers, the Department of
413		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and all other state and
414		-	local governmental agencies concerned with education may loan, lease
415		-	or transfer an assistive device for the use and benefit of a student with
416		-	a disability to such student or the parent or guardian of such student
417		-	or to any other public or private nonprofit agency providing services
418		-	to or on behalf of individuals with disabilities including, but not
419		-	limited to, an agency providing educational, health or rehabilitative
420		-	services. Such device may be sold or transferred pursuant to this
421		-	section regardless of whether the device was declared surplus. The sale
422		-	or transfer shall be recorded in an agreement between the parties and
423		-	based upon the depreciated value of the device. For the purposes of
424		-	this section, "assistive device" means any item, piece of equipment or
425		-	product system, whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf,
426		-	modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve Substitute House Bill No. 7163
427		-
428		-	Public Act No. 19-157 14 of 81
429		-
430		-	the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
431		-	Sec. 19. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-293 of the
432		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
433		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
434		-	(b) (1) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Blind or Visually
435		-	Impaired shall consist of members appointed as follows: Six appointed
436		-	by the Governor, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the
437		-	Senate, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
438		-	one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one appointed by
439		-	the minority leader of the Senate, one appointed by the majority leader
440		-	of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the minority
441		-	leader of the House of Representatives and all shall be residents of the
442		-	state. The Commissioner of Social Services shall be an ex-officio
443		-	member. One of the members appointed by the Governor shall be the
444		-	parent of a child who receives services provided by the Department of
445		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and not less than two of
446		-	the members appointed by the Governor shall be persons who are
447		-	blind.
448		-	Sec. 20. Section 10-295 of the general statutes is repealed and the
449		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
450		-	(a) All residents of this state, regardless of age, who, because of
451		-	blindness or impaired vision, require specialized vision-related
452		-	educational programs, goods and services, on the signed
453		-	recommendation of the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
454		-	Disability Services, shall be entitled to receive such instruction,
455		-	programs, goods and services for such length of time as is deemed
456		-	expedient by said commissioner. Upon the petition of any parent or
457		-	guardian of a child who is blind or visually impaired, a local board of
458		-	education may provide such instruction within the town or it may
459		-	provide for such instruction by agreement with other towns as Substitute House Bill No. 7163
460		-
461		-	Public Act No. 19-157 15 of 81
462		-
463		-	provided in subsection (d) of section 10-76d. All educational privileges
464		-	prescribed in part V of chapter 164, not inconsistent with the
465		-	provisions of this chapter, shall apply to the pupils covered by this
466		-	subsection.
467		-	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
468		-	Services shall expend funds for the services made available pursuant
469		-	to subsection (a) of this section from the educational aid for children
470		-	who are blind or visually impaired account in accordance with the
471		-	provisions of this subsection. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation]
472		-	Aging and Disability Services may adopt, in accordance with the
473		-	provisions of chapter 54, such regulations as the commissioner deems
474		-	necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this subsection.
475		-	(1) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
476		-	Services shall provide, upon written request from any interested
477		-	school district, the services of teachers who instruct students who are
478		-	visually impaired, based on the levels established in the individualized
479		-	education or service plan. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging
480		-	and Disability Services shall also make available resources, including,
481		-	but not limited to, the braille and large print library, to all teachers of
482		-	public and nonpublic school children. The commissioner may also
483		-	provide vision-related professional development and training to all
484		-	school districts and cover the actual cost for paraprofessionals from
485		-	school districts to participate in agency-sponsored braille training
486		-	programs. The commissioner shall utilize education consultant
487		-	positions, funded by moneys appropriated from the General Fund, to
488		-	supplement new staffing that will be made available through the
489		-	educational aid for children who are blind or visually impaired
490		-	account, which shall be governed by formal written policies
491		-	established by the commissioner.
492		-	(2) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
493		-	Services may use funds appropriated to said account to provide Substitute House Bill No. 7163
494		-
495		-	Public Act No. 19-157 16 of 81
496		-
497		-	specialized books, materials, equipment, supplies, adaptive technology
498		-	services and devices, specialist examinations and aids, preschool
499		-	programs and vision-related independent living services, excluding
500		-	primary educational placement, for eligible children.
501		-	(3) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
502		-	Services may, within available appropriations, employ certified
503		-	teachers who instruct students who are visually impaired in sufficient
504		-	numbers to meet the requests for services received from school
505		-	districts. In responding to such requests, the commissioner shall utilize
506		-	a formula for determining the number of teachers needed to serve the
507		-	school districts, crediting six points for each child learning braille and
508		-	one point for each other child, with one full-time certified teacher who
509		-	instructs students who are visually impaired assigned for every
510		-	twenty-five points credited. The commissioner shall exercise due
511		-	diligence to employ the needed number of certified teachers who
512		-	instruct students who are visually impaired, but shall not be liable for
513		-	lack of resources. Funds appropriated to said account may also be
514		-	utilized to employ additional staff in numbers sufficient to provide
515		-	compensatory skills, evaluations and training to children who are
516		-	blind or visually impaired, special assistants and other support staff
517		-	necessary to ensure the efficient operation of service delivery. Not later
518		-	than October first of each year, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation]
519		-	Aging and Disability Services shall determine the number of teachers
520		-	needed based on the formula provided in this subdivision. Based on
521		-	such determination, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
522		-	Disability Services shall estimate the funding needed to pay such
523		-	teachers' salaries and related expenses.
524		-	(4) In any fiscal year, when funds appropriated to cover the
525		-	combined costs associated with providing the services set forth in
526		-	subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection are projected to be
527		-	insufficient, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Substitute House Bill No. 7163
528		-
529		-	Public Act No. 19-157 17 of 81
530		-
531		-	Services may collect revenue from all school districts that have
532		-	requested such services on a per student pro rata basis, in the sums
533		-	necessary to cover the projected portion of these services for which
534		-	there are insufficient appropriations.
535		-	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
536		-	Services may provide for the instruction of adults who are blind in
537		-	their homes, expending annually for this purpose such sums as the
538		-	General Assembly may appropriate.
539		-	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
540		-	Services may expend up to ten thousand dollars per fiscal year per
541		-	person twenty-one years of age or older who is both blind or visually
542		-	impaired and deaf, in addition to any other expenditures for such
543		-	person, for the purpose of providing community inclusion services
544		-	through specialized public and private entities from which such
545		-	person can benefit. The commissioner may determine the criteria by
546		-	which a person is eligible to receive specialized services and may
547		-	adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this
548		-	subsection. For purposes of this subsection, "community inclusion
549		-	services" means the assistance provided to persons with disabilities to
550		-	enable them to connect with their peers without disabilities and with
551		-	the community at large.
552		-	(e) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
553		-	Services may, within available appropriations, purchase adaptive
554		-	equipment for persons receiving services pursuant to this chapter.
555		-	Sec. 21. Section 10-296 of the general statutes is repealed and the
556		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
557		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
558		-	may, within available appropriations, contract with public or private
559		-	entities, individuals or private enterprises for the instruction of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
560		-
561		-	Public Act No. 19-157 18 of 81
562		-
563		-	persons who are blind.
564		-	Sec. 22. Section 10-297 of the general statutes is repealed and the
565		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
566		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
567		-	is authorized to aid in securing employment for persons who are
568		-	legally blind. Said commissioner may aid persons who are legally
569		-	blind in such way as said commissioner deems expedient, expending
570		-	for such purpose such sum as the General Assembly appropriates.
571		-	Sec. 23. Section 10-297a of the general statutes is repealed and the
572		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
573		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
574		-	may make grants, within available appropriations, to the Connecticut
575		-	Radio Information Service, Inc., for the purchase of receivers and for
576		-	costs related to the operation of said service.
577		-	Sec. 24. Section 10-298 of the general statutes is repealed and the
578		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
579		-	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
580		-	Services shall prepare and maintain a register of persons who are blind
581		-	in this state which shall describe their condition, cause of blindness
582		-	and capacity for education and rehabilitative training. The
583		-	commissioner may register cases of persons who are liable to become
584		-	visually impaired or blind, and may take such measures in cooperation
585		-	with other authorities as the commissioner deems advisable for the
586		-	prevention of blindness or conservation of eyesight and, in appropriate
587		-	cases, for the education of children and for the vocational guidance of
588		-	adults whose eyesight approaches visual impairment or blindness. The
589		-	commissioner shall establish criteria for low vision care and maintain a
590		-	list of ophthalmologists and optometrists that are exclusively
591		-	authorized to receive agency funds through established and existing Substitute House Bill No. 7163
592		-
593		-	Public Act No. 19-157 19 of 81
594		-
595		-	state fee schedules for the delivery of specifically defined low vision
596		-	services that increase the capacity of eligible recipients of such services
597		-	to maximize the use of their remaining vision.
598		-	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
599		-	Services may accept and receive any bequest or gift of money or
600		-	personal property and, subject to the consent of the Governor and
601		-	Attorney General as provided in section 4b-22, any devise or gift of
602		-	real property made to the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
603		-	Disability Services, and may hold and use such money or property for
604		-	the purposes, if any, specified in connection with such bequest, devise
605		-	or gift.
606		-	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
607		-	Services shall provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with the
608		-	names of all individuals sixteen years of age or older who, on or after
609		-	October 1, 2005, have been determined to be blind by a physician, an
610		-	advanced practice registered nurse or an optometrist, as provided in
611		-	section 10-305, as amended by this act. The Commissioner of
612		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall provide
613		-	simultaneous written notification to any individual whose name is
614		-	being transmitted by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
615		-	Disability Services to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The
616		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall
617		-	update the list of names provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles
618		-	on a quarterly basis. The list shall also contain the address and date of
619		-	birth for each individual reported, as shown on the records of the
620		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. The
621		-	Department of Motor Vehicles shall maintain such list on a
622		-	confidential basis, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-46d.
623		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
624		-	shall enter into a memorandum of understan ding with the
625		-	Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to effectuate the purposes of this Substitute House Bill No. 7163
626		-
627		-	Public Act No. 19-157 20 of 81
628		-
629		-	subsection.
630		-	Sec. 25. Section 10-303 of the general statutes is repealed and the
631		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
632		-	(a) The authority in charge of any building or property owned,
633		-	operated or leased by the state or any municipality therein shall grant
634		-	to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services a
635		-	permit to operate in such building or on such property a food service
636		-	facility, a vending machine or a stand for the vending of newspapers,
637		-	periodicals, confections, tobacco products, food and such other articles
638		-	as such authority approves when, in the opinion of such authority,
639		-	such facility, machine or stand is desirable in such location. Any
640		-	person operating such a stand in any such location on October 1, 1945,
641		-	shall be permitted to continue such operation, but upon such person's
642		-	ceasing such operation such authority shall grant a permit for
643		-	continued operation to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
644		-	Disability Services. The department may establish a training facility at
645		-	any such location.
646		-	(b) Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, 49 Stat.
647		-	1559 (1936), 20 USC 107, as amended from t ime to time, the
648		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is
649		-	authorized to maintain a nonlapsing account and to accrue interest
650		-	thereon for federal vending machine income which, in accordance with
651		-	federal regulations, shall be used for the payment of fringe benefits to
652		-	the vending facility operators by the Department of [Rehabilitation]
653		-	Aging and Disability Services.
654		-	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
655		-	may maintain a nonlapsing account and accrue interest thereon for
656		-	state and local vending machine income which shall be used for the
657		-	payment of fringe benefits, training and support to vending facilities
658		-	operators, to provide entrepreneurial and independent-living training Substitute House Bill No. 7163
659		-
660		-	Public Act No. 19-157 21 of 81
661		-
662		-	and equipment to children who are blind or visually impaired and
663		-	adults who are blind and for other vocational rehabilitation programs
664		-	and services for adults who are blind.
665		-	(d) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
666		-	Services may disburse state and local vending machine income to
667		-	student or client activity funds, as defined in section 4-52.
668		-	Sec. 26. Section 10-305 of the general statutes is repealed and the
669		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
670		-	Each physician, advanced practice registered nurse and optometrist
671		-	shall report in writing to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
672		-	Disability Services not later than thirty days after a person who is blind
673		-	comes under his or her private or institutional care within this state.
674		-	The report of such person shall include the name, address, Social
675		-	Security number, date of birth, date of diagnosis of blindness and
676		-	degree of vision. Such reports shall not be open to public inspection.
677		-	Sec. 27. Section 10-306 of the general statutes is repealed and the
678		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
679		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
680		-	may maintain a vocational rehabilitation program as authorized under
681		-	the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 791 et seq., for the
682		-	purpose of providing and coordinating the full scope of necessary
683		-	services to assist persons who are legally blind and who receive
684		-	services from the department to prepare for, enter into and maintain
685		-	employment consistent with the purposes of said act.
686		-	Sec. 28. Section 10-307 of the general statutes is repealed and the
687		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
688		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is
689		-	empowered to receive any federal funds made available to this state Substitute House Bill No. 7163
690		-
691		-	Public Act No. 19-157 22 of 81
692		-
693		-	under which vocational rehabilitation is provided for a person whose
694		-	visual acuity has been impaired and to expend such funds for the
695		-	purpose or purposes for which they are made available. The State
696		-	Treasurer shall be the custodian of such funds.
697		-	Sec. 29. Section 10-308 of the general statutes is repealed and the
698		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
699		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
700		-	may cooperate, pursuant to agreements, with the federal government
701		-	in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to
702		-	vocational rehabilitation, and is authorized to adopt such methods of
703		-	administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary
704		-	for the proper and efficient operation of such agreements or plans for
705		-	vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may
706		-	be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes.
707		-	Sec. 30. Section 10-308a of the general statutes is repealed and the
708		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
709		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
710		-	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to determine
711		-	the order to be followed in selecting those eligible persons to whom
712		-	vocational rehabilitation services will be provided, in accordance with
713		-	federal regulations.
714		-	Sec. 31. Section 10-309 of the general statutes is repealed and the
715		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
716		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
717		-	may place in remunerative occupations persons whose capacity to earn
718		-	a living has been lost or impaired by lessened visual acuity and who,
719		-	in the opinion of the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
720		-	Disability Services, are susceptible of placement, and may make such
721		-	regulations as are necessary for the administration of the provisions of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
722		-
723		-	Public Act No. 19-157 23 of 81
724		-
725		-	this section and sections 10-306 to 10-308a, inclusive, as amended by
726		-	this act.
727		-	Sec. 32. Section 10-311a of the general statutes is repealed and the
728		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
729		-	The case records of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
730		-	Disability Services maintained for the purposes of this chapter shall be
731		-	confidential and the names and addresses of recipients of assistance
732		-	under this chapter shall not be published or used for purposes not
733		-	directly connected with the administration of this chapter, except as
734		-	necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 10-298, as amended by
735		-	this act, and 17b-6.
736		-	Sec. 33. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 12-217oo of the
737		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
738		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
739		-	(4) "New qualifying employee" means a person who (A) is receiving
740		-	vocational rehabilitation services from the Department of
741		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and (B) is hired by the
742		-	employer to fill a new job after May 6, 2010, during the employer's
743		-	income years commencing on or after January 1, 2010, and prior to
744		-	January 1, 2012. A new qualifying employee does not include a person
745		-	receiving vocational rehabilitation services pursuant to subparagraph
746		-	(A) of this subdivision and who was employed in this state by a related
747		-	person with respect to the employer during the prior twelve months;
748		-	Sec. 34. Subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section 12-217pp of the
749		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
750		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
751		-	(7) "Qualifying employee" means a new employee who, at the time
752		-	of hiring by the taxpayer: Substitute House Bill No. 7163
753		-
754		-	Public Act No. 19-157 24 of 81
755		-
756		-	(A) (i) Is receiving unemployment compensation, or (ii) has
757		-	exhausted unemployment compensation benefits and has not had an
758		-	intervening full-time job; or
759		-	(B) Is (i) receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the
760		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, (ii)
761		-	receiving employment services from the Department of Mental Health
762		-	and Addiction Services, or (iii) participating in employment
763		-	opportunities and day services, as defined in section 17a-226, operated
764		-	or funded by the Department of Developmental Services;
765		-	Sec. 35. Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 12-217pp of the
766		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
767		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
768		-	(e) (1) To be eligible to claim the credit, a taxpayer shall apply to the
769		-	commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section. The
770		-	application shall be on a form provided by the commissioner and shall
771		-	contain sufficient information as required by the commissioner,
772		-	including, but not limited to, the activities that the taxpayer primarily
773		-	engages in, the North American Industrial Classification System code
774		-	of the taxpayer, the current number of employees employed by the
775		-	taxpayer as of the application date, and if applicable, the name and
776		-	position or job title of the new, qualifying or veteran employee. The
777		-	commissioner shall consult with the Labor Commissioner, the
778		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the
779		-	Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of Mental Health
780		-	and Addiction Services or the Commissioner of Developmental
781		-	Services, as applicable, for any verification the commissioner deems
782		-	necessary of unemployment compensation or vocational rehabilitation
783		-	services received by a qualifying employee, or of service in the armed
784		-	forces of the United States by a veteran employee. The commissioner
785		-	may impose a fee for such application as the commissioner deems
786		-	appropriate. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
787		-
788		-	Public Act No. 19-157 25 of 81
789		-
790		-	Sec. 36. Section 14-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the
791		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
792		-	(a) There shall be within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
793		-	and Disability Services a unit for the purpose of evaluating and
794		-	training persons with disabilities in the operation of motor vehicles.
795		-	There shall be assigned to the driver training unit for persons with
796		-	disabilities such staff as is necessary for the orderly administration of
797		-	the driver training program for persons with disabilities. The
798		-	personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with
799		-	disabilities shall, while engaged in the evaluation or instruction of a
800		-	person with disabilities, have the authority and immunities with
801		-	respect to such activities as are granted under the general statutes to
802		-	motor vehicle inspectors. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may
803		-	permit a person whose license has been withdrawn as a result of a
804		-	condition that makes such person eligible for evaluation and training
805		-	under this section to operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by
806		-	personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with
807		-	disabilities. When a person with disabilities has successfully completed
808		-	the driver training program for persons with disabilities, the
809		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall
810		-	certify such completion in writing to the Commissioner of Motor
811		-	Vehicles and shall recommend any license restrictions or limitations to
812		-	be placed on the license of such person. The Commissioner of Motor
813		-	Vehicles may accept such certification in lieu of the driving skills
814		-	portion of the examination prescribed under subsection (e) of section
815		-	14-36. If such person with disabilities has met all other requirements
816		-	for obtaining a license, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue
817		-	a license with such restrictions recommended by the Department of
818		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services.
819		-	(b) Any resident of this state who has a serious physical or mental
820		-	disability which does not render the resident incapable of operating a Substitute House Bill No. 7163
821		-
822		-	Public Act No. 19-157 26 of 81
823		-
824		-	motor vehicle and who must utilize special equipment in order to
825		-	operate a motor vehicle and who cannot obtain instruction in the
826		-	operation of a motor vehicle through any alternate program, including,
827		-	but not limited to, other state, federal or privately operated drivers'
828		-	schools shall be eligible for instruction under the Department of
829		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services driver training program
830		-	for persons with disabilities.
831		-	Sec. 37. Subsection (b) of section 14-253a of the general statutes is
832		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
833		-	October 1, 2019):
834		-	(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept applications
835		-	and renewal applications for removable windshield placards from (1)
836		-	any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f; (2) any person with
837		-	disabilities; (3) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or
838		-	any person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen years of
839		-	age at the time of application; (4) any parent or guardian of any person
840		-	who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is unable to
841		-	request or complete an application; and (5) any organization which
842		-	meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to
843		-	the commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is
844		-	requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or
845		-	persons with disabilities. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this
846		-	section, on and after October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall not accept
847		-	applications for special license plates, but shall accept renewal
848		-	applications for such plates that were issued prior to October 1, 2011.
849		-	No person shall be issued a placard in accordance with this section
850		-	unless such person is the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's
851		-	license, or identification card issued in accordance with the provisions
852		-	of section 1-1h. The commissioner is authorized to adopt regulations
853		-	for the issuance of placards to persons who, by reason of hardship, do
854		-	not hold or cannot obtain an operator's license or identification card. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
855		-
856		-	Public Act No. 19-157 27 of 81
857		-
858		-	The commissioner shall maintain a record of each placard issued to
859		-	any such person. Such applications and renewal applications shall be
860		-	on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The application and
861		-	renewal application shall include: (A) Certification by a licensed
862		-	physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse
863		-	licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or a member
864		-	of the driver training unit for persons with disabilities established
865		-	pursuant to section 14-11b, as amended by this act, that the applicant
866		-	meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or
867		-	impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2; or (B)
868		-	certification by a psychiatrist who is employed by, or under contract
869		-	with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the
870		-	applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103,
871		-	who has post-traumatic stress disorder certified as service-connected
872		-	by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the
873		-	definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the
874		-	ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2. In the case of
875		-	persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall
876		-	include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of
877		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, an ophthalmologist or
878		-	an optometrist. Any person who makes a certification required by this
879		-	subsection shall sign the application or renewal application under
880		-	penalty of false statement pursuant to section 53a-157b. The
881		-	commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the
882		-	discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, in
883		-	lieu of such certification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may
884		-	require additional certification at the time of the original application or
885		-	at any time thereafter. If a person who has been requested to submit
886		-	additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request,
887		-	or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of
888		-	Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner
889		-	may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such
890		-	special license plate or placard. The commissioner shall not issue more Substitute House Bill No. 7163
891		-
892		-	Public Act No. 19-157 28 of 81
893		-
894		-	than one placard per applicant. The fee for the issuance of a temporary
895		-	removable windshield placard shall be five dollars. Any person whose
896		-	application has been denied or whose special license plate or placard
897		-	has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a
898		-	hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
899		-	Sec. 38. Subsection (a) of section 17a-215d of the general statutes is
900		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
901		-	October 1, 2019):
902		-	(a) There is established the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory
903		-	Council. The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The
904		-	Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee; (2)
905		-	the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's
906		-	designee; (3) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's
907		-	designee; (4) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction
908		-	Services, or the commissioner's designee; (5) the Commissioner of
909		-	Public Health, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the Commissioner of
910		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's
911		-	designee; (7) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the
912		-	commissioner's designee; (8) the Commissioner of Early Childhood, or
913		-	the commissioner's designee; (9) the Secretary of the Office of Policy
914		-	and Management, or the secretary's designee; (10) two persons with
915		-	autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and
916		-	the speaker of the House of Representatives; (11) two persons who are
917		-	parents or guardians of a child with autism spectrum disorder, one
918		-	each appointed by the Governor and the minority leader of the Senate;
919		-	(12) two persons who are parents or guardians of an adult with autism
920		-	spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the president pro tempore
921		-	of the Senate and the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
922		-	(13) two persons who are advocates for persons with autism spectrum
923		-	disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the speaker of the
924		-	House of Representatives; (14) two persons who are licensed Substitute House Bill No. 7163
925		-
926		-	Public Act No. 19-157 29 of 81
927		-
928		-	professionals working in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one
929		-	each appointed by the Governor and the majority leader of the Senate;
930		-	(15) two persons who provide services for persons with autism
931		-	spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the
932		-	minority leader of the House of Representatives; (16) two persons who
933		-	shall be representatives of an institution of higher education in the
934		-	state with experience in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one
935		-	each appointed by the Governor and the president pro tempore of the
936		-	Senate; (17) the executive director of the nonprofit entity designated by
937		-	the Governor in accordance with section 46a-10b to serve as the
938		-	Connecticut protection and advocacy system, or the executive
939		-	director's designee; and (18) one person who is a physician who treats
940		-	or diagnoses persons with autism spectrum disorder, appointed by the
941		-	Governor.
942		-	Sec. 39. Subdivision (9) of section 17a-248 of the general statutes is
943		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
944		-	October 1, 2019):
945		-	(9) "Participating agencies" includes, but is not limited to, the
946		-	Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children
947		-	and Families and Developmental Services, the Office of Early
948		-	Childhood, the Insurance Department and the Department of
949		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services.
950		-	Sec. 40. Subsection (a) of section 17a-302 of the general statutes is
951		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
952		-	October 1, 2019):
953		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
954		-	Services shall be responsible for the administration of programs which
955		-	provide nutritionally sound diets to needy older persons and for the
956		-	expansion of such programs when possible. Such programs shall be
957		-	continued in such a manner as to fully utilize congregate feeding and Substitute House Bill No. 7163
958		-
959		-	Public Act No. 19-157 30 of 81
960		-
961		-	nutrition education of older citizens who qualify for such program.
962		-	Sec. 41. Section 17a-302a of the general statutes is repealed and the
963		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
964		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
965		-	shall hold quarterly meetings with nutrition service stakeholders to (1)
966		-	develop recommendations to address complexities in the
967		-	administrative processes of nutrition services programs, (2) establish
968		-	quality control benchmarks in such programs, and (3) help move
969		-	toward greater quality, efficiency and transparency in the elderly
970		-	nutrition program. Stakeholders shall include, but need not be limited
971		-	to, (A) one representative of each of the following: (i) Area agencies on
972		-	aging, (ii) access agencies, (iii) the Commission on Women, Children
973		-	and Seniors, and (iv) nutrition providers, and (B) one or more
974		-	representatives of (i) food security programs, (ii) contractors, (iii)
975		-	nutrition host sites, and (iv) consumers.
976		-	Sec. 42. Section 17a-303a of the general statutes is repealed and the
977		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
978		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
979		-	Services shall establish, within available appropriations, a fall
980		-	prevention program. Within such program, the department shall:
981		-	(1) Promote and support research to: (A) Improve the identification,
982		-	diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of older persons and others
983		-	who have a high risk of falling; (B) improve data collection and
984		-	analysis to identify risk factors for falls and factors that reduce the
985		-	likelihood of falls; (C) design, implement and evaluate the most
986		-	effective fall prevention interventions; (D) improve intervention
987		-	strategies that have been proven effective in reducing falls by tailoring
988		-	such strategies to specific populations of older persons; (E) maximize
989		-	the dissemination of proven, effective fall prevention interventions; (F) Substitute House Bill No. 7163
990		-
991		-	Public Act No. 19-157 31 of 81
992		-
993		-	assess the risk of falls occurring in various settings; (G) identify
994		-	barriers to the adoption of proven interventions with respect to the
995		-	prevention of falls among older persons; (H) develop, implement and
996		-	evaluate the most effective approaches to reducing falls among high-
997		-	risk older persons living in communities and long-term care and
998		-	assisted living facilities; and (I) evaluate the effectiveness of
999		-	community programs designed to prevent falls among older persons;
1000		-	(2) Establish, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public
1001		-	Health, a professional education program in fall prevention, evaluation
1002		-	and management for physicians, allied health professionals and other
1003		-	health care providers who provide services for older persons in this
1004		-	state. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1005		-	Services may contract for the establishment of such program through
1006		-	(A) a request for proposal process, (B) a competitive grant program, or
1007		-	(C) cooperative agreements with qualified organizations, institutions
1008		-	or consortia of qualified organizations and institutions;
1009		-	(3) Oversee and support demonstration and research projects to be
1010		-	carried out by organizations, institutions or consortia of organizations
1011		-	and institutions deemed qualified by the Commissioner of
1012		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. Such demonstration
1013		-	and research projects may be in the following areas:
1014		-	(A) Targeted fall risk screening and referral programs;
1015		-	(B) Programs designed for community-dwelling older persons that
1016		-	use fall intervention approaches, including physical activity,
1017		-	medication assessment and reduction of medication when possible,
1018		-	vision enhancement and home-modification strategies;
1019		-	(C) Programs that target new fall victims who are at a high risk for
1020		-	second falls and that are designed to maximize independence and
1021		-	quality of life for older persons, particularly those older persons with Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1022		-
1023		-	Public Act No. 19-157 32 of 81
1024		-
1025		-	functional limitations; and
1026		-	(D) Private sector and public-private partnerships to develop
1027		-	technologies to prevent falls among older persons and prevent or
1028		-	reduce injuries when falls occur; and
1029		-	(4) Award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative
1030		-	agreements with, organizations, institutions or consortia of
1031		-	organizations and institutions deemed qualified by the Commissioner
1032		-	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to design, implement
1033		-	and evaluate fall prevention programs using proven intervention
1034		-	strategies in residential and institutional settings.
1035		-	(b) In awarding any grants or entering into any contracts or
1036		-	agreements pursuant to this section, after October 1, 2017, the
1037		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall
1038		-	determine appropriate data and program outcome measures,
1039		-	including fall prevention program outcome measures, as applicable,
1040		-	that the recipient organization, institution or consortia of organizations
1041		-	and institutions shall collect and report to the commissioner and the
1042		-	frequency of such reports.
1043		-	Sec. 43. Section 17a-304 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1044		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1045		-	The state shall be divided into five elderly planning and service
1046		-	areas, in accordance with federal law and regulations, each having an
1047		-	area agency on aging to carry out the mandates of the federal Older
1048		-	Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The area agencies shall (1)
1049		-	represent older persons within their geographic areas, (2) develop an
1050		-	area plan for approval by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1051		-	and Disability Services and upon such approval administer the plan,
1052		-	(3) coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit, private agencies in
1053		-	the development of programs, (4) receive and distribute federal and Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1054		-
1055		-	Public Act No. 19-157 33 of 81
1056		-
1057		-	state funds for such purposes, in accordance with applicable law, and
1058		-	(5) carry out any additional duties and functions required by federal
1059		-	law and regulations.
1060		-	Sec. 44. Section 17a-305 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1061		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1062		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1063		-	Services shall equitably allocate, in accordance with federal law,
1064		-	federal funds received under Title IIIB and IIIC of the Older Americans
1065		-	Act to the five area agencies on aging established pursuant to section
1066		-	17a-304, as amended by this act. The department, before seeking
1067		-	federal approval to spend any amount above that allotted for
1068		-	administrative expenses under said act, shall inform the joint standing
1069		-	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1070		-	relating to aging and human services that it is seeking such approval.
1071		-	(b) Sixty per cent of the state funds appropriated to the five area
1072		-	agencies on aging for elderly nutrition and social services shall be
1073		-	allocated in the same proportion as allocations made pursuant to
1074		-	subsection (a) of this section. Forty per cent of all state funds
1075		-	appropriated to the five area agencies on aging for elderly nutrition
1076		-	and social services used for purposes other than the required
1077		-	nonfederal matching funds shall be allocated at the discretion of the
1078		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in
1079		-	consultation with the five area agencies on aging, based on their need
1080		-	for such funds. Any state funds appropriated to the five area agencies
1081		-	on aging for administrative expenses shall be allocated equally.
1082		-	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1083		-	Services, in consultation with the five area agencies on aging, shall
1084		-	review the method of allocation set forth in subsection (a) of this
1085		-	section and shall report any findings or recommendations to the joint
1086		-	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1087		-
1088		-	Public Act No. 19-157 34 of 81
1089		-
1090		-	matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies
1091		-	and human services.
1092		-	(d) An area agency may request a person participating in the elderly
1093		-	nutrition program to pay a voluntary fee for meals furnished, except
1094		-	that no eligible person shall be denied a meal due to an inability to pay
1095		-	such fee.
1096		-	Sec. 45. Section 17a-306 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1097		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1098		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1099		-	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter
1100		-	54, to carry out the purposes, programs and services authorized
1101		-	pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended from time to
1102		-	time. The department may operate under any new policy necessary to
1103		-	conform to a requirement of a federal or joint state and federal
1104		-	program while it is in the process of adopting the policy in regulation
1105		-	form, provided the department posts such policy on the eRegulations
1106		-	System not later than twenty days after adopting the policy. Such
1107		-	policy shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.
1108		-	Sec. 46. Section 17a-310 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1109		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1110		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1111		-	may make a grant to any city, town or borough or public or private
1112		-	agency, organization or institution for the following purposes: (1) For
1113		-	community planning and coordination of programs carrying out the
1114		-	purposes of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended; (2) for
1115		-	demonstration programs or activities particularly valuable in carrying
1116		-	out such purposes; (3) for training of special personnel needed to carry
1117		-	out such programs and activities; (4) for establishment of new or
1118		-	expansion of existing programs to carry out such purposes, including Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1119		-
1120		-	Public Act No. 19-157 35 of 81
1121		-
1122		-	establishment of new or expansion of existing centers of service for
1123		-	older persons, providing recreational, cultural and other leisure time
1124		-	activities, and informational, transportation, referral and preretirement
1125		-	and postretirement counseling services for older persons and assisting
1126		-	such persons in providing volunteer community or civic services,
1127		-	except that no costs of construction, other than for minor alterations
1128		-	and repairs, shall be included in such establishment or expansion; and
1129		-	(5) for programs to develop or demonstrate approaches, methods and
1130		-	techniques for achieving or improving coordination of community
1131		-	services for older or aging persons and such other programs and
1132		-	services as may be allowed under Title III of the Older Americans Act
1133		-	of 1965, as amended, or to evaluate these approaches, techniques and
1134		-	methods, as well as others which may assist older or aging persons to
1135		-	enjoy wholesome and meaningful living and to continue to contribute
1136		-	to the strength and welfare of the state and nation.
1137		-	Sec. 47. Section 17a-313 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1138		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1139		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1140		-	may use moneys appropriated for the purposes of section 17a-310, as
1141		-	amended by this act, for the expenses of administering the grant
1142		-	program under said section, provided the total of such moneys so used
1143		-	shall not exceed five per cent of the moneys so appropriated.
1144		-	Sec. 48. Section 17a-314 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1145		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1146		-	(a) As used in this section:
1147		-	(1) "CHOICES" means Connecticut's programs for health insurance
1148		-	assistance, outreach, information and referral, counseling and
1149		-	eligibility screening; and
1150		-	(2) "CHOICES health insurance assistance program" means the Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1151		-
1152		-	Public Act No. 19-157 36 of 81
1153		-
1154		-	federally recognized state health insurance assistance program funded
1155		-	pursuant to P.L. 101-508 and administered by the Department of
1156		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in conjunction with the
1157		-	area agencies on aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, that
1158		-	provides free information and assistance related to health insurance
1159		-	issues and concerns of older persons and other Medicare beneficiaries
1160		-	in Connecticut.
1161		-	(b) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1162		-	Services shall administer the CHOICES health insurance assistance
1163		-	program, which shall be a comprehensive Medicare advocacy program
1164		-	that provides assistance to Connecticut residents who are Medicare
1165		-	beneficiaries.
1166		-	(c) The program shall provide: (1) Toll-free telephone access for
1167		-	consumers to obtain advice and information on Medicare benefits,
1168		-	including prescription drug benefits available through the Medicare
1169		-	Part D program, the Medicare appeals process, health insurance
1170		-	matters applicable to Medicare beneficiaries and long-term care
1171		-	options available in the state at least five days per week during normal
1172		-	business hours; (2) information, advice and representation, where
1173		-	appropriate, concerning the Medicare appeals process, by a qualified
1174		-	attorney or paralegal at least five days per week during normal
1175		-	business hours; (3) information through appropriate means and
1176		-	format, including written materials, to Medicare beneficiaries, their
1177		-	families, senior citizens and organizations regarding Medicare
1178		-	benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through
1179		-	Medicare Part D and other pharmaceutical drug company programs
1180		-	and long-term care options available in the state; (4) information
1181		-	concerning Medicare plans and services, private insurance policies and
1182		-	federal and state-funded programs that are available to beneficiaries to
1183		-	supplement Medicare coverage; (5) information permitting Medicare
1184		-	beneficiaries to compare and evaluate their options for delivery of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1185		-
1186		-	Public Act No. 19-157 37 of 81
1187		-
1188		-	Medicare and supplemental insurance services; (6) information
1189		-	concerning the procedure to appeal a denial of care and the procedure
1190		-	to request an expedited appeal of a denial of care; and (7) any other
1191		-	information the program or the Commissioner of Rehabilitation
1192		-	Services deems relevant to Medicare beneficiaries.
1193		-	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1194		-	Services may include any additional functions necessary to conform to
1195		-	federal grant requirements.
1196		-	(e) All hospitals, as defined in section 19a-490, which treat persons
1197		-	covered by Medicare Part A shall: (1) Notify incoming patients covered
1198		-	by Medicare of the availability of the services established pursuant to
1199		-	subsection (c) of this section, (2) post or cause to be posted in a
1200		-	conspicuous place therein the toll-free number established pursuant to
1201		-	subsection (c) of this section, and (3) provide each Medicare patient
1202		-	with the toll-free number and information on how to access the
1203		-	CHOICES program.
1204		-	(f) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1205		-	Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as
1206		-	necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
1207		-	Sec. 49. Subsection (a) of section 17a-316a of the general statutes is
1208		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1209		-	October 1, 2019):
1210		-	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1211		-	Services shall develop and administer a program to provide a single,
1212		-	coordinated system of information and access for individuals seeking
1213		-	long-term support, including in-home, community-based and
1214		-	institutional services. The program shall be the state Aging and
1215		-	Disability Resource Center Program in accordance with the federal
1216		-	Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365 and shall be Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1217		-
1218		-	Public Act No. 19-157 38 of 81
1219		-
1220		-	administered as part of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1221		-	Disability Services' CHOICES program in accordance with subdivision
1222		-	(1) of subsection (a) of section 17a-314, as amended by this act.
1223		-	Consumers served by the program shall include, but not be limited to,
1224		-	those sixty years of age or older and those eighteen years of age or
1225		-	older with disabilities and caregivers.
1226		-	Sec. 50. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 17a-405 of the general
1227		-	statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1228		-	(Effective October 1, 2019):
1229		-	(a) As used in this chapter:
1230		-	(1) "State agency" means the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1231		-	and Disability Services.
1232		-	(2) "Office" or "Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman" means
1233		-	the organizational unit which is headed by the State Long-Term Care
1234		-	Ombudsman established in this section.
1235		-	(3) "State Ombudsman" means the individual who heads the office
1236		-	established in this section.
1237		-	(4) "Program" means the long-term care ombudsman program
1238		-	established in this section.
1239		-	(5) "Representative of the office" includes a regional ombudsman, a
1240		-	residents' advocate or an employee of the Office of the Long-Term
1241		-	Care Ombudsman who is individually designated by the State
1242		-	Ombudsman.
1243		-	(6) "Resident" means an individual who resides in a long-term care
1244		-	facility.
1245		-	(7) "Long-term care facility" means any skilled nursing facility, as
1246		-	defined in Section 1819(a) of the Social Security Act, (42 USC 1395i- Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1247		-
1248		-	Public Act No. 19-157 39 of 81
1249		-
1250		-	3(a)) any nursing facility, as defined in Section 1919(a) of the Social
1251		-	Security Act, (42 USC 1396r(a)) a board and care facility as defined in
1252		-	Section 102(19) of the federal Older Americans Act, (42 USC 3002(19))
1253		-	and for purposes of ombudsman program coverage, an institution
1254		-	regulated by the state pursuant to Section 1616(e) of the Social Security
1255		-	Act, (42 USC 1382e(e)) and any other adult care home similar to a
1256		-	facility or nursing facility or board and care home.
1257		-	(8) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation]
1258		-	Aging and Disability Services.
1259		-	(9) "Applicant" means an individual who has applied for admission
1260		-	to a long-term care facility.
1261		-	(10) "Resident representative" means (A) an individual chosen by
1262		-	the resident to act on behalf of the resident in order to support the
1263		-	resident in decision making, accessing medical, social or other personal
1264		-	information of the resident, managing financial matters, or receiving
1265		-	notifications; (B) a person authorized by state or federal law to act on
1266		-	behalf of the resident in order to support the resident in decision
1267		-	making, accessing medical, social or other personal information of the
1268		-	resident, managing financial matters, or receiving notifications; (C) a
1269		-	legal representative, as used in Section 712 of the Older Americans Act;
1270		-	or (D) the court-appointed guardian or conservator of a resident.
1271		-	(b) There is established an independent Office of the Long-Term
1272		-	Care Ombudsman within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1273		-	and Disability Services. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1274		-	and Disability Services shall appoint a State Ombudsman who shall be
1275		-	selected from among individuals with expertise and experience in the
1276		-	fields of long-term care and advocacy to head the office and the State
1277		-	Ombudsman shall appoint regional ombudsmen. In the event the State
1278		-	Ombudsman or a regional ombudsman is unable to fulfill the duties of
1279		-	the office, the commissioner shall appoint an acting State Ombudsman Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1280		-
1281		-	Public Act No. 19-157 40 of 81
1282		-
1283		-	and the State Ombudsman shall appoint an acting regional
1284		-	ombudsman.
1285		-	Sec. 51. Section 17a-407 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1286		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1287		-	No person may perform any functions as a residents' advocate until
1288		-	the person has successfully completed a course of training required by
1289		-	the State Ombudsman. Any residents' advocate who fails to complete
1290		-	such a course within a reasonable time after appointment may be
1291		-	removed by the State Ombudsman or the regional ombudsman for the
1292		-	region in which such residents' advocate serves. The Commissioner of
1293		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, after consultation with
1294		-	the State Ombudsman, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the
1295		-	provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section.
1296		-	Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the course of
1297		-	training required by this section.
1298		-	Sec. 52. Subsection (c) of section 17a-411 of the general statutes is
1299		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1300		-	October 1, 2019):
1301		-	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1302		-	Services shall have authority to seek funding for the purposes
1303		-	contained in this section from public and private sources, including,
1304		-	but not limited to, any federal or state funded programs.
1305		-	Sec. 53. Section 17a-416 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1306		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1307		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services,
1308		-	after consultation with the State Ombudsman, shall adopt regulations
1309		-	in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the
1310		-	provisions of sections 17a-405 to 17a-417, inclusive, as amended by this
1311		-	act, 19a-531 and 19a-532. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1312		-
1313		-	Public Act No. 19-157 41 of 81
1314		-
1315		-	Sec. 54. Section 17a-417 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1316		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1317		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1318		-	shall require the State Ombudsman to:
1319		-	(1) Prepare an annual report:
1320		-	(A) Describing the activities carried out by the office in the year for
1321		-	which the report is prepared;
1322		-	(B) Containing and analyzing the data collected under section 17a-
1323		-	418;
1324		-	(C) Evaluating the problems experienced by and the complaints
1325		-	made by or on behalf of residents;
1326		-	(D) Containing recommendations for (i) improving the quality of
1327		-	the care and life of the residents, and (ii) protecting the health, safety,
1328		-	welfare and rights of the residents;
1329		-	(E) (i) Analyzing the success of the program including success in
1330		-	providing services to residents of long-term care facilities; and (ii)
1331		-	identifying barriers that prevent the optimal operation of the program;
1332		-	and
1333		-	(F) Providing policy, regulatory and legislative recommendations to
1334		-	solve identified problems, to resolve the complaints, to improve the
1335		-	quality of the care and life of residents, to protect the health, safety,
1336		-	welfare and rights of residents and to remove the barriers that prevent
1337		-	the optimal operation of the program.
1338		-	(2) Analyze, comment on and monitor the development and
1339		-	implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and other
1340		-	government policies and actions that pertain to long-term care facilities
1341		-	and services, and to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1342		-
1343		-	Public Act No. 19-157 42 of 81
1344		-
1345		-	in the state, and recommend any changes in such laws, regulations and
1346		-	policies as the office determines to be appropriate.
1347		-	(3) (A) Provide such information as the office determines to be
1348		-	necessary to public and private agencies, legislators and other persons,
1349		-	regarding (i) the problems and concerns of older individuals residing
1350		-	in long-term care facilities; and (ii) recommendations related to the
1351		-	problems and concerns; and (B) make available to the public and
1352		-	submit to the federal assistant secretary for aging, the Governor, the
1353		-	General Assembly, the Department of Public Health and other
1354		-	appropriate governmental entities, each report prepared under
1355		-	subdivision (1) of this section.
1356		-	Sec. 55. Subsection (c) of section 17a-422 of the general statutes is
1357		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1358		-	October 1, 2019):
1359		-	(c) Not later than June 30, 2005, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
1360		-	shall submit a report on the pilot program to the Commissioners of
1361		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and Public Health, to the
1362		-	joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance
1363		-	of matters relating to human services, public health and
1364		-	appropriations, and to the select committee of the General Assembly
1365		-	having cognizance of matters relating to aging. The report shall be
1366		-	submitted in accordance with section 11-4a.
1367		-	Sec. 56. Subsection (b) of section 17a-667 of the general statutes is
1368		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1369		-	October 1, 2019):
1370		-	(b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The
1371		-	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's
1372		-	designee; (2) the Commissioners of Children and Families, Consumer
1373		-	Protection, Correction, Education, Mental Health and Addiction Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1374		-
1375		-	Public Act No. 19-157 43 of 81
1376		-
1377		-	Services, Public Health, Emergency Services and Public Protection,
1378		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and Social Services, and
1379		-	the Insurance Commissioner, or their designees; (3) the Chief Court
1380		-	Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee; (4) the
1381		-	chairperson of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the
1382		-	chairperson's designee; (5) the president of The University of
1383		-	Connecticut, or the president's designee; (6) the Chief State's Attorney,
1384		-	or the Chief State's Attorney's designee; (7) the Chief Public Defender,
1385		-	or the Chief Public Defender's designee; and (8) the cochairpersons
1386		-	and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General
1387		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health,
1388		-	criminal justice and appropriations, or their designees. The
1389		-	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the
1390		-	Commissioner of Children and Families shall be cochairpersons of the
1391		-	council and may jointly appoint up to seven individuals to the council
1392		-	as follows: (A) Two individuals in recovery from a substance use
1393		-	disorder or representing an advocacy group for individuals with a
1394		-	substance use disorder; (B) a provider of community-based substance
1395		-	abuse services for adults; (C) a provider of community-based
1396		-	substance abuse services for adolescents; (D) an addiction medicine
1397		-	physician; (E) a family member of an individual in recovery from a
1398		-	substance use disorder; and (F) an emergency medicine physician
1399		-	currently practicing in a Connecticut hospital. The cochairpersons of
1400		-	the council may establish subcommittees and working groups and
1401		-	may appoint individuals other than members of the council to serve as
1402		-	members of the subcommittees or working groups. Such individuals
1403		-	may include, but need not be limited to: (i) Licensed alcohol and drug
1404		-	counselors; (ii) pharmacists; (iii) municipal police chiefs; (iv)
1405		-	emergency medical services personnel; and (v) representatives of
1406		-	organizations that provide education, prevention, intervention,
1407		-	referrals, rehabilitation or support services to individuals with
1408		-	substance use disorder or chemical dependency. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1409		-
1410		-	Public Act No. 19-157 44 of 81
1411		-
1412		-	Sec. 57. Subsection (b) of section 17b-4 of the general statutes is
1413		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1414		-	October 1, 2019):
1415		-	(b) The Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the
1416		-	Department of Public Health and the Department of [Rehabilitation]
1417		-	Aging and Disability Services, may adopt regulations in accordance
1418		-	with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish requirements with
1419		-	respect to the submission of reports concerning financial solvency and
1420		-	quality of care by nursing homes for the purpose of determining the
1421		-	financial viability of such homes, identifying homes that appear to be
1422		-	experiencing financial distress and examining the underlying reasons
1423		-	for such distress. Such reports shall be submitted to the Nursing Home
1424		-	Financial Advisory Committee established under section 17b-339.
1425		-	Sec. 58. Subdivision (11) of subsection (c) of section 17b-28 of the
1426		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1427		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1428		-	(11) The Commissioners of Social Services, Children and Families,
1429		-	Public Health, Developmental Services, [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1430		-	Disability Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, or their
1431		-	designees, who shall be ex-officio nonvoting members;
1432		-	Sec. 59. Section 17b-251 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1433		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1434		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1435		-	shall establish an outreach program to educate consumers as to: (1)
1436		-	The need for long-term care; (2) mechanisms for financing such care;
1437		-	(3) the availability of long-term care insurance; and (4) the asset
1438		-	protection provided under sections 17b-252 to 17b-254, inclusive, and
1439		-	38a-475, as amended by this act. The Department of [Rehabilitation]
1440		-	Aging and Disability Services shall provide public information to assist Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1441		-
1442		-	Public Act No. 19-157 45 of 81
1443		-
1444		-	individuals in choosing appropriate insurance coverage.
1445		-	Sec. 60. Subsection (c) of section 17b-337 of the general statutes is
1446		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1447		-	October 1, 2019):
1448		-	(c) The Long-Term Care Planning Committee shall consist of: (1)
1449		-	The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint st anding
1450		-	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1451		-	relating to human services, public health, elderly services and long-
1452		-	term care; (2) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the
1453		-	commissioner's designee; (3) one member of the Office of Policy and
1454		-	Management appointed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
1455		-	Management; (4) one member from the Department of Public Health
1456		-	appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health; (5) one member
1457		-	from the Department of Housing appointed by the Commissioner of
1458		-	Housing; (6) one member from the Department of Developmental
1459		-	Services appointed by the Commissioner of Developmental Services;
1460		-	(7) one member from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
1461		-	Services appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Health and
1462		-	Addiction Services; (8) one member from the Department of
1463		-	Transportation appointed by the Commissioner of Transportation; (9)
1464		-	one member from the Department of Children and Families appointed
1465		-	by the Commissioner of Children and Families; and (10) one member
1466		-	from the Health Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy
1467		-	appointed by the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy;
1468		-	and (11) one member from the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1469		-	and Disability Services appointed by the Commissioner of
1470		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. The committee shall
1471		-	convene no later than ninety days after June 4, 1998. Any vacancy shall
1472		-	be filled by the appointing authority. The chairperson shall be elected
1473		-	from among the members of the committee. The committee shall seek
1474		-	the advice and participation of any person, organization or state or Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1475		-
1476		-	Public Act No. 19-157 46 of 81
1477		-
1478		-	federal agency it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this
1479		-	section.
1480		-	Sec. 61. Subsection (b) of section 17b-349e of the general statutes is
1481		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1482		-	October 1, 2019):
1483		-	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1484		-	Services shall operate a program, within available appropriations, to
1485		-	provide respite care services for caretakers of individuals with
1486		-	Alzheimer's disease, provided such individuals with Alzheimer's
1487		-	disease meet the requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section.
1488		-	Such respite care services may include, but need not be limited to (1)
1489		-	homemaker services; (2) adult day care; (3) temporary care in a
1490		-	licensed medical facility; (4) home-health care; (5) companion services;
1491		-	or (6) personal care assistant services. Such respite care services may be
1492		-	administered directly by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1493		-	Disability Services, or through contracts for services with providers of
1494		-	such services, or by means of direct subsidy to caretakers of
1495		-	individuals with Alzheimer's disease to purchase such services.
1496		-	Sec. 62. Subsection (d) of section 17b-352 of the general statutes is
1497		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1498		-	October 1, 2019):
1499		-	(d) Any facility acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (b)
1500		-	of this section shall provide written notice, at the same time it submits
1501		-	its letter of intent, to all patients, guardians or conservators, if any, or
1502		-	legally liable relatives or other responsible parties, if known, and shall
1503		-	post such notice in a conspicuous location at the facility. The facility's
1504		-	written notice shall be accompanied by an informational letter issued
1505		-	jointly from the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the
1506		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services on
1507		-	patients' rights and services available as they relate to the letter of Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1508		-
1509		-	Public Act No. 19-157 47 of 81
1510		-
1511		-	intent. The notice shall state the following: (1) The projected date the
1512		-	facility will be submitting its certificate of need application, (2) that
1513		-	only the Department of Social Services has the authority to either
1514		-	grant, modify or deny the application, (3) that the Department of Social
1515		-	Services has up to ninety days to grant, modify or deny the certificate
1516		-	of need application, (4) a brief description of the reason or reasons for
1517		-	submitting a request for permission, (5) that no patient shall be
1518		-	involuntarily transferred or discharged within or from a facility
1519		-	pursuant to state and federal law because of the filing of the certificate
1520		-	of need application, (6) that all patients have a right to appeal any
1521		-	proposed transfer or discharge, and (7) the name, mailing address and
1522		-	telephone number of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
1523		-	and local legal aid office.
1524		-	Sec. 63. Section 17b-607 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1525		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1526		-	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1527		-	Services is authorized to establish and administer a fund to be known
1528		-	as the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund. Said fund shall be used
1529		-	by said commissioner to make loans to persons with disabilities, senior
1530		-	citizens or the family members of persons with disabilities or senior
1531		-	citizens for the purchase of assistive technology and adaptive
1532		-	equipment and services. Each such loan shall be made for a term of not
1533		-	more than ten years. Any loans made under this section after July 1,
1534		-	2013, shall bear interest at a fixed rate not to exceed six per cent. Said
1535		-	commissioner is authorized to expend any funds necessary for the
1536		-	reasonable direct expenses relating to the administration of said fund.
1537		-	Said commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the
1538		-	provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this section.
1539		-	(b) The State Bond Commission shall have power from time to time
1540		-	to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series in
1541		-	accordance with section 3-20 and in a principal amount necessary to Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1542		-
1543		-	Public Act No. 19-157 48 of 81
1544		-
1545		-	carry out the purposes of this section, but not in excess of an aggregate
1546		-	amount of one million dollars. All of said bonds shall be payable at
1547		-	such place or places as may be determined by the Treasurer pursuant
1548		-	to section 3-19 and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or
1549		-	times, not exceeding five years from their respective dates, bear
1550		-	interest at such rate or different or varying rates and payable at such
1551		-	time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or
1552		-	without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer
1553		-	privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to
1554		-	such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of
1555		-	the provisions of said section 3-20, may be provided by the
1556		-	authorization of the State Bond Commission or fixed in accordance
1557		-	therewith. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be deposited in
1558		-	the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund created by this section. Such
1559		-	bonds shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and
1560		-	credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the
1561		-	principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due.
1562		-	Accordingly, and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of
1563		-	such bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual
1564		-	payment of such principal and interest is hereby made and the
1565		-	Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become
1566		-	due. Net earnings on investments or reinvestments of proceeds,
1567		-	accrued interest and premiums on the issuance of such bonds, after
1568		-	payment therefrom of expenses incurred by the Treasurer or State
1569		-	Bond Commission in connection with their issuance, shall be deposited
1570		-	in the General Fund of the state.
1571		-	(c) The Connecticut Tech Act Project, within the Department of
1572		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and as authorized by 29
1573		-	USC 3001, may provide assistive technology evaluation and training
1574		-	services upon the request of any person or any public or private entity,
1575		-	to the extent persons who provide assistive technology services are
1576		-	available. The project may charge a fee to any person or entity Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1577		-
1578		-	Public Act No. 19-157 49 of 81
1579		-
1580		-	receiving such assistive technology evaluation and training services to
1581		-	reimburse the department for its costs. The Commissioner of
1582		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall establish fees at
1583		-	reasonable rates that will cover the department's direct and indirect
1584		-	costs.
1585		-	Sec. 64. Section 17b-612 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1586		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1587		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1588		-	shall establish a program to assist public school students with
1589		-	disabilities in preparing for and obtaining competitive employment
1590		-	and to strengthen the linkage between vocational rehabilitation
1591		-	services and public schools. Under the program, the Department of
1592		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall provide, within the
1593		-	limits of available appropriations, vocational evaluations and other
1594		-	appropriate transitional services and shall provide vocational
1595		-	rehabilitation counselors to school districts throughout the state. The
1596		-	counselors shall, if requested, assist those persons planning in-school
1597		-	skill development programs. The counselors shall, with planning and
1598		-	placement team members, develop transition plans and individual
1599		-	education and work rehabilitation plans for students with disabilities
1600		-	who will no longer be eligible for continued public school services.
1601		-	Students whose termination date for receipt of public school services is
1602		-	most immediate shall be given priority.
1603		-	Sec. 65. Section 17b-614 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1604		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1605		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1606		-	Services shall establish and maintain a state-wide network of centers
1607		-	for independent living.
1608		-	(b) Not more than five per cent of the amount appropriated in any Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1609		-
1610		-	Public Act No. 19-157 50 of 81
1611		-
1612		-	fiscal year for the purposes of this section may be used by the
1613		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to
1614		-	provide state-wide administration, evaluation and technical assistance
1615		-	relating to the implementation of this section.
1616		-	Sec. 66. Subsection (b) of section 17b-615 of the general statutes is
1617		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1618		-	October 1, 2019):
1619		-	(b) The council shall meet regularly with the Commissioner of
1620		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and shall perform the
1621		-	following duties: (1) Issue an annual report by January first, with
1622		-	recommendations regarding independent living services and centers,
1623		-	to the Governor and the chairpersons of the joint standing committee
1624		-	of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
1625		-	human services, and (2) consult with, advise and make
1626		-	recommendations to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1627		-	Disability Services concerning independent living and related policy,
1628		-	management and budgetary issues.
1629		-	Sec. 67. Section 17b-650a of the general statutes is repealed and the
1630		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1631		-	(a) There is created a Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1632		-	Disability Services. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1633		-	Disability Services shall be responsible for providing the following: (1)
1634		-	Services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) services for
1635		-	persons who are blind or visually impaired; (3) rehabilitation services
1636		-	in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes concerning
1637		-	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services; and
1638		-	(4) services for older persons and their families. The Department of
1639		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall constitute a
1640		-	successor authority to the [Bureau of Rehabilitative] Department of
1641		-	Rehabilitation Services in accordance with the provisions of sections 4- Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1642		-
1643		-	Public Act No. 19-157 51 of 81
1644		-
1645		-	38d, 4-38e and 4-39.
1646		-	(b) The department head shall be the Commissioner of
1647		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, who shall be appointed
1648		-	by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-
1649		-	8, inclusive, as amended by this act, and shall have the powers and
1650		-	duties described in said sections. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation]
1651		-	Aging and Disability Services shall appoint such persons as may be
1652		-	necessary to administer the provisions of public act 11-44 and the
1653		-	Commissioner of Administrative Services shall fix the compensation of
1654		-	such persons in accordance with the provisions of section 4-40. The
1655		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may
1656		-	create such sections within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1657		-	and Disability Services as will facilitate such administration, including
1658		-	a disability determinations section for which one hundred per cent
1659		-	federal funds may be accepted for the operation of such section in
1660		-	conformity with applicable state and federal regulations. The
1661		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may
1662		-	adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to
1663		-	implement the purposes of the department as established by statute.
1664		-	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1665		-	Services shall, annually, in accordance with section 4-60, submit to the
1666		-	Governor a report in electronic format on the activities of the
1667		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services relating
1668		-	to services provided by the department to persons who (1) are blind or
1669		-	visually impaired, (2) are deaf or hard of hearing, (3) receive vocational
1670		-	rehabilitation services, or (4) are older persons or their families. The
1671		-	report shall include the data the department provides to the federal
1672		-	government that relates to the evaluation standards and performance
1673		-	indicators for the vocational rehabilitation services program. The
1674		-	commissioner shall submit the report in electronic format, in
1675		-	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1676		-
1677		-	Public Act No. 19-157 52 of 81
1678		-
1679		-	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1680		-	relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state
1681		-	agencies.
1682		-	(d) The functions, powers, duties and personnel of the former
1683		-	Department on Aging, or any subsequent division or portion of a
1684		-	division with similar functions, powers, duties and personnel, shall be
1685		-	transferred to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1686		-	Services pursuant to the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.
1687		-	(e) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1688		-	shall constitute a successor department to the former Department on
1689		-	Aging, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and
1690		-	4-39. Wherever the words "Commissioner on Aging" are used in the
1691		-	general statutes, the words "Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging
1692		-	and Disability Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Wherever
1693		-	the words "Department on Aging" are used in the general statutes, the
1694		-	words "Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services"
1695		-	shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Any order or regulation of the
1696		-	former Department on Aging that is in force on the effective date of
1697		-	this section shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation
1698		-	of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1699		-	until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.
1700		-	(f) The Governor may, with the approval of the Finance Advisory
1701		-	Committee, transfer funds between the Department of Social Services
1702		-	and the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1703		-	pursuant to subsection (b) of section 4-87 during the fiscal year ending
1704		-	June 30, 2018.
1705		-	(g) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1706		-	Services is designated as the State Unit on Aging to administer,
1707		-	manage, design and advocate for benefits, programs and services for
1708		-	older persons and their families pursuant to the Older Americans Act. Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1709		-
1710		-	Public Act No. 19-157 53 of 81
1711		-
1712		-	The department shall study continuously the conditions and needs of
1713		-	older persons in this state in relation to nutrition, transportation, home
1714		-	care, housing, income, employment, health, recreation and other
1715		-	matters. The department shall be responsible, in cooperation with
1716		-	federal, state, local and area planning agencies on aging, for the overall
1717		-	planning, development and administration of a comprehensive and
1718		-	integrated social service delivery system for older persons. The
1719		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is
1720		-	designated as the state agency for the administration of nutritional
1721		-	programs for elderly persons described in section 17a-302, as amended
1722		-	by this act, the fall prevention program described in section 17a-303a,
1723		-	as amended by this act, the CHOICES program described in section
1724		-	17a-314, as amended by this act, the Aging and Disability Resource
1725		-	Center Program described in section 17a-316a, as amended by this act,
1726		-	and the Alzheimer's respite program described in section 17b-349e, as
1727		-	amended by this act.
1728		-	Sec. 68. Section 17b-650e of the general statutes is repealed and the
1729		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1730		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1731		-	may provide necessary services to persons who are deaf or hard of
1732		-	hearing, including, but not limited to, nonreimbursable interpreter
1733		-	services and message relay services for persons using
1734		-	telecommunication devices for persons who are deaf.
1735		-	Sec. 69. Section 17b-651a of the general statutes is repealed and the
1736		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1737		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1738		-	shall inquire into the criminal history of any applicant, who is not at
1739		-	the time of application employed by the Department of
1740		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, for a position of
1741		-	employment with the department's disability determination services Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1742		-
1743		-	Public Act No. 19-157 54 of 81
1744		-
1745		-	unit. Such inquiry shall be conducted in accordance with the
1746		-	provisions of section 31-51i. The commissioner shall require each such
1747		-	applicant to state whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a
1748		-	crime, whether criminal charges are pending against the applicant at
1749		-	the time of application, and, if so, to identify the charges and court in
1750		-	which such charges are pending. Each such applicant offered a
1751		-	position of employment with the department's disability
1752		-	determination services unit shall be required to submit to
1753		-	fingerprinting and state and national criminal history records checks,
1754		-	as provided in section 29-17a.
1755		-	Sec. 70. Section 17b-653 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1756		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1757		-	(a) Vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided, with or
1758		-	without public cost, directly or through public or private
1759		-	instrumentalities, as part of an individual plan for employment for a
1760		-	person with disabilities determined to be eligible by the Department of
1761		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in accordance with Title
1762		-	I of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to
1763		-	time. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an
1764		-	individual's ability or inability to share in the cost of vocational
1765		-	rehabilitation services may be taken into account during the
1766		-	determination of eligibility for such services.
1767		-	(b) If vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided for all
1768		-	eligible persons with disabilities who apply for such services, the
1769		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall
1770		-	determine, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
1771		-	29 USC 701 et seq., and federal regulations, as amended from time to
1772		-	time, the order to be followed in selecting those to whom such services
1773		-	will be provided.
1774		-	(c) Nothing in section 17b-650 or subsection (a) of this section shall Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1775		-
1776		-	Public Act No. 19-157 55 of 81
1777		-
1778		-	be construed to preclude provision of vocational rehabilitation
1779		-	services, with or without public cost, to a person with a disability
1780		-	under an extended evaluation for a total period not in excess of
1781		-	eighteen months, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of
1782		-	1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time.
1783		-	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1784		-	Services may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of
1785		-	chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures governing the
1786		-	provision of vocational rehabilitation services and, where appropriate,
1787		-	a means test to determine, based upon the financial need of each
1788		-	eligible person with disabilities, the extent to which such services will
1789		-	be provided at public cost. Any funds received by the Department of
1790		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services from individuals or
1791		-	third parties for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services shall
1792		-	be used by the department to provide such services. The regulations
1793		-	may also prescribe the procedures to be used when payment is made
1794		-	by individuals required to contribute to the cost of vocational
1795		-	rehabilitation services. Regulations developed to implement a means
1796		-	test shall include, but not be limited to: (1) An exemption for any
1797		-	individual with an income of less than one hundred per cent of the
1798		-	state median income and assets which are less than five thousand
1799		-	dollars; (2) an exemption for services covered in an individual plan for
1800		-	employment in effect at the time of implementation of the means test;
1801		-	(3) an exclusion from an individual's income of the costs of necessary
1802		-	and reasonable disability-related expenses including, but not limited
1803		-	to, personal attendant services and medications for which payment is
1804		-	unavailable to the individual through other benefits or resources; (4)
1805		-	an exclusion from the individual's assets of the value of the
1806		-	individual's primary residence and motor vehicle; (5) a method by
1807		-	which the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1808		-	Services may reduce the level of required contributions by an
1809		-	individual in the case of undue hardship; and (6) a requirement that Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1810		-
1811		-	Public Act No. 19-157 56 of 81
1812		-
1813		-	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services notify
1814		-	an individual of the results of the means test analysis within thirty
1815		-	days of receipt of necessary financial information from the individual.
1816		-	Such means test shall not apply to services covered under a
1817		-	determination of financial need made by an institution of higher
1818		-	education. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1819		-	Services shall develop the regulations in consultation with
1820		-	representatives of providers of vocational rehabilitation services and
1821		-	recipients of such services or their representatives.
1822		-	Sec. 71. Section 17b-654 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1823		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1824		-	(a) Any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation
1825		-	services may request an informal review of any decision made by the
1826		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services pursuant
1827		-	to section 17b-653, as amended by this act.
1828		-	(b) Regardless of whether a person requests an informal review
1829		-	under subsection (a) of this section, any applicant for or recipient of
1830		-	vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by a decision made
1831		-	by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1832		-	pursuant to section 17b-653, as amended by this act, may request an
1833		-	administrative hearing, by making written request to the
1834		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services.
1835		-	(c) An individual who is aggrieved by a final agency decision made
1836		-	pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may appeal therefrom in
1837		-	accordance with section 4-183. Such appeals shall be privileged cases
1838		-	to be heard by the court as soon after the return day as shall be
1839		-	practicable.
1840		-	Sec. 72. Section 17b-655 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1841		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1842		-
1843		-	Public Act No. 19-157 57 of 81
1844		-
1845		-	(a) In carrying out sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, the
1846		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall
1847		-	cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both
1848		-	public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of
1849		-	persons with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein
1850		-	and in establishing, developing and providing such programs,
1851		-	facilities and services as it deems necessary or desirable.
1852		-	Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the
1853		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall not
1854		-	be required to pay that portion of the cost of a program of
1855		-	postsecondary education or training which is properly designated as
1856		-	expected parental or family contribution in accordance with state and
1857		-	federal law regarding eligibility for student financial aid.
1858		-	(b) Subject to the approval of all real estate acquisitions by the
1859		-	Commissioner of Administrative Services and the State Properties
1860		-	Review Board, in carrying out said sections, the Department of
1861		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may (1) establish,
1862		-	operate, foster and promote the establishment of rehabilitation
1863		-	facilities and make grants to public and other nonprofit and
1864		-	nonsectarian organizations for such purposes; (2) assist persons with
1865		-	significant disabilities to establish and operate small businesses; and
1866		-	(3) make studies, investigations, demonstrations and reports, and
1867		-	provide training and instruction, including the establishment and
1868		-	maintenance of such research fellowships and traineeships with such
1869		-	stipends and allowances as may be deemed necessary, in matters
1870		-	relating to vocational rehabilitation.
1871		-	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1872		-	Services shall develop and maintain a program of public education
1873		-	and information. The program shall include, but not be limited to,
1874		-	education of the public concerning services available from the
1875		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, its Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1876		-
1877		-	Public Act No. 19-157 58 of 81
1878		-
1879		-	policies and goals, an outreach effort to discover persons with
1880		-	disabilities, including such persons who are minorities as defined in
1881		-	subsection (a) of section 32-9n, who may benefit from the services it
1882		-	offers and the dissemination of printed materials to persons at their
1883		-	initial meeting with staff of the department, including a statement of
1884		-	such person's rights. Each state agency providing services to persons
1885		-	with disabilities shall furnish to each person applying for such
1886		-	services, at the time of initial application, a written summary of all
1887		-	state programs for persons with disabilities. Such summary shall be
1888		-	developed by the Department of Social Services as the lead agency for
1889		-	services to persons with disabilities pursuant to section 17b-606. The
1890		-	Department of Social Services shall distribute sufficient copies of the
1891		-	summary to all state agencies providing services to persons with
1892		-	disabilities in order that such copies may be furnished in accordance
1893		-	with this subsection.
1894		-	Sec. 73. Section 17b-657 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1895		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1896		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is
1897		-	authorized to provide such medical, diagnostic, physical restoration,
1898		-	training and other rehabilitation services as may be needed to enable
1899		-	persons with disabilities to attain the maximum degree of self care. The
1900		-	powers herein delegated and authorized to the Department of
1901		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall be in addition to
1902		-	those authorized by any other law and shall become effective upon
1903		-	authorization of federal grant-in-aid funds for participation in the cost
1904		-	of independent living rehabilitation services for persons with
1905		-	disabilities. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1906		-	Services shall be authorized to cooperate with whatever federal agency
1907		-	is directed to administer the federal aspects of such program and to
1908		-	comply with such requirements and conditions as may be established
1909		-	for the receipt and disbursement of federal grant-in-aid funds which Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1910		-
1911		-	Public Act No. 19-157 59 of 81
1912		-
1913		-	may be made available to the state of Connecticut in carrying out such
1914		-	program.
1915		-	Sec. 74. Section 17b-658 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1916		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1917		-	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is
1918		-	authorized to cooperate with the federal government in carrying out
1919		-	the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational
1920		-	rehabilitation, to adopt such methods of administration as it finds
1921		-	necessary for the proper and efficient operation of agreements or plans
1922		-	for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as
1923		-	may be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes to
1924		-	this state.
1925		-	Sec. 75. Section 17b-659 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1926		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1927		-	The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all funds
1928		-	received from the federal government for the purpose of carrying out
1929		-	any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation or any
1930		-	agreements authorized by sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, and
1931		-	shall make disbursements from such funds and from all state funds
1932		-	available for vocational rehabilitation purposes upon certification by
1933		-	the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services.
1934		-	Sec. 76. Section 17b-660 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1935		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1936		-	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1937		-	is authorized to accept and use gifts made unconditionally by will or
1938		-	otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the general statutes
1939		-	concerning the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1940		-	Services. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the
1941		-	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services are Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1942		-
1943		-	Public Act No. 19-157 60 of 81
1944		-
1945		-	proper and consistent with the provisions of said sections may be so
1946		-	accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in
1947		-	accordance with the conditions of the gift.
1948		-	Sec. 77. Section 17b-661 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1949		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1950		-	Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the
1951		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may,
1952		-	within the limits of appropriations, purchase (1) wheelchairs and
1953		-	placement equipment directly and without the issuance of a purchase
1954		-	order, provided the cost of such purchases shall not be in excess of
1955		-	twenty thousand dollars per unit, and (2) adaptive equipment,
1956		-	including equipment to modify vehicles for persons with disabilities
1957		-	directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided the
1958		-	cost of such purchases of adaptive equipment shall not be in excess of
1959		-	one hundred twenty thousand dollars per unit. All such purchases
1960		-	shall be made in the open market, but shall, when possible, be based
1961		-	on at least three competitive bids. Such bids shall be solicited by
1962		-	sending notice to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on the
1963		-	Internet web site of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
1964		-	Disability Services. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated
1965		-	in the notice soliciting such bid. Acceptance of a bid by the Department
1966		-	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall be based on
1967		-	standard specifications as may be adopted by said department.
1968		-	Sec. 78. Section 17b-666 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1969		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1970		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
1971		-	Services may receive state and federal funds to administer, within
1972		-	available appropriations, an employment opportunities program to
1973		-	serve individuals with the most significant disabilities who do not
1974		-	meet the eligibility requirements of supported employment programs Substitute House Bill No. 7163
1975		-
1976		-	Public Act No. 19-157 61 of 81
1977		-
1978		-	administered by the Departments of Developmental Services, Social
1979		-	Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services. For the purposes
1980		-	of this section, "individuals with the most significant disabilities"
1981		-	means those individuals who (1) have serious employment limitations
1982		-	in a total of three or more functional areas including, but not limited
1983		-	to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work
1984		-	tolerance or work skills, or (2) will require significant ongoing
1985		-	disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment.
1986		-	(b) The employment opportunities program shall provide extended
1987		-	services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(19), that are necessary for
1988		-	individuals with the most significant disabilities to maintain supported
1989		-	employment. Such services shall include coaching and other related
1990		-	services that allow participants to obtain and maintain employment
1991		-	and maximize economic self-sufficiency.
1992		-	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
1993		-	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement
1994		-	the provisions of this section.
1995		-	Sec. 79. Section 21a-3a of the general statutes is repealed and the
1996		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
1997		-	The Department of Consumer Protection, in collaboration with the
1998		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, shall
1999		-	conduct a public awareness campaign, within available funding, to
2000		-	educate elderly consumers and caregivers on ways to resist aggressive
2001		-	marketing tactics and scams.
2002		-	Sec. 80. Section 23-15c of the general statutes is repealed and the
2003		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2004		-	(a) Not later than December 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, any
2005		-	person who has a contractual agreement with the Department of
2006		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for the operation in any Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2007		-
2008		-	Public Act No. 19-157 62 of 81
2009		-
2010		-	state park of any food service facility, vending machine or stand for the
2011		-	vending of goods shall report to the Department of [Rehabilitation]
2012		-	Aging and Disability Services the amount of revenue that such person
2013		-	generated during the calendar year as a result of such contract. Not
2014		-	later than January 1, 2016, and each year thereafter, the Department of
2015		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall compile any
2016		-	reports received pursuant to this subsection and transmit such reports
2017		-	to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.
2018		-	(b) On or before January 30, 2016, and each year thereafter, the
2019		-	Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall compile
2020		-	the following information: (1) The number of food service facilities,
2021		-	vending machines and stands for the vending of goods that are located
2022		-	in the state parks and the location of the respective parks that have
2023		-	such facilities, machines or stands, (2) the amount of revenues
2024		-	generated from such food service facilities, vending machines and
2025		-	stands for the vending of goods, as reported to the commissioner by
2026		-	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
2027		-	pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (3) the contractual agreement
2028		-	or provision of law that provides for the payment of any portion of
2029		-	such revenues to the state or that prohibits or limits the payment of
2030		-	such revenues to the state, (4) the amount of such revenues paid to the
2031		-	state in the subject calendar year, and (5) the manner in which such
2032		-	revenues were used by the state, if identifiable by the commissioner.
2033		-	Sec. 81. Section 26-29 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2034		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2035		-	No fee shall be charged for any sport fishing license issued under
2036		-	this chapter to any person who is blind, and such license shall be a
2037		-	lifetime license not subject to the expiration provisions of section 26-35.
2038		-	Proof of such blindness shall be furnished, in the case of a veteran, by
2039		-	the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and, in the case of
2040		-	any other person, by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2041		-
2042		-	Public Act No. 19-157 63 of 81
2043		-
2044		-	Disability Services. For the purpose of this section, a person shall be
2045		-	blind only if his or her central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in
2046		-	the better eye with correcting lenses, or if his or her visual acuity is
2047		-	greater than 20/200 but is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of
2048		-	vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an
2049		-	angle no greater than twenty degrees.
2050		-	Sec. 82. Subsection (d) of section 31-280 of the general statutes is
2051		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2052		-	October 1, 2019):
2053		-	(d) The chairman and the Comptroller, as soon as practicable after
2054		-	August first in each year, shall ascertain the total amount of expenses
2055		-	incurred by the commission, including, in addition to the direct cost of
2056		-	personnel services, the cost of maintenance and operation, rentals for
2057		-	space occupied in state leased offices and all other direct and indirect
2058		-	costs, incurred by the commission and the expenses incurred by the
2059		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in
2060		-	providing rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable
2061		-	injuries in accordance with the provisions of section 31-283a, as
2062		-	amended by this act, during the preceding fiscal year in connection
2063		-	with the administration of the Workers' Compensation Act and the
2064		-	total noncontributory payments required to be made to the Treasurer
2065		-	towards commissioners' retirement salaries as provided in sections 51-
2066		-	49, 51-50, 51-50a and 51-50b. An itemized statement of the expenses as
2067		-	so ascertained shall be available for public inspection in the office of
2068		-	the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission for thirty
2069		-	days after notice to all insurance carriers, and to all employers
2070		-	permitted to pay compensation directly affected thereby.
2071		-	Sec. 83. Section 31-283a of the general statutes is repealed and the
2072		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2073		-	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2074		-
2075		-	Public Act No. 19-157 64 of 81
2076		-
2077		-	Services shall provide rehabilitation programs for employees with
2078		-	compensable injuries within the provisions of this chapter, which
2079		-	injuries prevented such employees from performing their customary
2080		-	or most recent work. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2081		-	Disability Services shall establish rehabilitation programs which shall
2082		-	best suit the needs of such employees and shall make the programs
2083		-	available in convenient locations throughout the state. After
2084		-	consultation with the Labor Commissioner, the Commissioner of
2085		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may establish fees for
2086		-	the programs, so as to provide the most effective rehabilitation
2087		-	programs at a minimum rate. In order to carry out the provisions of
2088		-	this section, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2089		-	Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of
2090		-	chapter 54, and, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, provide for the
2091		-	employment of necessary assistants.
2092		-	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2093		-	Services shall be authorized to (1) enter into agreements with other
2094		-	state or federal agencies to carry out the purposes of this section and
2095		-	expend money for that purpose, and (2) on behalf of the state of
2096		-	Connecticut, develop matching programs or activities to secure federal
2097		-	grants or funds for the purposes of this section and may pledge or use
2098		-	funds supplied from the administrative costs fund, as provided in
2099		-	section 31-345, as amended by this act, to finance the state's share of
2100		-	the programs or activities.
2101		-	Sec. 84. Subsection (a) of section 31-296 of the general statutes is
2102		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2103		-	October 1, 2019):
2104		-	(a) If an employer and an injured employee, or in case of fatal injury
2105		-	the employee's legal representative or dependent, at a date not earlier
2106		-	than the expiration of the waiting period, reach an agreement in regard
2107		-	to compensation, such agreement shall be submitted in writing to the Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2108		-
2109		-	Public Act No. 19-157 65 of 81
2110		-
2111		-	commissioner by the employer with a statement of the time, place and
2112		-	nature of the injury upon which it is based; and, if such commissioner
2113		-	finds such agreement to conform to the provisions of this chapter in
2114		-	every regard, the commissioner shall so approve it. A copy of the
2115		-	agreement, with a statement of the commissioner's approval, shall be
2116		-	delivered to each of the parties and thereafter it shall be as binding
2117		-	upon both parties as an award by the commissioner. The
2118		-	commissioner's statement of approval shall also inform the employee
2119		-	or the employee's dependent, as the case may be, of any rights the
2120		-	individual may have to an annual cost-of-living adjustment or to
2121		-	participate in a rehabilitation program administered by the
2122		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services under
2123		-	the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall retain the
2124		-	original agreement, with the commissioner's approval thereof, in the
2125		-	commissioner's office and, if an application is made to the superior
2126		-	court for an execution, the commissioner shall, upon the request of
2127		-	said court, file in the court a certified copy of the agreement and
2128		-	statement of approval.
2129		-	Sec. 85. Section 31-300 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2130		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2131		-	As soon as may be after the conclusion of any hearing, but no later
2132		-	than one hundred twe nty days after such conclusion, the
2133		-	commissioner shall send to each party a written copy of the
2134		-	commissioner's findings and award. The commissioner shall, as part of
2135		-	the written award, inform the employee or the employee's dependent,
2136		-	as the case may be, of any rights the individual may have to an annual
2137		-	cost-of-living adjustment or to participate in a rehabilitation program
2138		-	administered by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2139		-	Disability Services under the provisions of this chapter. The
2140		-	commissioner shall retain the original findings and award in said
2141		-	commissioner's office. If no appeal from the decision is taken by either Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2142		-
2143		-	Public Act No. 19-157 66 of 81
2144		-
2145		-	party within twenty days thereafter, such award shall be final and may
2146		-	be enforced in the same manner as a judgment of the Superior Court.
2147		-	The court may issue execution upon any uncontested or final award of
2148		-	a commissioner in the same manner as in cases of judgments rendered
2149		-	in the Superior Court; and, upon the filing of an application to the
2150		-	court for an execution, the commissioner in whose office the award is
2151		-	on file shall, upon the request of the clerk of said court, send to the
2152		-	clerk a certified copy of such findings and award. In cases where,
2153		-	through the fault or neglect of the employer or insurer, adjustments of
2154		-	compensation have been unduly delayed, or where through such fault
2155		-	or neglect, payments have been unduly delayed, the commissioner
2156		-	may include in the award interest at the rate prescribed in section 37-
2157		-	3a and a reasonable attorney's fee in the case of undue delay in
2158		-	adjustments of compensation and may include in the award in the case
2159		-	of undue delay in payments of compensation, interest at twelve per
2160		-	cent per annum and a reasonable attorney's fee. Payments not
2161		-	commenced within thirty-five days after the filing of a written notice of
2162		-	claim shall be presumed to be unduly delayed unless a notice to
2163		-	contest the claim is filed in accordance with section 31-297. In cases
2164		-	where there has been delay in either adjustment or payment, which
2165		-	delay has not been due to the fault or neglect of the employer or
2166		-	insurer, whether such delay was caused by appeals or otherwise, the
2167		-	commissioner may allow interest at such rate, not to exceed the rate
2168		-	prescribed in section 37-3a, as may be fair and reasonable, taking into
2169		-	account whatever advantage the employer or insurer, as the case may
2170		-	be, may have had from the use of the money, the burden of showing
2171		-	that the rate in such case should be less than the rate prescribed in
2172		-	section 37-3a to be upon the employer or insurer. In cases where the
2173		-	claimant prevails and the commissioner finds that the employer or
2174		-	insurer has unreasonably contested liability, the commissioner may
2175		-	allow to the claimant a reasonable attorney's fee. No employer or
2176		-	insurer shall discontinue or reduce payment on account of total or
2177		-	partial incapacity under any such award, if it is claimed by or on Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2178		-
2179		-	Public Act No. 19-157 67 of 81
2180		-
2181		-	behalf of the injured person that such person's incapacity still
2182		-	continues, unless such employer or insurer notifies the commissioner
2183		-	and the employee of such proposed discontinuance or reduction in the
2184		-	manner prescribed in section 31-296, as amended by this act, and the
2185		-	commissioner specifically approves such discontinuance or reduction
2186		-	in writing. The commissioner shall render the decision within fourteen
2187		-	days of receipt of such notice and shall forward to all parties to the
2188		-	claim a copy of the decision not later than seven days after the decision
2189		-	has been rendered. If the decision of the commissioner finds for the
2190		-	employer or insurer, the injured person shall return any wrongful
2191		-	payments received from the day designated by the commissioner as
2192		-	the effective date for the discontinuance or reduction of benefits. Any
2193		-	employee whose benefits for total incapacity are discontinued under
2194		-	the provisions of this section and who is entitled to receive benefits for
2195		-	partial incapacity as a result of an award, shall receive those benefits
2196		-	commencing the day following the designated effective date for the
2197		-	discontinuance of benefits for total incapacity. In any case where the
2198		-	commissioner finds that the employer or insurer has discontinued or
2199		-	reduced any such payment without having given such notice and
2200		-	without the commissioner having approved such discontinuance or
2201		-	reduction in writing, the commissioner shall allow the claimant a
2202		-	reasonable attorney's fee together with interest at the rate prescribed in
2203		-	section 37-3a on the discontinued or reduced payments.
2204		-	Sec. 86. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-345 of the
2205		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2206		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2207		-	(2) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall
2208		-	annually, on or after July first of each fiscal year, determine an amount
2209		-	sufficient in the chairman's judgment to meet the expenses incurred by
2210		-	the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Department of
2211		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in providing Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2212		-
2213		-	Public Act No. 19-157 68 of 81
2214		-
2215		-	rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable injuries in
2216		-	accordance with section 31-283a, as amended by this act. Such
2217		-	expenses shall include (A) the costs of the Division of Workers'
2218		-	Rehabilitation and the programs established by its director, for fiscal
2219		-	years prior to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, (B) the costs of the
2220		-	Division of Worker Education and the programs established by its
2221		-	director, and (C) funding for the occupational health clinic program
2222		-	created pursuant to sections 31-396 to 31-402, inclusive. The Treasurer
2223		-	shall thereupon assess upon and collect from each employer, other
2224		-	than the state and any municipality participating for purposes of its
2225		-	liability under this chapter as a member in an interlocal risk
2226		-	management agency pursuant to chapter 113a, the proportion of such
2227		-	expenses, based on the immediately preceding fiscal year, that the total
2228		-	compensation and payment for hospital, medical and nursing care
2229		-	made by such self-insured employer or private insurance carrier acting
2230		-	on behalf of any such employer bore to the total compensation and
2231		-	payments for the immediately preceding fiscal year for hospital,
2232		-	medical and nursing care made by such insurance carriers and
2233		-	self-insurers. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30,
2234		-	2001, such assessments shall not exceed five per cent of such total
2235		-	compensation and payments made by such insurance carriers and self-
2236		-	insurers. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003,
2237		-	such assessments shall not exceed four and one-half per cent of such
2238		-	total compensation and payments made by such insurance carriers and
2239		-	self-insurers. For any fiscal year ending on or after June 30, 2004, such
2240		-	assessment shall not exceed four per cent of such total compensation
2241		-	and payments made by such insurance carriers and self-insurers. Such
2242		-	assessments and expenses shall not exceed the budget estimates
2243		-	submitted in accordance with subsection (c) of section 31-280. For each
2244		-	fiscal year, such assessment shall be reduced pro rata by the amount of
2245		-	any surplus from the assessments of prior fiscal years. Said surplus
2246		-	shall be determined in accordance with subdivision (3) of this
2247		-	subsection. Such assessments shall be made in one annual assessment Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2248		-
2249		-	Public Act No. 19-157 69 of 81
2250		-
2251		-	upon receipt of the chairman's expense determination by the
2252		-	Treasurer. All assessments shall be paid not later than sixty days
2253		-	following the date of the assessment by the Treasurer. Any employer
2254		-	who fails to pay such assessment to the Treasurer within the time
2255		-	prescribed by this subdivision shall pay interest to the Treasurer on the
2256		-	assessment at the rate of eight per cent per annum from the date the
2257		-	assessment is due until the date of payment. All assessments received
2258		-	by the Treasurer pursuant to this subdivision to meet the expenses of
2259		-	the Workers' Compensation Commission shall be deposited in the
2260		-	Workers' Compensation Administration Fund established under
2261		-	section 31-344a. All assessments received by the Treasurer pursuant to
2262		-	this subdivision to meet the expenses incurred by the Department of
2263		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in providing
2264		-	rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable injuries in
2265		-	accordance with section 31-283a, as amended by this act, shall be
2266		-	deposited in the Workers' Compensation Administration Fund. The
2267		-	Treasurer is hereby authorized to make credits or rebates for
2268		-	overpayments made under this subsection by any employer for any
2269		-	fiscal year.
2270		-	Sec. 87. Subsection (a) of section 31-349b of the general statutes is
2271		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2272		-	October 1, 2019):
2273		-	(a) Any employee who has suffered a compensable injury under the
2274		-	provisions of this chapter, and who is receiving benefits for such injury
2275		-	from the Second Injury Fund pursuant to the provisions of section 31-
2276		-	349, may file a written request with the commissioner in the district
2277		-	where the original claim was filed for a hearing to determine whether
2278		-	the employee's injury constitutes a permanent vocational disability.
2279		-	The hearing shall be held within sixty days of the date the request was
2280		-	filed. Upon the request of the commissioner and prior to the
2281		-	conclusion of such hearing, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2282		-
2283		-	Public Act No. 19-157 70 of 81
2284		-
2285		-	Aging and Disability Services shall, after receiving such information
2286		-	on the case which the commissioner deems necessary, submit written
2287		-	recommendations concerning the case to the commissioner for his
2288		-	consideration. The commissioner shall issue his decision, in writing,
2289		-	within ten days after the conclusion of the hearing. If the commissioner
2290		-	determines that the employee's injury is a permanent vocational
2291		-	disability, the employee shall be issued a certificate of disability by the
2292		-	commissioner. Such certificate shall be effective for a stated period of
2293		-	time of from one to five years, as determined by the commissioner. The
2294		-	decision of the commissioner may be appealed in accordance with the
2295		-	provisions of section 31-301.
2296		-	Sec. 88. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 38a-47 of the
2297		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2298		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2299		-	(4) The amount appropriated to the Department of [Rehabilitation]
2300		-	Aging and Disability Services for the fall prevention program
2301		-	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, from the
2302		-	Insurance Fund for the fiscal year.
2303		-	Sec. 89. Subsection (b) of section 38a-48 of the general statutes is
2304		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2305		-	October 1, 2019):
2306		-	(b) On or before July thirty-first, annually, the Insurance
2307		-	Commissioner and the Office of the Healthcare Advocate shall render
2308		-	to each domestic insurance company or other domestic entity liable for
2309		-	payment under section 38a-47, as amended by this act: (1) A statement
2310		-	that includes (A) the amount appropriated to the Insurance
2311		-	Department, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and the Office of
2312		-	Health Strategy from the Insurance Fund established under section
2313		-	38a-52a for the fiscal year beginning July first of the same year, (B) the
2314		-	cost of fringe benefits for department and office personnel for such Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2315		-
2316		-	Public Act No. 19-157 71 of 81
2317		-
2318		-	year, as estimated by the Comptroller, (C) the estimated expenditures
2319		-	on behalf of the department and the offices from the Capital
2320		-	Equipment Purchase Fund pursuant to section 4a-9 for such year, not
2321		-	including such estimated expenditures made on behalf of the Health
2322		-	Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy, and (D) the
2323		-	amount appropriated to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2324		-	Disability Services for the fall prevention program established in
2325		-	section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, from the Insurance Fund for
2326		-	the fiscal year; (2) a statement of the total taxes imposed on all
2327		-	domestic insurance companies and domestic insurance entities under
2328		-	chapter 207 on business done in this state during the preceding
2329		-	calendar year; and (3) the proposed assessment against that company
2330		-	or entity, calculated in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c)
2331		-	of this section, provided for the purposes of this calculation the
2332		-	amount appropriated to the Insurance Department, the Office of the
2333		-	Healthcare Advocate and the Office of Health Strategy from the
2334		-	Insurance Fund plus the cost of fringe benefits for department and
2335		-	office personnel and the estimated expenditures on behalf of the
2336		-	department and the office from the Capital Equipment Purchase Fund
2337		-	pursuant to section 4a-9, not including such expenditures made on
2338		-	behalf of the Health Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health
2339		-	Strategy shall be deemed to be the actual expenditures of the
2340		-	department and the office, and the amount appropriated to the
2341		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services from the
2342		-	Insurance Fund for the fiscal year for the fall prevention program
2343		-	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, shall be
2344		-	deemed to be the actual expenditures for the program.
2345		-	Sec. 90. Subsection (g) of section 38a-48 of the general statutes is
2346		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2347		-	October 1, 2019):
2348		-	(g) If the actual expenditures for the fall prevention program Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2349		-
2350		-	Public Act No. 19-157 72 of 81
2351		-
2352		-	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, are less than
2353		-	the amount allocated, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2354		-	Disability Services shall notify the Insurance Commissioner and the
2355		-	Healthcare Advocate. Immediately following the close of the fiscal
2356		-	year, the Insurance Commissioner and the Healthcare Advocate shall
2357		-	recalculate the proposed assessment for each domestic insurance
2358		-	company or other domestic entity in accordance with subsection (c) of
2359		-	this section using the actual expenditures made during the fiscal year
2360		-	by the Insurance Department, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate
2361		-	and the Office of Health Strategy from the Insurance Fund, the actual
2362		-	expenditures made on behalf of the department and the offices from
2363		-	the Capital Equipment Purchase Fund pursuant to section 4a-9, not
2364		-	including such expenditures made on behalf of the Health Systems
2365		-	Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy, and the actual
2366		-	expenditures for the fall prevention program. On or before July thirty-
2367		-	first, the Insurance Commissioner and the Healthcare Advocate shall
2368		-	render to each such domestic insurance company and other domestic
2369		-	entity a statement showing the difference between their respective
2370		-	recalculated assessments and the amount they have previously paid.
2371		-	On or before August thirty-first, the Insurance Commissioner and the
2372		-	Healthcare Advocate, after receiving any objections to such statements,
2373		-	shall make such adjustments which in their opinion may be indicated,
2374		-	and shall render an adjusted assessment, if any, to the affected
2375		-	companies.
2376		-	Sec. 91. Section 38a-475 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2377		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2378		-	The Insurance Department shall only precertify long-term care
2379		-	insurance policies that (1) alert the purchaser to the availability of
2380		-	consumer information and public education provided by the
2381		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services pursuant
2382		-	to section 17b-251, as amended by this act; (2) offer the option of home Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2383		-
2384		-	Public Act No. 19-157 73 of 81
2385		-
2386		-	and community-based services in addition to nursing home care; (3) in
2387		-	all home care plans, include case management services delivered by an
2388		-	access agency approved by the Office of Policy and Management and
2389		-	the Department of Social Services as meeting the requirements for such
2390		-	agency as defined in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (e) of
2391		-	section 17b-342, which services shall include, but need not be limited
2392		-	to, the development of a comprehensive individualized assessment
2393		-	and care plan and, as needed, the coordination of appropriate services
2394		-	and the monitoring of the delivery of such services; (4) provide
2395		-	inflation protection; (5) provide for the keeping of records and an
2396		-	explanation of benefit reports on insurance payments which count
2397		-	toward Medicaid resource exclusion; and (6) provide the management
2398		-	information and reports necessary to document the extent of Medicaid
2399		-	resource protection offered and to evaluate the Connecticut
2400		-	Partnership for Long-Term Care. No policy shall be precertified if it
2401		-	requires prior hospitalization or a prior stay in a nursing home as a
2402		-	condition of providing benefits. The commissioner may adopt
2403		-	regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the
2404		-	precertification provisions of this section.
2405		-	Sec. 92. Subsection (a) of section 46a-28 of the general statutes is
2406		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2407		-	October 1, 2019):
2408		-	(a) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of
2409		-	Hearing shall consist of the following sixteen members appointed by
2410		-	the Governor: (1) The consultant appointed by the State Board of
2411		-	Education in accordance with section 10-316a, or the consultant's
2412		-	designee; (2) the president of the Connecticut Council of Organizations
2413		-	Serving the Deaf, or the president's designee; (3) the president of the
2414		-	Connecticut Association of the Deaf, or the president's designee; (4) the
2415		-	president of the Connecticut Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or
2416		-	the president's designee; (5) the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2417		-
2418		-	Public Act No. 19-157 74 of 81
2419		-
2420		-	Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the
2421		-	executive director of the American School for the Deaf, or the executive
2422		-	director's designee; (7) a parent of a student in a predominantly oral
2423		-	education program; (8) a parent of a student at the American School
2424		-	for the Deaf; (9) a person who is deaf; (10) a person who is hard of
2425		-	hearing; (11) a person who is deaf and blind; (12) an interpreting
2426		-	professional who serves deaf or hard of hearing persons; (13) a
2427		-	healthcare professional who works with persons who are deaf or hard
2428		-	of hearing; (14) the Governor's liaison to the disability community; (15)
2429		-	an educator who works with children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
2430		-	and (16) the director of the Connecticut Chapter of We the Deaf
2431		-	People. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2432		-	Services, the Governor's liaison to the disability community and a
2433		-	member chosen by the majority of the board shall be the chairpersons
2434		-	of the advisory board.
2435		-	Sec. 93. Subsection (a) of section 46a-29 of the general statutes is
2436		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
2437		-	October 1, 2019):
2438		-	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2439		-	Services may request and shall receive from any department, division,
2440		-	board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political
2441		-	subdivision thereof such assistance and data as will enable the
2442		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to
2443		-	properly carry out its activities under sections 17b-650e, as amended
2444		-	by this act, and 46a-30 to 46a-33b, inclusive, as amended by this act,
2445		-	and to effectuate the purposes therein set forth.
2446		-	Sec. 94. Section 46a-30 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2447		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2448		-	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2449		-	Services may receive moneys from any source, including gifts, grants, Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2450		-
2451		-	Public Act No. 19-157 75 of 81
2452		-
2453		-	bequests and reimbursements which moneys may be expended for the
2454		-	purposes designated by the donor or to effectuate the provisions of
2455		-	sections 17b-650e, as amended by this act, and 46a-29 to 46a-33b,
2456		-	inclusive, as amended by this act.
2457		-	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2458		-	Services is empowered to expend its appropriation and receipts to
2459		-	initiate and support the provisions of said sections by contract or other
2460		-	arrangement and to contract for and engage consultants.
2461		-	Sec. 95. Subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section 46a-33a of the
2462		-	general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2463		-	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2464		-	(b) All persons providing interpreting services shall register,
2465		-	annually, with the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2466		-	Services. Such registration shall be on a form prescribed or furnished
2467		-	by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services
2468		-	and shall include the registrant's name, address, phone number, place
2469		-	of employment as interpreter and interpreter certification or
2470		-	credentials. The department shall issue identification cards for those
2471		-	who register in accordance with this section.
2472		-	(c) No person shall provide interpreting services unless such person
2473		-	is registered with the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2474		-	Disability Services according to the provisions of this section and (1)
2475		-	has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written
2476		-	generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-National
2477		-	Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge
2478		-	examination, holds a level three certification provided by the National
2479		-	Association of the Deaf, documents the achievement of two continuing
2480		-	education units per year for a maximum of five years of training
2481		-	approved by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and
2482		-	Disability Services, and on or before the fifth anniversary of having Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2483		-
2484		-	Public Act No. 19-157 76 of 81
2485		-
2486		-	passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written
2487		-	generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-National
2488		-	Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge
2489		-	examination, has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the
2490		-	Deaf performance examination or the National Association of the
2491		-	Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreter
2492		-	certification examination, (2) has passed the National Registry of
2493		-	Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test or the National
2494		-	Association of the Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
2495		-	certification knowledge examination and is a graduate of an accredited
2496		-	interpreter training program and documents the achievement of two
2497		-	continuing education units per year for a maximum of five years of
2498		-	training approved by the commissioner, and on or before the fifth
2499		-	anniversary of having passed the National Registry of Interpreters for
2500		-	the Deaf written generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-
2501		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge
2502		-	examination, has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the
2503		-	Deaf performance examination or the National Association of the
2504		-	Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreter
2505		-	certification examination, (3) holds a level four or higher certification
2506		-	from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) holds certification by the
2507		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for situations
2508		-	requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification from the
2509		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for situations
2510		-	requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds certification from the
2511		-	National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed
2512		-	the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist
2513		-	test, (7) holds a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter
2514		-	under the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or (8) holds a
2515		-	National Association of the Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for
2516		-	the Deaf national interpreting certificate.
2517		-	(d) No person shall provide interpreting services in a medical Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2518		-
2519		-	Public Act No. 19-157 77 of 81
2520		-
2521		-	setting unless such person is registered with the Department of
2522		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services according to the
2523		-	provisions of this section and (1) holds a comprehensive skills
2524		-	certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2)
2525		-	holds a certificate of interpretation or a certificate of transliteration
2526		-	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) holds a level
2527		-	four or higher certification from the National Association of the Deaf,
2528		-	(4) holds a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter
2529		-	under the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for
2530		-	situations requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification
2531		-	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for
2532		-	situations requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds
2533		-	certification from the National Training, Evaluation and Certification
2534		-	Unit and has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
2535		-	written generalist test, or (7) holds a National Association of the Deaf-
2536		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreting
2537		-	certificate.
2538		-	(e) No person shall provide interpreting services in a legal setting
2539		-	unless such person is registered with the Department of
2540		-	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services according to the
2541		-	provisions of this section and (1) holds a comprehensive skills
2542		-	certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2)
2543		-	holds a certificate of interpretation and a certificate of transliteration
2544		-	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) holds a level
2545		-	five certification from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) holds a
2546		-	reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter under the
2547		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for situations
2548		-	requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification from the
2549		-	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for situations
2550		-	requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds certification from the
2551		-	National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed
2552		-	the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2553		-
2554		-	Public Act No. 19-157 78 of 81
2555		-
2556		-	test, or (7) holds a National Association of the Deaf-National Registry
2557		-	of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreting certificate.
2558		-	Sec. 96. Section 46a-33b of the general statutes is repealed and the
2559		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2560		-	Upon the request of any person or any public or private entity, the
2561		-	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may
2562		-	provide interpreting services to assist such person or entity to the
2563		-	extent such persons who provide interpreting services are available.
2564		-	Any person or entity receiving interpreting services through the
2565		-	department shall reimburse the department for such services at a rate
2566		-	set by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2567		-	Services. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with
2568		-	the provisions of chapter 54 to establish the manner of rate setting.
2569		-	Sec. 97. Section 46a-33c of the general statutes is repealed and the
2570		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
2571		-	For purposes of this section, "state agency" has the same meaning as
2572		-	provided in section 9-612 and "interpreting" has the same meaning as
2573		-	provided in section 46a-33a, as amended by this act. Any state agency
2574		-	that is unable to fulfill a request for interpreting services with its own
2575		-	interpreting staff shall first request such services from the Department
2576		-	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and may seek such
2577		-	services elsewhere if (1) the department is unable to fulfill the request
2578		-	in two business days, or (2) the agency shows good cause that it needs
2579		-	such services immediately. The provisions of this section shall not (A)
2580		-	apply to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability
2581		-	Services if the department needs interpreting services related to an
2582		-	internal matter and the use of department interpreters may raise
2583		-	confidentiality concerns, or (B) affect any preexisting contract for
2584		-	interpreting services. Interpreting services provided by a state agency
2585		-	shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 46a-33a, as Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2586		-
2587		-	Public Act No. 19-157 79 of 81
2588		-
2589		-	amended by this act.
2590		-	Sec. 98. Section 17b-343 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2591		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
2592		-	The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish annually the
2593		-	maximum allowable rate to be paid by agencies for homemaker
2594		-	services, chore person services, companion services, respite care, meals
2595		-	on wheels, adult day care services, case management and assessment
2596		-	services, transportation, mental health counseling and elderly foster
2597		-	care. [, except that the maximum allowable rates in effect July 1, 1990,
2598		-	shall remain in effect during the fiscal years ending June 30, 1992, and
2599		-	June 30, 1993.] The Commissioner of Social Services shall prescribe
2600		-	uniform forms on which agencies providing such services shall report
2601		-	their costs for such services. Such rates shall be determined on the
2602		-	basis of a reasonable payment for necessary services rendered. The
2603		-	maximum allowable rates established by the Commissioner of Social
2604		-	Services for the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly
2605		-	established under section 17b-342 shall constitute the rates required
2606		-	under this section until revised in accordance with this section. The
2607		-	Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a fee schedule, to be
2608		-	effective on and after July 1, 1994, for homemaker services, chore
2609		-	person services, companion services, respite care, meals on wheels,
2610		-	adult day care services, case management and assessment services,
2611		-	transportation, mental health counseling and elderly foster care. The
2612		-	commissioner may annually increase [any fee in] the fee schedule
2613		-	based on an increase in the cost of services. The commissioner shall
2614		-	increase the fee schedule effective July 1, 2000, by not less than five per
2615		-	cent, for adult day care services. The commissioner shall increase the
2616		-	fee schedule effective July 1, 2011, by four dollars per person, per day
2617		-	for adult day care services. Effective July 1, 2020, and annually
2618		-	thereafter, the commissioner may increase the fee schedule for meals
2619		-	on wheels providers serving participants in the Connecticut home-care Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2620		-
2621		-	Public Act No. 19-157 80 of 81
2622		-
2623		-	program for the elderly by, at a minimum, the cost -of-living
2624		-	adjustment as measured by the consumer price ind ex. The
2625		-	commissioner may increase any fee payable to a meals on wheels
2626		-	provider upon the application of such provider evidencing
2627		-	extraordinary costs related to delivery of meals on wheels in sparsely
2628		-	populated rural regions of the state. Nothing contained in this section
2629		-	shall authorize a payment by the state to any agency for such services
2630		-	in excess of the amount charged by such agency for such services to
2631		-	the general public.
2632		-	Sec. 99. Subsection (c) of section 17a-305 of the general statutes is
2633		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
2634		-	1, 2019):
2635		-	(c) The Department of Rehabilitation Services, in consultation with
2636		-	the five area agencies on aging, shall review the method of allocation
2637		-	set forth in subsection (a) of this section and shall report any findings
2638		-	or recommendations, as well as data on service levels and costs, to the
2639		-	joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance
2640		-	of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies
2641		-	and human services. Providers of meals under the department's
2642		-	elderly nutrition program shall annually provide the department with
2643		-	data on service levels and costs.
2644		-	Sec. 100. Subsection (b) of section 19a-127l of the general statutes is
2645		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
2646		-	1, 2019):
2647		-	(b) In carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (a) of this
2648		-	section, the department shall develop the following for the quality of
2649		-	care program:
2650		-	(1) Comparable performance measures to be reported;
2651		-	(2) Selection of patient satisfaction survey measures and Substitute House Bill No. 7163
2652		-
2653		-	Public Act No. 19-157 81 of 81
2654		-
2655		-	instruments;
2656		-	(3) Methods and format of standardized data collection;
2657		-	(4) Format for a public quality performance measurement report;
2658		-	(5) Human resources and quality measurements;
2659		-	(6) Medical error reduction methods;
2660		-	(7) Systems for sharing and implementing universally accepted best
2661		-	practices;
2662		-	(8) Systems for reporting outcome data;
2663		-	(9) Systems for continuum of care;
2664		-	(10) Recommendations concerning the use of an ISO 9000 quality
2665		-	auditing program;
2666		-	(11) Recommendations concerning the types of statutory protection
2667		-	needed prior to collecting any data or information under this section
2668		-	and sections 19a-127m and 19a-127n; [and]
2669		-	(12) Recommendations concerning the collection and analysis of
2670		-	data on patient malnutrition for the purposes of improving quality of
2671		-	care; and
2672		-	[(12)] (13) Any other issues that the department deems appropriate.
	19	+	Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 3-123aa of the general statutes is 1
	20	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2
	21	+	October 1, 2019): 3
	22	+	(c) There is established an advisory committee to the Connecticut 4
	23	+	Homecare Option Program for the Elderly, which shall consist of the 5
	24	+	State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the Commissioner of Social 6
	25	+	Services, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 7
	26	+	Services, the director of the long-term care partnership policy program 8
	27	+	within the Office of Policy and Management, and the cochairpersons 9
	28	+	and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General 10
	29	+	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, human 11
	30	+	services and finance, revenue and bonding, or their designees. The 12
	31	+	Governor shall appoint one provider of home care services for the 13
	32	+	elderly and a physician specializing in geriatric care. The advisory 14
	33	+	committee shall meet at least annually. The State Comptroller shall 15
	34	+	convene the meetings of the committee. 16
	35	+	Sec. 2. Section 4-5 of the general statutes, as amended by section 3 of 17
	36	+	public act 18-91, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 18 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	42	+
	43	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 19
	44	+	As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" 20
	45	+	means Secretary of the Office of Po licy and Management, 21
	46	+	Commissioner of Administrative Services, [Commissioner on Aging,] 22
	47	+	Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner, 23
	48	+	Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Consumer 24
	49	+	Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic 25
	50	+	and Community Development, State Board of Education, 26
	51	+	Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, 27
	52	+	Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, 28
	53	+	Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health, 29
	54	+	Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of 30
	55	+	Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social 31
	56	+	Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of 32
	57	+	Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of 33
	58	+	Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of 34
	59	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the Commissioner of 35
	60	+	Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military 36
	61	+	Affairs, and the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy. As 37
	62	+	used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means the 38
	63	+	Commissioner of Education. 39
	64	+	Sec. 3. Section 4-5 of the general statutes, as amended by section 6 of 40
	65	+	public act 17-237, section 279 of public act 17-2 of the June special 41
	66	+	session and section 20 of public act 18-182, is repealed and the 42
	67	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 43
	68	+	As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" 44
	69	+	means Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, 45
	70	+	Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner of Revenue 46
	71	+	Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and 47
	72	+	Families, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of 48
	73	+	Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, 49
	74	+	State Board of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and 50
	75	+	Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 51 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	81	+
	82	+	Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public 52
	83	+	Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner 53
	84	+	of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social 54
	85	+	Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of 55
	86	+	Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of 56
	87	+	Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of 57
	88	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the Commissioner of 58
	89	+	Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs 59
	90	+	and the executive director of the Technical Education and Career 60
	91	+	System. As used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means 61
	92	+	the Commissioner of Education. 62
	93	+	Sec. 4. Section 4-38c of the general statutes, as amended by section 63
	94	+	13 of public act 18-169, is repealed and the following is substituted in 64
	95	+	lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 65
	96	+	There shall be within the executive branch of state government the 66
	97	+	following departments: Office of Policy and Management, Department 67
	98	+	of Administrative Services, [Department on Aging,] Department of 68
	99	+	Revenue Services, Department of Banking, Department of Agriculture, 69
	100	+	Department of Children and Families, Department of Consumer 70
	101	+	Protection, Department of Correction, Department of Economic and 71
	102	+	Community Development, State Board of Education, Department of 72
	103	+	Emergency Services and Public Protection, Department of Energy and 73
	104	+	Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Board of 74
	105	+	Regents for Higher Education, Insurance Department, Labor 75
	106	+	Department, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 76
	107	+	Department of Developmental Services, Department of Social Services, 77
	108	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, 78
	109	+	Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles and 79
	110	+	Department of Veterans Affairs. 80
	111	+	Sec. 5. Section 4-38c of the general statutes, as amended by section 7 81
	112	+	of public act 17-237, section 287 of public act 17-2 of the June special 82
	113	+	session and section 21 of public act 18-182, is repealed and the 83
	114	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 84 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	120	+
	121	+	There shall be within the executive branch of state government the 85
	122	+	following departments: Office of Policy and Management, Department 86
	123	+	of Administrative Services, Department of Aging and Disability 87
	124	+	Services, Department of Revenue Services, Department of Banking, 88
	125	+	Department of Agriculture, Department of Children and Families, 89
	126	+	Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Correction, 90
	127	+	Department of Economic and Community Development, State Board 91
	128	+	of Education, Department of Emergency Services and Public 92
	129	+	Protection, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 93
	130	+	Department of Public Health, Board of Regents for Higher Education, 94
	131	+	Insurance Department, Labor Department, Department of Mental 95
	132	+	Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental 96
	133	+	Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation, 97
	134	+	Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Veterans Affairs and the 98
	135	+	Technical Education and Career System. 99
	136	+	Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 4-61aa of the general statutes is 100
	137	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 101
	138	+	October 1, 2019): 102
	139	+	(a) For purposes of this section, "state Americans with Disabilities 103
	140	+	Act coordinator" means the person appointed by the Governor to 104
	141	+	coordinate state compliance with the federal Americans with 105
	142	+	Disabilities Act of 1990. There is established a committee to advise the 106
	143	+	state Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. The state Americans 107
	144	+	with Disabilities Act coordinator shall appoint the members of the 108
	145	+	committee, which shall be chaired by said coordinator, or his designee, 109
	146	+	and include at least one representative of each of the following: 110
	147	+	(1) The Board of Education and Services to the Blind; 111
	148	+	(2) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of 112
	149	+	Hearing; 113
	150	+	(3) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 114
	151	+	Services; 115 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	157	+
	158	+	(4) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; 116
	159	+	(5) The Department of Developmental Services; 117
	160	+	(6) The Labor Department; 118
	161	+	(7) The Department of Administrative Services; and 119
	162	+	(8) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. 120
	163	+	Sec. 7. Subsection (g) of section 4-89 of the general statutes is 121
	164	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 122
	165	+	October 1, 2019): 123
	166	+	(g) The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations 124
	167	+	to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in 125
	168	+	an amount not greater than the amount of reimbursements of prior 126
	169	+	year expenditures for the services of interpreters received by the 127
	170	+	department during the fiscal year pursuant to section 46a-33b, as 128
	171	+	amended by this act, and such appropriations shall not lapse until the 129
	172	+	end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year of the appropriation. 130
	173	+	Sec. 8. Subdivision (7) of section 4-274 of the general statutes is 131
	174	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 132
	175	+	October 1, 2019): 133
	176	+	(7) "State-administered health or human services program" means 134
	177	+	programs administered by any of the following: The Department of 135
	178	+	Children and Families, the Department of Developmental Services, the 136
	179	+	Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department 137
	180	+	of Public Health, the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 138
	181	+	Disability Services, the Department of Social Services, the Office of 139
	182	+	Early Childhood, and the Office of the State Comptroller, for the State 140
	183	+	Employee and Retiree Health programs, as well as other health care 141
	184	+	programs administered by the Office of the State Comptroller, and the 142
	185	+	Department of Administrative Services, for Workers' Compensation 143
	186	+	medical claims, including such programs reimbursed in whole or in 144 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	192	+
	193	+	part by the federal government. 145
	194	+	Sec. 9. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 4a-82 of the 146
	195	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 147
	196	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 148
	197	+	(1) "Person with a disability" means any individual with a disability, 149
	198	+	excluding blindness, as such term is applied by the Department of 150
	199	+	Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of 151
	200	+	Developmental Services, the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 152
	201	+	Disability Services or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs 153
	202	+	and who is certified by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 154
	203	+	Disability Services as qualified to participate in a qualified partnership, 155
	204	+	as described in subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section; 156
	205	+	Sec. 10. Subsections (h) to (k), inclusive, of section 4a-82 of the 157
	206	+	general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 158
	207	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 159
	208	+	(h) The Connecticut Community Providers Association shall 160
	209	+	develop an application process and submit a list of employees who 161
	210	+	have applied to participate in a partnership to the Department of 162
	211	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for certification. Such 163
	212	+	association shall maintain a list of certified employees who are persons 164
	213	+	with disabilities and community rehabilitation programs. 165
	214	+	(i) Any qualified partnership awarded a janitorial or service contract 166
	215	+	pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this 167
	216	+	section shall provide to the Connecticut Community Providers 168
	217	+	Association, not later than six months after the commencement date of 169
	218	+	such contract and annually thereafter, a list of the persons with 170
	219	+	disabilities and persons with a disadvantage employed by such 171
	220	+	contractor that includes the date of hire and employment location for 172
	221	+	each such person. Such association shall certify annually to the 173
	222	+	Department of Administrative Services, the Judicial Branch or the 174
	223	+	Board of Regents for Higher Education, as applicable, in such manner 175 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	229	+
	230	+	and form as prescribed by the Commissioner of Administrative 176
	231	+	Services, Chief Court Administrator or the president of the Board of 177
	232	+	Regents for Higher Education, that the requisite number of persons 178
	233	+	with disabilities for such contract continue to be employed by such 179
	234	+	contractor in positions equivalent to those created under such contract 180
	235	+	and have been integrated into the general workforce of such 181
	236	+	contractor. 182
	237	+	(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the 183
	238	+	responsibilities of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 184
	239	+	Disability Services, as established in subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of 185
	240	+	this section, may not be delegated to an outside vendor. 186
	241	+	(k) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 187
	242	+	Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of 188
	243	+	chapter 54, to undertake the certification requirements established 189
	244	+	pursuant to subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section. 190
	245	+	Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 5-175a of the general statutes is 191
	246	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 192
	247	+	October 1, 2019): 193
	248	+	(a) Vending stand operators, operating stands under permits held 194
	249	+	by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 195
	250	+	pursuant to section 10-303, as amended by this act, shall be members of 196
	251	+	the state employees retirement system, part A, exclusive of the Social 197
	252	+	Security option and benefits in the state employees' retirement system 198
	253	+	dependent thereon. Each such person shall annually, on or before June 199
	254	+	thirtieth, pay five per cent of his adjusted gross income, arising out of 200
	255	+	the operation of such stand, as determined under the Internal Revenue 201
	256	+	Code, during the calendar year preceding to the Department of 202
	257	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services which shall, as the state 203
	258	+	administering agency for such persons, certify such payment and pay 204
	259	+	it over to the State Retirement Commission, provided membership of 205
	260	+	such persons in said system shall be exclusive of disability retirement 206
	261	+	upon the grounds of defects of vision. 207 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	268	+	Sec. 12. Subdivision (22) of section 5-198 of the general statutes is 208
	269	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 209
	270	+	October 1, 2019): 210
	271	+	(22) Professional employees in the education professions bargaining 211
	272	+	unit of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 212
	273	+	Services; 213
	274	+	Sec. 13. Subsection (e) of section 5-259 of the general statutes is 214
	275	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 215
	276	+	October 1, 2019): 216
	277	+	(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 217
	278	+	vending stand operators eligible for membership in the state 218
	279	+	employees retirement system pursuant to section 5-175a, as amended 219
	280	+	by this act, shall be eligible for coverage under the group 220
	281	+	hospitalization and medical and surgical insurance plans procured 221
	282	+	under this section, provided the cost for such operators' insurance 222
	283	+	coverage shall be paid by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 223
	284	+	and Disability Services from vending machine income pursuant to 224
	285	+	section 10-303, as amended by this act. 225
	286	+	Sec. 14. Section 7-127b of the general statutes is repealed and the 226
	287	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 227
	288	+	(a) The chief elected official or the chief executive officer if by 228
	289	+	ordinance of each municipality shall appoint a municipal agent for 229
	290	+	elderly persons. Such agent shall be a member of an agency that serves 230
	291	+	elderly persons in the municipality or a responsible resident of the 231
	292	+	municipality who has demonstrated an interest in the elderly or has 232
	293	+	been involved in programs in the field of aging. 233
	294	+	(b) The duties of the municipal agent may include, but shall not be 234
	295	+	limited to, (1) disseminating information to elderly persons, assisting 235
	296	+	such persons in learning about the community resources available to 236
	297	+	them and publicizing such resources and benefits; (2) assisting elderly 237
	298	+	persons to apply for federal and other benefits available to such 238 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	305	+	persons; and (3) reporting to the chief elected official or chief executive 239
	306	+	officer of the municipality and the Department of [Rehabilitation] 240
	307	+	Aging and Disability Services any needs and problems of the elderly 241
	308	+	and any recommendations for action to improve services to the 242
	309	+	elderly. 243
	310	+	(c) Each municipal agent shall serve for a term of two or four years, 244
	311	+	at the discretion of the appointing authority of each municipality, and 245
	312	+	may be reappointed. If more than one agent is necessary to carry out 246
	313	+	the purposes of this section, the appointing authority, in its discretion, 247
	314	+	may appoint one or more assistant agents. The town clerk in each 248
	315	+	municipality shall notify the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 249
	316	+	Disability Services immediately of the appointment of a new municipal 250
	317	+	agent. Each municipality may provide to its municipal agent resources 251
	318	+	sufficient for such agent to perform the duties of the office. 252
	319	+	(d) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 253
	320	+	Services shall adopt and disseminate to municipalities guidelines as to 254
	321	+	the role and duties of municipal agents and such informational and 255
	322	+	technical materials as may assist such agents in performance of their 256
	323	+	duties. The department, in cooperation with the area agencies on 257
	324	+	aging, may provide training for municipal agents within the available 258
	325	+	resources of the department and of the agencies on aging. 259
	326	+	Sec. 15. Section 8-119f of the general statutes is repealed and the 260
	327	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 261
	328	+	The Commissioner of Housing shall design, implement, operate and 262
	329	+	monitor a program of congregate housing. For the purpose of this 263
	330	+	program, the Commissioner of Housing shall consult with the 264
	331	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for the 265
	332	+	provision of services for persons with physical disabilities in order to 266
	333	+	comply with the requirements of section 29-271. 267
	334	+	Sec. 16. Subsection (c) of section 9-20 of the general statutes is 268
	335	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 269 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	342	+	October 1, 2019): 270
	343	+	(c) The application for admission as an elector shall include a 271
	344	+	statement that (1) specifies each eligibility requirement, (2) contains an 272
	345	+	attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement, and (3) 273
	346	+	requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. Each 274
	347	+	registrar of voters and town clerk shall maintain a copy of such 275
	348	+	statement in braille, large print and audio form. The Department of 276
	349	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall produce a 277
	350	+	videotape presenting such statement in voice and sign language and 278
	351	+	provide the videotape to the Secretary of the State who shall make 279
	352	+	copies of the videotape and provide a copy to the registrars of voters of 280
	353	+	any municipality, upon request and at a cost equal to the cost of 281
	354	+	making the copy. If a person applies for admission as an elector in 282
	355	+	person to an admitting official, such admitting official shall, upon the 283
	356	+	request of the applicant, administer the elector's oath. 284
	357	+	Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 10-76i of the general statutes is 285
	358	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 286
	359	+	October 1, 2019): 287
	360	+	(a) There shall be an Advisory Council for Special Education which 288
	361	+	shall advise the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the 289
	362	+	Commissioner of Education, and which shall engage in such other 290
	363	+	activities as described in this section. On and after July 1, 2012, the 291
	364	+	advisory council shall consist of the following members: (1) Nine 292
	365	+	appointed by the Commissioner of Education, (A) six of whom shall be 293
	366	+	(i) the parents of children with disabilities, provided such children are 294
	367	+	under the age of twenty-seven, or (ii) individuals with disabilities, (B) 295
	368	+	one of whom shall be an official of the Department of Education, (C) 296
	369	+	one of whom shall be a state or local official responsible for carrying 297
	370	+	out activities under Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento 298
	371	+	Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11431 et seq., as amended from time 299
	372	+	to time, and (D) one of whom shall be a representative of an institution 300
	373	+	of higher education in the state that prepares teacher and related 301
	374	+	services personnel; (2) one appointed by the Commissioner of 302 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	380	+
	381	+	Developmental Services who shall be an official of the department; (3) 303
	382	+	one appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families who 304
	383	+	shall be an official of the department; (4) one appointed by the 305
	384	+	Commissioner of Correction who shall be an official of the department; 306
	385	+	(5) one appointed by the director of the Parent Leadership Training 307
	386	+	Institute within the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors 308
	387	+	who shall be (A) the parent of a child with a disability, provided such 309
	388	+	child is under the age of twenty-seven, or (B) an individual with a 310
	389	+	disability; (6) a representative from the parent training and 311
	390	+	information center for Connecticut established pursuant to the 312
	391	+	Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as 313
	392	+	amended from time to time; (7) the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 314
	393	+	Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee; (8) five 315
	394	+	who are members of the General Assembly who shall serve as 316
	395	+	nonvoting members of the advisory council, one appointed by the 317
	396	+	speaker of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the 318
	397	+	majority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the 319
	398	+	minority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the 320
	399	+	president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the 321
	400	+	minority leader of the Senate; (9) one appointed by the president pro 322
	401	+	tempore of the Senate who shall be a member of the Connecticut 323
	402	+	Speech-Language-Hearing Association; (10) one appointed by the 324
	403	+	majority leader of the Senate who shall be a public school teacher; (11) 325
	404	+	one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be a 326
	405	+	representative of a vocational, community or business organization 327
	406	+	concerned with the provision of transitional services to children with 328
	407	+	disabilities; (12) one appointed by the speaker of the House of 329
	408	+	Representatives who shall be a member of the Connecticut Council of 330
	409	+	Special Education Administrators and who is a local education official; 331
	410	+	(13) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of 332
	411	+	Representatives who shall be a representative of charter schools; (14) 333
	412	+	one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives 334
	413	+	who shall be a member of the Connecticut Association of Private 335
	414	+	Special Education Facilities; (15) one appointed by the Chief Court 336
	415	+	Administrator of the Judicial Department who shall be an official of 337 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	421	+
	422	+	such department responsible for the provision of services to 338
	423	+	adjudicated children and youth; (16) seven appointed by the Governor, 339
	424	+	all of whom shall be (A) the parents of children with disabilities, 340
	425	+	provided such children are under the age of twenty-seven, or (B) 341
	426	+	individuals with disabilities; (17) the executive director of the 342
	427	+	nonprofit entity designated by the Governor in accordance with 343
	428	+	section 46a-10b to serve as the Connecticut protection and advocacy 344
	429	+	system, or the executive director's designee; and (18) such other 345
	430	+	members as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education 346
	431	+	Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, appointed by 347
	432	+	the Commissioner of Education. Appointments made pursuant to the 348
	433	+	provisions of this section shall be representative of the ethnic and 349
	434	+	racial diversity of, and the types of disabilities found in, the state 350
	435	+	population. The terms of the members of the council serving on June 8, 351
	436	+	2010, shall expire on June 30, 2010. Appointments shall be made to the 352
	437	+	council by July 1, 2010. Members shall serve two-year terms, except 353
	438	+	that members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, 354
	439	+	of this subsection whose terms commenced July 1, 2010, shall serve 355
	440	+	three-year terms and the successors to such members appointed 356
	441	+	pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection shall 357
	442	+	serve two-year terms. 358
	443	+	Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 10-76y of the general statutes is 359
	444	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 360
	445	+	October 1, 2019): 361
	446	+	(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, school 362
	447	+	districts, regional educational service centers, the Department of 363
	448	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and all other state and 364
	449	+	local governmental agencies concerned with education may loan, lease 365
	450	+	or transfer an assistive device for the use and benefit of a student with 366
	451	+	a disability to such student or the parent or guardian of such student 367
	452	+	or to any other public or private nonprofit agency providing services 368
	453	+	to or on behalf of individuals with disabilities including, but not 369
	454	+	limited to, an agency providing educational, health or rehabilitative 370 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	461	+	services. Such device may be sold or transferred pursuant to this 371
	462	+	section regardless of whether the device was declared surplus. The sale 372
	463	+	or transfer shall be recorded in an agreement between the parties and 373
	464	+	based upon the depreciated value of the device. For the purposes of 374
	465	+	this section, "assistive device" means any item, piece of equipment or 375
	466	+	product system, whether acquired commercially off -the-shelf, 376
	467	+	modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve 377
	468	+	the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. 378
	469	+	Sec. 19. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-293 of the 379
	470	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 380
	471	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 381
	472	+	(b) (1) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Blind or Visually 382
	473	+	Impaired shall consist of members appointed as follows: Six appointed 383
	474	+	by the Governor, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the 384
	475	+	Senate, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 385
	476	+	one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one appointed by 386
	477	+	the minority leader of the Senate, one appointed by the majority leader 387
	478	+	of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the minority 388
	479	+	leader of the House of Representatives and all shall be residents of the 389
	480	+	state. The Commissioner of Social Services shall be an ex-officio 390
	481	+	member. One of the members appointed by the Governor shall be the 391
	482	+	parent of a child who receives services provided by the Department of 392
	483	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and not less than two of 393
	484	+	the members appointed by the Governor shall be persons who are 394
	485	+	blind. 395
	486	+	Sec. 20. Section 10-295 of the general statutes is repealed and the 396
	487	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 397
	488	+	(a) All residents of this state, regardless of age, who, because of 398
	489	+	blindness or impaired vision, require specialized vision-related 399
	490	+	educational programs, goods and services, on the signed 400
	491	+	recommendation of the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 401
	492	+	Disability Services, shall be entitled to receive such instruction, 402 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	499	+	programs, goods and services for such length of time as is deemed 403
	500	+	expedient by said commissioner. Upon the petition of any parent or 404
	501	+	guardian of a child who is blind or visually impaired, a local board of 405
	502	+	education may provide such instruction within the town or it may 406
	503	+	provide for such instruction by agreement with other towns as 407
	504	+	provided in subsection (d) of section 10-76d. All educational privileges 408
	505	+	prescribed in part V of chapter 164, not inconsistent with the 409
	506	+	provisions of this chapter, shall apply to the pupils covered by this 410
	507	+	subsection. 411
	508	+	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 412
	509	+	Services shall expend funds for the services made available pursuant 413
	510	+	to subsection (a) of this section from the educational aid for children 414
	511	+	who are blind or visually impaired account in accordance with the 415
	512	+	provisions of this subsection. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 416
	513	+	Aging and Disability Services may adopt, in accordance with the 417
	514	+	provisions of chapter 54, such regulations as the commissioner deems 418
	515	+	necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this subsection. 419
	516	+	(1) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 420
	517	+	Services shall provide, upon written request from any interested 421
	518	+	school district, the services of teachers who instruct students who are 422
	519	+	visually impaired, based on the levels established in the individualized 423
	520	+	education or service plan. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging 424
	521	+	and Disability Services shall also make available resources, including, 425
	522	+	but not limited to, the braille and large print library, to all teachers of 426
	523	+	public and nonpublic school children. The commissioner may also 427
	524	+	provide vision-related professional development and training to all 428
	525	+	school districts and cover the actual cost for paraprofessionals from 429
	526	+	school districts to participate in agency-sponsored braille training 430
	527	+	programs. The commissioner shall utilize education consultant 431
	528	+	positions, funded by moneys appropriated from the General Fund, to 432
	529	+	supplement new staffing that will be made available through the 433
	530	+	educational aid for children who are blind or visually impaired 434
	531	+	account, which shall be governed by formal written policies 435 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	538	+	established by the commissioner. 436
	539	+	(2) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 437
	540	+	Services may use funds appropriated to said account to provide 438
	541	+	specialized books, materials, equipment, supplies, adaptive technology 439
	542	+	services and devices, specialist examinations and aids, preschool 440
	543	+	programs and vision-related independent living services, excluding 441
	544	+	primary educational placement, for eligible children. 442
	545	+	(3) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 443
	546	+	Services may, within available appropriations, employ certified 444
	547	+	teachers who instruct students who are visually impaired in sufficient 445
	548	+	numbers to meet the requests for services received from school 446
	549	+	districts. In responding to such requests, the commissioner shall utilize 447
	550	+	a formula for determining the number of teachers needed to serve the 448
	551	+	school districts, crediting six points for each child learning braille and 449
	552	+	one point for each other child, with one full-time certified teacher who 450
	553	+	instructs students who are visually impaired assigned for every 451
	554	+	twenty-five points credited. The commissioner shall exercise due 452
	555	+	diligence to employ the needed number of certified teachers who 453
	556	+	instruct students who are visually impaired, but shall not be liable for 454
	557	+	lack of resources. Funds appropriated to said account may also be 455
	558	+	utilized to employ additional staff in numbers sufficient to provide 456
	559	+	compensatory skills, evaluations and training to children who are 457
	560	+	blind or visually impaired, special assistants and other support staff 458
	561	+	necessary to ensure the efficient operation of service delivery. Not later 459
	562	+	than October first of each year, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 460
	563	+	Aging and Disability Services shall determine the number of teachers 461
	564	+	needed based on the formula provided in this subdivision. Based on 462
	565	+	such determination, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 463
	566	+	Disability Services shall estimate the funding needed to pay such 464
	567	+	teachers' salaries and related expenses. 465
	568	+	(4) In any fiscal year, when funds appropriated to cover the 466
	569	+	combined costs associated with providing the services set forth in 467
	570	+	subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection are projected to be 468 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	577	+	insufficient, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 469
	578	+	Services may collect revenue from all school districts that have 470
	579	+	requested such services on a per student pro rata basis, in the sums 471
	580	+	necessary to cover the projected portion of these services for which 472
	581	+	there are insufficient appropriations. 473
	582	+	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 474
	583	+	Services may provide for the instruction of adults who are blind in 475
	584	+	their homes, expending annually for this purpose such sums as the 476
	585	+	General Assembly may appropriate. 477
	586	+	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 478
	587	+	Services may expend up to ten thousand dollars per fiscal year per 479
	588	+	person twenty-one years of age or older who is both blind or visually 480
	589	+	impaired and deaf, in addition to any other expenditures for such 481
	590	+	person, for the purpose of providing community inclusion services 482
	591	+	through specialized public and private entities from which such 483
	592	+	person can benefit. The commissioner may determine the criteria by 484
	593	+	which a person is eligible to receive specialized services and may 485
	594	+	adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this 486
	595	+	subsection. For purposes of this subsection, "community inclusion 487
	596	+	services" means the assistance provided to persons with disabilities to 488
	597	+	enable them to connect with their peers without disabilities and with 489
	598	+	the community at large. 490
	599	+	(e) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 491
	600	+	Services may, within available appropriations, purchase adaptive 492
	601	+	equipment for persons receiving services pursuant to this chapter. 493
	602	+	Sec. 21. Section 10-296 of the general statutes is repealed and the 494
	603	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 495
	604	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 496
	605	+	may, within available appropriations, contract with public or private 497
	606	+	entities, individuals or private enterprises for the instruction of 498
	607	+	persons who are blind. 499 Substitute Bill No. 7163
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	614	+	Sec. 22. Section 10-297 of the general statutes is repealed and the 500
	615	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 501
	616	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 502
	617	+	is authorized to aid in securing employment for persons who are 503
	618	+	legally blind. Said commissioner may aid persons who are legally 504
	619	+	blind in such way as said commissioner deems expedient, expending 505
	620	+	for such purpose such sum as the General Assembly appropriates. 506
	621	+	Sec. 23. Section 10-297a of the general statutes is repealed and the 507
	622	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 508
	623	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 509
	624	+	may make grants, within available appropriations, to the Connecticut 510
	625	+	Radio Information Service, Inc., for the purchase of receivers and for 511
	626	+	costs related to the operation of said service. 512
	627	+	Sec. 24. Section 10-298 of the general statutes is repealed and the 513
	628	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 514
	629	+	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 515
	630	+	Services shall prepare and maintain a register of persons who are blind 516
	631	+	in this state which shall describe their condition, cause of blindness 517
	632	+	and capacity for education and rehabilitative training. The 518
	633	+	commissioner may register cases of persons who are liable to become 519
	634	+	visually impaired or blind, and may take such measures in cooperation 520
	635	+	with other authorities as the commissioner deems advisable for the 521
	636	+	prevention of blindness or conservation of eyesight and, in appropriate 522
	637	+	cases, for the education of children and for the vocational guidance of 523
	638	+	adults whose eyesight approaches visual impairment or blindness. The 524
	639	+	commissioner shall establish criteria for low vision care and maintain a 525
	640	+	list of ophthalmologists and optometrists that are exclusively 526
	641	+	authorized to receive agency funds through established and existing 527
	642	+	state fee schedules for the delivery of specifically defined low vision 528
	643	+	services that increase the capacity of eligible recipients of such services 529
	644	+	to maximize the use of their remaining vision. 530 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	645	+
	646	+
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	650	+
	651	+	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 531
	652	+	Services may accept and receive any bequest or gift of money or 532
	653	+	personal property and, subject to the consent of the Governor and 533
	654	+	Attorney General as provided in section 4b-22, any devise or gift of 534
	655	+	real property made to the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 535
	656	+	Disability Services, and may hold and use such money or property for 536
	657	+	the purposes, if any, specified in connection with such bequest, devise 537
	658	+	or gift. 538
	659	+	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 539
	660	+	Services shall provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with the 540
	661	+	names of all individuals sixteen years of age or older who, on or after 541
	662	+	October 1, 2005, have been determined to be blind by a physician, an 542
	663	+	advanced practice registered nurse or an optometrist, as provided in 543
	664	+	section 10-305, as amended by this act. The Commissioner of 544
	665	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall provide 545
	666	+	simultaneous written notification to any individual whose name is 546
	667	+	being transmitted by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 547
	668	+	Disability Services to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The 548
	669	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall 549
	670	+	update the list of names provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles 550
	671	+	on a quarterly basis. The list shall also contain the address and date of 551
	672	+	birth for each individual reported, as shown on the records of the 552
	673	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. The 553
	674	+	Department of Motor Vehicles shall maintain such list on a 554
	675	+	confidential basis, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-46d. 555
	676	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 556
	677	+	shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 557
	678	+	Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to effectuate the purposes of this 558
	679	+	subsection. 559
	680	+	Sec. 25. Section 10-303 of the general statutes is repealed and the 560
	681	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 561
	682	+	(a) The authority in charge of any building or property owned, 562
	683	+	operated or leased by the state or any municipality therein shall grant 563 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	684	+
	685	+
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	689	+
	690	+	to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services a 564
	691	+	permit to operate in such building or on such property a food service 565
	692	+	facility, a vending machine or a stand for the vending of newspapers, 566
	693	+	periodicals, confections, tobacco products, food and such other articles 567
	694	+	as such authority approves when, in the opinion of such authority, 568
	695	+	such facility, machine or stand is desirable in such location. Any 569
	696	+	person operating such a stand in any such location on October 1, 1945, 570
	697	+	shall be permitted to continue such operation, but upon such person's 571
	698	+	ceasing such operation such authority shall grant a permit for 572
	699	+	continued operation to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 573
	700	+	Disability Services. The department may establish a training facility at 574
	701	+	any such location. 575
	702	+	(b) Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, 49 Stat. 576
	703	+	1559 (1936), 20 USC 107, as amended from time to time, the 577
	704	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is 578
	705	+	authorized to maintain a nonlapsing account and to accrue interest 579
	706	+	thereon for federal vending machine income which, in accordance with 580
	707	+	federal regulations, shall be used for the payment of fringe benefits to 581
	708	+	the vending facility operators by the Department of [Rehabilitation] 582
	709	+	Aging and Disability Services. 583
	710	+	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 584
	711	+	may maintain a nonlapsing account and accrue interest thereon for 585
	712	+	state and local vending machine income which shall be used for the 586
	713	+	payment of fringe benefits, training and support to vending facilities 587
	714	+	operators, to provide entrepreneurial and independent-living training 588
	715	+	and equipment to children who are blind or visually impaired and 589
	716	+	adults who are blind and for other vocational rehabilitation programs 590
	717	+	and services for adults who are blind. 591
	718	+	(d) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 592
	719	+	Services may disburse state and local vending machine income to 593
	720	+	student or client activity funds, as defined in section 4-52. 594
	721	+	Sec. 26. Section 10-305 of the general statutes is repealed and the 595 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	722	+
	723	+
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	726	+	20 of 77
	727	+
	728	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 596
	729	+	Each physician, advanced practice registered nurse and optometrist 597
	730	+	shall report in writing to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 598
	731	+	Disability Services not later than thirty days after a person who is blind 599
	732	+	comes under his or her private or institutional care within this state. 600
	733	+	The report of such person shall include the name, address, Social 601
	734	+	Security number, date of birth, date of diagnosis of blindness and 602
	735	+	degree of vision. Such reports shall not be open to public inspection. 603
	736	+	Sec. 27. Section 10-306 of the general statutes is repealed and the 604
	737	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 605
	738	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 606
	739	+	may maintain a vocational rehabilitation program as authorized under 607
	740	+	the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 791 et seq., for the 608
	741	+	purpose of providing and coordinating the full scope of necessary 609
	742	+	services to assist persons who are legally blind and who receive 610
	743	+	services from the department to prepare for, enter into and maintain 611
	744	+	employment consistent with the purposes of said act. 612
	745	+	Sec. 28. Section 10-307 of the general statutes is repealed and the 613
	746	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 614
	747	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is 615
	748	+	empowered to receive any federal funds made available to this state 616
	749	+	under which vocational rehabilitation is provided for a person whose 617
	750	+	visual acuity has been impaired and to expend such funds for the 618
	751	+	purpose or purposes for which they are made available. The State 619
	752	+	Treasurer shall be the custodian of such funds. 620
	753	+	Sec. 29. Section 10-308 of the general statutes is repealed and the 621
	754	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 622
	755	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 623
	756	+	may cooperate, pursuant to agreements, with the federal government 624
	757	+	in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to 625 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	758	+
	759	+
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	763	+
	764	+	vocational rehabilitation, and is authorized to adopt such methods of 626
	765	+	administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary 627
	766	+	for the proper and efficient operation of such agreements or plans for 628
	767	+	vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may 629
	768	+	be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes. 630
	769	+	Sec. 30. Section 10-308a of the general statutes is repealed and the 631
	770	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 632
	771	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 633
	772	+	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to determine 634
	773	+	the order to be followed in selecting those eligible persons to whom 635
	774	+	vocational rehabilitation services will be provided, in accordance with 636
	775	+	federal regulations. 637
	776	+	Sec. 31. Section 10-309 of the general statutes is repealed and the 638
	777	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 639
	778	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 640
	779	+	may place in remunerative occupations persons whose capacity to earn 641
	780	+	a living has been lost or impaired by lessened visual acuity and who, 642
	781	+	in the opinion of the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 643
	782	+	Disability Services, are susceptible of placement, and may make such 644
	783	+	regulations as are necessary for the administration of the provisions of 645
	784	+	this section and sections 10-306 to 10-308a, inclusive, as amended by 646
	785	+	this act. 647
	786	+	Sec. 32. Section 10-311a of the general statutes is repealed and the 648
	787	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 649
	788	+	The case records of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 650
	789	+	Disability Services maintained for the purposes of this chapter shall be 651
	790	+	confidential and the names and addresses of recipients of assistance 652
	791	+	under this chapter shall not be published or used for purposes not 653
	792	+	directly connected with the administration of this chapter, except as 654
	793	+	necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 10-298, as amended by 655
	794	+	this act, and 17b-6. 656 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	795	+
	796	+
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	799	+	22 of 77
	800	+
	801	+	Sec. 33. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 12-217oo of the 657
	802	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 658
	803	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 659
	804	+	(4) "New qualifying employee" means a person who (A) is receiving 660
	805	+	vocational rehabilitation services from the Department of 661
	806	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, and (B) is hired by the 662
	807	+	employer to fill a new job after May 6, 2010, during the employer's 663
	808	+	income years commencing on or after January 1, 2010, and prior to 664
	809	+	January 1, 2012. A new qualifying employee does not include a person 665
	810	+	receiving vocational rehabilitation services pursuant to subparagraph 666
	811	+	(A) of this subdivision and who was employed in this state by a related 667
	812	+	person with respect to the employer during the prior twelve months; 668
	813	+	Sec. 34. Subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section 12-217pp of the 669
	814	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 670
	815	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 671
	816	+	(7) "Qualifying employee" means a new employee who, at the time 672
	817	+	of hiring by the taxpayer: 673
	818	+	(A) (i) Is receiving unemployment compensation, or (ii) has 674
	819	+	exhausted unemployment compensation benefits and has not had an 675
	820	+	intervening full-time job; or 676
	821	+	(B) Is (i) receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the 677
	822	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, (ii) 678
	823	+	receiving employment services from the Department of Mental Health 679
	824	+	and Addiction Services, or (iii) participating in employment 680
	825	+	opportunities and day services, as defined in section 17a-226, operated 681
	826	+	or funded by the Department of Developmental Services; 682
	827	+	Sec. 35. Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 12-217pp of the 683
	828	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 684
	829	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 685
	830	+	(e) (1) To be eligible to claim the credit, a taxpayer shall apply to the 686 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	831	+
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	835	+	23 of 77
	836	+
	837	+	commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section. The 687
	838	+	application shall be on a form provided by the commissioner and shall 688
	839	+	contain sufficient information as required by the commissioner, 689
	840	+	including, but not limited to, the activities that the taxpayer primarily 690
	841	+	engages in, the North American Industrial Classification System code 691
	842	+	of the taxpayer, the current number of employees employed by the 692
	843	+	taxpayer as of the application date, and if applicable, the name and 693
	844	+	position or job title of the new, qualifying or veteran employee. The 694
	845	+	commissioner shall consult with the Labor Commissioner, the 695
	846	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, the 696
	847	+	Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of Mental Health 697
	848	+	and Addiction Services or the Commissioner of Developmental 698
	849	+	Services, as applicable, for any verification the commissioner deems 699
	850	+	necessary of unemployment compensation or vocational rehabilitation 700
	851	+	services received by a qualifying employee, or of service in the armed 701
	852	+	forces of the United States by a veteran employee. The commissioner 702
	853	+	may impose a fee for such application as the commissioner deems 703
	854	+	appropriate. 704
	855	+	Sec. 36. Section 14-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the 705
	856	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 706
	857	+	(a) There shall be within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 707
	858	+	and Disability Services a unit for the purpose of evaluating and 708
	859	+	training persons with disabilities in the operation of motor vehicles. 709
	860	+	There shall be assigned to the driver training unit for persons with 710
	861	+	disabilities such staff as is necessary for the orderly administration of 711
	862	+	the driver training program for persons with disabilities. The 712
	863	+	personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with 713
	864	+	disabilities shall, while engaged in the evaluation or instruction of a 714
	865	+	person with disabilities, have the authority and immunities with 715
	866	+	respect to such activities as are granted under the general statutes to 716
	867	+	motor vehicle inspectors. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may 717
	868	+	permit a person whose license has been withdrawn as a result of a 718
	869	+	condition that makes such person eligible for evaluation and training 719 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	870	+
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	875	+
	876	+	under this section to operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by 720
	877	+	personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with 721
	878	+	disabilities. When a person with disabilities has successfully completed 722
	879	+	the driver training program for persons with disabilities, the 723
	880	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall 724
	881	+	certify such completion in writing to the Commissioner of Motor 725
	882	+	Vehicles and shall recommend any license restrictions or limitations to 726
	883	+	be placed on the license of such person. The Commissioner of Motor 727
	884	+	Vehicles may accept such certification in lieu of the driving skills 728
	885	+	portion of the examination prescribed under subsection (e) of section 729
	886	+	14-36. If such person with disabilities has met all other requirements 730
	887	+	for obtaining a license, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue 731
	888	+	a license with such restrictions recommended by the Department of 732
	889	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. 733
	890	+	(b) Any resident of this state who has a serious physical or mental 734
	891	+	disability which does not render the resident incapable of operating a 735
	892	+	motor vehicle and who must utilize special equipment in order to 736
	893	+	operate a motor vehicle and who cannot obtain instruction in the 737
	894	+	operation of a motor vehicle through any alternate program, including, 738
	895	+	but not limited to, other state, federal or privately operated drivers' 739
	896	+	schools shall be eligible for instruction under the Department of 740
	897	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services driver training program 741
	898	+	for persons with disabilities. 742
	899	+	Sec. 37. Subsection (b) of section 14-253a of the general statutes is 743
	900	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 744
	901	+	October 1, 2019): 745
	902	+	(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept applications 746
	903	+	and renewal applications for removable windshield placards from (1) 747
	904	+	any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f; (2) any person with 748
	905	+	disabilities; (3) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or 749
	906	+	any person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen years of 750
	907	+	age at the time of application; (4) any parent or guardian of any person 751
	908	+	who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is unable to 752 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	909	+
	910	+
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	913	+	25 of 77
	914	+
	915	+	request or complete an application; and (5) any organization which 753
	916	+	meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to 754
	917	+	the commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is 755
	918	+	requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or 756
	919	+	persons with disabilities. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this 757
	920	+	section, on and after October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall not accept 758
	921	+	applications for special license plates, but shall accept renewal 759
	922	+	applications for such plates that were issued prior to October 1, 2011. 760
	923	+	No person shall be issued a placard in accordance with this section 761
	924	+	unless such person is the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's 762
	925	+	license, or identification card issued in accordance with the provisions 763
	926	+	of section 1-1h. The commissioner is authorized to adopt regulations 764
	927	+	for the issuance of placards to persons who, by reason of hardship, do 765
	928	+	not hold or cannot obtain an operator's license or identification card. 766
	929	+	The commissioner shall maintain a record of each placard issued to 767
	930	+	any such person. Such applications and renewal applications shall be 768
	931	+	on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The application and 769
	932	+	renewal application shall include: (A) Certification by a licensed 770
	933	+	physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse 771
	934	+	licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or a member 772
	935	+	of the driver training unit for persons with disabilities established 773
	936	+	pursuant to section 14-11b, as amended by this act, that the applicant 774
	937	+	meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or 775
	938	+	impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2; or (B) 776
	939	+	certification by a psychiatrist who is employed by, or under contract 777
	940	+	with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the 778
	941	+	applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, 779
	942	+	who has post-traumatic stress disorder certified as service-connected 780
	943	+	by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the 781
	944	+	definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the 782
	945	+	ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2. In the case of 783
	946	+	persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall 784
	947	+	include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of 785
	948	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, an ophthalmologist or 786
	949	+	an optometrist. Any person who makes a certification required by this 787 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	950	+
	951	+
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	955	+
	956	+	subsection shall sign the application or renewal application under 788
	957	+	penalty of false statement pursuant to section 53a-157b. The 789
	958	+	commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the 790
	959	+	discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, in 791
	960	+	lieu of such certification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may 792
	961	+	require additional certification at the time of the original application or 793
	962	+	at any time thereafter. If a person who has been requested to submit 794
	963	+	additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request, 795
	964	+	or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of 796
	965	+	Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner 797
	966	+	may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such 798
	967	+	special license plate or placard. The commissioner shall not issue more 799
	968	+	than one placard per applicant. The fee for the issuance of a temporary 800
	969	+	removable windshield placard shall be five dollars. Any person whose 801
	970	+	application has been denied or whose special license plate or placard 802
	971	+	has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a 803
	972	+	hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. 804
	973	+	Sec. 38. Subsection (a) of section 17a-215d of the general statutes is 805
	974	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 806
	975	+	October 1, 2019): 807
	976	+	(a) There is established the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory 808
	977	+	Council. The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The 809
	978	+	Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee; (2) 810
	979	+	the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's 811
	980	+	designee; (3) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's 812
	981	+	designee; (4) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction 813
	982	+	Services, or the commissioner's designee; (5) the Commissioner of 814
	983	+	Public Health, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the Commissioner of 815
	984	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's 816
	985	+	designee; (7) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the 817
	986	+	commissioner's designee; (8) the Commissioner of Early Childhood, or 818
	987	+	the commissioner's designee; (9) the Secretary of the Office of Policy 819
	988	+	and Management, or the secretary's designee; (10) two persons with 820 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	989	+
	990	+
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	993	+	27 of 77
	994	+
	995	+	autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and 821
	996	+	the speaker of the House of Representatives; (11) two persons who are 822
	997	+	parents or guardians of a child with autism spectrum disorder, one 823
	998	+	each appointed by the Governor and the minority leader of the Senate; 824
	999	+	(12) two persons who are parents or guardians of an adult with autism 825
	1000	+	spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the president pro tempore 826
	1001	+	of the Senate and the majority leader of the House of Representatives; 827
	1002	+	(13) two persons who are advocates for persons with autism spectrum 828
	1003	+	disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the speaker of the 829
	1004	+	House of Representatives; (14) two persons who are licensed 830
	1005	+	professionals working in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one 831
	1006	+	each appointed by the Governor and the majority leader of the Senate; 832
	1007	+	(15) two persons who provide services for persons with autism 833
	1008	+	spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the 834
	1009	+	minority leader of the House of Representatives; (16) two persons who 835
	1010	+	shall be representatives of an institution of higher education in the 836
	1011	+	state with experience in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one 837
	1012	+	each appointed by the Governor and the president pro tempore of the 838
	1013	+	Senate; (17) the executive director of the nonprofit entity designated by 839
	1014	+	the Governor in accordance with section 46a-10b to serve as the 840
	1015	+	Connecticut protection and advocacy system, or the executive 841
	1016	+	director's designee; and (18) one person who is a physician who treats 842
	1017	+	or diagnoses persons with autism spectrum disorder, appointed by the 843
	1018	+	Governor. 844
	1019	+	Sec. 39. Subdivision (9) of section 17a-248 of the general statutes is 845
	1020	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 846
	1021	+	October 1, 2019): 847
	1022	+	(9) "Participating agencies" includes, but is not limited to, the 848
	1023	+	Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children 849
	1024	+	and Families and Developmental Services, the Office of Early 850
	1025	+	Childhood, the Insurance Department and the Department of 851
	1026	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. 852
	1027	+	Sec. 40. Subsection (a) of section 17a-302 of the general statutes is 853 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1028	+
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	1032	+	28 of 77
	1033	+
	1034	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 854
	1035	+	October 1, 2019): 855
	1036	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 856
	1037	+	Services shall be responsible for the administration of programs which 857
	1038	+	provide nutritionally sound diets to needy older persons and for the 858
	1039	+	expansion of such programs when possible. Such programs shall be 859
	1040	+	continued in such a manner as to fully utilize congregate feeding and 860
	1041	+	nutrition education of older citizens who qualify for such program. 861
	1042	+	Sec. 41. Section 17a-302a of the general statutes is repealed and the 862
	1043	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 863
	1044	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 864
	1045	+	shall hold quarterly meetings with nutrition service stakeholders to (1) 865
	1046	+	develop recommendations to address complexities in the 866
	1047	+	administrative processes of nutrition services programs, (2) establish 867
	1048	+	quality control benchmarks in such programs, and (3) help move 868
	1049	+	toward greater quality, efficiency and transparency in the elderly 869
	1050	+	nutrition program. Stakeholders shall include, but need not be limited 870
	1051	+	to, (A) one representative of each of the following: (i) Area agencies on 871
	1052	+	aging, (ii) access agencies, (iii) the Commission on Women, Children 872
	1053	+	and Seniors, and (iv) nutrition providers, and (B) one or more 873
	1054	+	representatives of (i) food security programs, (ii) contractors, (iii) 874
	1055	+	nutrition host sites, and (iv) consumers. 875
	1056	+	Sec. 42. Section 17a-303a of the general statutes is repealed and the 876
	1057	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 877
	1058	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 878
	1059	+	Services shall establish, within available appropriations, a fall 879
	1060	+	prevention program. Within such program, the department shall: 880
	1061	+	(1) Promote and support research to: (A) Improve the identification, 881
	1062	+	diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of older persons and others 882
	1063	+	who have a high risk of falling; (B) improve data collection and 883
	1064	+	analysis to identify risk factors for falls and factors that reduce the 884 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1065	+
	1066	+
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	1069	+	29 of 77
	1070	+
	1071	+	likelihood of falls; (C) design, implement and evaluate the most 885
	1072	+	effective fall prevention interventions; (D) improve intervention 886
	1073	+	strategies that have been proven effective in reducing falls by tailoring 887
	1074	+	such strategies to specific populations of older persons; (E) maximize 888
	1075	+	the dissemination of proven, effective fall prevention interventions; (F) 889
	1076	+	assess the risk of falls occurring in various settings; (G) identify 890
	1077	+	barriers to the adoption of proven interventions with respect to the 891
	1078	+	prevention of falls among older persons; (H) develop, implement and 892
	1079	+	evaluate the most effective approaches to reducing falls among high-893
	1080	+	risk older persons living in communities and long-term care and 894
	1081	+	assisted living facilities; and (I) evaluate the effectiveness of 895
	1082	+	community programs designed to prevent falls among older persons; 896
	1083	+	(2) Establish, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public 897
	1084	+	Health, a professional education program in fall prevention, evaluation 898
	1085	+	and management for physicians, allied health professionals and other 899
	1086	+	health care providers who provide services for older persons in this 900
	1087	+	state. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 901
	1088	+	Services may contract for the establishment of such program through 902
	1089	+	(A) a request for proposal process, (B) a competitive grant program, or 903
	1090	+	(C) cooperative agreements with qualified organizations, institutions 904
	1091	+	or consortia of qualified organizations and institutions; 905
	1092	+	(3) Oversee and support demonstration and research projects to be 906
	1093	+	carried out by organizations, institutions or consortia of organizations 907
	1094	+	and institutions deemed qualified by the Commissioner of 908
	1095	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. Such demonstration 909
	1096	+	and research projects may be in the following areas: 910
	1097	+	(A) Targeted fall risk screening and referral programs; 911
	1098	+	(B) Programs designed for community-dwelling older persons that 912
	1099	+	use fall intervention approaches, including physical activity, 913
	1100	+	medication assessment and reduction of medication when possible, 914
	1101	+	vision enhancement and home-modification strategies; 915 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1102	+
	1103	+
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	1106	+	30 of 77
	1107	+
	1108	+	(C) Programs that target new fall victims who are at a high risk for 916
	1109	+	second falls and that are designed to maximize independence and 917
	1110	+	quality of life for older persons, particularly those older persons with 918
	1111	+	functional limitations; and 919
	1112	+	(D) Private sector and public-private partnerships to develop 920
	1113	+	technologies to prevent falls among older persons and prevent or 921
	1114	+	reduce injuries when falls occur; and 922
	1115	+	(4) Award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 923
	1116	+	agreements with, organizations, institutions or consortia of 924
	1117	+	organizations and institutions deemed qualified by the Commissioner 925
	1118	+	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to design, implement 926
	1119	+	and evaluate fall prevention programs using proven intervention 927
	1120	+	strategies in residential and institutional settings. 928
	1121	+	(b) In awarding any grants or entering into any contracts or 929
	1122	+	agreements pursuant to this section, after October 1, 2017, the 930
	1123	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall 931
	1124	+	determine appropriate data and program outcome measures, 932
	1125	+	including fall prevention program outcome measures, as applicable, 933
	1126	+	that the recipient organization, institution or consortia of organizations 934
	1127	+	and institutions shall collect and report to the commissioner and the 935
	1128	+	frequency of such reports. 936
	1129	+	Sec. 43. Section 17a-304 of the general statutes is repealed and the 937
	1130	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 938
	1131	+	The state shall be divided into five elderly planning and service 939
	1132	+	areas, in accordance with federal law and regulations, each having an 940
	1133	+	area agency on aging to carry out the mandates of the federal Older 941
	1134	+	Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The area agencies shall (1) 942
	1135	+	represent older persons within their geographic areas, (2) develop an 943
	1136	+	area plan for approval by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 944
	1137	+	and Disability Services and upon such approval administer the plan, 945
	1138	+	(3) coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit, private agencies in 946 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1139	+
	1140	+
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	1143	+	31 of 77
	1144	+
	1145	+	the development of programs, (4) receive and distribute federal and 947
	1146	+	state funds for such purposes, in accordance with applicable law, and 948
	1147	+	(5) carry out any additional duties and functions required by federal 949
	1148	+	law and regulations. 950
	1149	+	Sec. 44. Section 17a-305 of the general statutes is repealed and the 951
	1150	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 952
	1151	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 953
	1152	+	Services shall equitably allocate, in accordance with federal law, 954
	1153	+	federal funds received under Title IIIB and IIIC of the Older Americans 955
	1154	+	Act to the five area agencies on aging established pursuant to section 956
	1155	+	17a-304, as amended by this act. The department, before seeking 957
	1156	+	federal approval to spend any amount above that allotted for 958
	1157	+	administrative expenses under said act, shall inform the joint standing 959
	1158	+	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 960
	1159	+	relating to aging and human services that it is seeking such approval. 961
	1160	+	(b) Sixty per cent of the state funds appropriated to the five area 962
	1161	+	agencies on aging for elderly nutrition and social services shall be 963
	1162	+	allocated in the same proportion as allocations made pursuant to 964
	1163	+	subsection (a) of this section. Forty per cent of all state funds 965
	1164	+	appropriated to the five area agencies on aging for elderly nutrition 966
	1165	+	and social services used for purposes other than the required 967
	1166	+	nonfederal matching funds shall be allocated at the discretion of the 968
	1167	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in 969
	1168	+	consultation with the five area agencies on aging, based on their need 970
	1169	+	for such funds. Any state funds appropriated to the five area agencies 971
	1170	+	on aging for administrative expenses shall be allocated equally. 972
	1171	+	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 973
	1172	+	Services, in consultation with the five area agencies on aging, shall 974
	1173	+	review the method of allocation set forth in subsection (a) of this 975
	1174	+	section and shall report any findings or recommendations to the joint 976
	1175	+	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 977
	1176	+	matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies 978 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1177	+
	1178	+
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	1181	+	32 of 77
	1182	+
	1183	+	and human services. 979
	1184	+	(d) An area agency may request a person participating in the elderly 980
	1185	+	nutrition program to pay a voluntary fee for meals furnished, except 981
	1186	+	that no eligible person shall be denied a meal due to an inability to pay 982
	1187	+	such fee. 983
	1188	+	Sec. 45. Section 17a-306 of the general statutes is repealed and the 984
	1189	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 985
	1190	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 986
	1191	+	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 987
	1192	+	54, to carry out the purposes, programs and services authorized 988
	1193	+	pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended from time to 989
	1194	+	time. The department may operate under any new policy necessary to 990
	1195	+	conform to a requirement of a federal or joint state and federal 991
	1196	+	program while it is in the process of adopting the policy in regulation 992
	1197	+	form, provided the department posts such policy on the eRegulations 993
	1198	+	System not later than twenty days after adopting the policy. Such 994
	1199	+	policy shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective. 995
	1200	+	Sec. 46. Section 17a-310 of the general statutes is repealed and the 996
	1201	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 997
	1202	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 998
	1203	+	may make a grant to any city, town or borough or public or private 999
	1204	+	agency, organization or institution for the following purposes: (1) For 1000
	1205	+	community planning and coordination of programs carrying out the 1001
	1206	+	purposes of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended; (2) for 1002
	1207	+	demonstration programs or activities particularly valuable in carrying 1003
	1208	+	out such purposes; (3) for training of special personnel needed to carry 1004
	1209	+	out such programs and activities; (4) for establishment of new or 1005
	1210	+	expansion of existing programs to carry out such purposes, including 1006
	1211	+	establishment of new or expansion of existing centers of service for 1007
	1212	+	older persons, providing recreational, cultural and other leisure time 1008
	1213	+	activities, and informational, transportation, referral and preretirement 1009 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1214	+
	1215	+
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	1218	+	33 of 77
	1219	+
	1220	+	and postretirement counseling services for older persons and assisting 1010
	1221	+	such persons in providing volunteer community or civic services, 1011
	1222	+	except that no costs of construction, other than for minor alterations 1012
	1223	+	and repairs, shall be included in such establishment or expansion; and 1013
	1224	+	(5) for programs to develop or demonstrate approaches, methods and 1014
	1225	+	techniques for achieving or improving coordination of community 1015
	1226	+	services for older or aging persons and such other programs and 1016
	1227	+	services as may be allowed under Title III of the Older Americans Act 1017
	1228	+	of 1965, as amended, or to evaluate these approaches, techniques and 1018
	1229	+	methods, as well as others which may assist older or aging persons to 1019
	1230	+	enjoy wholesome and meaningful living and to continue to contribute 1020
	1231	+	to the strength and welfare of the state and nation. 1021
	1232	+	Sec. 47. Section 17a-313 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1022
	1233	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1023
	1234	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1024
	1235	+	may use moneys appropriated for the purposes of section 17a-310, as 1025
	1236	+	amended by this act, for the expenses of administering the grant 1026
	1237	+	program under said section, provided the total of such moneys so used 1027
	1238	+	shall not exceed five per cent of the moneys so appropriated. 1028
	1239	+	Sec. 48. Section 17a-314 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1029
	1240	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1030
	1241	+	(a) As used in this section: 1031
	1242	+	(1) "CHOICES" means Connecticut's programs for health insurance 1032
	1243	+	assistance, outreach, information and referral, counseling and 1033
	1244	+	eligibility screening; and 1034
	1245	+	(2) "CHOICES health insurance assistance program" means the 1035
	1246	+	federally recognized state health insurance assistance program funded 1036
	1247	+	pursuant to P.L. 101-508 and administered by the Department of 1037
	1248	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in conjunction with the 1038
	1249	+	area agencies on aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, that 1039
	1250	+	provides free information and assistance related to health insurance 1040 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1251	+
	1252	+
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	1255	+	34 of 77
	1256	+
	1257	+	issues and concerns of older persons and other Medicare beneficiaries 1041
	1258	+	in Connecticut. 1042
	1259	+	(b) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1043
	1260	+	Services shall administer the CHOICES health insurance assistance 1044
	1261	+	program, which shall be a comprehensive Medicare advocacy program 1045
	1262	+	that provides assistance to Connecticut residents who are Medicare 1046
	1263	+	beneficiaries. 1047
	1264	+	(c) The program shall provide: (1) Toll-free telephone access for 1048
	1265	+	consumers to obtain advice and information on Medicare benefits, 1049
	1266	+	including prescription drug benefits available through the Medicare 1050
	1267	+	Part D program, the Medicare appeals process, health insurance 1051
	1268	+	matters applicable to Medicare beneficiaries and long-term care 1052
	1269	+	options available in the state at least five days per week during normal 1053
	1270	+	business hours; (2) information, advice and representation, where 1054
	1271	+	appropriate, concerning the Medicare appeals process, by a qualified 1055
	1272	+	attorney or paralegal at least five days per week during normal 1056
	1273	+	business hours; (3) information through appropriate means and 1057
	1274	+	format, including written materials, to Medicare beneficiaries, their 1058
	1275	+	families, senior citizens and organizations regarding Medicare 1059
	1276	+	benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through 1060
	1277	+	Medicare Part D and other pharmaceutical drug company programs 1061
	1278	+	and long-term care options available in the state; (4) information 1062
	1279	+	concerning Medicare plans and services, private insurance policies and 1063
	1280	+	federal and state-funded programs that are available to beneficiaries to 1064
	1281	+	supplement Medicare coverage; (5) information permitting Medicare 1065
	1282	+	beneficiaries to compare and evaluate their options for delivery of 1066
	1283	+	Medicare and supplemental insurance services; (6) information 1067
	1284	+	concerning the procedure to appeal a denial of care and the procedure 1068
	1285	+	to request an expedited appeal of a denial of care; and (7) any other 1069
	1286	+	information the program or the Commissioner of Rehabilitation 1070
	1287	+	Services deems relevant to Medicare beneficiaries. 1071
	1288	+	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1072
	1289	+	Services may include any additional functions necessary to conform to 1073 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1290	+
	1291	+
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	1294	+	35 of 77
	1295	+
	1296	+	federal grant requirements. 1074
	1297	+	(e) All hospitals, as defined in section 19a-490, which treat persons 1075
	1298	+	covered by Medicare Part A shall: (1) Notify incoming patients covered 1076
	1299	+	by Medicare of the availability of the services established pursuant to 1077
	1300	+	subsection (c) of this section, (2) post or cause to be posted in a 1078
	1301	+	conspicuous place therein the toll-free number established pursuant to 1079
	1302	+	subsection (c) of this section, and (3) provide each Medicare patient 1080
	1303	+	with the toll-free number and information on how to access the 1081
	1304	+	CHOICES program. 1082
	1305	+	(f) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1083
	1306	+	Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as 1084
	1307	+	necessary to implement the provisions of this section. 1085
	1308	+	Sec. 49. Subsection (a) of section 17a-316a of the general statutes is 1086
	1309	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1087
	1310	+	October 1, 2019): 1088
	1311	+	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1089
	1312	+	Services shall develop and administer a program to provide a single, 1090
	1313	+	coordinated system of information and access for individuals seeking 1091
	1314	+	long-term support, including in-home, community-based and 1092
	1315	+	institutional services. The program shall be the state Aging and 1093
	1316	+	Disability Resource Center Program in accordance with the federal 1094
	1317	+	Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365 and shall be 1095
	1318	+	administered as part of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1096
	1319	+	Disability Services' CHOICES program in accordance with subdivision 1097
	1320	+	(1) of subsection (a) of section 17a-314, as amended by this act. 1098
	1321	+	Consumers served by the program shall include, but not be limited to, 1099
	1322	+	those sixty years of age or older and those eighteen years of age or 1100
	1323	+	older with disabilities and caregivers. 1101
	1324	+	Sec. 50. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 17a-405 of the general 1102
	1325	+	statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 1103
	1326	+	(Effective October 1, 2019): 1104 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1327	+
	1328	+
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	1331	+	36 of 77
	1332	+
	1333	+	(a) As used in this chapter: 1105
	1334	+	(1) "State agency" means the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1106
	1335	+	and Disability Services. 1107
	1336	+	(2) "Office" or "Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman" means 1108
	1337	+	the organizational unit which is headed by the State Long-Term Care 1109
	1338	+	Ombudsman established in this section. 1110
	1339	+	(3) "State Ombudsman" means the individual who heads the office 1111
	1340	+	established in this section. 1112
	1341	+	(4) "Program" means the long-term care ombudsman program 1113
	1342	+	established in this section. 1114
	1343	+	(5) "Representative of the office" includes a regional ombudsman, a 1115
	1344	+	residents' advocate or an employee of the Office of the Long-Term 1116
	1345	+	Care Ombudsman who is individually designated by the State 1117
	1346	+	Ombudsman. 1118
	1347	+	(6) "Resident" means an individual who resides in a long-term care 1119
	1348	+	facility. 1120
	1349	+	(7) "Long-term care facility" means any skilled nursing facility, as 1121
	1350	+	defined in Section 1819(a) of the Social Security Act, (42 USC 1395i-1122
	1351	+	3(a)) any nursing facility, as defined in Section 1919(a) of the Social 1123
	1352	+	Security Act, (42 USC 1396r(a)) a board and care facility as defined in 1124
	1353	+	Section 102(19) of the federal Older Americans Act, (42 USC 3002(19)) 1125
	1354	+	and for purposes of ombudsman program coverage, an institution 1126
	1355	+	regulated by the state pursuant to Section 1616(e) of the Social Security 1127
	1356	+	Act, (42 USC 1382e(e)) and any other adult care home similar to a 1128
	1357	+	facility or nursing facility or board and care home. 1129
	1358	+	(8) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 1130
	1359	+	Aging and Disability Services. 1131
	1360	+	(9) "Applicant" means an individual who has applied for admission 1132 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1361	+
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	1365	+	37 of 77
	1366	+
	1367	+	to a long-term care facility. 1133
	1368	+	(10) "Resident representative" means (A) an individual chosen by 1134
	1369	+	the resident to act on behalf of the resident in order to support the 1135
	1370	+	resident in decision making, accessing medical, social or other personal 1136
	1371	+	information of the resident, managing financial matters, or receiving 1137
	1372	+	notifications; (B) a person authorized by state or federal law to act on 1138
	1373	+	behalf of the resident in order to support the resident in decision 1139
	1374	+	making, accessing medical, social or other personal information of the 1140
	1375	+	resident, managing financial matters, or receiving notifications; (C) a 1141
	1376	+	legal representative, as used in Section 712 of the Older Americans Act; 1142
	1377	+	or (D) the court-appointed guardian or conservator of a resident. 1143
	1378	+	(b) There is established an independent Office of the Long-Term 1144
	1379	+	Care Ombudsman within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1145
	1380	+	and Disability Services. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1146
	1381	+	and Disability Services shall appoint a State Ombudsman who shall be 1147
	1382	+	selected from among individuals with expertise and experience in the 1148
	1383	+	fields of long-term care and advocacy to head the office and the State 1149
	1384	+	Ombudsman shall appoint regional ombudsmen. In the event the State 1150
	1385	+	Ombudsman or a regional ombudsman is unable to fulfill the duties of 1151
	1386	+	the office, the commissioner shall appoint an acting State Ombudsman 1152
	1387	+	and the State Ombudsman shall appoint an acting regional 1153
	1388	+	ombudsman. 1154
	1389	+	Sec. 51. Section 17a-407 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1155
	1390	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1156
	1391	+	No person may perform any functions as a residents' advocate until 1157
	1392	+	the person has successfully completed a course of training required by 1158
	1393	+	the State Ombudsman. Any residents' advocate who fails to complete 1159
	1394	+	such a course within a reasonable time after appointment may be 1160
	1395	+	removed by the State Ombudsman or the regional ombudsman for the 1161
	1396	+	region in which such residents' advocate serves. The Commissioner of 1162
	1397	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, after consultation with 1163
	1398	+	the State Ombudsman, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the 1164 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1399	+
	1400	+
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	1404	+
	1405	+	provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section. 1165
	1406	+	Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the course of 1166
	1407	+	training required by this section. 1167
	1408	+	Sec. 52. Subsection (c) of section 17a-411 of the general statutes is 1168
	1409	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1169
	1410	+	October 1, 2019): 1170
	1411	+	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1171
	1412	+	Services shall have authority to seek funding for the purposes 1172
	1413	+	contained in this section from public and private sources, including, 1173
	1414	+	but not limited to, any federal or state funded programs. 1174
	1415	+	Sec. 53. Section 17a-416 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1175
	1416	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1176
	1417	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, 1177
	1418	+	after consultation with the State Ombudsman, shall adopt regulations 1178
	1419	+	in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the 1179
	1420	+	provisions of sections 17a-405 to 17a-417, inclusive, as amended by this 1180
	1421	+	act, 19a-531 and 19a-532. 1181
	1422	+	Sec. 54. Section 17a-417 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1182
	1423	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1183
	1424	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1184
	1425	+	shall require the State Ombudsman to: 1185
	1426	+	(1) Prepare an annual report: 1186
	1427	+	(A) Describing the activities carried out by the office in the year for 1187
	1428	+	which the report is prepared; 1188
	1429	+	(B) Containing and analyzing the data collected under section 17a-1189
	1430	+	418; 1190
	1431	+	(C) Evaluating the problems experienced by and the complaints 1191
	1432	+	made by or on behalf of residents; 1192 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1433	+
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	1438	+
	1439	+	(D) Containing recommendations for (i) improving the quality of 1193
	1440	+	the care and life of the residents, and (ii) protecting the health, safety, 1194
	1441	+	welfare and rights of the residents; 1195
	1442	+	(E) (i) Analyzing the success of the program including success in 1196
	1443	+	providing services to residents of long-term care facilities; and (ii) 1197
	1444	+	identifying barriers that prevent the optimal operation of the program; 1198
	1445	+	and 1199
	1446	+	(F) Providing policy, regulatory and legislative recommendations to 1200
	1447	+	solve identified problems, to resolve the complaints, to improve the 1201
	1448	+	quality of the care and life of residents, to protect the health, safety, 1202
	1449	+	welfare and rights of residents and to remove the barriers that prevent 1203
	1450	+	the optimal operation of the program. 1204
	1451	+	(2) Analyze, comment on and monitor the d evelopment and 1205
	1452	+	implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and other 1206
	1453	+	government policies and actions that pertain to long-term care facilities 1207
	1454	+	and services, and to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents 1208
	1455	+	in the state, and recommend any changes in such laws, regulations and 1209
	1456	+	policies as the office determines to be appropriate. 1210
	1457	+	(3) (A) Provide such information as the office determines to be 1211
	1458	+	necessary to public and private agencies, legislators and other persons, 1212
	1459	+	regarding (i) the problems and concerns of older individuals residing 1213
	1460	+	in long-term care facilities; and (ii) recommendations related to the 1214
	1461	+	problems and concerns; and (B) make available to the public and 1215
	1462	+	submit to the federal assistant secretary for aging, the Governor, the 1216
	1463	+	General Assembly, the Department of Public Health and other 1217
	1464	+	appropriate governmental entities, each report prepared under 1218
	1465	+	subdivision (1) of this section. 1219
	1466	+	Sec. 55. Subsection (c) of section 17a-422 of the general statutes is 1220
	1467	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1221
	1468	+	October 1, 2019): 1222
	1469	+	(c) Not later than June 30, 2005, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman 1223 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1470	+
	1471	+
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	1475	+
	1476	+	shall submit a report on the pilot program to the Commissioners of 1224
	1477	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and Public Health, to the 1225
	1478	+	joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance 1226
	1479	+	of matters relating to human serv ices, public health and 1227
	1480	+	appropriations, and to the select committee of the General Assembly 1228
	1481	+	having cognizance of matters relating to aging. The report shall be 1229
	1482	+	submitted in accordance with section 11-4a. 1230
	1483	+	Sec. 56. Subsection (b) of section 17a-667 of the general statutes is 1231
	1484	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1232
	1485	+	October 1, 2019): 1233
	1486	+	(b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The 1234
	1487	+	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's 1235
	1488	+	designee; (2) the Commissioners of Children and Families, Consumer 1236
	1489	+	Protection, Correction, Education, Mental Health and Addiction 1237
	1490	+	Services, Public Health, Emergency Services and Public Protection, 1238
	1491	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and Social Services, and 1239
	1492	+	the Insurance Commissioner, or their designees; (3) the Chief Court 1240
	1493	+	Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee; (4) the 1241
	1494	+	chairperson of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the 1242
	1495	+	chairperson's designee; (5) the president of The University of 1243
	1496	+	Connecticut, or the president's designee; (6) the Chief State's Attorney, 1244
	1497	+	or the Chief State's Attorney's designee; (7) the Chief Public Defender, 1245
	1498	+	or the Chief Public Defender's designee; and (8) the cochairpersons 1246
	1499	+	and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General 1247
	1500	+	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, 1248
	1501	+	criminal justice and appropriations, or their designees. The 1249
	1502	+	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the 1250
	1503	+	Commissioner of Children and Families shall be cochairpersons of the 1251
	1504	+	council and may jointly appoint up to seven individuals to the council 1252
	1505	+	as follows: (A) Two individuals in recovery from a substance use 1253
	1506	+	disorder or representing an advocacy group for individuals with a 1254
	1507	+	substance use disorder; (B) a provider of community-based substance 1255
	1508	+	abuse services for adults; (C) a provider of community-based 1256 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1509	+
	1510	+
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	1514	+
	1515	+	substance abuse services for adolescents; (D) an addiction medicine 1257
	1516	+	physician; (E) a family member of an individual in recovery from a 1258
	1517	+	substance use disorder; and (F) an emergency medicine physician 1259
	1518	+	currently practicing in a Connecticut hospital. The cochairpersons of 1260
	1519	+	the council may establish subcommittees and working groups and 1261
	1520	+	may appoint individuals other than members of the council to serve as 1262
	1521	+	members of the subcommittees or working groups. Such individuals 1263
	1522	+	may include, but need not be limited to: (i) Licensed alcohol and drug 1264
	1523	+	counselors; (ii) pharmacists; (iii) municipal police chiefs; (iv) 1265
	1524	+	emergency medical services personnel; and (v) representatives of 1266
	1525	+	organizations that provide education, prevention, intervention, 1267
	1526	+	referrals, rehabilitation or support services to individuals with 1268
	1527	+	substance use disorder or chemical dependency. 1269
	1528	+	Sec. 57. Subsection (b) of section 17b-4 of the general statutes is 1270
	1529	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1271
	1530	+	October 1, 2019): 1272
	1531	+	(b) The Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the 1273
	1532	+	Department of Public Health and the Department of [Rehabilitation] 1274
	1533	+	Aging and Disability Services, may adopt regulations in accordance 1275
	1534	+	with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish requirements with 1276
	1535	+	respect to the submission of reports concerning financial solvency and 1277
	1536	+	quality of care by nursing homes for the purpose of determining the 1278
	1537	+	financial viability of such homes, identifying homes that appear to be 1279
	1538	+	experiencing financial distress and examining the underlying reasons 1280
	1539	+	for such distress. Such reports shall be submitted to the Nursing Home 1281
	1540	+	Financial Advisory Committee established under section 17b-339. 1282
	1541	+	Sec. 58. Subdivision (11) of subsection (c) of section 17b-28 of the 1283
	1542	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1284
	1543	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1285
	1544	+	(11) The Commissioners of Social Services, Children and Families, 1286
	1545	+	Public Health, Developmental Services, [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1287
	1546	+	Disability Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, or their 1288 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1547	+
	1548	+
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	1552	+
	1553	+	designees, who shall be ex-officio nonvoting members; 1289
	1554	+	Sec. 59. Section 17b-251 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1290
	1555	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1291
	1556	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1292
	1557	+	shall establish an outreach program to educate consumers as to: (1) 1293
	1558	+	The need for long-term care; (2) mechanisms for financing such care; 1294
	1559	+	(3) the availability of long-term care insurance; and (4) the asset 1295
	1560	+	protection provided under sections 17b-252 to 17b-254, inclusive, and 1296
	1561	+	38a-475, as amended by this act. The Department of [Rehabilitation] 1297
	1562	+	Aging and Disability Services shall provide public information to assist 1298
	1563	+	individuals in choosing appropriate insurance coverage. 1299
	1564	+	Sec. 60. Subsection (c) of section 17b-337 of the general statutes is 1300
	1565	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1301
	1566	+	October 1, 2019): 1302
	1567	+	(c) The Long-Term Care Planning Committee shall consist of: (1) 1303
	1568	+	The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing 1304
	1569	+	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 1305
	1570	+	relating to human services, public health, elderly services and long-1306
	1571	+	term care; (2) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the 1307
	1572	+	commissioner's designee; (3) one member of the Office of Policy and 1308
	1573	+	Management appointed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 1309
	1574	+	Management; (4) one member from the Department of Public Health 1310
	1575	+	appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health; (5) one member 1311
	1576	+	from the Department of Housing appointed by the Commissioner of 1312
	1577	+	Housing; (6) one member from the Department of Developmental 1313
	1578	+	Services appointed by the Commissioner of Developmental Services; 1314
	1579	+	(7) one member from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction 1315
	1580	+	Services appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Health and 1316
	1581	+	Addiction Services; (8) one member from the Department of 1317
	1582	+	Transportation appointed by the Commissioner of Transportation; (9) 1318
	1583	+	one member from the Department of Children and Families appointed 1319
	1584	+	by the Commissioner of Children and Families; and (10) one member 1320 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1585	+
	1586	+
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	1590	+
	1591	+	from the Health Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy 1321
	1592	+	appointed by the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy; 1322
	1593	+	and (11) one member from the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1323
	1594	+	and Disability Services appointed by the Commissioner of 1324
	1595	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. The committee shall 1325
	1596	+	convene no later than ninety days after June 4, 1998. Any vacancy shall 1326
	1597	+	be filled by the appointing authority. The chairperson shall be elected 1327
	1598	+	from among the members of the committee. The committee shall seek 1328
	1599	+	the advice and participation of any person, organization or state or 1329
	1600	+	federal agency it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this 1330
	1601	+	section. 1331
	1602	+	Sec. 61. Subsection (b) of section 17b-349e of the general statutes is 1332
	1603	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1333
	1604	+	October 1, 2019): 1334
	1605	+	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1335
	1606	+	Services shall operate a program, within available appropriations, to 1336
	1607	+	provide respite care services for caretakers of individuals with 1337
	1608	+	Alzheimer's disease, provided such individuals with Alzheimer's 1338
	1609	+	disease meet the requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section. 1339
	1610	+	Such respite care services may include, but need not be limited to (1) 1340
	1611	+	homemaker services; (2) adult day care; (3) temporary care in a 1341
	1612	+	licensed medical facility; (4) home-health care; (5) companion services; 1342
	1613	+	or (6) personal care assistant services. Such respite care services may be 1343
	1614	+	administered directly by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1344
	1615	+	Disability Services, or through contracts for services with providers of 1345
	1616	+	such services, or by means of direct subsidy to caretakers of 1346
	1617	+	individuals with Alzheimer's disease to purchase such services. 1347
	1618	+	Sec. 62. Subsection (d) of section 17b-352 of the general statutes is 1348
	1619	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1349
	1620	+	October 1, 2019): 1350
	1621	+	(d) Any facility acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (b) 1351
	1622	+	of this section shall provide written notice, at the same time it submits 1352 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1623	+
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	1628	+
	1629	+	its letter of intent, to all patients, guardians or conservators, if any, or 1353
	1630	+	legally liable relatives or other responsible parties, if known, and shall 1354
	1631	+	post such notice in a conspicuous location at the facility. The facility's 1355
	1632	+	written notice shall be accompanied by an informational letter issued 1356
	1633	+	jointly from the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the 1357
	1634	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services on 1358
	1635	+	patients' rights and services available as they relate to the letter of 1359
	1636	+	intent. The notice shall state the following: (1) The projected date the 1360
	1637	+	facility will be submitting its certificate of need application, (2) that 1361
	1638	+	only the Department of Social Services has the authority to either 1362
	1639	+	grant, modify or deny the application, (3) that the Department of Social 1363
	1640	+	Services has up to ninety days to grant, modify or deny the certificate 1364
	1641	+	of need application, (4) a brief description of the reason or reasons for 1365
	1642	+	submitting a request for permission, (5) that no patient shall be 1366
	1643	+	involuntarily transferred or discharged within or from a facility 1367
	1644	+	pursuant to state and federal law because of the filing of the certificate 1368
	1645	+	of need application, (6) that all patients have a right to appeal any 1369
	1646	+	proposed transfer or discharge, and (7) the name, mailing address and 1370
	1647	+	telephone number of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman 1371
	1648	+	and local legal aid office. 1372
	1649	+	Sec. 63. Section 17b-607 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1373
	1650	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1374
	1651	+	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1375
	1652	+	Services is authorized to establish and administer a fund to be known 1376
	1653	+	as the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund. Said fund shall be used 1377
	1654	+	by said commissioner to make loans to persons with disabilities, senior 1378
	1655	+	citizens or the family members of persons with disabilities or senior 1379
	1656	+	citizens for the purchase of assistive technology and adaptive 1380
	1657	+	equipment and services. Each such loan shall be made for a term of not 1381
	1658	+	more than ten years. Any loans made under this section after July 1, 1382
	1659	+	2013, shall bear interest at a fixed rate not to exceed six per cent. Said 1383
	1660	+	commissioner is authorized to expend any funds necessary for the 1384
	1661	+	reasonable direct expenses relating to the administration of said fund. 1385 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1662	+
	1663	+
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	1667	+
	1668	+	Said commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the 1386
	1669	+	provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this section. 1387
	1670	+	(b) The State Bond Commission shall have power from time to time 1388
	1671	+	to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series in 1389
	1672	+	accordance with section 3-20 and in a principal amount necessary to 1390
	1673	+	carry out the purposes of this section, but not in excess of an aggregate 1391
	1674	+	amount of one million dollars. All of said bonds shall be payable at 1392
	1675	+	such place or places as may be determined by the Treasurer pursuant 1393
	1676	+	to section 3-19 and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or 1394
	1677	+	times, not exceeding five years from their respective dates, bear 1395
	1678	+	interest at such rate or different or varying rates and payable at such 1396
	1679	+	time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or 1397
	1680	+	without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer 1398
	1681	+	privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to 1399
	1682	+	such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of 1400
	1683	+	the provisions of said section 3-20, may be provided by the 1401
	1684	+	authorization of the State Bond Commission or fixed in accordance 1402
	1685	+	therewith. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be deposited in 1403
	1686	+	the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund created by this section. Such 1404
	1687	+	bonds shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and 1405
	1688	+	credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the 1406
	1689	+	principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due. 1407
	1690	+	Accordingly, and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of 1408
	1691	+	such bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual 1409
	1692	+	payment of such principal and interest is hereby made and the 1410
	1693	+	Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become 1411
	1694	+	due. Net earnings on investments or reinvestments of proceeds, 1412
	1695	+	accrued interest and premiums on the issuance of such bonds, after 1413
	1696	+	payment therefrom of expenses incurred by the Treasurer or State 1414
	1697	+	Bond Commission in connection with their issuance, shall be deposited 1415
	1698	+	in the General Fund of the state. 1416
	1699	+	(c) The Connecticut Tech Act Project, within the Department of 1417
	1700	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and as authorized by 29 1418 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1701	+
	1702	+
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	1706	+
	1707	+	USC 3001, may provide assistive technology evaluation and training 1419
	1708	+	services upon the request of any person or any public or private entity, 1420
	1709	+	to the extent persons who provide assistive technology services are 1421
	1710	+	available. The project may charge a fee to any person or entity 1422
	1711	+	receiving such assistive technology evaluation and training services to 1423
	1712	+	reimburse the department for its costs. The Commissioner of 1424
	1713	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall establish fees at 1425
	1714	+	reasonable rates that will cover the department's direct and indirect 1426
	1715	+	costs. 1427
	1716	+	Sec. 64. Section 17b-612 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1428
	1717	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1429
	1718	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1430
	1719	+	shall establish a program to assist public school students with 1431
	1720	+	disabilities in preparing for and obtaining competitive employment 1432
	1721	+	and to strengthen the linkage between vocational rehabilitation 1433
	1722	+	services and public schools. Under the program, the Department of 1434
	1723	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall provide, within the 1435
	1724	+	limits of available appropriations, vocational evaluations and other 1436
	1725	+	appropriate transitional services and shall provide vocational 1437
	1726	+	rehabilitation counselors to school districts throughout the state. The 1438
	1727	+	counselors shall, if requested, assist those persons planning in-school 1439
	1728	+	skill development programs. The counselors shall, with planning and 1440
	1729	+	placement team members, develop transition plans and individual 1441
	1730	+	education and work rehabilitation plans for students with disabilities 1442
	1731	+	who will no longer be eligible for continued public school services. 1443
	1732	+	Students whose termination date for receipt of public school services is 1444
	1733	+	most immediate shall be given priority. 1445
	1734	+	Sec. 65. Section 17b-614 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1446
	1735	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1447
	1736	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1448
	1737	+	Services shall establish and maintain a state-wide network of centers 1449
	1738	+	for independent living. 1450 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1739	+
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	1744	+
	1745	+	(b) Not more than five per cent of the amount appropriated in any 1451
	1746	+	fiscal year for the purposes of this section may be used by the 1452
	1747	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to 1453
	1748	+	provide state-wide administration, evaluation and technical assistance 1454
	1749	+	relating to the implementation of this section. 1455
	1750	+	Sec. 66. Subsection (b) of section 17b-615 of the general statutes is 1456
	1751	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1457
	1752	+	October 1, 2019): 1458
	1753	+	(b) The council shall meet regularly with the Commissioner of 1459
	1754	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and shall perform the 1460
	1755	+	following duties: (1) Issue an annual report by January first, with 1461
	1756	+	recommendations regarding independent living services and centers, 1462
	1757	+	to the Governor and the chairpersons of the joint standing committee 1463
	1758	+	of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 1464
	1759	+	human services, and (2) consult with, advise and make 1465
	1760	+	recommendations to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1466
	1761	+	Disability Services concerning independent living and related policy, 1467
	1762	+	management and budgetary issues. 1468
	1763	+	Sec. 67. Section 17b-650a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1469
	1764	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1470
	1765	+	(a) There is created a Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1471
	1766	+	Disability Services. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1472
	1767	+	Disability Services shall be responsible for providing the following: (1) 1473
	1768	+	Services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) services for 1474
	1769	+	persons who are blind or visually impaired; (3) rehabilitation services 1475
	1770	+	in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes concerning 1476
	1771	+	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services; and 1477
	1772	+	(4) services for older persons and their families. The Department of 1478
	1773	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall constitute a 1479
	1774	+	successor authority to the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services in 1480
	1775	+	accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. 1481 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1776	+
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	1781	+
	1782	+	(b) The department head shall be the Commissioner of 1482
	1783	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, who shall be appointed 1483
	1784	+	by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-1484
	1785	+	8, inclusive, as amended by this act, and shall have the powers and 1485
	1786	+	duties described in said sections. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 1486
	1787	+	Aging and Disability Services shall appoint such persons as may be 1487
	1788	+	necessary to administer the provisions of public act 11-44 and the 1488
	1789	+	Commissioner of Administrative Services shall fix the compensation of 1489
	1790	+	such persons in accordance with the provisions of section 4-40. The 1490
	1791	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may 1491
	1792	+	create such sections within the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1492
	1793	+	and Disability Services as will facilitate such administration, including 1493
	1794	+	a disability determinations section for which one hundred per cent 1494
	1795	+	federal funds may be accepted for the operation of such section in 1495
	1796	+	conformity with applicable state and federal regulations. The 1496
	1797	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may 1497
	1798	+	adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 1498
	1799	+	implement the purposes of the department as established by statute. 1499
	1800	+	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1500
	1801	+	Services shall, annually, in accordance with section 4-60, submit to the 1501
	1802	+	Governor a report in electronic format on the activities of the 1502
	1803	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services relating 1503
	1804	+	to services provided by the department to persons who (1) are blind or 1504
	1805	+	visually impaired, (2) are deaf or hard of hearing, (3) receive vocational 1505
	1806	+	rehabilitation services, or (4) are older persons or their families. The 1506
	1807	+	report shall include the data the department provides to the federal 1507
	1808	+	government that relates to the evaluation standards and performance 1508
	1809	+	indicators for the vocational rehabilitation services program. The 1509
	1810	+	commissioner shall submit the report in electronic format, in 1510
	1811	+	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing 1511
	1812	+	committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 1512
	1813	+	relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state 1513
	1814	+	agencies. 1514 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1815	+
	1816	+
	1817	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
	1818	+	R01-HB.docx }
	1819	+	49 of 77
	1820	+
	1821	+	(d) The functions, powers, duties and personnel of the former 1515
	1822	+	Department on Aging, or any subsequent division or portion of a 1516
	1823	+	division with similar functions, powers, duties and personnel, shall be 1517
	1824	+	transferred to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1518
	1825	+	Services pursuant to the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. 1519
	1826	+	(e) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1520
	1827	+	shall constitute a successor department to the former Department on 1521
	1828	+	Aging, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 1522
	1829	+	4-39. Wherever the words "Commissioner on Aging" are used in the 1523
	1830	+	general statutes, the words "Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging 1524
	1831	+	and Disability Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Wherever 1525
	1832	+	the words "Department on Aging" are used in the general statutes, the 1526
	1833	+	words "Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services" 1527
	1834	+	shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Any order or regulation of the 1528
	1835	+	former Department on Aging that is in force on the effective date of 1529
	1836	+	this section shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation 1530
	1837	+	of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1531
	1838	+	until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law. 1532
	1839	+	(f) The Governor may, with the approval of the Finance Advisory 1533
	1840	+	Committee, transfer funds between the Department of Social Services 1534
	1841	+	and the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1535
	1842	+	pursuant to subsection (b) of section 4-87 during the fiscal year ending 1536
	1843	+	June 30, 2018. 1537
	1844	+	(g) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1538
	1845	+	Services is designated as the State Unit on Aging to administer, 1539
	1846	+	manage, design and advocate for benefits, programs and services for 1540
	1847	+	older persons and their families pursuant to the Older Americans Act. 1541
	1848	+	The department shall study continuously the conditions and needs of 1542
	1849	+	older persons in this state in relation to nutrition, transportation, home 1543
	1850	+	care, housing, income, employment, health, recreation and other 1544
	1851	+	matters. The department shall be responsible, in cooperation with 1545
	1852	+	federal, state, local and area planning agencies on aging, for the overall 1546
	1853	+	planning, development and administration of a comprehensive and 1547 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1854	+
	1855	+
	1856	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
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	1858	+	50 of 77
	1859	+
	1860	+	integrated social service delivery system for older persons. The 1548
	1861	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is 1549
	1862	+	designated as the state agency for the administration of nutritional 1550
	1863	+	programs for elderly persons described in section 17a-302, as amended 1551
	1864	+	by this act, the fall prevention program described in section 17a-303a, 1552
	1865	+	as amended by this act, the CHOICES program described in section 1553
	1866	+	17a-314, as amended by this act, the Aging and Disability Resource 1554
	1867	+	Center Program described in section 17a-316a, as amended by this act, 1555
	1868	+	and the Alzheimer's respite program described in section 17b-349e, as 1556
	1869	+	amended by this act. 1557
	1870	+	Sec. 68. Section 17b-650e of the general statutes is repealed and the 1558
	1871	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1559
	1872	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1560
	1873	+	may provide necessary services to persons who are deaf or hard of 1561
	1874	+	hearing, including, but not limited to, nonreimbursable interpreter 1562
	1875	+	services and message relay services for persons using 1563
	1876	+	telecommunication devices for persons who are deaf. 1564
	1877	+	Sec. 69. Section 17b-651a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1565
	1878	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1566
	1879	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1567
	1880	+	shall inquire into the criminal history of any applicant, who is not at 1568
	1881	+	the time of application employed by the Department of 1569
	1882	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, for a position of 1570
	1883	+	employment with the department's disability determination services 1571
	1884	+	unit. Such inquiry shall be conducted in accordance with the 1572
	1885	+	provisions of section 31-51i. The commissioner shall require each such 1573
	1886	+	applicant to state whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a 1574
	1887	+	crime, whether criminal charges are pending against the applicant at 1575
	1888	+	the time of application, and, if so, to identify the charges and court in 1576
	1889	+	which such charges are pending. Each such applicant offered a 1577
	1890	+	position of employment with the department's disability 1578
	1891	+	determination services unit shall be required to submit to 1579 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1892	+
	1893	+
	1894	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
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	1896	+	51 of 77
	1897	+
	1898	+	fingerprinting and state and national criminal history records checks, 1580
	1899	+	as provided in section 29-17a. 1581
	1900	+	Sec. 70. Section 17b-653 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1582
	1901	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1583
	1902	+	(a) Vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided, with or 1584
	1903	+	without public cost, directly or through public or private 1585
	1904	+	instrumentalities, as part of an individual plan for employment for a 1586
	1905	+	person with disabilities determined to be eligible by the Department of 1587
	1906	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, in accordance with Title 1588
	1907	+	I of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to 1589
	1908	+	time. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an 1590
	1909	+	individual's ability or inability to share in the cost of vocational 1591
	1910	+	rehabilitation services may be taken into account during the 1592
	1911	+	determination of eligibility for such services. 1593
	1912	+	(b) If vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided for all 1594
	1913	+	eligible persons with disabilities who apply for such services, the 1595
	1914	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall 1596
	1915	+	determine, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 1597
	1916	+	29 USC 701 et seq., and federal regulations, as amended from time to 1598
	1917	+	time, the order to be followed in selecting those to whom such services 1599
	1918	+	will be provided. 1600
	1919	+	(c) Nothing in section 17b-650 or subsection (a) of this section shall 1601
	1920	+	be construed to preclude provision of vocational rehabilitation 1602
	1921	+	services, with or without public cost, to a person with a disability 1603
	1922	+	under an extended evaluation for a total period not in excess of 1604
	1923	+	eighteen months, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1605
	1924	+	1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time. 1606
	1925	+	(d) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1607
	1926	+	Services may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of 1608
	1927	+	chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures governing the 1609
	1928	+	provision of vocational rehabilitation services and, where appropriate, 1610 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1929	+
	1930	+
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	1933	+	52 of 77
	1934	+
	1935	+	a means test to determine, based upon the financial need of each 1611
	1936	+	eligible person with disabilities, the extent to which such services will 1612
	1937	+	be provided at public cost. Any funds received by the Department of 1613
	1938	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services from individuals or 1614
	1939	+	third parties for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services shall 1615
	1940	+	be used by the department to provide such services. The regulations 1616
	1941	+	may also prescribe the procedures to be used when payment is made 1617
	1942	+	by individuals required to contribute to the cost of vocational 1618
	1943	+	rehabilitation services. Regulations developed to implement a means 1619
	1944	+	test shall include, but not be limited to: (1) An exemption for any 1620
	1945	+	individual with an income of less than one hundred per cent of the 1621
	1946	+	state median income and assets which are less than five thousand 1622
	1947	+	dollars; (2) an exemption for services covered in an individual plan for 1623
	1948	+	employment in effect at the time of implementation of the means test; 1624
	1949	+	(3) an exclusion from an individual's income of the costs of necessary 1625
	1950	+	and reasonable disability-related expenses including, but not limited 1626
	1951	+	to, personal attendant services and medications for which payment is 1627
	1952	+	unavailable to the individual through other benefits or resources; (4) 1628
	1953	+	an exclusion from the individual's assets of the value of the 1629
	1954	+	individual's primary residence and motor vehicle; (5) a method by 1630
	1955	+	which the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1631
	1956	+	Services may reduce the level of required contributions by an 1632
	1957	+	individual in the case of undue hardship; and (6) a requirement that 1633
	1958	+	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services notify 1634
	1959	+	an individual of the results of the means test analysis within thirty 1635
	1960	+	days of receipt of necessary financial information from the individual. 1636
	1961	+	Such means test shall not apply to services covered under a 1637
	1962	+	determination of financial need made by an institution of higher 1638
	1963	+	education. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1639
	1964	+	Services shall develop the regulations in consultation with 1640
	1965	+	representatives of providers of vocational rehabilitation services and 1641
	1966	+	recipients of such services or their representatives. 1642
	1967	+	Sec. 71. Section 17b-654 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1643
	1968	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1644 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	1969	+
	1970	+
	1971	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
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	1973	+	53 of 77
	1974	+
	1975	+	(a) Any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation 1645
	1976	+	services may request an informal review of any decision made by the 1646
	1977	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services pursuant 1647
	1978	+	to section 17b-653, as amended by this act. 1648
	1979	+	(b) Regardless of whether a person requests an informal review 1649
	1980	+	under subsection (a) of this section, any applicant for or recipient of 1650
	1981	+	vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by a decision made 1651
	1982	+	by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1652
	1983	+	pursuant to section 17b-653, as amended by this act, may request an 1653
	1984	+	administrative hearing, by making written request to the 1654
	1985	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. 1655
	1986	+	(c) An individual who is aggrieved by a final agency decision made 1656
	1987	+	pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may appeal therefrom in 1657
	1988	+	accordance with section 4-183. Such appeals shall be privileged cases 1658
	1989	+	to be heard by the court as soon after the return day as shall be 1659
	1990	+	practicable. 1660
	1991	+	Sec. 72. Section 17b-655 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1661
	1992	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1662
	1993	+	(a) In carrying out sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, the 1663
	1994	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall 1664
	1995	+	cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both 1665
	1996	+	public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of 1666
	1997	+	persons with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein 1667
	1998	+	and in establishing, developing and providing such programs, 1668
	1999	+	facilities and services as it deems necessary or desirable. 1669
	2000	+	Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the 1670
	2001	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall not 1671
	2002	+	be required to pay that portion of the cost of a program of 1672
	2003	+	postsecondary education or training which is properly designated as 1673
	2004	+	expected parental or family contribution in accordance with state and 1674
	2005	+	federal law regarding eligibility for student financial aid. 1675 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2006	+
	2007	+
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	2010	+	54 of 77
	2011	+
	2012	+	(b) Subject to the approval of all real estate acquisitions by the 1676
	2013	+	Commissioner of Administrative Services and the State Properties 1677
	2014	+	Review Board, in carrying out said sections, the Department of 1678
	2015	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may (1) establish, 1679
	2016	+	operate, foster and promote the establishment of rehabilitation 1680
	2017	+	facilities and make grants to public and other nonprofit and 1681
	2018	+	nonsectarian organizations for such purposes; (2) assist persons with 1682
	2019	+	significant disabilities to establish and operate small businesses; and 1683
	2020	+	(3) make studies, investigations, demonstrations and reports, and 1684
	2021	+	provide training and instruction, including the establishment and 1685
	2022	+	maintenance of such research fellowships and traineeships with such 1686
	2023	+	stipends and allowances as may be deemed necessary, in matters 1687
	2024	+	relating to vocational rehabilitation. 1688
	2025	+	(c) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1689
	2026	+	Services shall develop and maintain a program of public education 1690
	2027	+	and information. The program shall include, but not be limited to, 1691
	2028	+	education of the public concerning services available from the 1692
	2029	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, its 1693
	2030	+	policies and goals, an outreach effort to discover persons with 1694
	2031	+	disabilities, including such persons who are minorities as defined in 1695
	2032	+	subsection (a) of section 32-9n, who may benefit from the services it 1696
	2033	+	offers and the dissemination of printed materials to persons at their 1697
	2034	+	initial meeting with staff of the department, including a statement of 1698
	2035	+	such person's rights. Each state agency providing services to persons 1699
	2036	+	with disabilities shall furnish to each person applying for such 1700
	2037	+	services, at the time of initial application, a written summary of all 1701
	2038	+	state programs for persons with disabilities. Such summary shall be 1702
	2039	+	developed by the Department of Social Services as the lead agency for 1703
	2040	+	services to persons with disabilities pursuant to section 17b-606. The 1704
	2041	+	Department of Social Services shall distribute sufficient copies of the 1705
	2042	+	summary to all state agencies providing services to persons with 1706
	2043	+	disabilities in order that such copies may be furnished in accordance 1707
	2044	+	with this subsection. 1708 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2045	+
	2046	+
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	2049	+	55 of 77
	2050	+
	2051	+	Sec. 73. Section 17b-657 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1709
	2052	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1710
	2053	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is 1711
	2054	+	authorized to provide such medical, diagnostic, physical restoration, 1712
	2055	+	training and other rehabilitation services as may be needed to enable 1713
	2056	+	persons with disabilities to attain the maximum degree of self care. The 1714
	2057	+	powers herein delegated and authorized to the Department of 1715
	2058	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall be in addition to 1716
	2059	+	those authorized by any other law and shall become effective upon 1717
	2060	+	authorization of federal grant-in-aid funds for participation in the cost 1718
	2061	+	of independent living rehabilitation services for persons with 1719
	2062	+	disabilities. The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1720
	2063	+	Services shall be authorized to cooperate with whatever federal agency 1721
	2064	+	is directed to administer the federal aspects of such program and to 1722
	2065	+	comply with such requirements and conditions as may be established 1723
	2066	+	for the receipt and disbursement of federal grant-in-aid funds which 1724
	2067	+	may be made available to the state of Connecticut in carrying out such 1725
	2068	+	program. 1726
	2069	+	Sec. 74. Section 17b-658 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1727
	2070	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1728
	2071	+	The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services is 1729
	2072	+	authorized to cooperate with the federal government in carrying out 1730
	2073	+	the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational 1731
	2074	+	rehabilitation, to adopt such methods of administration as it finds 1732
	2075	+	necessary for the proper and efficient operation of agreements or plans 1733
	2076	+	for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as 1734
	2077	+	may be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes to 1735
	2078	+	this state. 1736
	2079	+	Sec. 75. Section 17b-659 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1737
	2080	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1738
	2081	+	The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all funds 1739 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2082	+
	2083	+
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	2086	+	56 of 77
	2087	+
	2088	+	received from the federal government for the purpose of carrying out 1740
	2089	+	any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation or any 1741
	2090	+	agreements authorized by sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, and 1742
	2091	+	shall make disbursements from such funds and from all state funds 1743
	2092	+	available for vocational rehabilitation purposes upon certification by 1744
	2093	+	the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services. 1745
	2094	+	Sec. 76. Section 17b-660 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1746
	2095	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1747
	2096	+	The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1748
	2097	+	is authorized to accept and use gifts made unconditionally by will or 1749
	2098	+	otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the general statutes 1750
	2099	+	concerning the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1751
	2100	+	Services. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the 1752
	2101	+	Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services are 1753
	2102	+	proper and consistent with the provisions of said sections may be so 1754
	2103	+	accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in 1755
	2104	+	accordance with the conditions of the gift. 1756
	2105	+	Sec. 77. Section 17b-661 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1757
	2106	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1758
	2107	+	Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the 1759
	2108	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may, 1760
	2109	+	within the limits of appropriations, purchase (1) wheelchairs and 1761
	2110	+	placement equipment directly and without the issuance of a purchase 1762
	2111	+	order, provided the cost of such purchases shall not be in excess of 1763
	2112	+	twenty thousand dollars per unit, and (2) adaptive equipment, 1764
	2113	+	including equipment to modify vehicles for persons with disabilities 1765
	2114	+	directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided the 1766
	2115	+	cost of such purchases of adaptive equipment shall not be in excess of 1767
	2116	+	one hundred twenty thousand dollars per unit. All such purchases 1768
	2117	+	shall be made in the open market, but shall, when possible, be based 1769
	2118	+	on at least three competitive bids. Such bids shall be solicited by 1770
	2119	+	sending notice to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on the 1771 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2120	+
	2121	+
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	2124	+	57 of 77
	2125	+
	2126	+	Internet web site of the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1772
	2127	+	Disability Services. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated 1773
	2128	+	in the notice soliciting such bid. Acceptance of a bid by the Department 1774
	2129	+	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall be based on 1775
	2130	+	standard specifications as may be adopted by said department. 1776
	2131	+	Sec. 78. Section 17b-666 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1777
	2132	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1778
	2133	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1779
	2134	+	Services may receive state and federal funds to administer, within 1780
	2135	+	available appropriations, an employment opportunities program to 1781
	2136	+	serve individuals with the most significant disabilities who do not 1782
	2137	+	meet the eligibility requirements of supported employment programs 1783
	2138	+	administered by the Departments of Developmental Services, Social 1784
	2139	+	Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services. For the purposes 1785
	2140	+	of this section, "individuals with the most significant disabilities" 1786
	2141	+	means those individuals who (1) have serious employment limitations 1787
	2142	+	in a total of three or more functional areas including, but not limited 1788
	2143	+	to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work 1789
	2144	+	tolerance or work skills, or (2) will require significant ongoing 1790
	2145	+	disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment. 1791
	2146	+	(b) The employment opportunities program shall provide extended 1792
	2147	+	services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(19), that are necessary for 1793
	2148	+	individuals with the most significant disabilities to maintain supported 1794
	2149	+	employment. Such services shall include coaching and other related 1795
	2150	+	services that allow participants to obtain and maintain employment 1796
	2151	+	and maximize economic self-sufficiency. 1797
	2152	+	(c) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1798
	2153	+	shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement 1799
	2154	+	the provisions of this section. 1800
	2155	+	Sec. 79. Section 21a-3a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1801
	2156	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1802 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2157	+
	2158	+
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	2161	+	58 of 77
	2162	+
	2163	+	The Department of Consumer Protection, in collaboration with the 1803
	2164	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services, shall 1804
	2165	+	conduct a public awareness campaign, within available funding, to 1805
	2166	+	educate elderly consumers and caregivers on ways to resist aggressive 1806
	2167	+	marketing tactics and scams. 1807
	2168	+	Sec. 80. Section 23-15c of the general statutes is repealed and the 1808
	2169	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1809
	2170	+	(a) Not later than December 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, any 1810
	2171	+	person who has a contractual agreement with the Department of 1811
	2172	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services for the operation in any 1812
	2173	+	state park of any food service facility, vending machine or stand for the 1813
	2174	+	vending of goods shall report to the Department of [Rehabilitation] 1814
	2175	+	Aging and Disability Services the amount of revenue that such person 1815
	2176	+	generated during the calendar year as a result of such contract. Not 1816
	2177	+	later than January 1, 2016, and each year thereafter, the Department of 1817
	2178	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services shall compile any 1818
	2179	+	reports received pursuant to this subsection and transmit such reports 1819
	2180	+	to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. 1820
	2181	+	(b) On or before January 30, 2016, and each year thereafter, the 1821
	2182	+	Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall compile 1822
	2183	+	the following information: (1) The number of food service facilities, 1823
	2184	+	vending machines and stands for the vending of goods that are located 1824
	2185	+	in the state parks and the location of the respective parks that have 1825
	2186	+	such facilities, machines or stands, (2) the amount of revenues 1826
	2187	+	generated from such food service facilities, vending machines and 1827
	2188	+	stands for the vending of goods, as reported to the commissioner by 1828
	2189	+	the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 1829
	2190	+	pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (3) the contractual agreement 1830
	2191	+	or provision of law that provides for the payment of any portion of 1831
	2192	+	such revenues to the state or that prohibits or limits the payment of 1832
	2193	+	such revenues to the state, (4) the amount of such revenues paid to the 1833
	2194	+	state in the subject calendar year, and (5) the manner in which such 1834
	2195	+	revenues were used by the state, if identifiable by the commissioner. 1835 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2196	+
	2197	+
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	2200	+	59 of 77
	2201	+
	2202	+	Sec. 81. Section 26-29 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1836
	2203	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1837
	2204	+	No fee shall be charged for any sport fishing license issued under 1838
	2205	+	this chapter to any person who is blind, and such license shall be a 1839
	2206	+	lifetime license not subject to the expiration provisions of section 26-35. 1840
	2207	+	Proof of such blindness shall be furnished, in the case of a veteran, by 1841
	2208	+	the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and, in the case of 1842
	2209	+	any other person, by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1843
	2210	+	Disability Services. For the purpose of this section, a person shall be 1844
	2211	+	blind only if his or her central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in 1845
	2212	+	the better eye with correcting lenses, or if his or her visual acuity is 1846
	2213	+	greater than 20/200 but is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of 1847
	2214	+	vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an 1848
	2215	+	angle no greater than twenty degrees. 1849
	2216	+	Sec. 82. Subsection (d) of section 31-280 of the general statutes is 1850
	2217	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1851
	2218	+	October 1, 2019): 1852
	2219	+	(d) The chairman and the Comptroller, as soon as practicable after 1853
	2220	+	August first in each year, shall ascertain the total amount of expenses 1854
	2221	+	incurred by the commission, including, in addition to the direct cost of 1855
	2222	+	personnel services, the cost of maintenance and operation, rentals for 1856
	2223	+	space occupied in state leased offices and all other direct and indirect 1857
	2224	+	costs, incurred by the commission and the expenses incurred by the 1858
	2225	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in 1859
	2226	+	providing rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable 1860
	2227	+	injuries in accordance with the provisions of section 31-283a, as 1861
	2228	+	amended by this act, during the preceding fiscal year in connection 1862
	2229	+	with the administration of the Workers' Compensation Act and the 1863
	2230	+	total noncontributory payments required to be made to the Treasurer 1864
	2231	+	towards commissioners' retirement salaries as provided in sections 51-1865
	2232	+	49, 51-50, 51-50a and 51-50b. An itemized statement of the expenses as 1866
	2233	+	so ascertained shall be available for public inspection in the office of 1867
	2234	+	the chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission for thirty 1868 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2235	+
	2236	+
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	2239	+	60 of 77
	2240	+
	2241	+	days after notice to all insurance carriers, and to all employers 1869
	2242	+	permitted to pay compensation directly affected thereby. 1870
	2243	+	Sec. 83. Section 31-283a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1871
	2244	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1872
	2245	+	(a) The Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1873
	2246	+	Services shall provide rehabilitation programs for employees with 1874
	2247	+	compensable injuries within the provisions of this chapter, which 1875
	2248	+	injuries prevented such employees from performing their customary 1876
	2249	+	or most recent work. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1877
	2250	+	Disability Services shall establish rehabilitation programs which shall 1878
	2251	+	best suit the needs of such employees and shall make the programs 1879
	2252	+	available in convenient locations throughout the state. After 1880
	2253	+	consultation with the Labor Commissioner, the Commissioner of 1881
	2254	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may establish fees for 1882
	2255	+	the programs, so as to provide the most effective rehabilitation 1883
	2256	+	programs at a minimum rate. In order to carry out the provisions of 1884
	2257	+	this section, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1885
	2258	+	Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of 1886
	2259	+	chapter 54, and, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, provide for the 1887
	2260	+	employment of necessary assistants. 1888
	2261	+	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 1889
	2262	+	Services shall be authorized to (1) enter into agreements with other 1890
	2263	+	state or federal agencies to carry out the purposes of this section and 1891
	2264	+	expend money for that purpose, and (2) on behalf of the state of 1892
	2265	+	Connecticut, develop matching programs or activities to secure federal 1893
	2266	+	grants or funds for the purposes of this section and may pledge or use 1894
	2267	+	funds supplied from the administrative costs fund, as provided in 1895
	2268	+	section 31-345, as amended by this act, to finance the state's share of 1896
	2269	+	the programs or activities. 1897
	2270	+	Sec. 84. Subsection (a) of section 31-296 of the general statutes is 1898
	2271	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 1899
	2272	+	October 1, 2019): 1900 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2273	+
	2274	+
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	2277	+	61 of 77
	2278	+
	2279	+	(a) If an employer and an injured employee, or in case of fatal injury 1901
	2280	+	the employee's legal representative or dependent, at a date not earlier 1902
	2281	+	than the expiration of the waiting period, reach an agreement in regard 1903
	2282	+	to compensation, such agreement shall be submitted in writing to the 1904
	2283	+	commissioner by the employer with a statement of the time, place and 1905
	2284	+	nature of the injury upon which it is based; and, if such commissioner 1906
	2285	+	finds such agreement to conform to the provisions of this chapter in 1907
	2286	+	every regard, the commissioner shall so approve it. A copy of the 1908
	2287	+	agreement, with a statement of the commissioner's approval, shall be 1909
	2288	+	delivered to each of the parties and thereafter it shall be as binding 1910
	2289	+	upon both parties as an award by the commissioner. The 1911
	2290	+	commissioner's statement of approval shall also inform the employee 1912
	2291	+	or the employee's dependent, as the case may be, of any rights the 1913
	2292	+	individual may have to an annual cost-of-living adjustment or to 1914
	2293	+	participate in a rehabilitation program administered by the 1915
	2294	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services under 1916
	2295	+	the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall retain the 1917
	2296	+	original agreement, with the commissioner's approval thereof, in the 1918
	2297	+	commissioner's office and, if an application is made to the superior 1919
	2298	+	court for an execution, the commissioner shall, upon the request of 1920
	2299	+	said court, file in the court a certified copy of the agreement and 1921
	2300	+	statement of approval. 1922
	2301	+	Sec. 85. Section 31-300 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1923
	2302	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1924
	2303	+	As soon as may be after the conclusion of any hearing, but no later 1925
	2304	+	than one hundred twenty days after such conclusion, the 1926
	2305	+	commissioner shall send to each party a written copy of the 1927
	2306	+	commissioner's findings and award. The commissioner shall, as part of 1928
	2307	+	the written award, inform the employee or the employee's dependent, 1929
	2308	+	as the case may be, of any rights the individual may have to an annual 1930
	2309	+	cost-of-living adjustment or to participate in a rehabilitation program 1931
	2310	+	administered by the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 1932
	2311	+	Disability Services under the provisions of this chapter. The 1933 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2312	+
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	2316	+	62 of 77
	2317	+
	2318	+	commissioner shall retain the original findings and award in said 1934
	2319	+	commissioner's office. If no appeal from the decision is taken by either 1935
	2320	+	party within twenty days thereafter, such award shall be final and may 1936
	2321	+	be enforced in the same manner as a judgment of the Superior Court. 1937
	2322	+	The court may issue execution upon any uncontested or final award of 1938
	2323	+	a commissioner in the same manner as in cases of judgments rendered 1939
	2324	+	in the Superior Court; and, upon the filing of an application to the 1940
	2325	+	court for an execution, the commissioner in whose office the award is 1941
	2326	+	on file shall, upon the request of the clerk of said court, send to the 1942
	2327	+	clerk a certified copy of such findings and award. In cases where, 1943
	2328	+	through the fault or neglect of the employer or insurer, adjustments of 1944
	2329	+	compensation have been unduly delayed, or where through such fault 1945
	2330	+	or neglect, payments have been unduly delayed, the commissioner 1946
	2331	+	may include in the award interest at the rate prescribed in section 37-1947
	2332	+	3a and a reasonable attorney's fee in the case of undue delay in 1948
	2333	+	adjustments of compensation and may include in the award in the case 1949
	2334	+	of undue delay in payments of compensation, interest at twelve per 1950
	2335	+	cent per annum and a reasonable attorney's fee. Payments not 1951
	2336	+	commenced within thirty-five days after the filing of a written notice of 1952
	2337	+	claim shall be presumed to be unduly delayed unless a notice to 1953
	2338	+	contest the claim is filed in accordance with section 31-297. In cases 1954
	2339	+	where there has been delay in either adjustment or payment, which 1955
	2340	+	delay has not been due to the fault or neglect of the employer or 1956
	2341	+	insurer, whether such delay was caused by appeals or otherwise, the 1957
	2342	+	commissioner may allow interest at such rate, not to exceed the rate 1958
	2343	+	prescribed in section 37-3a, as may be fair and reasonable, taking into 1959
	2344	+	account whatever advantage the employer or insurer, as the case may 1960
	2345	+	be, may have had from the use of the money, the burden of showing 1961
	2346	+	that the rate in such case should be less than the rate prescribed in 1962
	2347	+	section 37-3a to be upon the employer or insurer. In cases where the 1963
	2348	+	claimant prevails and the commissioner finds that the employer or 1964
	2349	+	insurer has unreasonably contested liability, the commissioner may 1965
	2350	+	allow to the claimant a reasonable attorney's fee. No employer or 1966
	2351	+	insurer shall discontinue or reduce payment on account of total or 1967
	2352	+	partial incapacity under any such award, if it is claimed by or on 1968 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2353	+
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	2357	+	63 of 77
	2358	+
	2359	+	behalf of the injured person that such person's incapacity still 1969
	2360	+	continues, unless such employer or insurer notifies the commissioner 1970
	2361	+	and the employee of such proposed discontinuance or reduction in the 1971
	2362	+	manner prescribed in section 31-296, as amended by this act, and the 1972
	2363	+	commissioner specifically approves such discontinuance or reduction 1973
	2364	+	in writing. The commissioner shall render the decision within fourteen 1974
	2365	+	days of receipt of such notice and shall forward to all parties to the 1975
	2366	+	claim a copy of the decision not later than seven days after the decision 1976
	2367	+	has been rendered. If the decision of the commissioner finds for the 1977
	2368	+	employer or insurer, the injured person shall return any wrongful 1978
	2369	+	payments received from the day designated by the commissioner as 1979
	2370	+	the effective date for the discontinuance or reduction of benefits. Any 1980
	2371	+	employee whose benefits for total incapacity are discontinued under 1981
	2372	+	the provisions of this section and who is entitled to receive benefits for 1982
	2373	+	partial incapacity as a result of an award, shall receive those benefits 1983
	2374	+	commencing the day following the designated effective date for the 1984
	2375	+	discontinuance of benefits for total incapacity. In any case where the 1985
	2376	+	commissioner finds that the employer or insurer has discontinued or 1986
	2377	+	reduced any such payment without having given such notice and 1987
	2378	+	without the commissioner having approved such discontinuance or 1988
	2379	+	reduction in writing, the commissioner shall allow the claimant a 1989
	2380	+	reasonable attorney's fee together with interest at the rate prescribed in 1990
	2381	+	section 37-3a on the discontinued or reduced payments. 1991
	2382	+	Sec. 86. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 31-345 of the 1992
	2383	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1993
	2384	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 1994
	2385	+	(2) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission shall 1995
	2386	+	annually, on or after July first of each fiscal year, determine an amount 1996
	2387	+	sufficient in the chairman's judgment to meet the expenses incurred by 1997
	2388	+	the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Department of 1998
	2389	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in providing 1999
	2390	+	rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable injuries in 2000
	2391	+	accordance with section 31-283a, as amended by this act. Such 2001 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2392	+
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	2396	+	64 of 77
	2397	+
	2398	+	expenses shall include (A) the costs of the Division of Workers' 2002
	2399	+	Rehabilitation and the programs established by its director, for fiscal 2003
	2400	+	years prior to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, (B) the costs of the 2004
	2401	+	Division of Worker Education and the programs established by its 2005
	2402	+	director, and (C) funding for the occupational health clinic program 2006
	2403	+	created pursuant to sections 31-396 to 31-402, inclusive. The Treasurer 2007
	2404	+	shall thereupon assess upon and collect from each employer, other 2008
	2405	+	than the state and any municipality participating for purposes of its 2009
	2406	+	liability under this chapter as a member in an interlocal risk 2010
	2407	+	management agency pursuant to chapter 113a, the proportion of such 2011
	2408	+	expenses, based on the immediately preceding fiscal year, that the total 2012
	2409	+	compensation and payment for hospital, medical and nursing care 2013
	2410	+	made by such self-insured employer or private insurance carrier acting 2014
	2411	+	on behalf of any such employer bore to the total compensation and 2015
	2412	+	payments for the immediately preceding fiscal year for hospital, 2016
	2413	+	medical and nursing care made by such insurance carriers and 2017
	2414	+	self-insurers. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30, 2018
	2415	+	2001, such assessments shall not exceed five per cent of such total 2019
	2416	+	compensation and payments made by such insurance carriers and self-2020
	2417	+	insurers. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, 2021
	2418	+	such assessments shall not exceed four and one-half per cent of such 2022
	2419	+	total compensation and payments made by such insurance carriers and 2023
	2420	+	self-insurers. For any fiscal year ending on or after June 30, 2004, such 2024
	2421	+	assessment shall not exceed four per cent of such total compensation 2025
	2422	+	and payments made by such insurance carriers and self-insurers. Such 2026
	2423	+	assessments and expenses shall not exceed the budget estimates 2027
	2424	+	submitted in accordance with subsection (c) of section 31-280. For each 2028
	2425	+	fiscal year, such assessment shall be reduced pro rata by the amount of 2029
	2426	+	any surplus from the assessments of prior fiscal years. Said surplus 2030
	2427	+	shall be determined in accordance with subdivision (3) of this 2031
	2428	+	subsection. Such assessments shall be made in one annual assessment 2032
	2429	+	upon receipt of the chairman's expense determination by the 2033
	2430	+	Treasurer. All assessments shall be paid not later than sixty days 2034
	2431	+	following the date of the assessment by the Treasurer. Any employer 2035
	2432	+	who fails to pay such assessment to the Treasurer within the time 2036 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2433	+
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	2437	+	65 of 77
	2438	+
	2439	+	prescribed by this subdivision shall pay interest to the Treasurer on the 2037
	2440	+	assessment at the rate of eight per cent per annum from the date the 2038
	2441	+	assessment is due until the date of payment. All assessments received 2039
	2442	+	by the Treasurer pursuant to this subdivision to meet the expenses of 2040
	2443	+	the Workers' Compensation Commission shall be deposited in the 2041
	2444	+	Workers' Compensation Administration Fund established under 2042
	2445	+	section 31-344a. All assessments received by the Treasurer pursuant to 2043
	2446	+	this subdivision to meet the expenses incurred by the Department of 2044
	2447	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services in providing 2045
	2448	+	rehabilitation services for employees suffering compensable injuries in 2046
	2449	+	accordance with section 31-283a, as amended by this act, shall be 2047
	2450	+	deposited in the Workers' Compensation Administration Fund. The 2048
	2451	+	Treasurer is hereby authorized to make credits or rebates for 2049
	2452	+	overpayments made under this subsection by any employer for any 2050
	2453	+	fiscal year. 2051
	2454	+	Sec. 87. Subsection (a) of section 31-349b of the general statutes is 2052
	2455	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2053
	2456	+	October 1, 2019): 2054
	2457	+	(a) Any employee who has suffered a compensable injury under the 2055
	2458	+	provisions of this chapter, and who is receiving benefits for such injury 2056
	2459	+	from the Second Injury Fund pursuant to the provisions of section 31-2057
	2460	+	349, may file a written request with the commissioner in the district 2058
	2461	+	where the original claim was filed for a hearing to determine whether 2059
	2462	+	the employee's injury constitutes a permanent vocational disability. 2060
	2463	+	The hearing shall be held within sixty days of the date the request was 2061
	2464	+	filed. Upon the request of the commissioner and prior to the 2062
	2465	+	conclusion of such hearing, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 2063
	2466	+	Aging and Disability Services shall, after receiving such information 2064
	2467	+	on the case which the commissioner deems necessary, submit written 2065
	2468	+	recommendations concerning the case to the commissioner for his 2066
	2469	+	consideration. The commissioner shall issue his decision, in writing, 2067
	2470	+	within ten days after the conclusion of the hearing. If the commissioner 2068
	2471	+	determines that the employee's injury is a permanent vocational 2069 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2472	+
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	2476	+	66 of 77
	2477	+
	2478	+	disability, the employee shall be issued a certificate of disability by the 2070
	2479	+	commissioner. Such certificate shall be effective for a stated period of 2071
	2480	+	time of from one to five years, as determined by the commissioner. The 2072
	2481	+	decision of the commissioner may be appealed in accordance with the 2073
	2482	+	provisions of section 31-301. 2074
	2483	+	Sec. 88. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 38a-47 of the 2075
	2484	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2076
	2485	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2077
	2486	+	(4) The amount appropriated to the Department of [Rehabilitation] 2078
	2487	+	Aging and Disability Services for the fall prevention program 2079
	2488	+	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, from the 2080
	2489	+	Insurance Fund for the fiscal year. 2081
	2490	+	Sec. 89. Subsection (b) of section 38a-48 of the general statutes is 2082
	2491	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2083
	2492	+	October 1, 2019): 2084
	2493	+	(b) On or before July thirty-first, annually, the Insurance 2085
	2494	+	Commissioner and the Office of the Healthcare Advocate shall render 2086
	2495	+	to each domestic insurance company or other domestic entity liable for 2087
	2496	+	payment under section 38a-47, as amended by this act: (1) A statement 2088
	2497	+	that includes (A) the amount appropriated to the Insurance 2089
	2498	+	Department, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and the Office of 2090
	2499	+	Health Strategy from the Insurance Fund established under section 2091
	2500	+	38a-52a for the fiscal year beginning July first of the same year, (B) the 2092
	2501	+	cost of fringe benefits for department and office personnel for such 2093
	2502	+	year, as estimated by the Comptroller, (C) the estimated expenditures 2094
	2503	+	on behalf of the department and the offices from the Capital 2095
	2504	+	Equipment Purchase Fund pursuant to section 4a-9 for such year, not 2096
	2505	+	including such estimated expenditures made on behalf of the Health 2097
	2506	+	Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy, and (D) the 2098
	2507	+	amount appropriated to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 2099
	2508	+	Disability Services for the fall prevention program established in 2100
	2509	+	section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, from the Insurance Fund for 2101 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2510	+
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	2514	+	67 of 77
	2515	+
	2516	+	the fiscal year; (2) a statement of the total taxes imposed on all 2102
	2517	+	domestic insurance companies and domestic insurance entities under 2103
	2518	+	chapter 207 on business done in this state during the preceding 2104
	2519	+	calendar year; and (3) the proposed assessment against that company 2105
	2520	+	or entity, calculated in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) 2106
	2521	+	of this section, provided for the purposes of this calculation the 2107
	2522	+	amount appropriated to the Insurance Department, the Office of the 2108
	2523	+	Healthcare Advocate and the Office of Health Strategy from the 2109
	2524	+	Insurance Fund plus the cost of fringe benefits for department and 2110
	2525	+	office personnel and the estimated expenditures on behalf of the 2111
	2526	+	department and the office from the Capital Equipment Purchase Fund 2112
	2527	+	pursuant to section 4a-9, not including such expenditures made on 2113
	2528	+	behalf of the Health Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health 2114
	2529	+	Strategy shall be deemed to be the actual expenditures of the 2115
	2530	+	department and the office, and the amount appropriated to the 2116
	2531	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services from the 2117
	2532	+	Insurance Fund for the fiscal year for the fall prevention program 2118
	2533	+	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, shall be 2119
	2534	+	deemed to be the actual expenditures for the program. 2120
	2535	+	Sec. 90. Subsection (g) of section 38a-48 of the general statutes is 2121
	2536	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2122
	2537	+	October 1, 2019): 2123
	2538	+	(g) If the actual expenditures for the fall prevention program 2124
	2539	+	established in section 17a-303a, as amended by this act, are less than 2125
	2540	+	the amount allocated, the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 2126
	2541	+	Disability Services shall notify the Insurance Commissioner and the 2127
	2542	+	Healthcare Advocate. Immediately following the close of the fiscal 2128
	2543	+	year, the Insurance Commissioner and the Healthcare Advocate shall 2129
	2544	+	recalculate the proposed assessment for each domestic insurance 2130
	2545	+	company or other domestic entity in accordance with subsection (c) of 2131
	2546	+	this section using the actual expenditures made during the fiscal year 2132
	2547	+	by the Insurance Department, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate 2133
	2548	+	and the Office of Health Strategy from the Insurance Fund, the actual 2134 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2549	+
	2550	+
	2551	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
	2552	+	R01-HB.docx }
	2553	+	68 of 77
	2554	+
	2555	+	expenditures made on behalf of the department and the offices from 2135
	2556	+	the Capital Equipment Purchase Fund pursuant to section 4a-9, not 2136
	2557	+	including such expenditures made on behalf of the Health Systems 2137
	2558	+	Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy, and the actual 2138
	2559	+	expenditures for the fall prevention program. On or before July thirty-2139
	2560	+	first, the Insurance Commissioner and the Healthcare Advocate shall 2140
	2561	+	render to each such domestic insurance company and other domestic 2141
	2562	+	entity a statement showing the difference between their respective 2142
	2563	+	recalculated assessments and the amount they have previously paid. 2143
	2564	+	On or before August thirty-first, the Insurance Commissioner and the 2144
	2565	+	Healthcare Advocate, after receiving any objections to such statements, 2145
	2566	+	shall make such adjustments which in their opinion may be indicated, 2146
	2567	+	and shall render an adjusted assessment, if any, to the affected 2147
	2568	+	companies. 2148
	2569	+	Sec. 91. Section 38a-475 of the general statutes is repealed and the 2149
	2570	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2150
	2571	+	The Insurance Department shall only precertify long-term care 2151
	2572	+	insurance policies that (1) alert the purchaser to the availability of 2152
	2573	+	consumer information and public education provided by the 2153
	2574	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services pursuant 2154
	2575	+	to section 17b-251, as amended by this act; (2) offer the option of home 2155
	2576	+	and community-based services in addition to nursing home care; (3) in 2156
	2577	+	all home care plans, include case management services delivered by an 2157
	2578	+	access agency approved by the Office of Policy and Management and 2158
	2579	+	the Department of Social Services as meeting the requirements for such 2159
	2580	+	agency as defined in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (e) of 2160
	2581	+	section 17b-342, which services shall include, but need not be limited 2161
	2582	+	to, the development of a comprehensive individualized assessment 2162
	2583	+	and care plan and, as needed, the coordination of appropriate services 2163
	2584	+	and the monitoring of the delivery of such services; (4) provide 2164
	2585	+	inflation protection; (5) provide for the keeping of records and an 2165
	2586	+	explanation of benefit reports on insurance payments which count 2166
	2587	+	toward Medicaid resource exclusion; and (6) provide the management 2167 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2588	+
	2589	+
	2590	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
	2591	+	R01-HB.docx }
	2592	+	69 of 77
	2593	+
	2594	+	information and reports necessary to document the extent of Medicaid 2168
	2595	+	resource protection offered and to evaluate the Connecticut 2169
	2596	+	Partnership for Long-Term Care. No policy shall be precertified if it 2170
	2597	+	requires prior hospitalization or a prior stay in a nursing home as a 2171
	2598	+	condition of providing benefits. The commissioner may adopt 2172
	2599	+	regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the 2173
	2600	+	precertification provisions of this section. 2174
	2601	+	Sec. 92. Subsection (a) of section 46a-28 of the general statutes is 2175
	2602	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2176
	2603	+	October 1, 2019): 2177
	2604	+	(a) The Advisory Board for Persons Who are Deaf or Hard of 2178
	2605	+	Hearing shall consist of the following sixteen members appointed by 2179
	2606	+	the Governor: (1) The consultant appointed by the State Board of 2180
	2607	+	Education in accordance with section 10-316a, or the consultant's 2181
	2608	+	designee; (2) the president of the Connecticut Council of Organizations 2182
	2609	+	Serving the Deaf, or the president's designee; (3) the president of the 2183
	2610	+	Connecticut Association of the Deaf, or the president's designee; (4) the 2184
	2611	+	president of the Connecticut Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or 2185
	2612	+	the president's designee; (5) the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] 2186
	2613	+	Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee; (6) the 2187
	2614	+	executive director of the American School for the Deaf, or the executive 2188
	2615	+	director's designee; (7) a parent of a student in a predominantly oral 2189
	2616	+	education program; (8) a parent of a student at the American School 2190
	2617	+	for the Deaf; (9) a person who is deaf; (10) a person who is hard of 2191
	2618	+	hearing; (11) a person who is deaf and blind; (12) an interpreting 2192
	2619	+	professional who serves deaf or hard of hearing persons; (13) a 2193
	2620	+	healthcare professional who works with persons who are deaf or hard 2194
	2621	+	of hearing; (14) the Governor's liaison to the disability community; (15) 2195
	2622	+	an educator who works with children who are deaf or hard of hearing; 2196
	2623	+	and (16) the director of the Connecticut Chapter of We the Deaf 2197
	2624	+	People. The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2198
	2625	+	Services, the Governor's liaison to the disability community and a 2199
	2626	+	member chosen by the majority of the board shall be the chairpersons 2200 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2627	+
	2628	+
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	2631	+	70 of 77
	2632	+
	2633	+	of the advisory board. 2201
	2634	+	Sec. 93. Subsection (a) of section 46a-29 of the general statutes is 2202
	2635	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2203
	2636	+	October 1, 2019): 2204
	2637	+	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2205
	2638	+	Services may request and shall receive from any department, division, 2206
	2639	+	board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political 2207
	2640	+	subdivision thereof such assistance and data as will enable the 2208
	2641	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services to 2209
	2642	+	properly carry out its activities under sections 17b-650e, as amended 2210
	2643	+	by this act, and 46a-30 to 46a-33b, inclusive, as amended by this act, 2211
	2644	+	and to effectuate the purposes therein set forth. 2212
	2645	+	Sec. 94. Section 46a-30 of the general statutes is repealed and the 2213
	2646	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2214
	2647	+	(a) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2215
	2648	+	Services may receive moneys from any source, including gifts, grants, 2216
	2649	+	bequests and reimbursements which moneys may be expended for the 2217
	2650	+	purposes designated by the donor or to effectuate the provisions of 2218
	2651	+	sections 17b-650e, as amended by this act, and 46a-29 to 46a-33b, 2219
	2652	+	inclusive, as amended by this act. 2220
	2653	+	(b) The Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2221
	2654	+	Services is empowered to expend its appropriation and receipts to 2222
	2655	+	initiate and support the provisions of said sections by contract or other 2223
	2656	+	arrangement and to contract for and engage consultants. 2224
	2657	+	Sec. 95. Subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section 46a-33a of the 2225
	2658	+	general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2226
	2659	+	thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2227
	2660	+	(b) All persons providing interpreting services shall register, 2228
	2661	+	annually, with the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2229
	2662	+	Services. Such registration shall be on a form prescribed or furnished 2230 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2663	+
	2664	+
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	2667	+	71 of 77
	2668	+
	2669	+	by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services 2231
	2670	+	and shall include the registrant's name, address, phone number, place 2232
	2671	+	of employment as interpreter and interpreter certification or 2233
	2672	+	credentials. The department shall issue identification cards for those 2234
	2673	+	who register in accordance with this section. 2235
	2674	+	(c) No person shall provide interpreting services unless such person 2236
	2675	+	is registered with the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 2237
	2676	+	Disability Services according to the provisions of this section and (1) 2238
	2677	+	has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written 2239
	2678	+	generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-National 2240
	2679	+	Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge 2241
	2680	+	examination, holds a level three certification provided by the National 2242
	2681	+	Association of the Deaf, documents the achievement of two continuing 2243
	2682	+	education units per year for a maximum of five years of training 2244
	2683	+	approved by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and 2245
	2684	+	Disability Services, and on or before the fifth anniversary of having 2246
	2685	+	passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written 2247
	2686	+	generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-National 2248
	2687	+	Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge 2249
	2688	+	examination, has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the 2250
	2689	+	Deaf performance examination or the National Association of the 2251
	2690	+	Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreter 2252
	2691	+	certification examination, (2) has passed the National Registry of 2253
	2692	+	Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test or the National 2254
	2693	+	Association of the Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf 2255
	2694	+	certification knowledge examination and is a graduate of an accredited 2256
	2695	+	interpreter training program and documents the achievement of two 2257
	2696	+	continuing education units per year for a maximum of five years of 2258
	2697	+	training approved by the commissioner, and on or before the fifth 2259
	2698	+	anniversary of having passed the National Registry of Interpreters for 2260
	2699	+	the Deaf written generalist test or the National Association of the Deaf-2261
	2700	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification knowledge 2262
	2701	+	examination, has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the 2263
	2702	+	Deaf performance examination or the National Association of the 2264 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2703	+
	2704	+
	2705	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
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	2707	+	72 of 77
	2708	+
	2709	+	Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreter 2265
	2710	+	certification examination, (3) holds a level four or higher certification 2266
	2711	+	from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) holds certification by the 2267
	2712	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for situations 2268
	2713	+	requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification from the 2269
	2714	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for situations 2270
	2715	+	requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds certification from the 2271
	2716	+	National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed 2272
	2717	+	the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist 2273
	2718	+	test, (7) holds a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter 2274
	2719	+	under the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or (8) holds a 2275
	2720	+	National Association of the Deaf-National Registry of Interpreters for 2276
	2721	+	the Deaf national interpreting certificate. 2277
	2722	+	(d) No person shall provide interpreting services in a medical 2278
	2723	+	setting unless such person is registered with the Department of 2279
	2724	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services according to the 2280
	2725	+	provisions of this section and (1) holds a comprehensive skills 2281
	2726	+	certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2) 2282
	2727	+	holds a certificate of interpretation or a certificate of transliteration 2283
	2728	+	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) holds a level 2284
	2729	+	four or higher certification from the National Association of the Deaf, 2285
	2730	+	(4) holds a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter 2286
	2731	+	under the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for 2287
	2732	+	situations requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification 2288
	2733	+	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for 2289
	2734	+	situations requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds 2290
	2735	+	certification from the National Training, Evaluation and Certification 2291
	2736	+	Unit and has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf 2292
	2737	+	written generalist test, or (7) holds a National Association of the Deaf-2293
	2738	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreting 2294
	2739	+	certificate. 2295
	2740	+	(e) No person shall provide interpreting services in a legal setting 2296
	2741	+	unless such person is registered with the Department of 2297 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2742	+
	2743	+
	2744	+	LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2019HB-07163-
	2745	+	R01-HB.docx }
	2746	+	73 of 77
	2747	+
	2748	+	[Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services according to the 2298
	2749	+	provisions of this section and (1) holds a comprehensive skills 2299
	2750	+	certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2) 2300
	2751	+	holds a certificate of interpretation and a certificate of transliteration 2301
	2752	+	from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) holds a level 2302
	2753	+	five certification from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) holds a 2303
	2754	+	reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter under the 2304
	2755	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for situations 2305
	2756	+	requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification from the 2306
	2757	+	National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for situations 2307
	2758	+	requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds certification from the 2308
	2759	+	National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed 2309
	2760	+	the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist 2310
	2761	+	test, or (7) holds a National Association of the Deaf-National Registry 2311
	2762	+	of Interpreters for the Deaf national interpreting certificate. 2312
	2763	+	Sec. 96. Section 46a-33b of the general statutes is repealed and the 2313
	2764	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2314
	2765	+	Upon the request of any person or any public or private entity, the 2315
	2766	+	Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services may 2316
	2767	+	provide interpreting services to assist such person or entity to the 2317
	2768	+	extent such persons who provide interpreting services are available. 2318
	2769	+	Any person or entity receiving interpreting services through the 2319
	2770	+	department shall reimburse the department for such services at a rate 2320
	2771	+	set by the Commissioner of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2321
	2772	+	Services. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with 2322
	2773	+	the provisions of chapter 54 to establish the manner of rate setting. 2323
	2774	+	Sec. 97. Section 46a-33c of the general statutes is repealed and the 2324
	2775	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019): 2325
	2776	+	For purposes of this section, "state agency" has the same meaning as 2326
	2777	+	provided in section 9-612 and "interpreting" has the same meaning as 2327
	2778	+	provided in section 46a-33a, as amended by this act. Any state agency 2328
	2779	+	that is unable to fulfill a request for interpreting services with its own 2329 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2780	+
	2781	+
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	2784	+	74 of 77
	2785	+
	2786	+	interpreting staff shall first request such services from the Department 2330
	2787	+	of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability Services and may seek such 2331
	2788	+	services elsewhere if (1) the department is unable to fulfill the request 2332
	2789	+	in two business days, or (2) the agency shows good cause that it needs 2333
	2790	+	such services immediately. The provisions of this section shall not (A) 2334
	2791	+	apply to the Department of [Rehabilitation] Aging and Disability 2335
	2792	+	Services if the department needs interpreting services related to an 2336
	2793	+	internal matter and the use of department interpreters may raise 2337
	2794	+	confidentiality concerns, or (B) affect any preexisting contract for 2338
	2795	+	interpreting services. Interpreting services provided by a state agency 2339
	2796	+	shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 46a-33a, as 2340
	2797	+	amended by this act. 2341
	2798	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	2799	+	sections:
	2800	+
	2801	+	Section 1 October 1, 2019 3-123aa(c)
	2802	+	Sec. 2 October 1, 2019 4-5
	2803	+	Sec. 3 July 1, 2020 4-5
	2804	+	Sec. 4 October 1, 2019 4-38c
	2805	+	Sec. 5 July 1, 2020 4-38c
	2806	+	Sec. 6 October 1, 2019 4-61aa(a)
	2807	+	Sec. 7 October 1, 2019 4-89(g)
	2808	+	Sec. 8 October 1, 2019 4-274(7)
	2809	+	Sec. 9 October 1, 2019 4a-82(a)(1)
	2810	+	Sec. 10 October 1, 2019 4a-82(h) to (k)
	2811	+	Sec. 11 October 1, 2019 5-175a(a)
	2812	+	Sec. 12 October 1, 2019 5-198(22)
	2813	+	Sec. 13 October 1, 2019 5-259(e)
	2814	+	Sec. 14 October 1, 2019 7-127b
	2815	+	Sec. 15 October 1, 2019 8-119f
	2816	+	Sec. 16 October 1, 2019 9-20(c)
	2817	+	Sec. 17 October 1, 2019 10-76i(a)
	2818	+	Sec. 18 October 1, 2019 10-76y(a)
	2819	+	Sec. 19 October 1, 2019 10-293(b)(1)
	2820	+	Sec. 20 October 1, 2019 10-295
	2821	+	Sec. 21 October 1, 2019 10-296
	2822	+	Sec. 22 October 1, 2019 10-297 Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2823	+
	2824	+
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	2827	+	75 of 77
	2828	+
	2829	+	Sec. 23 October 1, 2019 10-297a
	2830	+	Sec. 24 October 1, 2019 10-298
	2831	+	Sec. 25 October 1, 2019 10-303
	2832	+	Sec. 26 October 1, 2019 10-305
	2833	+	Sec. 27 October 1, 2019 10-306
	2834	+	Sec. 28 October 1, 2019 10-307
	2835	+	Sec. 29 October 1, 2019 10-308
	2836	+	Sec. 30 October 1, 2019 10-308a
	2837	+	Sec. 31 October 1, 2019 10-309
	2838	+	Sec. 32 October 1, 2019 10-311a
	2839	+	Sec. 33 October 1, 2019 12-217oo(a)(4)
	2840	+	Sec. 34 October 1, 2019 12-217pp(a)(7)
	2841	+	Sec. 35 October 1, 2019 12-217pp(e)(1)
	2842	+	Sec. 36 October 1, 2019 14-11b
	2843	+	Sec. 37 October 1, 2019 14-253a(b)
	2844	+	Sec. 38 October 1, 2019 17a-215d(a)
	2845	+	Sec. 39 October 1, 2019 17a-248(9)
	2846	+	Sec. 40 October 1, 2019 17a-302(a)
	2847	+	Sec. 41 October 1, 2019 17a-302a
	2848	+	Sec. 42 October 1, 2019 17a-303a
	2849	+	Sec. 43 October 1, 2019 17a-304
	2850	+	Sec. 44 October 1, 2019 17a-305
	2851	+	Sec. 45 October 1, 2019 17a-306
	2852	+	Sec. 46 October 1, 2019 17a-310
	2853	+	Sec. 47 October 1, 2019 17a-313
	2854	+	Sec. 48 October 1, 2019 17a-314
	2855	+	Sec. 49 October 1, 2019 17a-316a(a)
	2856	+	Sec. 50 October 1, 2019 17a-405(a) and (b)
	2857	+	Sec. 51 October 1, 2019 17a-407
	2858	+	Sec. 52 October 1, 2019 17a-411(c)
	2859	+	Sec. 53 October 1, 2019 17a-416
	2860	+	Sec. 54 October 1, 2019 17a-417
	2861	+	Sec. 55 October 1, 2019 17a-422(c)
	2862	+	Sec. 56 October 1, 2019 17a-667(b)
	2863	+	Sec. 57 October 1, 2019 17b-4(b)
	2864	+	Sec. 58 October 1, 2019 17b-28(c)(11)
	2865	+	Sec. 59 October 1, 2019 17b-251
	2866	+	Sec. 60 October 1, 2019 17b-337(c)
	2867	+	Sec. 61 October 1, 2019 17b-349e(b)
	2868	+	Sec. 62 October 1, 2019 17b-352(d) Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2869	+
	2870	+
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	2873	+	76 of 77
	2874	+
	2875	+	Sec. 63 October 1, 2019 17b-607
	2876	+	Sec. 64 October 1, 2019 17b-612
	2877	+	Sec. 65 October 1, 2019 17b-614
	2878	+	Sec. 66 October 1, 2019 17b-615(b)
	2879	+	Sec. 67 October 1, 2019 17b-650a
	2880	+	Sec. 68 October 1, 2019 17b-650e
	2881	+	Sec. 69 October 1, 2019 17b-651a
	2882	+	Sec. 70 October 1, 2019 17b-653
	2883	+	Sec. 71 October 1, 2019 17b-654
	2884	+	Sec. 72 October 1, 2019 17b-655
	2885	+	Sec. 73 October 1, 2019 17b-657
	2886	+	Sec. 74 October 1, 2019 17b-658
	2887	+	Sec. 75 October 1, 2019 17b-659
	2888	+	Sec. 76 October 1, 2019 17b-660
	2889	+	Sec. 77 October 1, 2019 17b-661
	2890	+	Sec. 78 October 1, 2019 17b-666
	2891	+	Sec. 79 October 1, 2019 21a-3a
	2892	+	Sec. 80 October 1, 2019 23-15c
	2893	+	Sec. 81 October 1, 2019 26-29
	2894	+	Sec. 82 October 1, 2019 31-280(d)
	2895	+	Sec. 83 October 1, 2019 31-283a
	2896	+	Sec. 84 October 1, 2019 31-296(a)
	2897	+	Sec. 85 October 1, 2019 31-300
	2898	+	Sec. 86 October 1, 2019 31-345(b)(2)
	2899	+	Sec. 87 October 1, 2019 31-349b(a)
	2900	+	Sec. 88 October 1, 2019 38a-47(a)(4)
	2901	+	Sec. 89 October 1, 2019 38a-48(b)
	2902	+	Sec. 90 October 1, 2019 38a-48(g)
	2903	+	Sec. 91 October 1, 2019 38a-475
	2904	+	Sec. 92 October 1, 2019 46a-28(a)
	2905	+	Sec. 93 October 1, 2019 46a-29(a)
	2906	+	Sec. 94 October 1, 2019 46a-30
	2907	+	Sec. 95 October 1, 2019 46a-33a(b) to (e)
	2908	+	Sec. 96 October 1, 2019 46a-33b
	2909	+	Sec. 97 October 1, 2019 46a-33c
	2910	+
	2911	+	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
	2912	+	Sections 2 and 5 were deleted, a new Section 5 was added and the
	2913	+	sections were renumbered accordingly for accuracy. In renumbered Substitute Bill No. 7163
	2914	+
	2915	+
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	2918	+	77 of 77
	2919	+
	2920	+	Section 2, "Commissioner on Aging" was bracketed and in renumbered
	2921	+	Section 4, "Department of Aging" was bracketed, for accuracy.
	2922	+
	2923	+	HS Joint Favorable Subst.
2673	2924