Connecticut Senate Bill SB00379

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/20
• Refer: 3/2/20

Caption

An Act Prohibiting Health Care Institutions From Requiring Cognitive Testing For Health Care Providers Solely Based On Age.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly affect state laws regarding employment practices within the health care sector. It would establish legal protections against age discrimination, specifically concerning cognitive testing requirements. Consequently, health care institutions would need to revise their hiring and employment policies to align with the new regulations to avoid legal repercussions. The bill is designed to promote fair treatment of health care professionals regardless of age, thereby fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Summary

SB00379 aims to prohibit health care institutions from requiring cognitive testing for health care providers based solely on their age. The bill defines a 'health care provider' and outlines the conditions under which cognitive testing may be administered, emphasizing that age cannot be the sole factor for such testing requirements. This legislative initiative seeks to safeguard the employment rights of older health care providers, ensuring that their age does not unjustly impact their employment opportunities within health care institutions.

Contention

A notable point of contention may arise around the balance between ensuring patient safety and protecting the rights of health care providers. Proponents of the bill argue that cognitive testing should not be discriminative against age, as many older providers are capable of performing their duties effectively. Conversely, some critics may raise concerns regarding the potential compromising of patient safety if older health care providers do not undergo necessary evaluations. This tension highlights the complexity of legislative decisions that navigate between protecting individual rights and ensuring quality care in health settings.