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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5677
AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY
VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS)
commissioner, in consultation with the Department of Public Health
(DPH) commissioner, to amend the state Medicaid plan to provide
coverage for community violence prevention services for beneficiaries
who have:
1. received medical treatment for an injury sustained from an act
of community violence (i.e., an intentional act of interpersonal
violence committed by someone not intimately related to the
victim) and
2. been referred by a certified or licensed health care or social
services provider to receive these services from a “qualified
violence prevention professional” after the provider determined
the beneficiary is at a higher risk of retaliation or a violent injury
from another act of community violence.
Under the bill, the DSS commissioner must do this by July 1, 2022,
provided (1) federal law permits it; (2) federal financial participation is
available; and (3) any needed federal approval is obtained, including
Medicaid waivers or state plan amendments.
Additionally, the bill establishes education and training
requirements for individuals seeking certification as a “qualified
violence prevention professional” and requires DPH, by January 1,
2022, to approve at least one accrediting body to review and approve
training and certification programs for these professionals. It also
establishes documentation and compliance requirements for entities
that employ or contract with these professionals to provide community 2021HB-05677-R000427-BA.DOCX
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violence prevention services.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE P REVENTION SERVICES
The bill defines “community violence prevention services” as
evidenced-based, trauma-informed, supportive, and non -
psychotherapeutic services provided by a qualified violence
prevention professional to:
1. promote improved health outcomes and positive behavioral
change,
2. prevent injury recidivism, and
3. reduce the likelihood that victims of community violence will
commit or promote violence themselves.
Under the bill, these services may be provided within or outside of a
clinical setting and may include the provision of the following services
to community violence victims: peer support or counseling,
mentorship, conflict mediation, crisis intervention, targeted case
management, referrals to certified or licensed health care or social
services providers, patient education, or screening services.
QUALIFIED VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROF ESSIONALS
Training Requirements
Under the bill, a prevention professional (see BACKGROUND)
seeking certification as a qualified violence prevention professional
must:
1. complete at least six months of full-time equivalent experience
in providing community violence prevention services through
employment, volunteer work, or an internship;
2. complete a DPH-approved accredited training and certification
program for qualified violence prevention professionals or be
certified as a violence prevention professional by the Health
Alliance for Violence Intervention before October 1, 2021; 2021HB-05677-R000427-BA.DOCX
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3. annually complete at least four hours of continuing education
offered by the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention or any
other DPH-approved provider of communi ty violence
prevention services; and
4. satisfy any other requirements DPH establishes.
Accrediting Body
The bill requires DPH, by January 1, 2022, to approve at least one
accrediting body to review and approve training and certification
programs for qualified violence prevention professionals. The
accrediting body may be governmental or nongovernmental and must
have expertise in community violence prevention.
Under the bill, the accrediting body must approve programs it
determines, in its discretion, will adequately prepare individuals to
provide community violence prevention services to community
violence victims. The bill requires these programs to include at least 35
hours of training and address:
1. the profound effects of trauma and violence and the basics of
trauma-informed care;
2. community violence prevention strategies, including conflict
mediation and retaliation prevention;
3. case management and advocacy practices; and
4. HIPAA’s patient privacy requirements.
Documentation and Compliance
The bill requires any entity that employs or contracts with a
qualified violence prevention professional to provide community
violence prevention services to:
1. maintain documentation that the professional has met the
qualifications listed above and
2. ensure that the professional complies with any applicable state 2021HB-05677-R000427-BA.DOCX
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or federal laws, regulations, rules, or standards of care.
The bill also specifies that it does not alter the scope of practice of
any health care professional or authorize the delivery of health care
services in a setting or manner not currently authorized.
BACKGROUND
Prevention Professionals
Prevention professionals work in programs that address specific
patient needs, such as suicide prevention, violence prevention, alcohol
and drug avoidance, and tobacco prevention. They generally complete
training specific to the patient population they work with and work in
a variety of settings providing various services such as case
management, provider referral, and mentorship.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 33 Nay 0 (03/29/2021)