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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5677 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY
VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS)
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 in public by someone who is not the
victim’s family member or intimate partner) and
2. been referred by a certified or licensed health care or social
services provider to receive these services from a “certified
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 training requirements for
individuals seeking certification as a “certified violence prevention
professional” and requires the Department of Public Health (DPH), by
January 1, 2022, to approve at least one accredited training and
certification program for these professionals. It also establishes
documentation and compliance requirements for entities that employ
or contract with these professionals to provide community violence 2021HB-05677-R01-BA.DOCX
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prevention services.
*House Amendment “A ” (1) modifies the (a) definitions of
community violence and community violence prevention services and
(b) training requirements for certified violence prevention
professionals, (2) adds the interpersonal violence definition, (3)
requires DPH to approve at least one accredited training program
instead of approving an accrediting body to approve these programs,
(4) removes the requirement that the DSS commissioner amend the
Medicaid state plan in consultation with the DPH commissioner, and
(5) adds the provision on title protection for certified violence
prevention professionals.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
COMMUNITY VIOLEN CE PREVENTION SERVIC ES
The bill defines “community violence prevention services” as
evidenced-based, trauma-informed, supportive, and non -
psychotherapeutic services provided by a certified 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.
CERTIFIED VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROFESSION ALS
Training Requirements 2021HB-05677-R01-BA.DOCX
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Under the bill, a prevention professional (see BACKGROUND)
seeking certification as a certified violence prevention professional
must complete a DPH-approved accredited training and certification
program for certified violence prevention professionals and maintain
the certification.
Training and Certification Program
The bill requires DPH, by January 1, 2022, to approve at least one
accredited training and certification program for certified violence
prevention professionals. The program must include at least 35 hours
of initial 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.
Under the bill, the program must also include six hours of
continuing education every two years.
Documentation and Compliance
The bill requires any entity that employs or contracts with a certified
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
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. 2021HB-05677-R01-BA.DOCX
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Title Protection
The bill prohibits anyone who is not certified as a violence
prevention professional under the bill’s requirements from using the
title “certified violence prevention professional” or any title, words,
letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that he or she
is a certified violence prevention professional.
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)