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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 2
January Session, 2021
AN ACT CONCERNING SO CIAL EQUITY AND THE HEALTH, SAFETY
AND EDUCATION OF CHI LDREN.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) (a) As used in this section, (1) 1
"evidence-based" describes a training program that (A) incorporates 2
methods demonstrated to be effective for the intended population 3
through scientifically based research, including statistically controlled 4
evaluations or randomized trials, (B) can be implemented with a set of 5
procedures to allow successful replication in the state, (C) achieves 6
sustained, desirable outcomes, and (D) when possible, has been 7
determined to be cost-beneficial, and (2) "Question, Persuade and Refer 8
(QPR) Institute Gatekeeper Training" means an educational program 9
designed to teach lay and professional persons who work with youth 10
the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. 11
(b) The Youth Suicide Advisory Board, established pursuant to 12
section 17a-52 of the general statutes, and the Office of the Child 13
Advocate, shall jointly administer an evidence-based youth suicide 14
prevention training program in each district department of health 15
formed pursuant to section 19a-241 of the general statutes. The training 16
program shall provide certification in QPR Institute Gatekeeper 17
Training, utilizing a training model that will enable participants to 18 Substitute Bill No. 2
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provide QPR Institute Gatekeeper Training to other individuals upon 19
completion of the training program. Such training program shall be 20
offered not later than July 1, 2022, and at least once every three years 21
thereafter. 22
(c) The director of health for each district department of health shall 23
determine the eligibility criteria for participation in the youth suicide 24
prevention training program. Participants shall be members of the 25
following groups within such district: (1) Employees of such district 26
department of health, (2) employees of youth service bureaus 27
established pursuant to section 10-19m of the general statutes, (3) school 28
employees, as defined in section 10-222d of the general statutes, (4) 29
employees and volunteers of youth-serving organizations, (5) 30
employees and volunteers of operators of youth athletic activities, as 31
defined in section 21a-432 of the general statutes, (6) employees of 32
municipal social service agencies, (7) members of paid municipal or 33
volunteer fire departments, and (8) members of local police 34
departments. With respect to school employees, such training program 35
may be included as part of an in-service training program provided 36
pursuant to section 10-220a of the general statutes, as amended by this 37
act. 38
(d) Any individual who has received certification in QPR Institute 39
Gatekeeper Training through the training program administered 40
pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may, during the period in 41
which such certification is valid, provide QPR Institute Gatekeeper 42
Training to any member of a group described in subdivisions (1) to (8), 43
inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section and members of the public. 44
(e) The Youth Suicide Advisory Board and the Office of the Child 45
Advocate may contract with a nongovernmental entity that provides 46
evidence-based suicide prevention training to carry out the provisions 47
of this section. 48
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 20-12b of the general statutes is 49
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 50 Substitute Bill No. 2
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2021): 51
(a) The department may, upon receipt of a fee of one hundred ninety 52
dollars, issue a physician assistant license to an applicant who: (1) Holds 53
a baccalaureate or higher degree in any field from a regionally 54
accredited institution of higher education; (2) has graduated from an 55
accredited physician assistant program; (3) has passed the certification 56
examination of the national commission; (4) has satisfied the mandatory 57
continuing medical education requirements of the national commission 58
for current certification by such commission, [and] (5) on and after 59
January 1, 2022, has completed not less than two hours of training or 60
education, approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, on (A) 61
screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of 62
suicide, depression and grief, and (B) suicide prevention training, 63
during the first renewal period in which continuing education is 64
required and not less than once every six years thereafter, (6) has passed 65
any examination or continued competency assessment the passage of 66
which may be required by the national commission for maintenance of 67
current certification by such commission; and [(5)] (7) has completed not 68
less than sixty hours of didactic instruction in pharmacology for 69
physician assistant practice approved by the department. 70
Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 20-73b of the general statutes is 71
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 72
2021): 73
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each physical 74
therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter shall complete a minimum of 75
twenty hours of continuing education during each registration period. 76
For purposes of this section, registration period means the twelve-77
month period for which a license has been renewed in accordance with 78
section 19a-88 and is current and valid. The continuing education shall 79
be in areas related to the individual's practice, except, on and after 80
January 1, 2022, shall include not less than two hours of training or 81
education on (1) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress 82
disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention 83 Substitute Bill No. 2
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training, during the first registration period in which continuing 84
education is required and not less than once every six years thereafter. 85
Qualifying continuing education activities include, but are not limited 86
to, courses offered or approved by the American Physical Therapy 87
Association or the Commissioner of Public Health or any component of 88
the American Physical Therapy Association, a hospital or other licensed 89
health care institution or a regionally accredited institution of higher 90
education. 91
Sec. 4. Section 20-74h of the general statutes is repealed and the 92
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 93
Licenses for occupational therapists and occupational therapy 94
assistants issued under this chapter shall be subject to renewal once 95
every two years and shall expire unless renewed in the manner 96
prescribed by regulation upon the payment of two times the 97
professional services fee payable to the State Treasurer for class B as 98
defined in section 33-182l, plus five dollars. The department shall notify 99
any person or entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this 100
section that the person's or entity's license shall become void ninety days 101
after the time for its renewal unless it is so renewed. Any such license 102
shall become void upon the expiration of such ninety-day period. The 103
commissioner shall establish additional requirements for licensure 104
renewal which provide evidence of continued competency, which, on 105
and after January 1, 2022, shall include not less than two hours of 106
training or education, approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, 107
on (1) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, 108
risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training 109
during the first renewal period and not less than once every six years 110
thereafter. The holder of an expired license may apply for and obtain a 111
valid license only upon compliance with all relevant requirements for 112
issuance of a new license. A suspended license is subject to expiration 113
and may be renewed as provided in this section, but such renewal shall 114
not entitle the licensee, while the license remains suspended and until it 115
is reinstated, to engage in the licensed activity, or in any other conduct 116 Substitute Bill No. 2
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or activity in violation of the order or judgment by which the license was 117
suspended. If a license revoked on disciplinary grounds is reinstated, 118
the licensee, as a condition of reinstatement, shall pay the renewal fee. 119
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) (a) As used in this section: 120
(1) "Contact hour" means a minimum of fifty minutes of continuing 121
education and activities; and 122
(2) "Registration period" means the one-year period for which a 123
license has been renewed in accordance with section 19a-88 of the 124
general statutes and is current and valid. 125
(b) For registration periods beginning on and after January 1, 2022, a 126
registered nurse licensed pursuant to section 20-93 of the general 127
statutes and a licensed practical nurse licensed pursuant to section 20-128
96 of the general statutes applying for license renewal shall, during the 129
first renewal period and not less than once every six years thereafter, 130
earn not less than two contact hours of training or education on (1) 131
screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of 132
suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training. For 133
purposes of this section, qualifying continuing education activities 134
include, but are not limited to, in-person and online courses offered or 135
approved by the American Nurses Association, Connecticut Hospital 136
Association, Connecticut Nurses Association, Connecticut League for 137
Nursing, a specialty nursing society or an equivalent organization in 138
another jurisdiction, an educational offering sponsored by a hospital or 139
other health care institution or a course offered by a regionally 140
accredited academic institution or a state or local health department. 141
The Commissioner of Public Health may grant a waiver of not more 142
than ten contact hours of continuing education for a registered nurse or 143
licensed practical nurse who: (A) Engages in activities related to such 144
nurse's service as a member of the Connecticut State Board of Examiners 145
for Nursing, established pursuant to section 20-88 of the general 146
statutes; or (B) assists the Department of Health with its duties to boards 147
and commissions as described in section 19a-14 of the general statutes. 148 Substitute Bill No. 2
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(c) Each registered nurse and licensed practical nurse applying for 149
license renewal pursuant to section 19a-88 of the general statutes shall 150
sign a statement attesting that he or she has satisfied the continuing 151
education requirements of subsection (b) of this section on a form 152
prescribed by the Department of Public Health. Each licensee shall 153
retain records of attendance or certificates of completion that 154
demonstrate compliance with the continuing education requirements of 155
subsection (b) of this section for a minimum of three years following the 156
year in which the continuing education was completed and shall submit 157
such records or certificates to the department for inspection not later 158
than forty-five days after a request by the department for such records 159
or certificates. 160
Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 20-102ee of the general statutes is 161
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 162
2021): 163
(a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in 164
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the regulation 165
of nurse's aides. Such regulations shall require a training program for 166
nurse's aides of not less than one hundred hours. Not less than seventy-167
five of such hours shall include, but not be limited to, basic nursing 168
skills, personal care skills, care of cognitively impaired residents, 169
recognition of mental health and social service needs, basic restorative 170
services and residents' rights. Not less than twenty-five of such hours 171
shall include, but not be limited to, specialized training in 172
understanding and responding to challenging behaviors related to 173
physical, psychiatric, psychosocial and cognitive disorders. On and after 174
January 1, 2022, not less than two of such hours shall include screening 175
for conditions such as (1) post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, 176
depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training from training 177
or education providers approved by the commissioner. 178
Sec. 7. Subsection (b) of section 20-185k of the general statutes is 179
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 180
2021): 181 Substitute Bill No. 2
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(b) A license issued under this section may be renewed annually. The 182
license shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of section 183
19a-88, for a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars. Each behavior 184
analyst applying for license renewal shall furnish evidence satisfactory 185
to the commissioner of (1) having current certification with the Behavior 186
Analyst Certification Board, and (2) on and after January 1, 2022, 187
completing not less than two hours of training or education, approved 188
by the Commissioner of Public Health, on (A) screening for conditions 189
such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and 190
grief, and (B) suicide prevention training during the first renewal period 191
and not less than once every six years thereafter. 192
Sec. 8. Subsection (f) of section 20-195ttt of the general statutes is 193
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 194
2021): 195
(f) A certification issued under this section may be renewed every 196
three years. The license shall be renewed in accordance with the 197
provisions of section 19a-88 for a fee of one hundred dollars. Each 198
certified community health worker applying for license renewal shall 199
furnish evidence satisfactory to the commissioner of having completed 200
a minimum of thirty hours of continuing education requirements, 201
including two hours focused on cultural competency, systemic racism 202
or systemic oppression, [and] two hours focused on social determinants 203
of health and on and after January 1, 2022, two hours of training on (1) 204
screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of 205
suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training, 206
provided by training or education providers approved by the 207
Commissioner of Public Health. 208
Sec. 9. Subsections (d) and (e) of section 20-206mm of the general 209
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 210
(Effective July 1, 2021): 211
(d) On or after January 1, 2020, each person seeking certification as an 212
emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician or 213 Substitute Bill No. 2
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advanced emergency medical technician shall apply to the department 214
on forms prescribed by the commissioner. Applicants for certification 215
shall comply with the following requirements: (1) For initial 216
certification, an applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the 217
commissioner that the applicant (A) has completed an initial training 218
program consistent with the National Emergency Medical Services 219
Education Standards, as promulgated by the National Highway Traffic 220
Safety Administration for the emergency medical responder, emergency 221
medical technician or advanced emergency medical technician 222
curriculum, (B) has passed the examination administered by the 223
national organization for emergency medical certification for an 224
emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician or 225
advanced emergency medical technician as necessary for the type of 226
certification sought by the applicant or an examination approved by the 227
department, and (C) has no pending disciplinary action or unresolved 228
complaints against such applicant, (2) a certificate issued under this 229
subsection shall be renewed once every two years in accordance with 230
the provisions of section 19a-88 upon presentation of evidence 231
satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant (A) has successfully 232
completed continuing education for an emergency medical responder, 233
emergency medical technician or advanced emergency medical 234
technician as required by the national organization for emergency 235
medical certification or as approved by the department, (B) on and after 236
January 1, 2022, has completed not less than two hours of training or 237
education, approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, on (i) 238
screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of 239
suicide, depression and grief, and (ii) suicide prevention training during 240
the first renewal period and not less than once every six years thereafter, 241
or [(B)] (C) presents a current certification as an emergency medical 242
responder, emergency medical technician or advanced emergency 243
medical technician from the national organization for emergency 244
medical certification, or (3) for certification by endorsement from 245
another state, an applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the 246
commissioner that the applicant (A) is currently certified as an 247
emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician or 248 Substitute Bill No. 2
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advanced emergency medical technician in good standing by a state that 249
maintains certification or licensing requirements that the commissioner 250
determines are equal to or greater than those in this state, or (B) holds a 251
current certification as an emergency medical responder, emergency 252
medical technician or advanced emergency medical technician from the 253
national organization for emergency medical certification. 254
(e) On or after January 1, 2020, each person seeking certification as an 255
emergency medical services instructor shall apply to the department on 256
forms prescribed by the commissioner. Applicants for certification shall 257
comply with the following requirements: (1) For initial certification, an 258
applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that 259
the applicant (A) is currently certified by the department as an 260
emergency medical technician or advanced emergency medical 261
technician or licensed by the department as a paramedic, (B) has 262
completed a program of training as an emergency medical instructor 263
based on current national education standards within the prior two 264
years, (C) has completed twenty-five hours of teaching activity under 265
the supervision of a currently certified emergency medical services 266
instructor, (D) has completed written and practical examinations as 267
prescribed by the commissioner, (E) has no pending disciplinary action 268
or unresolved complaints against the applicant, and (F) effective on a 269
date prescribed by the commissioner, presents documentation 270
satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant is currently certified 271
as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical 272
technician or paramedic by the national organization for emergency 273
medical certification, or (2) for renewal certification, an applicant shall 274
present evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant (A) 275
has successfully completed continuing education and teaching activity 276
as required by the department, which, on and after January 1, 2022, shall 277
include not less than two hours of training or education, approved by 278
the Commissioner of Public Health, on (i) screening for conditions such 279
as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, 280
and (ii) suicide prevention training, during the first renewal period and 281
not less than once every six years thereafter, (B) maintains current 282 Substitute Bill No. 2
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certification by the department as an emergency medical technician, 283
advanced emergency medical technician or licensure by the department 284
as a paramedic, and (C) effective on a date as prescribed by the 285
commissioner, presents documentation satisfactory to the 286
commissioner that the applicant is currently certified as an emergency 287
medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or 288
paramedic by the national organization for emergency medical 289
certification. 290
Sec. 10. Section 19a-14c of the general statutes is repealed and the 291
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 292
(a) For the purposes of this section, "outpatient mental health 293
treatment" means the treatment of mental disorders, emotional 294
problems or maladjustments with the object of (1) removing, modifying 295
or retarding existing symptoms; (2) improving disturbed patterns of 296
behavior; and (3) promoting positive personality growth and 297
development. Treatment shall not include prescribing or otherwise 298
dispensing any medication which is a legend drug as defined in section 299
20-571. 300
(b) A psychiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 370, a psychologist 301
licensed pursuant to chapter 383, an independent social worker certified 302
pursuant to chapter 383b or a marital and family therapist licensed 303
pursuant to chapter 383a may provide outpatient mental health 304
treatment to a minor without the consent or notification of a parent or 305
guardian at the request of the minor if (1) requiring the consent or 306
notification of a parent or guardian would cause the minor to reject such 307
treatment; (2) the provision of such treatment is clinically indicated; (3) 308
the failure to provide such treatment would be seriously detrimental to 309
the minor's well-being; (4) the minor has knowingly and voluntarily 310
sought such treatment; and (5) in the opinion of the provider of 311
treatment, the minor is mature enough to participate in treatment 312
productively. The provider of such treatment shall document the 313
reasons for any determination made to treat a minor without the consent 314
or notification of a parent or guardian and shall include such 315 Substitute Bill No. 2
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documentation in the minor's clinical record, along with a written 316
statement signed by the minor stating that (A) [he] the minor is 317
voluntarily seeking such treatment; (B) [he] the minor has discussed 318
with the provider the possibility of involving his or her parent or 319
guardian in the decision to pursue such treatment; (C) [he] the minor 320
has determined it is not in his or her best interest to involve his or her 321
parent or guardian in such decision; and (D) [he] the minor has been 322
given adequate opportunity to ask the provider questions about the 323
course of his or her treatment. 324
(c) [After the sixth session of outpatient mental health treatment 325
provided to a minor pursuant to this section, the provider of such 326
treatment shall notify the minor that the consent, notification or 327
involvement of a parent or guardian is required to continue treatment, 328
unless such a requirement would be seriously detrimental to the minor's 329
well-being. If the provider determines such a requirement would be 330
seriously detrimental to the minor's well-being, he shall document such 331
determination in the minor's clinical record, review such determination 332
every sixth session thereafter and document each such review. If the 333
provider determines such a requirement would no longer be seriously 334
detrimental to the minor's well-being, he shall require the consent, 335
notification or involvement of a parent or guardian as a condition of 336
continuing treatment.] (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 337
(2) of this subsection, a minor may request and receive as many 338
outpatient mental health treatment sessions as necessary without the 339
consent or notification of a parent or guardian. No provider shall notify 340
a parent or guardian of treatment provided pursuant to this section or 341
disclose any information concerning such treatment to a parent or 342
guardian without the consent of the minor. 343
(2) A provider may notify a parent or guardian of treatment provided 344
pursuant to this section or disclose certain information concerning such 345
treatment without the consent of the minor who receives such treatment 346
provided (A) such provider determines such notification or disclosure 347
is necessary for the minor's well-being, (B) the treatment provided to the 348 Substitute Bill No. 2
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minor is solely for mental health and not for a substance use disorder, 349
and (C) the minor is provided an opportunity to express any objection 350
to such notification or disclosure. The provider shall document his or 351
her determination concerning such notification or disclosure and any 352
objections expressed by the minor in the minor's clinical record. A 353
provider may disclose to a minor's parent or guardian the following 354
information concerning such minor's outpatient mental health 355
treatment: (i) Diagnosis; (ii) treatment plan and progress in treatment; 356
(iii) recommended medications, including risks, benefits, side effects, 357
typical efficacy, dose and schedule; (iv) psychoeducation about the 358
minor's mental health; (v) referrals to community resources; (vi) 359
coaching on parenting or behavioral management strategies; and (vii) 360
crisis prevention planning and safety planning. A provider shall release 361
a minor's entire clinical record to another provider upon the request of 362
the minor or such minor's parent or guardian. 363
(d) A parent or guardian who is not informed of the provision of 364
outpatient mental health treatment for his or her minor child pursuant 365
to this section shall not be liable for the costs of the treatment provided. 366
Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 10-148a of the general statutes is 367
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 368
2021): 369
(a) For the school year commencing July 1, [2019] 2021, and each 370
school year thereafter, each certified employee shall participate in a 371
program of professional development. Each local and regional board of 372
education shall make available, annually, at no cost to its certified 373
employees, a program of professional development that is not fewer 374
than eighteen hours in length, of which a preponderance is in a small 375
group or individual instructional setting. Such program of professional 376
development shall (1) be a comprehensive, sustained and intensive 377
approach to improving teacher and administrator effectiveness in 378
increasing student knowledge achievement, (2) focus on refining and 379
improving various effective teaching methods that are shared between 380
and among educators, (3) foster collective responsibility for improved 381 Substitute Bill No. 2
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student performance, (4) be comprised of professional learning that (A) 382
is aligned with rigorous state student academic achievement standards, 383
(B) is conducted among educators at the school and facilitated by 384
principals, coaches, mentors, distinguished educators, as described in 385
section 10-145s, or other appropriate teachers, (C) occurs frequently on 386
an individual basis or among groups of teachers in a job-embedded 387
process of continuous improvement, and (D) includes a repository of 388
best practices for teaching methods developed by educators within each 389
school that is continuously available to such educators for comment and 390
updating, and (5) include training in culturally responsive pedagogy 391
and practice. Each program of professional development shall include 392
professional development activities in accordance with the provisions 393
of subsection (b) of this section. The principles and practices of social-394
emotional learning shall be integrated throughout the components of 395
such program of professional development described in subdivisions (1) 396
to (5), inclusive, of this subsection. 397
Sec. 12. Subsection (b) of section 10-220a of the general statutes is 398
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 399
2021): 400
(b) Not later than a date prescribed by the commissioner, each local 401
and regional board of education shall establish a professional 402
development and evaluation committee. Such professional 403
development and evaluation committee shall consist of (1) at least one 404
teacher, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10-144d, selected by the 405
exclusive bargaining representative for certified employees chosen 406
pursuant to section 10-153b, (2) at least one administrator, as defined in 407
subsection (a) of section 10-144e, selected by the exclusive bargaining 408
representative for certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-409
153b, and (3) such other school personnel as the board deems 410
appropriate. The duties of such committees shall include, but not be 411
limited to, participation in the development or adoption of a teacher 412
evaluation and support program for the district, pursuant to section 10-413
151b, and the development, evaluation and annual updating of a 414 Substitute Bill No. 2
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comprehensive local professional development plan for certified 415
employees of the district. Such plan shall: (A) Be directly related to the 416
educational goals prepared by the local or regional board of education 417
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-220, as amended by this act, (B) 418
on and after July 1, [2011] 2021, be developed with full consideration of 419
the priorities and needs related to student social-emotional learning, in 420
accordance with the provisions of section 10-148a, as amended by this 421
act, and student academic outcomes as determined by the State Board 422
of Education, [and] (C) provide for the ongoing and systematic 423
assessment and improvement of both teacher evaluation and 424
professional development of the professional staff members of each 425
such board, including personnel management and evaluation training 426
or experience for administrators, [shall] and (D) be related to regular 427
and special student needs and may include provisions concerning 428
career incentives and parent involvement. The State Board of Education 429
shall develop guidelines to assist local and regional boards of education 430
in determining the objectives of the plans and in coordinating staff 431
development activities with student needs and school programs. 432
Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 10-220 of the general statutes is 433
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 434
2021): 435
(b) The board of education of each local or regional school district 436
shall, with the participation of parents, students, school administrators, 437
teachers, citizens, local elected officials and any other individuals or 438
groups such board shall deem appropriate, prepare a statement of 439
educational goals for such local or regional school district. The 440
statement of goals shall be consistent with state-wide goals pursuant to 441
subsection (c) of section 10-4 and include goals for the integration of 442
principles and practices of social-emotional learning in the program of 443
professional development for the school district, in accordance with the 444
provisions of section 10-148a, as amended by this act, and career 445
placement for students who do not pursue an advanced d egree 446
immediately after graduation. Each local or regional board of education 447 Substitute Bill No. 2
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shall annually establish student objectives for the school year which 448
relate directly to the statement of educational goals prepared pursuant 449
to this subsection and which identify specific expectations for students 450
in terms of skills, knowledge and competence. 451
Sec. 14. Section 10-221 of the general statutes is repealed and the 452
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 453
(a) As used in this section, "virtual learning" means instruction by 454
means of one or more Internet-based software platforms as part of a 455
remote learning model. 456
[(a)] (b) Boards of education shall prescribe rules for the management, 457
studies, classification and discipline of the public schools and, subject to 458
the control of the State Board of Education, the textbooks to be used; 459
shall make rules for the control, within their respective jurisdictions, of 460
school library media centers, including Internet access and content, and 461
approve the selection of books and other educational media therefor, 462
and shall approve plans for public school buildings and superintend 463
any high or graded school in the manner specified in this title. 464
[(b) Not later than July 1, 1985, each] (c) Each local and regional board 465
of education shall develop, adopt and implement written policies 466
concerning homework, attendance, promotion and retention. The 467
Department of Education shall make available model policies and 468
guidelines to assist local and regional boards of education in meeting 469
the responsibilities enumerated in this subsection. 470
[(c)] (d) Boards of education may prescribe rules to impose sanctions 471
against pupils who damage or fail to return textbooks, library materials 472
or other educational materials. Said boards may charge pupils for such 473
damaged or lost textbooks, library materials or other educational 474
materials and may withhold grades, transcripts or report cards until the 475
pupil pays for or returns the textbook, library book or other educational 476
material. 477
[(d) Not later than July 1, 1991, each] (e) Each local and regional board 478 Substitute Bill No. 2
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of education shall develop, adopt and implement policies and 479
procedures in conformity with section 10-154a for (1) dealing with the 480
use, sale or possession of alcohol or controlled drugs, as defined in 481
subdivision (8) of section 21a-240, by public school students on school 482
property, including a process for coordination with, and referral of such 483
students to, appropriate agencies, and (2) cooperating with law 484
enforcement officials. 485
[(e) Not later than July 1, 1990, each] (f) Each local and regional board 486
of education shall adopt a written policy and procedures for dealing 487
with youth suicide prevention and youth suicide attempts. Each such 488
board of education may establish a student assistance program to 489
identify risk factors for youth suicide, procedures to intervene with such 490
youths, referral services and training for teachers and other school 491
professionals and students who provide assistance in the program. 492
[(f) Not later than September 1, 1998, each] (g) (1) Each local and 493
regional board of education shall develop, adopt and implement written 494
policies and procedures to encourage parent-teacher communication. 495
These policies and procedures may include monthly newsletters, 496
required regular contact with all parents, flexible parent-teacher 497
conferences, drop-in hours for parents, home visits and the use of 498
technology such as homework hot lines to allow parents to check on 499
their children's assignments and students to [get] receive assistance if 500
needed. [For the school year commencing July 1, 2010, and each school 501
year thereafter, such] Such policies and procedures shall require the 502
district to conduct two flexible parent-teacher conferences for each 503
school year. 504
(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2021, and each school year 505
thereafter, the policies and procedures described in subdivision (1) of 506
this subsection shall require the district to (A) offer parents the option 507
of attending any parent-teacher conference by telephonic, video or other 508
conferencing platform, (B) conduct one parent-teacher conference, in 509
addition to those required pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, 510
during periods when such district provides virtual learning for more 511 Substitute Bill No. 2
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than three consecutive weeks, and one additional parent-teacher 512
conference every six months thereafter for the duration of such period 513
of virtual learning, and (C) request from each student's parent the name 514
and contact information of an emergency contact person who may be 515
contacted if the student's parent cannot be reached to schedule a parent-516
teacher conference required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this 517
subdivision. 518
(3) On and after January 1, 2022, such policies and procedures shall 519
require (A) a teacher conducting a parent-teacher conference required 520
pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of this subsection to 521
provide a copy of the document developed pursuant to section 15 of this 522
act to the parent prior to the parent-teacher conference, and (B) if a 523
teacher is unable to make contact with a student's parent in order to 524
schedule a parent-teacher conference required pursuant to 525
subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of this subsection after making three 526
attempts, such teacher shall report such inability to the school principal, 527
school counselor or other school administrator designated by the local 528
or regional board of education. Such principal, counselor or 529
administrator shall contact any emergency contact person designated by 530
the student's parent pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (2) of 531
this subsection to ascertain such student's and family's health and 532
safety. 533
Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than December 1, 534
2021, the Department of Education shall develop, and annually update, 535
a document for use by local and regional boards of education that 536
provides information concerning educational, safety, mental health and 537
food insecurity resources and programs available for students and their 538
families. Such document shall contain, but need not be limited to, (1) 539
providers of such resources and programs, including, but not limited to, 540
the Departments of Education, Children and Families and Mental 541
Health and Addiction Services, the United Way of Connecticut and local 542
food banks, (2) descriptions of the relevant resources and programs 543
offered by each provider, including, but not limited to, (A) the "Talk it 544 Substitute Bill No. 2
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Out" program administered by the Department of Children and 545
Families, and (B) any program that provides laptop computers, public 546
Internet access or home Internet service to students, (3) contact 547
information for each provider, resource and program, and (4) relevant 548
Internet web sites. The Department of Education shall annually 549
distribute such document electronically to each local and regional board 550
of education. 551
Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section, 552
"virtual learning" means instruction by means of one or more Internet-553
based software platforms as part of a remote learning model. 554
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Education 555
shall develop, and update as necessary, standards for virtual learning. 556
The standards shall not be deemed to be regulations, as defined in 557
section 4-166 of the general statutes. 558
(c) For the school year commencing July 1, 2022, and each school year 559
thereafter, a local or regional board of education may authorize virtual 560
learning for students in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, provided such 561
board (1) provides such instruction in compliance with the standards 562
developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and (2) adopts a 563
policy regarding the requirements for student attendance during virtual 564
learning, which shall (A) be in compliance with the Department of 565
Education's guidance on student attendance during virtual learning, 566
and (B) count the attendance of any student who spends not less than 567
one-half of the school day during such instruction engaged in (i) virtual 568
classes, (ii) virtual meetings, (iii) activities on time-logged electronic 569
systems, and (iv) the completion and submission of assignments. 570
Sec. 17. Section 10-16 of the general statutes is repealed and the 571
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 572
Each school district shall provide in each school year no less than one 573
hundred and eighty days of actual school sessions for grades 574
kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, nine hundred hours of actual school 575 Substitute Bill No. 2
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work for full-day kindergarten and grades one to twelve, inclusive, and 576
four hundred and fifty hours of half-day kindergarten, provided school 577
districts shall not count more than seven hours of actual school work in 578
any school day towards the total required for the school year. Virtual 579
learning shall be considered an actual school session for purposes of this 580
section, provided, that, on and after January 1, 2022, such virtual 581
learning is conducted in compliance with the standards developed 582
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 16 of this act. If weather conditions 583
result in an early dismissal or a delayed opening of school, a school 584
district which maintains separate morning and afternoon half-day 585
kindergarten sessions may provide either a morning or afternoon half-586
day kindergarten session on such day. As used in this section, "virtual 587
learning" means instruction by means of one or more Internet-based 588
software platforms as part of a remote learning model. 589
Sec. 18. Section 10-198b of the general statutes is repealed and the 590
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 591
[On or before July 1, 2012, the] The State Board of Education shall 592
define "excused absence", [and] "unexcused absence" [, and on or before 593
January 1, 2016, the State Board of Education shall define] and 594
"disciplinary absence" for use by local and regional boards of education 595
for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of section 10-198a, 596
reporting truancy, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-220, and 597
calculating the district chronic absenteeism rate and the school chronic 598
absenteeism rate pursuant to section 10-198c. On or before July 1, 2021, 599
the State Board of Education shall amend the definitions of "excused 600
absence" and "unexcused absence" to exclude a student's (1) (A) 601
engagement in virtual classes, (B) virtual meetings, (C) activities on 602
time-logged electronic systems, and (D) completion and submission of 603
assignments, if such engagement accounts for not less than one-half of 604
the school day during virtual learning authorized pursuant to section 16 605
of this act, and (2) absence resulting from such student taking a mental 606
health wellness day permitted pursuant to section 19 of this act. As used 607
in this section, "virtual learning" means instruction by means of one or 608 Substitute Bill No. 2
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more Internet-based software platforms as part of a remote learning 609
model. 610
Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) (a) As used in this section and 611
section 10-198b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, "mental 612
health wellness day" describes a school day during which a student 613
attends to such student's emotional and psychological well-being in lieu 614
of attending school. 615
(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2021, and each school year 616
thereafter, a local or regional board of education shall permit any 617
student enrolled in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, to take up 618
to four mental health wellness days during the school year, during 619
which day such student shall not be required to attend school. A student 620
shall not be required to present documentation or parental or guardian 621
consent to take a mental health wellness day, but, for purposes of the 622
school year limitation on such days pursuant to this subsection, shall 623
identify his or her absence as a mental health wellness day. 624
Sec. 20. Section 10-215 of the general statutes is repealed and the 625
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 626
(a) Any local or regional board of education may establish and 627
operate a school lunch program for public school children, may operate 628
lunch services for its employees, may establish and operate a school 629
breakfast program, as provided under federal laws governing said 630
programs, or may establish and operate such other child feeding 631
programs as it deems necessary. Charges for such lunches, breakfasts or 632
other such feeding may be fixed by such boards and shall not exceed the 633
cost of food, wages and other expenses directly incurred in providing 634
such services. When such services are offered, a board shall provide free 635
lunches, breakfasts or other such feeding to children whose economic 636
needs require such action under the standards promulgated by said 637
federal laws. Such board is authorized to purchase equipment and 638
supplies that are necessary, to employ the necessary personnel, to utilize 639
the services of volunteers and to receive and expend any funds and 640 Substitute Bill No. 2
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receive and use any equipment and supplies which may become 641
available to carry out the provisions of this section. Any town board of 642
education may vote to designate any volunteer organization within the 643
town to provide a school lunch program, school breakfast program or 644
other child feeding program in accordance with the provisions of this 645
section. 646
(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2021, and each school year 647
thereafter, a local or regional board of education shall include in any 648
policy or procedure for the collection of unpaid charges for school 649
lunches, breakfasts or other such feeding (1) a prohibition on publicly 650
identifying or shaming a child for any such unpaid charges, including, 651
but not limited to, delaying or refusing to serve a meal to such child, 652
designating a specific meal option for such child or otherwise taking any 653
disciplinary action against such child, (2) a declaration of the right for 654
any child to purchase a meal, which meal may exclude any a la carte 655
items or be limited to one meal for any school lunch, breakfast or other 656
such feeding, and (3) a procedure for communicating with the parent or 657
legal guardian of a child for the purpose of collecting such unpaid 658
charges. Such communication shall include, but not be limited to, (A) 659
information regarding local food pantries, (B) applications for the school 660
district's program for free or reduced priced meals and for the 661
supplemental nutrition assistance program administered by the 662
Department of Social Services, and (C) a link to the Internet web site 663
maintained by the town for such school district listing any community 664
services available to the residents of such town. 665
(c) A local or regional board of education may accept gifts, donations 666
or grants from any public or private sources for the purpose of paying 667
off any unpaid charges for school lunches, breakfasts or other such 668
feeding. 669
Sec. 21. Section 17a-10a of the general statutes is repealed and the 670
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 671
(a) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall ensure that a 672 Substitute Bill No. 2
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child placed in the care and custody of the commissioner pursuant to an 673
order of temporary custody or an order of commitment is provided 674
visitation with such child's parents and siblings, unless otherwise 675
ordered by the court. In the event of a pandemic or outbreak of a 676
communicable disease resulting in a declaration of a public health 677
emergency by the Governor pursuant to section 19a-131a, or a 678
declaration of a national emergency by the President of the United 679
States, such child shall be provided opportunities to communicate with 680
such child's parents and siblings by telephonic, video or other 681
conferencing platform in lieu of in-person visitation, for the duration of 682
any such declaration. 683
(b) The commissioner shall ensure that such child's visits with his or 684
her parents, or opportunities to communicate with such child's parents 685
and siblings by telephonic, video or other conferencing platform in 686
accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall 687
occur as frequently as reasonably possible, based upon consideration of 688
the best interests of the child, including the age and developmental level 689
of the child, and shall be sufficient in number and duration to ensure 690
continuation of the relationship. 691
(c) If such child has an existing relationship with a sibling and is 692
separated from such sibling as a result of intervention by the 693
commissioner including, but not limited to, placement in a foster home 694
or in the home of a relative, the commissioner shall, based upon 695
consideration of the best interests of the child, ensure that such child has 696
access to and visitation rights with such sibling throughout the duration 697
of such placement. In determining the number, frequency and duration 698
of sibling visits, the commissioner shall consider the best interests of 699
each sibling, given each child's age and developmental level and the 700
continuation of the sibling relationship. If the child and his or her sibling 701
both reside within the state and within fifty miles of each other, the 702
commissioner shall, within available appropriations, ensure that such 703
child's visits with his or her sibling occur, on average, not less than once 704
per week, unless the commissioner finds that the frequency of such 705 Substitute Bill No. 2
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visitation is not in the best interests of each sibling. 706
(d) Not later than January 1, 2022, the commissioner shall develop a 707
policy that requires the temporary cessation of in-person visitation 708
provided pursuant to this section, on a case-by-case basis, in the event 709
that a child or such child's parent or sibling is seriously ill due to a 710
communicable disease, and visitation could result in the contraction of 711
such disease by one or more participants in the visitation. Such policy 712
shall require that such child be provided an opportunity to 713
communicate with such child's parents and siblings by telephonic, video 714
or other conferencing platform in lieu of such visitation. The 715
commissioner shall define "seriously ill" and "communicable disease" 716
for the purposes of carrying out this subsection. 717
[(d)] (e) The commissioner shall include in each child's case record 718
information relating to the factors considered in making visitation 719
determinations pursuant to this section. If the commissioner determines 720
that such visits are not in the best interests of the child, that the 721
occurrence of, on average, not less than one visit per week with his or 722
her sibling is not in the best interests of each sibling, or that the number, 723
frequency or duration of the visits requested by the child's attorney or 724
guardian ad litem is not in the best interests of the child, the 725
commissioner shall include the reasons for such determination in the 726
child's case record. 727
[(e)] (f) On or before October first of each year, the commissioner shall 728
report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint 729
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 730
matters relating to children, data sufficient to demonstrate compliance 731
with subsections (a), (c) and [(d)] (e) of this section. Such data shall 732
include the total annual number of children in out-of-home placements 733
who have siblings, the total number of child cases with documented 734
sibling visitation and the number of individual siblings involved in each 735
case. 736
Sec. 22. Section 17a-103a of the general statutes is repealed and the 737 Substitute Bill No. 2
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following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 738
(a) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall establish and 739
operate the telephone Careline for child abuse and neglect that shall be 740
dedicated to receive reports of child abuse or neglect and to provide 741
information concerning child abuse or neglect. The Careline shall accept 742
all reports of child abuse or neglect regardless of the relationship of the 743
alleged perpetrator to the child who is the alleged victim and regardless 744
of the alleged perpetrator's affiliation with any organization or other 745
entity in any capacity. The commissioner shall classify and evaluate all 746
reports pursuant to the provisions of section 17a-101g. 747
(b) Not later than July 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Children and 748
Families shall expand the operation of the telephone Careline to 749
accommodate the receipt and provision of information concerning child 750
abuse or neglect by text message or mobile telephone application. Such 751
expanded operation shall be monitored twenty-four hours per day and 752
seven days per week by the Department of Children and Families. 753
Sec. 23. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) If the Commissioner of Children 754
and Families, or the commissioner's designee, has authorized the 755
immediate removal of a child from such child's home pursuant to 756
subsection (e) of section 17a-101g of the general statutes, or is 757
considering removing a child from such child's home, the commissioner 758
shall provide written notice to the parent or guardian of such child. Such 759
notice shall be in the parent or guardian's primary language, and 760
contain (1) the date, time and location of any removal meeting the 761
commissioner has scheduled, (2) a plain language explanation of the 762
removal process, steps the commissioner intends to take and legal rights 763
of the parent or guardian, (3) a list of local organizations that provide 764
free or reduced-cost legal services and how to access such services, and 765
(4) a check box for such parent or guardian to request the services of an 766
interpreter at any such meeting. Such notice shall be provided as soon 767
as is practicable prior to the date of any removal meeting, or, if 768
immediate removal was authorized, not later than twenty-four hours 769
after such removal. The commissioner shall obtain the signature of such 770 Substitute Bill No. 2
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parent or guardian acknowledging receipt of such notice and provide 771
the services of an interpreter at any such meeting for which an 772
interpreter has been requested by such parent or guardian. 773
Sec. 24. Section 17a-248g of the general statutes is repealed and the 774
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 775
(a) Subject to the provisions of this section, funds appropriated to the 776
lead agency for purposes of section 17a-248, sections 17a-248b to 17a-777
248f, inclusive, this section and sections 38a-490a and 38a-516a shall not 778
be used to satisfy a financial commitment for services that would have 779
been paid from another public or private source but for the enactment 780
of said sections, except for federal funds available pursuant to Part C of 781
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1431 et seq., 782
except that whenever considered necessary to prevent the delay in the 783
receipt of appropriate early intervention services by the eligible child or 784
family in a timely fashion, funds provided under said sections may be 785
used to pay the service provider pending reimbursement from the 786
public or private source that has ultimate responsibility for the payment. 787
(b) Nothing in section 17a-248, sections 17a-248b to 17a-248f, 788
inclusive, this section and sections 38a-490a and 38a-516a shall be 789
construed to permit the Department of Social Services or any other state 790
agency to reduce medical assistance pursuant to this chapter or other 791
assistance or services available to eligible children. Notwithstanding 792
any provision of the general statutes, costs incurred for early 793
intervention services that otherwise qualify as medical assistance that 794
are furnished to an eligible child who is also eligible for benefits 795
pursuant to this chapter shall be considered medical assistance for 796
purposes of payments to providers and state reimbursement to the 797
extent that federal financial participation is available for such services. 798
(c) Providers of early intervention services shall, in the first instance 799
and where applicable, seek payment from all third-party payers prior to 800
claiming payment from the birth-to-three system for services rendered 801
to eligible children, provided, for the purpose of seeking payment from 802 Substitute Bill No. 2
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the Medicaid program or from other third-party payers as agreed upon 803
by the provider, the obligation to seek payment shall not apply to a 804
payment from a third-party payer who is not prohibited from applying 805
such payment, and who will apply such payment, to an annual or 806
lifetime limit specified in the third-party payer's policy or contract. 807
(d) The commissioner, in consultation with the Office of Policy and 808
Management and the Insurance Commissioner, shall adopt regulations, 809
pursuant to chapter 54, providing public reimbursement for deductibles 810
and copayments imposed under an insurance policy or health benefit 811
plan to the extent that such deductibles and copayments are applicable 812
to early intervention services. 813
(e) [The commissioner shall establish and periodically revise, in 814
accordance with this section, a schedule of fees based on a sliding scale 815
for early intervention services. The schedule of fees shall consider the 816
cost of such services relative to the financial resources of the state and 817
the parents or legal guardians of eligible children, provided that on and 818
after October 6, 2009, the commissioner shall (1) charge fees to such 819
parents or legal guardians that are sixty per cent greater than the 820
amount of the fees charged on the date prior to October 6, 2009; and (2) 821
charge fees for all services provided, including those services provided 822
in the first two months following the enrollment of a child in the 823
program. Fees may be charged to any such parent or guardian, 824
regardless of income, and shall be charged to any such parent or 825
guardian with a gross annual family income of forty-five thousand 826
dollars or more, except that no fee may be charged to the parent or 827
guardian of a child who is eligible for Medicaid. Notwithstanding the 828
provisions of subdivision (8) of section 17a-248, as used in this 829
subsection, "parent" means the biological or adoptive parent or legal 830
guardian of any child receiving early intervention services. The lead 831
agency may assign its right to collect fees to a designee or provider 832
participating in the early intervention program and providing services 833
to a recipient in order to assist the provider in obtaining payment for 834
such services. The commissioner may implement procedures for the 835 Substitute Bill No. 2
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collection of the schedule of fees while in the process of adopting or 836
amending such criteria in regulation, provided the commissioner posts 837
notice of intention to adopt or amend the regulations on the 838
eRegulations System, established pursuant to section 4-173b, within 839
twenty days of implementing the policy. Such collection procedures and 840
schedule of fees shall be valid until the time the final regulations or 841
amendments are effective] The commissioner shall not charge a fee for 842
early intervention services to the parents or legal guardians of eligible 843
children. 844
(f) [The] With respect to early intervention services rendered prior to 845
July 1, 2022, the commissioner shall develop and implement procedures 846
to hold a recipient harmless for the impact of pursuit of payment for 847
[early intervention] such services against lifetime insurance limits. 848
(g) Notwithstanding any provision of title 38a relating to the 849
permissible exclusion of payments for services under governmental 850
programs, no such exclusion shall apply with respect to payments made 851
pursuant to section 17a-248, sections 17a-248b to 17a-248f, inclusive, this 852
section and sections 38a-490a and 38a-516a. Except as provided in this 853
subsection, nothing in this section shall increase or enhance coverages 854
provided for within an insurance contract subject to the provisions of 855
section 10-94f, subsection (a) of section 10-94g, subsection (a) of section 856
17a-219b, subsection (a) of section 17a-219c, sections 17a-248, 17a-248b 857
to 17a-248f, inclusive, this section, and sections 38a-490a and 38a-516a. 858
Sec. 25. Subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the 859
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 860
thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 861
(10) (A) Each local and regional board of education responsible for 862
providing special education and related services to a child or pupil shall 863
notify the parent or guardian of a child who requires or who may 864
require special education, a pupil if such pupil is an emancipated minor 865
or eighteen years of age or older who requires or who may require 866
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10-94g, in writing, at least five school days before such board proposes 868
to, or refuses to, initiate or change the child's or pupil's identification, 869
evaluation or educational placement or the provision of a free 870
appropriate public education to the child or pupil. 871
(B) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent, 872
the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide such 873
parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent an opportunity to meet with 874
a member of the planning and placement team designated by such 875
board prior to the referral planning and placement team meeting at 876
which the assessments and evaluations of the child or pupil who 877
requires or may require special education is presented to such parent, 878
guardian, pupil or surrogate parent for the first time. Such meeting shall 879
be for the sole purpose of discussing the planning and placement team 880
process and any concerns such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate 881
parent has regarding the child or pupil who requires or may require 882
special education. 883
(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given 884
at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement 885
team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, (ii) have the right to be 886
present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an 887
educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or 888
revised, [and] (iii) have the right to have (I) advisors of such person's 889
own choosing and at such person's own expense, [and to have] (II) the 890
school paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil, if any, [to be 891
present at and to] and (III) such child or pupil's birth-to-three service 892
coordinator, if any, attend and participate in all portions of such meeting 893
at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, 894
reviewed or revised, and (iv) have the right to have each 895
recommendation made in such child or pupil's birth -to-three 896
individualized transition plan, as required by section 17a-248e, as 897
amended by this act, if any, addressed by the planning and placement 898
team during such meeting at which an educational program for such 899
child or pupil is developed. 900 Substitute Bill No. 2
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(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child 901
requiring special education and at each planning and placement team 902
meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of 903
education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate 904
parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen 905
years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special 906
education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or 907
pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board 908
of Education relating to special education, including the right of a 909
parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such 910
child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-911
184, and (II) have advisors and the school paraprofessional assigned to 912
such child or pupil [to be present at, and to] attend and participate in [,] 913
all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such 914
child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, in accordance with the 915
provisions of subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, and (iii) any relevant 916
information and resources relating to individualized education 917
programs created by the Department of Education, including, but not 918
limited to, information relating to transition resources and services for 919
high school students. If such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil 920
does not attend a planning and placement team meeting, the responsible 921
local or regional board of education shall mail such information to such 922
person. 923
(E) Each local and regional board of education shall have in effect at 924
the beginning of each school year an educational program for each child 925
or pupil who has been identified as eligible for special education. 926
(F) At each initial planning and placement team meeting for a child 927
or pupil, the responsible local or regional board of education shall 928
inform the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil of (i) the laws 929
relating to physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to section 10-236b 930
and the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil under 931
such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education 932
relating to physical restraint and seclusion, and (ii) the right of such 933 Substitute Bill No. 2
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parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil, during such meeting at 934
which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, to 935
have (I) such child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator attend 936
and participate in all portions of such meeting, and (II) each 937
recommendation made in the transition plan, as required by section 17a-938
248e, as amended by this act, by such child or pupil's birth-to-three 939
service coordinator addressed by the planning and placement team. 940
(G) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent, 941
the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide the 942
results of the assessments and evaluations used in the determination of 943
eligibility for special education for a child or pupil to such parent, 944
guardian, surrogate parent or pupil at least three school days before the 945
referral planning and placement team meeting at which such results of 946
the assessments and evaluations will be discussed for the first time. 947
Sec. 26. Subsection (i) of section 10-76d of the general statutes is 948
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 949
2021): 950
(i) (1) No local or regional board of education shall discipline, 951
suspend, terminate or otherwise punish any member of a planning and 952
placement team employed by such board who discusses or makes 953
recommendations concerning the provision of special education and 954
related services for a child during a planning and placement team 955
meeting for such child. 956
(2) No birth-to-three service coordinator or qualified personnel, as 957
those terms are defined in section 17a-248, who discusses or makes 958
recommendations concerning the provision of special education and 959
related services for a child during a planning and placement team 960
meeting for such child or in a transition plan, as required by section 17a-961
248e, as amended by this act, shall be subject to discipline, suspension, 962
termination or other punishment on the basis of such recommendations. 963
Sec. 27. Section 17a-248e of the general statutes is repealed and the 964 Substitute Bill No. 2
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following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 965
(a) Each eligible child and his or her family shall receive (1) a 966
multidisciplinary assessment of the child's unique needs and the 967
identification of services appropriate to meet such needs, (2) a written 968
individualized family service plan developed by a multidisciplinary 969
team, including the parent, within forty-five days after the referral, 970
[and] (3) review of the individualized family service plan with the 971
family at least every six months, with evaluation of the individualized 972
family service plan at least annually, and (4) if the child is ineligible for 973
participation in preschool programs under Part B of the Individuals 974
with Disabilities Act, 20 USC 1471 et seq., a screening for developmental 975
and social-emotional delays using validated assessment tools, such as 976
the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Ages and Stages Social-977
Emotional Questionnaire, or their equivalents. 978
(b) The individualized family service plan shall be in writing and 979
contain: (1) A statement of the child's present level of physical 980
development, cognitive development, language and speech 981
development and self-help skills, based on acceptable objective criteria; 982
(2) a statement of the family's priority, resources and concerns relating 983
to enhancing the development of the eligible child; (3) a statement of the 984
major outcomes expected to be achieved for the child and the family and 985
the criteria, procedures and timelines used to determine the degree to 986
which progress toward achieving the outcomes are being made, and 987
whether modifications or revisions of the outcomes are necessary; (4) a 988
statement of specific early intervention services necessary to meet the 989
unique needs of the eligible child and the family, including the 990
frequency, intensity and the method of delivering services; (5) a 991
statement of the natural environments in which the services shall be 992
provided; (6) the projected dates for initiation of services and the 993
anticipated duration of such services; (7) the name of the approved 994
comprehensive service provider that will provide or procure the 995
services specified in the individualized family service plan; (8) the name 996
of the individual service coordinator from the profession most 997 Substitute Bill No. 2
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immediately relevant to the eligible child's or the family's needs who 998
will be responsible for the implementation of the plan and coordination 999
with the other agencies and providers or an otherwise qualified 1000
provider selected by a parent; and (9) the steps to be taken to support 1001
the transition of the child who is eligible for participation in preschool 1002
programs under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 USC 1003
1471 et seq., as appropriate. 1004
(c) The individualized family service plan shall be signed by the 1005
child's pediatrician or a primary care provider or qualified personnel, as 1006
those terms are defined in section 17a-248. 1007
(d) The lead agency may provide early intervention services, arrange 1008
for the delivery of early intervention services by participating agencies 1009
or contract with providers to deliver early intervention services to 1010
eligible children and the families of such children. The lead agency in 1011
providing, arranging or contracting for early intervention services shall 1012
monitor all birth-to-three service providers for quality and 1013
accountability in accordance with Section 616 of the Individuals with 1014
Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1416 and establish state-wide rates 1015
for such services. 1016
Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) Not later than July 1, 2022, the 1017
Commissioner of Early Childhood shall develop and implement a plan 1018
to expand the birth-to-three program, established pursuant to section 1019
17a-248b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to provide early 1020
intervention services to any child who is (1) enrolled in the program, (2) 1021
turns three years of age on or after May 1 and not later than the first day 1022
of the next school year commencing July 1, and (3) is eligible for 1023
participation in preschool programs under Part B of the Individuals 1024
with Disabilities Act, 20 USC 1471 et seq., provided such services shall 1025
terminate upon such child's participation in such a preschool program. 1026
The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 1027
of the general statutes to implement the provisions of this section. 1028
Sec. 29. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) For the school year commencing 1029 Substitute Bill No. 2
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July 1, 2022, and each school year thereafter, in any school district that 1030
serves a town that has not convened or established a local or regional 1031
school readiness council pursuant to section 10-16r of the general 1032
statutes, the local or regional board of education for such school district 1033
shall designate a school readiness liaison. Such liaison shall (1) be an 1034
existing employee of such school district, and (2) serve as an 1035
informational resource for parents of children transitioning from the 1036
birth-to-three program established pursuant to section 17a-248b of the 1037
general statutes, to enrollment in a public elementary school in such 1038
school district. 1039
Sec. 30. (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section, (1) "adverse 1040
childhood experience" means a potentially traumatic event occurring in 1041
childhood, including, but not limited to, (A) experiencing or witnessing 1042
violence, abuse, neglect, a substance abuse disorder, a suicide attempt 1043
or death by suicide, or (B) experiencing instability due to parental 1044
separation or incarceration, and (2)"participating municipalities" means 1045
the municipalities of Bridgeport, Cheshire, East Hartford, Killingworth, 1046
Orange and South Windsor. 1047
(b) The Department of Education shall establish an adverse 1048
childhood experience survey pilot program to be administered in 1049
participating municipalities. Such pilot program shall be for the purpose 1050
of collecting data concerning adverse childhood experiences suffered by 1051
students in grades four to twelve, inclusive, enrolled in public schools 1052
in participating municipalities. 1053
(c) Not later than October 1, 2021, the Department of Education shall 1054
develop a survey that requires the student taking the survey to indicate 1055
whether the student has witnessed or experienced one or more 1056
potentially traumatic events, including, but not limited to, (1) violence, 1057
abuse, neglect, a substance abuse disorder, a suicide attempt or death 1058
by suicide, or (2) instability due to parental separation or incarceration. 1059
The survey shall (A) be tailored to the developmental stages of the 1060
students administered the survey, and (B) not include any personally 1061
identifying information. 1062 Substitute Bill No. 2
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(d) Not later than August 1, 2022, the Department of Education shall 1063
require each public school enrolling students in grades four to twelve, 1064
inclusive, in participating municipalities to administer the survey 1065
developed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and report the 1066
results of the survey to the department in a form and manner prescribed 1067
by the department. Such report shall (1) include, but not be limited to, 1068
the number of students in each grade who have suffered each type of 1069
potentially traumatic event, and (2) not include any data concerning the 1070
number or types of potentially traumatic events suffered by any one 1071
student. 1072
(e) Not later than December 1, 2022, the Department of Education 1073
shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 1074
of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General 1075
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children. Such report 1076
shall include a summary of the number of students in each grade in each 1077
participating municipality who have suffered each type of potentially 1078
traumatic event. 1079
Sec. 31. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to 1080
study the comprehensive needs of children in the state and the extent to 1081
which such needs are being met by educators, community members and 1082
local and state agencies. The task force shall (1) assess the needs of 1083
children using the following tenets of the whole child initiative 1084
developed by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum 1085
Development: (A) Each student enters school healthy and learns about 1086
and practices a healthy lifestyle, (B) each student learns in an 1087
environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and 1088
adults, (C) each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected 1089
to the school and broader community, (D) each student has access to 1090
personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults, and 1091
(E) each student is challenged academically and prepared for success in 1092
college or further study and for employment and participation in a 1093
global environment, (2) recommend new programs or changes to 1094
existing programs operated by educators or local or state agencies to 1095 Substitute Bill No. 2
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better address the needs of children in the state, and (3) recognize any 1096
exceptional efforts to meet the comprehensive needs of children by 1097
educators, community members or local or state agencies. As used in 1098
this section, "community member" means any individual or private 1099
organization that provides services or programs for children. 1100
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 1101
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 1102
one of whom is an educator employed by a local or regional board of 1103
education and one of whom is a social worker licensed pursuant to 1104
chapter 383b of the general statutes who works with children; 1105
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of 1106
whom is a representative of the board of directors of the Association for 1107
Supervision and Curriculum Development affiliate in the state, and one 1108
of whom is representative of an institution of higher education in the 1109
state; 1110
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 1111
Representatives, who is a school administrator employed by a local or 1112
regional board of education; 1113
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is a 1114
chairperson of a local or regional board of education; 1115
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 1116
Representatives, who is a director or employee of a private nonprofit 1117
organization in the state that provides services or programs for children; 1118
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who is a 1119
director or employee of a private nonprofit organization in the state that 1120
provides health-related services or programs for children; 1121
(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; 1122
(8) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's 1123 Substitute Bill No. 2
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designee; 1124
(9) The Healthcare Advocate, or the advocate's designee; 1125
(10) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee; 1126
(11) The executive director of the Commission on Human Rights and 1127
Opportunities, or the executive director's designee; 1128
(12) The Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's 1129
designee; 1130
(13) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, 1131
or the commissioner's designee; 1132
(14) The Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee; 1133
(15) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's 1134
designee; 1135
(16) The Commissioner of Developmental Service s, or the 1136
commissioner's designee; 1137
(17) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or 1138
the commissioner's designee; 1139
(18) The Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner's 1140
designee; 1141
(19) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's 1142
designee; 1143
(20) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career 1144
System, or the superintendent's designee; 1145
(21) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 1146
commissioner's designee; and 1147
(22) The Chief Court Administrator, or the Chie f Court 1148 Substitute Bill No. 2
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Administrator's designee. 1149
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivisions (1) to 1150
(6), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the 1151
General Assembly. 1152
(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 1153
than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 1154
be filled by the appointing authority not later than thirty days after the 1155
vacancy occurs. If a vacancy is not filled by the appointing authority, the 1156
chairpersons of the task force may fill such vacancy. 1157
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro 1158
tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from 1159
among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule 1160
the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty 1161
days after the effective date of this section. 1162
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 1163
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children 1164
shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 1165
(g) Not later than January 1, 2022, the task force shall submit a report 1166
on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of 1167
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, 1168
in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 1169
The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or 1170
January 1, 2022, whichever is later. 1171
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 2 July 1, 2021 20-12b(a)
Sec. 3 July 1, 2021 20-73b(a)
Sec. 4 July 1, 2021 20-74h
Sec. 5 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 6 July 1, 2021 20-102ee(a) Substitute Bill No. 2
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Sec. 7 July 1, 2021 20-185k(b)
Sec. 8 July 1, 2021 20-195ttt(f)
Sec. 9 July 1, 2021 20-206mm(d) and (e)
Sec. 10 July 1, 2021 19a-14c
Sec. 11 July 1, 2021 10-148a(a)
Sec. 12 July 1, 2021 10-220a(b)
Sec. 13 July 1, 2021 10-220(b)
Sec. 14 July 1, 2021 10-221
Sec. 15 from passage New section
Sec. 16 from passage New section
Sec. 17 July 1, 2021 10-16
Sec. 18 from passage 10-198b
Sec. 19 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 20 July 1, 2021 10-215
Sec. 21 July 1, 2021 17a-10a
Sec. 22 July 1, 2021 17a-103a
Sec. 23 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 24 July 1, 2022 17a-248g
Sec. 25 July 1, 2021 10-76d(a)(10)
Sec. 26 July 1, 2021 10-76d(i)
Sec. 27 July 1, 2021 17a-248e
Sec. 28 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 29 July 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 30 from passage New section
Sec. 31 from passage New section
KID Joint Favorable Subst.
APP Joint Favorable