Connecticut 2022 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05229 Compare Versions

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4-House Bill No. 5229
7+General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5229
8+February Session, 2022
9+LCO No. 656
510
6-Public Act No. 22-78
11+
12+Referred to Committee on HUMAN SERVICES
13+
14+
15+Introduced by:
16+(HS)
17+
718
819
920 AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS'
1021 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO HUMAN
1122 SERVICES-RELATED STATUTES.
1223 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1324 Assembly convened:
1425
15-Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 4-216a of the 2022 supplement to
16-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
17-thereof (Effective from passage):
18-(b) No state agency contracting with a nonprofit provider of human
19-services may attempt to recover or otherwise offset funds obtained or
20-retained by such nonprofit provider through loan forgiveness. For
21-purposes of this subsection, "attempt to recover or otherwise offset"
22-means (1) reductions in contracted amounts for the same or similar
23-services from the contract period before such loan forgiveness to the
24-next contract period, or (2) demands for reimbursement of state funds
25-from such providers in the amount of any loan forgiveness.
26-Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 17b-59a of the 2022 supplement to the
27-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
28-thereof (Effective from passage):
29-(b) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the
30-executive director of the Office of Health Strategy, established under House Bill No. 5229
26+Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 4-216a of the 2022 supplement to 1
27+the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2
28+thereof (Effective from passage): 3
29+(b) No state agency contracting with a nonprofit provider of human 4
30+services may attempt to recover or otherwise offset funds obtained or 5
31+retained by such nonprofit provider through loan forgiveness. For 6
32+purposes of this subsection, "attempt to recover or otherwise offset" 7
33+means (1) reductions in contracted amounts for the same or similar 8
34+services from the contract period before such loan forgiveness to the 9
35+next contract period, or (2) demands for reimbursement of state funds 10
36+from such providers in the amount of any loan forgiveness. 11
37+Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 17b-59a of the 2022 supplement to the 12
38+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 13 Raised Bill No. 5229
3139
32-Public Act No. 22-78 2 of 7
3340
34-section 19a-754a, shall (1) develop, throughout the Departments of
35-Developmental Services, Public Health, Correction, Children and
36-Families, Veterans Affairs and Mental Health and Addiction Services,
37-uniform management information, uniform statistical information,
38-uniform terminology for similar facilities, and uniform electronic health
39-information technology standards, (2) plan for increased participation
40-of the private sector in the delivery of human services, and (3) provide
41-direction and coordination to federally funded programs in the human
42-services agencies and recommend uniform system improvements and
43-reallocation of physical resources and designation of a single
44-responsibility across human services agencies lines to facilitate shared
45-services and eliminate duplication.
46-Sec. 3. Section 17b-261w of the 2022 supplement to the general
47-statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
48-(Effective from passage):
49-The Commissioner of Social Services may waive or suspend, in whole
50-or in part, to the extent the commissioner deems necessary, any prior
51-authorization or other utilization review criteria and procedures for the
52-[Connecticut] state medical assistance program. The commissioner shall
53-include notice of any such waiver or suspension in a provider bulletin
54-sent to affected providers and posted on the [Connecticut Medical
55-Assistance Program] state medical assistance program's Internet web
56-site not later than fourteen days before implementing such waiver or
57-suspension. As used in this section, ["Connecticut medical assistance
58-program"] "state medical assistance program" means the state's
59-Medicaid program and the Children's Health Insurance Program under
60-Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time.
61-Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 7-127h of the 2022 supplement to the
62-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
63-thereof (Effective from passage): House Bill No. 5229
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45+thereof (Effective from passage): 14
46+(b) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the 15
47+executive director of the Office of Health Strategy, established under 16
48+section 19a-754a, shall (1) develop, throughout the Departments of 17
49+Developmental Services, Public Health, Correction, Children and 18
50+Families, Veterans Affairs and Mental Health and Addiction Services, 19
51+uniform management information, uniform statistical information, 20
52+uniform terminology for similar facilities, and uniform electronic health 21
53+information technology standards, (2) plan for increased participation 22
54+of the private sector in the delivery of human services, and (3) provide 23
55+direction and coordination to federally funded programs in the human 24
56+services agencies and recommend uniform system improvements and 25
57+reallocation of physical resources and designation of a single 26
58+responsibility across human services agencies lines to facilitate shared 27
59+services and eliminate duplication. 28
60+Sec. 3. Section 17b-261w of the 2022 supplement to the general 29
61+statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 30
62+(Effective from passage): 31
63+The Commissioner of Social Services may waive or suspend, in whole 32
64+or in part, to the extent the commissioner deems necessary, any prior 33
65+authorization or other utilization review criteria and procedures for the 34
66+[Connecticut] state medical assistance program. The commissioner shall 35
67+include notice of any such waiver or suspension in a provider bulletin 36
68+sent to affected providers and posted on the [Connecticut Medical 37
69+Assistance Program] state medical assistance program's Internet web 38
70+site not later than fourteen days before implementing such waiver or 39
71+suspension. As used in this section, ["Connecticut medical assistance 40
72+program"] "state medical assistance program" means the state's 41
73+Medicaid program and the Children's Health Insurance Program under 42
74+Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time. 43
75+Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 7-127h of the 2022 supplement to the 44
76+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 45 Raised Bill No. 5229
6677
67-(b) A multipurpose senior center established pursuant to subsection
68-(a) of this section may [, but need not be limited to, providing] provide
69-assistance, including, but not limited to: (1) Nutrition services; (2) health
70-programs, including, but not limited to, mental health, behavioral
71-health and wellness programs; (3) employment assistance; (4)
72-intergenerational initiatives; (5) community service and civic
73-engagement opportunities; (6) public benefits counseling; (7)
74-socialization and educational opportunities; (8) transportation; (9) peer
75-counseling; (10) financial and retirement counseling; (11) arts and
76-recreation programs; and (12) case management services.
77-Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 19a-550b of the 2022 supplement to
78-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
79-thereof (Effective from passage):
80-(b) (1) A resident shall have the right to use technology of the
81-resident's choice that facilitates virtual monitoring or virtual visitation,
82-provided:
83-[(1)] (A) The purchase, activation, installation, maintenance, repair,
84-operation, deactivation and removal of such technology is at the
85-expense of the resident;
86-[(2)] (B) The technology and any recordings and images obtained
87-therefrom are used by the resident and any person communicating with
88-the resident or monitoring the resident in a manner that does not violate
89-any individual's right to privacy under state or federal law and in
90-accordance with the provisions of this section;
91-[(3)] (C) A clear and conspicuous notice is placed on the door of the
92-resident's room or living unit indicating that technology enabling
93-virtual monitoring and intended for such use may be in use;
94-[(4)] (D) In cases where the resident intends to use technology for
95-virtual monitoring in shared living situations, the resident or resident House Bill No. 5229
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99-representative provides advance notice to a roommate or the
100-roommate's representative specifying the type of technology, the
101-proposed location of the device, its intended use, intended hours of
102-operation and whether the device is capable of recording audio or video
103-or being activated remotely;
104-[(5)] (E) The resident or resident representative [(A)] (i) obtains the
105-written consent of all roommates or resident representatives of all
106-roommates for the use of the technology for virtual monitoring, and
107-[(B)] (ii) if any roommate withdraws consent, ceases using the
108-technology for virtual monitoring until consent is obtained; and
109-[(6)] (F) The resident or resident representative files a signed, written
110-notice with the nursing home facility and a copy of any written consent
111-of any roommate not less than seven days before installing or using such
112-technology for virtual monitoring that [(A)] (i) identifies the type of
113-technology, its intended use, intended hours of operation and location
114-of such technology in the room or living quarters, [(B)] (ii) states
115-whether the technology is capable of recording audio or video or being
116-activated or controlled remotely, [(C)] (iii) acknowledges that the
117-resident is responsible for the purchase, activation, installation,
118-maintenance, repair, operation, deactivation and removal of such
119-technology, and [(D)] (iv) includes a waiver of all civil, criminal and
120-administrative liability for the nursing home facility in accordance with
121-subsection (d) of this section.
122-(2) Except [for the provisions of subdivision (2)] as provided in
123-subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the provisions of
124-this subsection shall not apply to cellular mobile telephones used
125-primarily for telephonic communication or tablets not used for virtual
126-monitoring. If a roommate withdraws consent for the use of technology
127-for virtual monitoring, a resident or resident representative shall inform
128-the facility, in writing, not later than seven days after the roommate
129-withdraws consent. House Bill No. 5229
83+thereof (Effective from passage): 46
84+(b) A multipurpose senior center established pursuant to subsection 47
85+(a) of this section may [, but need not be limited to, providing] provide 48
86+assistance, including, but not limited to: (1) Nutrition services; (2) health 49
87+programs, including, but not limited to, mental health, behavioral 50
88+health and wellness programs; (3) employment assistance; (4) 51
89+intergenerational initiatives; (5) community service and civic 52
90+engagement opportunities; (6) public benefits counseling; (7) 53
91+socialization and educational opportunities; (8) transportation; (9) peer 54
92+counseling; (10) financial and retirement counseling; (11) arts and 55
93+recreation programs; and (12) case management services. 56
94+Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 19a-550b of the 2022 supplement to 57
95+the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 58
96+thereof (Effective from passage): 59
97+(b) (1) A resident shall have the right to use technology of the 60
98+resident's choice that facilitates virtual monitoring or virtual visitation, 61
99+provided: 62
100+[(1)] (A) The purchase, activation, installation, maintenance, repair, 63
101+operation, deactivation and removal of such technology is at the 64
102+expense of the resident; 65
103+[(2)] (B) The technology and any recordings and images obtained 66
104+therefrom are used by the resident and any person communicating with 67
105+the resident or monitoring the resident in a manner that does not violate 68
106+any individual's right to privacy under state or federal law and in 69
107+accordance with the provisions of this section; 70
108+[(3)] (C) A clear and conspicuous notice is placed on the door of the 71
109+resident's room or living unit indicating that technology enabling 72
110+virtual monitoring and intended for such use may be in use; 73
111+[(4)] (D) In cases where the resident intends to use technology for 74
112+virtual monitoring in shared living situations, the resident or resident 75 Raised Bill No. 5229
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131-Public Act No. 22-78 5 of 7
132114
133-Sec. 6. Subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 19a-550b of the 2022
134-supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
135-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
136-(c) (1) A nursing home facility shall provide Internet access, electricity
137-and a power source for technology used for virtual monitoring or virtual
138-visitation at no cost to a resident, provided (A) a nursing home facility
139-includes the cost of providing Internet access in cost reports filed with
140-the Department of Social Services for purposes of Medicaid
141-reimbursement, (B) the cost is reimbursed to the facility if the
142-department determines that such cost is eligible for reimbursement
143-pursuant to section 17b-340, (C) the Commissioner of Social Services
144-uses any available funding provided by the federal government to the
145-state and authorized by the federal government for expenses related to
146-COVID-19 at nursing home facilities to provide grants-in-aid to such
147-facilities for such upgrades, provided such use is approved by the
148-federal government, and (D) a nursing home facility may assess a
149-prorated portion of any unreimbursed cost of such upgrades to any
150-resident privately paying for a residence in such facility and using such
151-technology. A resident may also procure his or her own Internet
152-connectivity. A private-paying resident who procures his or her own
153-Internet connectivity shall not be charged for the cost of any Internet
154-infrastructure upgrades by the nursing home facility necessary for
155-residents to use such technology. For purposes of this subdivision,
156-"COVID-19" means the respiratory disease designated by the World
157-Health Organization on February 11, 2020, as coronavirus 2019, and any
158-related mutation thereof recognized by said organization as a
159-communicable respiratory disease.
160-Sec. 7. Subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of section 46a-60 of the 2022
161-supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
162-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
163-(10) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, after House Bill No. 5229
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165-Public Act No. 22-78 6 of 7
119+representative provides advance notice to a roommate or the 76
120+roommate's representative specifying the type of technology, the 77
121+proposed location of the device, its intended use, intended hours of 78
122+operation and whether the device is capable of recording audio or video 79
123+or being activated remotely; 80
124+[(5)] (E) The resident or resident representative [(A)] (i) obtains the 81
125+written consent of all roommates or resident representatives of all 82
126+roommates for the use of the technology for virtual monitoring, and 83
127+[(B)] (ii) if any roommate withdraws consent, ceases using the 84
128+technology for virtual monitoring until consent is obtained; and 85
129+[(6)] (F) The resident or resident representative files a signed, written 86
130+notice with the nursing home facility and a copy of any written consent 87
131+of any roommate not less than seven days before installing or using such 88
132+technology for virtual monitoring that [(A)] (i) identifies the type of 89
133+technology, its intended use, intended hours of operation and location 90
134+of such technology in the room or living quarters, [(B)] (ii) states 91
135+whether the technology is capable of recording audio or video or being 92
136+activated or controlled remotely, [(C)] (iii) acknowledges that the 93
137+resident is responsible for the purchase, activation, installation, 94
138+maintenance, repair, operation, deactivation and removal of such 95
139+technology, and [(D)] (iv) includes a waiver of all civil, criminal and 96
140+administrative liability for the nursing home facility in accordance with 97
141+subsection (d) of this section. 98
142+(2) Except [for the provisions of subdivision (2)] as provided in 99
143+subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the provisions of 100
144+this subsection shall not apply to cellular mobile telephones used 101
145+primarily for telephonic communication or tablets not used for virtual 102
146+monitoring. If a roommate withdraws consent for the use of technology 103
147+for virtual monitoring, a resident or resident representative shall inform 104
148+the facility, in writing, not later than seven days after the roommate 105
149+withdraws consent. 106
150+Sec. 6. Subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 19a-550b of the 2022 107 Raised Bill No. 5229
166151
167-informing an employee, pursuant to subdivision (9) of this subsection,
168-of a workplace exposure to substances which may cause birth defects or
169-constitute a hazard to an employee's reproductive system or to a fetus,
170-to fail or refuse, upon the employee's request, to take reasonable
171-measures to protect the employee from the exposure or hazard
172-identified, or to fail or refuse to inform the employee that the measures
173-taken may be the subject of a complaint filed under the provisions of
174-this chapter. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to prohibit an
175-employer from taking reasonable measures to protect an employee from
176-exposure to such substances. For the purpose of this subdivision,
177-"reasonable measures" [shall be] are those measures which are
178-consistent with business necessity and are least disruptive of the terms
179-and conditions of the employee's employment;
180-Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 46a-60 of the 2022 supplement to the
181-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
182-thereof (Effective from passage):
183-(d) (1) An employer shall provide written notice of the right to be free
184-from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and related
185-conditions, including the right to a reasonable accommodation to the
186-known limitations related to pregnancy pursuant to subdivision (7) of
187-subsection (b) of this section to: (A) New employees at the
188-commencement of employment; (B) existing employees within one
189-hundred twenty days [after the effective date of this section] of October
190-1, 2017; and (C) any employee who notifies the employer of her
191-pregnancy within ten days of such notification. An employer may
192-comply with the provisions of this section by displaying a poster in a
193-conspicuous place, accessible to employees, at the employer's place of
194-business that contains the information required by this section in both
195-English and Spanish. The Labor Commissioner may adopt regulations,
196-in accordance with chapter 54, to establish additional requirements
197-concerning the means by which employers shall provide such notice. House Bill No. 5229
198152
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201-(2) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall
202-develop courses of instruction and conduct ongoing public education
203-efforts as necessary to inform employers, employees, employment
204-agencies and persons seeking employment about their rights and
205-responsibilities under this section.
157+supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 108
158+substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 109
159+(c) (1) A nursing home facility shall provide Internet access, electricity 110
160+and a power source for technology used for virtual monitoring or virtual 111
161+visitation at no cost to a resident, provided (A) a nursing home facility 112
162+includes the cost of providing Internet access in cost reports filed with 113
163+the Department of Social Services for purposes of Medicaid 114
164+reimbursement, (B) the cost is reimbursed to the facility if the 115
165+department determines that such cost is eligible for reimbursement 116
166+pursuant to section 17b-340, (C) the Commissioner of Social Services 117
167+uses any available funding provided by the federal government to the 118
168+state and authorized by the federal government for expenses related to 119
169+COVID-19 at nursing home facilities to provide grants-in-aid to such 120
170+facilities for such upgrades, provided such use is approved by the 121
171+federal government, and (D) a nursing home facility may assess a 122
172+prorated portion of any unreimbursed cost of such upgrades to any 123
173+resident privately paying for a residence in such facility and using such 124
174+technology. A resident may also procure his or her own Internet 125
175+connectivity. A private-paying resident who procures his or her own 126
176+Internet connectivity shall not be charged for the cost of any Internet 127
177+infrastructure upgrades by the nursing home facility necessary for 128
178+residents to use such technology. For purposes of this subdivision, 129
179+"COVID-19" means the respiratory disease designated by the World 130
180+Health Organization on February 11, 2020, as coronavirus 2019, and any 131
181+related mutation thereof recognized by said organization as a 132
182+communicable respiratory disease. 133
183+Sec. 7. Subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of section 46a-60 of the 2022 134
184+supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 135
185+substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 136
186+(10) For an employer, by the employer or the employer's agent, after 137
187+informing an employee, pursuant to subdivision (9) of this subsection, 138
188+of a workplace exposure to substances which may cause birth defects or 139
189+constitute a hazard to an employee's reproductive system or to a fetus, 140 Raised Bill No. 5229
190+
191+
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196+to fail or refuse, upon the employee's request, to take reasonable 141
197+measures to protect the employee from the exposure or hazard 142
198+identified, or to fail or refuse to inform the employee that the measures 143
199+taken may be the subject of a complaint filed under the provisions of 144
200+this chapter. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to prohibit an 145
201+employer from taking reasonable measures to protect an employee from 146
202+exposure to such substances. For the purpose of this subdivision, 147
203+"reasonable measures" [shall be] are those measures which are 148
204+consistent with business necessity and are least disruptive of the terms 149
205+and conditions of the employee's employment; 150
206+Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 46a-60 of the 2022 supplement to the 151
207+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 152
208+thereof (Effective from passage): 153
209+(d) (1) An employer shall provide written notice of the right to be free 154
210+from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and related 155
211+conditions, including the right to a reasonable accommodation to the 156
212+known limitations related to pregnancy pursuant to subdivision (7) of 157
213+subsection (b) of this section to: (A) New employees at the 158
214+commencement of employment; (B) existing employees within one 159
215+hundred twenty days [after the effective date of this section] of October 160
216+1, 2017; and (C) any employee who notifies the employer of her 161
217+pregnancy within ten days of such notification. An employer may 162
218+comply with the provisions of this section by displaying a poster in a 163
219+conspicuous place, accessible to employees, at the employer's place of 164
220+business that contains the information required by this section in both 165
221+English and Spanish. The Labor Commissioner may adopt regulations, 166
222+in accordance with chapter 54, to establish additional requirements 167
223+concerning the means by which employers shall provide such notice. 168
224+(2) The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall 169
225+develop courses of instruction and conduct ongoing public education 170
226+efforts as necessary to inform employers, employees, employment 171
227+agencies and persons seeking employment about their rights and 172
228+responsibilities under this section. 173 Raised Bill No. 5229
229+
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235+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
236+sections:
237+
238+Section 1 from passage 4-216a(b)
239+Sec. 2 from passage 17b-59a(b)
240+Sec. 3 from passage 17b-261w
241+Sec. 4 from passage 7-127h(b)
242+Sec. 5 from passage 19a-550b(b)
243+Sec. 6 from passage 19a-550b(c)(1)
244+Sec. 7 from passage 46a-60(b)(10)
245+Sec. 8 from passage 46a-60(d)
246+
247+HS Joint Favorable
206248