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OLR Bill Analysis
SB 274
AN ACT CONCERNING OPIOIDS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council
(ADPC) to create a standing subcommittee to periodically review and
make recommendations on certain services and supports for families
impacted by substance use disorder (e.g., safety planning supports for
children and targeted Narcan distribution). By law, the council’s co-
chairpersons may establish subcommittees and working groups and
appoint people who are not council members to serve on them (see
BACKGROUND) .
Under the bill, the standing subcommittee must, by January 1, 2025,
and then every three years after, submit their recommendations to the
ADPC, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(DMHAS), and the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, and report
on them to the Appropriations, Children’s and Public Health
committees.
The bill also requires the social services and insurance
commissioners, in consultation with the public health and DMHAS
commissioners, to develop a plan to require Medicaid and private
insurance coverage for opioid antagonists (e.g., Narcan) for patients
prescribed an opioid when discharged from a hospital. The
commissioners must report on the plan to the General Law, Human
Services, Insurance, and Public Health committees by January 1, 2025.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
ADPC STANDING SUBCOM MITTEE
Duties 2024SB-00274-R000093-BA.DOCX
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Under the bill, the standing subcommittee must periodically review
(1) publicly funded services for parents and caregivers impacted by
substance use disorder, and their children, and (2) state agency
programs that support these children’s safety and wellbeing.
The subcommittee must also periodically make recommendations to
strengthen (1) the delivery of substance abuse treatment programs and
prevention services to families, (2) safety planning supports for
children, and (3) targeted distribution of naloxone (e.g., Narcan) to
parents and caregivers of people with substance use disorders. It must
consult substance abuse treatment program representatives, family
advocates, and people with lived experience of substance use disorders
when developing the recommendations.
Reporting
The bill requires the standing subcommittee, every three years
starting by January 1, 2025, to submit their recommendations to the:
1. ADPC, to consider for its statewide, integrated plan on substance
abuse prevention and treatment (see BACKGROUND);
2. DMHAS commissioner, when the ADPC consults with her on the
department’s triennial state substance use disorder plan; and
3. Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, which oversees opioid
settlement funds to ensure they are allocated and spent on
specified substance use disorder abatement purposes (see
BACKGROUND) .
Additionally, the subcommittee must report on the
recommendations to the Appropriations, Children’s, and Public Health
committees within the same timeframe.
BACKGROUND
ADPC Duties
By law, among other things, the ADPC must (1) review policies and
practices of state agencies and the Judicial Department on substance
abuse treatment programs and prevention services, referral of people to 2024SB-00274-R000093-BA.DOCX
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these programs and services, and criminal justice sanctions and
programs; and (2) develop and coordinate a state-wide, interagency,
integrated plan for these programs and services and sanctions.
ADPC Subcommittees
By law, the ADPC’s co-chairpersons (the DMHAS and Department
of Children and Families commissioners) may establish subcommittees
and working groups and appoint people who are not council members
to serve on them. These may include, among others, licensed alcohol
and drug counselors; pharmacists; municipal police chiefs; emergency
medical services personnel; and representatives of organizations that
provide education, prevention, intervention, referrals, rehabilitation, or
support services to individuals with substance use disorder or chemical
dependency.
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
By law, the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee ensures (1)
Opioid Settlement Fund moneys are allocated and spent on specified
substance use disorder abatement purposes and (2) public involvement,
accountability, and transparency in allocating and accounting for the
fund’s moneys.
The committee consists of 31 state and local government officials and
six public members and is chaired by the DMHAS commissioner and a
municipal representative. It meets quarterly and reports annually to the
Appropriations and Public Health committees on the fund’s activities.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 35 Nay 2 (03/11/2024)