Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07157 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
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3		-	LCO 1 of 23
	3	+	LCO No. 5596 1 of 19
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5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 7157
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7157
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 5596
7	8
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
	11	+
	12	+
	13	+	Introduced by:
	14	+	(PH)
8	15
9	16
10	17
11	18
12	19		AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE PUBLIC
13	20		HEALTH STATUTES.
14	21		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
15	22		Assembly convened:
16	23
17	24		Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 19a-411 of the general statutes is 1
18	25		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
19	26		2025): 3
20	27		(b) The report of examinations conducted by the Chief Medical 4
21	28		Examiner, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, an associate medical 5
22	29		examiner or an authorized assistant medical examiner, and of the 6
23	30		autopsy and other scientific findings may be made available to the 7
24	31		public only through the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and in 8
25	32		accordance with this section, section 1-210 and the regulations of the 9
26	33		[commission] Commission on Medicolegal Investigations. Any person 10
27	34		may obtain copies of such records upon such conditions and payment 11
28	35		of such fees as may be prescribed by the commission, except that (1) no 12
29	36		person with a legitimate interest in the records shall be denied access to 13
30	37		such records, [and] (2) no person may be denied access to records 14
31	38		concerning a person in the custody of the state at the time of death, and 15
	39	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+
	43	+	LCO No. 5596 2 of 19
	44	+
32	45		(3) no immediate family member of a minor child who is the subject of 16
33	46		such records shall be charged a fee to obtain copies of such records. As 17
34	47		used in this section, a "person in the custody of the state" [is] means a 18
35		-	person committed to the custody of [(1)] (A) the Commissioner of 19 Substitute Bill No. 7157
36		-
37		-
38		-	LCO 2 of 23
39		-
	48	+	person committed to the custody of [(1)] (A) the Commissioner of 19
40	49		Correction for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a 20
41	50		community residence, [(2)] (B) the Commissioner of Children and 21
42	51		Families, or [(3)] (C) the Commissioner of Developmental Services. 22
43	52		Sec. 2. Section 19a-197a of the general statutes is repealed and the 23
44	53		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 24
45	54		(a) As used in this section, "emergency medical services personnel" 25
46	55		means (1) any emergency medical responder certified pursuant to 26
47	56		sections 20-206ll and 20-206mm, (2) any class of emergency medical 27
48	57		technician certified pursuant to sections 20-206ll and 20-206mm, 28
49	58		including, but not limited to, any advanced emergency medical 29
50	59		technician, [(2)] and (3) any paramedic licensed pursuant to sections 20-30
51	60		206ll and 20-206mm. [, and (3) any emergency medical responder 31
52	61		certified pursuant to sections 20-206ll and 20-206mm.] 32
53	62		(b) Any emergency medical services personnel who has been trained, 33
54	63		in accordance with national standards recognized by the Commissioner 34
55	64		of Public Health, in the administration of epinephrine using (1) an 35
56	65		automatic prefilled cartridge [injectors] injector, similar automatic 36
57	66		injectable equipment, or a prefilled vial and syringe, or (2) any other 37
58	67		method of administration approved by the United States Food and Drug 38
59	68		Administration, including, but not limited to, a nasal spray, and who 39
60	69		functions in accordance with written protocols and the standing orders 40
61	70		of a licensed physician serving as an emergency medical services 41
62	71		medical director shall administer epinephrine, if available, using such 42
63	72		[injectors] injector, equipment, [or] prefilled vial and syringe, nasal 43
64	73		spray or other device of administration when the use of epinephrine is 44
65	74		deemed necessary by the emergency medical services personnel for the 45
66	75		treatment of a patient. All emergency medical services personnel shall 46
67	76		receive such training in accordance with the national standards 47
	77	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
	78	+
	79	+
	80	+
	81	+	LCO No. 5596 3 of 19
	82	+
68	83		recognized by the commissioner, except an emergency medical 48
69	84		responder, as defined in section 20-206jj, need only be trained to utilize 49
70	85		means of administration of epinephrine that is within such responder's 50
71		-	scope of practice, as determined in accordance with section 19a-179a. 51 Substitute Bill No. 7157
72		-
73		-
74		-	LCO 3 of 23
75		-
	86	+	scope of practice, as determined in accordance with section 19a-179a. 51
76	87		(c) All licensed or certified ambulances shall be equipped with 52
77	88		epinephrine in such injectors, equipment, [or] prefilled vials and 53
78	89		syringes, nasal spray or other device of administration to be 54
79	90		administered as described in subsection (b) of this section and in 55
80	91		accordance with written protocols and standing orders of a licensed 56
81	92		physician serving as an emergency medical services medical director. 57
82	93		Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 20-73b of the general statutes is 58
83	94		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 59
84	95		2025): 60
85	96		(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each physical 61
86	97		therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter shall complete a minimum of 62
87	98		twenty hours of continuing education during each registration period. 63
88	99		For purposes of this section, registration period means the twelve-64
89	100		month period for which a license has been renewed in accordance with 65
90	101		section 19a-88 and is current and valid. The continuing education shall 66
91	102		be in areas related to the individual's practice, except, (1) on and after 67
92	103		January 1, 2022, such continuing education shall include not less than 68
93	104		two hours of training or education on [(1)] (A) screening for post-69
94	105		traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and [(2)] 70
95	106		(B) suicide prevention training, during the first registration period in 71
96	107		which continuing education is required and not less than once every six 72
97	108		years thereafter, and (2) on and after January 1, 2026, such continuing 73
98	109		education shall include not less than two hours of education or training 74
99	110		on ethics and jurisprudence. The requirement described in [subdivision 75
100	111		(2)] subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection may be 76
101	112		satisfied by the completion of the evidence-based youth suicide 77
102	113		prevention training program administered pursuant to section 17a-52a. 78
103	114		Qualifying continuing education activities include, but are not limited 79
	115	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
	116	+
	117	+
	118	+
	119	+	LCO No. 5596 4 of 19
	120	+
104	121		to, courses offered or approved by the American Physical Therapy 80
105	122		Association or any component of the American Physical Therapy 81
106	123		Association, a hospital or other licensed health care institution or a 82
107	124		regionally accredited institution of higher education. 83
108		-	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) No health system, as 84 Substitute Bill No. 7157
109		-
110		-
111		-	LCO 4 of 23
112		-
	125	+	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) No health system, as 84
113	126		defined in section 19a-508c of the general statutes, or health care 85
114	127		provider shall require a patient to provide bank account information, a 86
115	128		credit card number, a debit card number or any other form of electronic 87
116	129		payment to be kept on file with the health system or health care provider 88
117	130		as a prerequisite to seeing the patient for an office visit or providing any 89
118	131		health care service to the patient. 90
119	132		(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered an 91
120	133		unfair trade practice pursuant to section 42-110b of the general statutes. 92
121		-	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to (1) affect a patient's 93
122		-	obligation to pay for health care services, or (2) prohibit a health care 94
123		-	provider from requesting, collecting or storing bank, credit or debit card 95
124		-	or other payment-related information if the patient agrees to provide 96
125		-	such information. 97
126		-	Sec. 5. Section 52-146d of the general statutes is repealed and the 98
127		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 99
128		-	As used in this section and sections [52-146d to 52-146i] 52-146e to 52-100
129		-	146j, inclusive, as amended by this act: 101
130		-	(1) "Authorized representative" means (A) [a person] an individual 102
131		-	empowered by a person or patient to assert the confidentiality of 103
132		-	communications or records [which] that are privileged under this 104
133		-	section and sections [52-146c] 52-146e to 52-146i, inclusive, as amended 105
134		-	by this act, or (B) if a person or patient is deceased, his or her personal 106
135		-	representative or next of kin, or (C) if a person or patient is incompetent 107
136		-	to assert or waive his or her privileges [hereunder] under said sections, 108
137		-	(i) a guardian or conservator who has been or is appointed to act for the 109
138		-	person or patient, or (ii) for the purpose of maintaining confidentiality 110
139		-	until a guardian or conservator is appointed, the person's or patient's 111
140		-	nearest relative; 112
141		-	(2) ["Communications and records"] "Communication and record" 113
142		-	means [all] each oral and written [communications and records] 114
143		-	communication and the written record of such communication thereof 115 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	134	+	Sec. 5. Section 52-146d of the general statutes is repealed and the 93
	135	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 94
	136	+	As used in this section and sections [52-146d to 52-146i] 52-146e to 52-95
	137	+	146j, inclusive, as amended by this act: 96
	138	+	(1) "Authorized representative" means (A) [a person] an individual 97
	139	+	empowered by a person or patient to assert the confidentiality of 98
	140	+	communications or records [which] that are privileged under this 99
	141	+	section and sections [52-146c] 52-146e to 52-146i, inclusive, as amended 100
	142	+	by this act, or (B) if a person or patient is deceased, his or her personal 101
	143	+	representative or next of kin, or (C) if a person or patient is incompetent 102
	144	+	to assert or waive his or her privileges [hereunder] under said sections, 103
	145	+	(i) a guardian or conservator who has been or is appointed to act for the 104
	146	+	person or patient, or (ii) for the purpose of maintaining confidentiality 105
	147	+	until a guardian or conservator is appointed, the person's or patient's 106
	148	+	nearest relative; 107
	149	+	(2) ["Communications and records"] "Communication and record" 108
	150	+	means [all] each oral and written [communications and records] 109
	151	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
144	152
145	153
146		-	LCO 5 of 23
147	154
148		-	relating to diagnosis or treatment of a person's or patient's mental 116
149		-	condition between the person or patient and a psychologist or 117
150		-	psychiatric mental health provider, or between a member of the person's 118
151		-	or patient's family and a psychologist or psychiatric mental health 119
152		-	provider, or between [any of] such [persons] person, patient, 120
153		-	psychologist, psychiatrist or family member and [a person] an 121
154		-	individual participating under the supervision of a psychologist or 122
155		-	psychiatric mental health provider in the accomplishment of the 123
156		-	objectives of diagnosis and treatment, wherever made, including 124
157		-	[communications and records which occur] a communication and 125
158		-	record that occurs in or [are] is prepared at a mental health facility; 126
159		-	(3) "Consent" means [consent] voluntary agreement given in writing 127
160		-	by the person or patient or his or her authorized representative; 128
161		-	(4) "Identifiable" and ["identify a patient" refer to communications 129
162		-	and records which contain (A) names] "identify a person or patient" 130
163		-	mean information in a communication and record, including (A) the 131
164		-	name of the person or patient or other descriptive data from which [a 132
165		-	person] an individual acquainted with the person or patient might 133
166		-	reasonably recognize the person or patient as the person or patient 134
167		-	referred to, or (B) [codes or numbers which are] a code or number that 135
168		-	is in general use outside of the mental health facility [which] that 136
169		-	prepared the [communications and records] communication and record, 137
170		-	which code or number would identify the person or patient to such 138
171		-	persons who understand such code or number; 139
172		-	(5) "Mental health facility" includes any hospital, clinic, ward, 140
173		-	psychologist's office, psychiatric mental health provider's office or other 141
174		-	facility, public or private, [which] that provides inpatient or outpatient 142
175		-	service, in whole or in part, relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a 143
176		-	person's or patient's mental condition; 144
177		-	(6) "Patient" means [a person] an individual who communicates with 145
178		-	or is treated by a psychiatric mental health provider in diagnosis or 146
179		-	treatment; 147 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	155	+	LCO No. 5596 5 of 19
	156	+
	157	+	communication and the written record of such communication thereof 110
	158	+	relating to diagnosis or treatment of a person's or patient's mental 111
	159	+	condition between the person or patient and a psychologist or 112
	160	+	psychiatric mental health provider, or between a member of the person's 113
	161	+	or patient's family and a psychologist or psychiatric mental health 114
	162	+	provider, or between [any of] such [persons] person, patient, 115
	163	+	psychologist, psychiatrist or family member and [a person] an 116
	164	+	individual participating under the supervision of a psychologist or 117
	165	+	psychiatric mental health provider in the accomplishment of the 118
	166	+	objectives of diagnosis and treatment, wherever made, including 119
	167	+	[communications and records which occur] a communication and 120
	168	+	record that occurs in or [are] is prepared at a mental health facility; 121
	169	+	(3) "Consent" means [consent] voluntary agreement given in writing 122
	170	+	by the person or patient or his or her authorized representative; 123
	171	+	(4) "Identifiable" and "identify a person or patient" [refer to 124
	172	+	communications and records which contain (A) names] means 125
	173	+	information in a communication and record, including (A) the name of 126
	174	+	the person or patient or other descriptive data from which [a person] an 127
	175	+	individual acquainted with the person or patient might reasonably 128
	176	+	recognize the person or patient as the person or patient referred to, or 129
	177	+	(B) [codes or numbers which are] a code or number that is in general use 130
	178	+	outside of the mental health facility [which] that prepared the 131
	179	+	[communications and records] communication and record, which code 132
	180	+	or number would identify the person or patient to such persons who 133
	181	+	understand such code or number; 134
	182	+	(5) "Mental health facility" includes any hospital, clinic, ward, 135
	183	+	psychologist's office, psychiatric mental health provider's office or other 136
	184	+	facility, public or private, [which] that provides inpatient or outpatient 137
	185	+	service, in whole or in part, relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a 138
	186	+	person's or patient's mental condition; 139
	187	+	(6) "Patient" means [a person] an individual who communicates with 140
	188	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
180	189
181	190
182		-	LCO 6 of 23
183	191
184		-	(7) "Person" means an individual who consults a psychologist for 148
185		-	purposes of diagnosis or treatment; 149
186		-	[(7)] (8) "Psychiatric mental health provider" means a physician 150
187		-	specializing in psychiatry and licensed under the provisions of sections 151
188		-	20-9 to 20-12, inclusive, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed 152
189		-	under chapter 378 who is board certified as a psychiatric mental health 153
190		-	provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, [a person] an 154
191		-	individual licensed to practice medicine who devotes a substantial 155
192		-	portion of his or her time to the practice of psychiatry or [a person] an 156
193		-	individual reasonably believed by the patient to be so qualified; and 157
194		-	(9) "Psychologist" means an individual licensed to practice 158
195		-	psychology pursuant to chapter 383. 159
196		-	Sec. 6. Section 52-146e of the general statutes is repealed and the 160
197		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 161
198		-	(a) [All communications and records as defined in section 52-146d] 162
199		-	Each communication and record shall be confidential and [shall be] 163
200		-	subject to the provisions of sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, as 164
201		-	amended by this act. Except as provided in sections 52-146f to 52-146i, 165
202		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, no [person may] individual shall 166
203		-	disclose or transmit any [communications and records] communication 167
204		-	or record thereof, or the substance or any part or [any] resume thereof, 168
205		-	[which identify a] that identifies a person or patient to any [person] 169
206		-	individual, corporation or governmental agency without the consent of 170
207		-	the person or patient or his or her authorized representative. 171
208		-	(b) Any consent given by a person or patient to waive the 172
209		-	confidentiality of a communication or record thereof shall specify to 173
210		-	[what person] which individual or agency the information [is to] may 174
211		-	be disclosed and to what use it will be put by such individual or agency. 175
212		-	Each person and patient shall be informed that his or her refusal to grant 176
213		-	consent will not jeopardize his or her right to obtain present or future 177
214		-	treatment except where disclosure of the [communications and records] 178
215		-	communication and record is necessary for the treatment. 179 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	192	+	LCO No. 5596 6 of 19
	193	+
	194	+	or is treated by a psychiatric mental health provider in diagnosis or 141
	195	+	treatment; 142
	196	+	(7) "Person" means an individual who consults a psychologist for 143
	197	+	purposes of diagnosis or treatment; 144
	198	+	[(7)] (8) "Psychiatric mental health provider" means a physician 145
	199	+	specializing in psychiatry and licensed under the provisions of sections 146
	200	+	20-9 to 20-12, inclusive, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed 147
	201	+	under chapter 378 who is board certified as a psychiatric mental health 148
	202	+	provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, [a person] an 149
	203	+	individual licensed to practice medicine who devotes a substantial 150
	204	+	portion of his or her time to the practice of psychiatry or [a person] an 151
	205	+	individual reasonably believed by the patient to be so qualified; and 152
	206	+	(9) "Psychologist" means an individual licensed to practice 153
	207	+	psychology pursuant to chapter 383. 154
	208	+	Sec. 6. Section 52-146e of the general statutes is repealed and the 155
	209	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 156
	210	+	(a) [All communications and records as defined in section 52-146d] 157
	211	+	Each communication and record shall be confidential and [shall be] 158
	212	+	subject to the provisions of sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, as 159
	213	+	amended by this act. Except as provided in sections 52-146f to 52-146i, 160
	214	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, no [person may] individual shall 161
	215	+	disclose or transmit any [communications and records] communication 162
	216	+	or record thereof, or the substance or any part or [any] resume thereof, 163
	217	+	[which identify] that identifies a person or patient to any [person] 164
	218	+	individual, corporation or governmental agency without the consent of 165
	219	+	the person or patient or his or her authorized representative. 166
	220	+	(b) Any consent given by a person or patient to waive the 167
	221	+	confidentiality of a communication or record thereof shall specify to 168
	222	+	[what person] which individual or agency the information [is to] may 169
	223	+	be disclosed and to what use it will be put by such individual or agency. 170
	224	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
216	225
217	226
218		-	LCO 7 of 23
219	227
220		-	(c) The person or patient or his or her authorized representative may 180
221		-	withdraw any consent given under the provisions of this section at any 181
222		-	time in a writing addressed to the [person] individual or office in which 182
223		-	the original consent was filed. Withdrawal of consent shall not affect 183
224		-	[communications or records] a communication or record thereof 184
225		-	disclosed prior to notice of the withdrawal. 185
226		-	Sec. 7. Section 52-146f of the general statutes is repealed and the 186
227		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 187
228		-	Consent of the person or patient shall not be required for the 188
229		-	disclosure or transmission of [communications or records] a 189
230		-	communication and record of the person or patient in the following 190
231		-	situations: [as specifically limited:] 191
232		-	(1) [Communications or records may be disclosed to other persons] 192
233		-	A psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider may (A) disclose a 193
234		-	communication and record to any other individual engaged in the 194
235		-	diagnosis or treatment of the person or patient, [or may be transmitted] 195
236		-	and (B) transmit the communication and record to another mental 196
237		-	health facility to which the person or patient is admitted for diagnosis 197
238		-	or treatment if the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider 198
239		-	[in possession of the communications or records] determines that the 199
240		-	disclosure or transmission is needed to accomplish the objectives of 200
241		-	diagnosis or treatment of the person or patient. The psychologist or 201
242		-	psychiatric mental health provider shall inform the person or patient 202
243		-	[shall be informed] that the [communications or records] 203
244		-	communication and record will be so disclosed or transmitted. For 204
245		-	purposes of this subsection, [persons] an individual in professional 205
246		-	training [are to] to become a psychologist or psychiatric mental health 206
247		-	provider shall be considered as engaged in the diagnosis or treatment 207
248		-	of the [patients] person or patient. 208
249		-	(2) [Communications or records may be disclosed] A psychologist or 209
250		-	psychiatric mental health provider may disclose a communication and 210
251		-	record when the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider 211 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	228	+	LCO No. 5596 7 of 19
	229	+
	230	+	Each person and patient shall be informed that his or her refusal to grant 171
	231	+	consent will not jeopardize his or her right to obtain present or future 172
	232	+	treatment except where disclosure of the [communications and records] 173
	233	+	communication and record is necessary for the treatment. 174
	234	+	(c) The person or patient or his or her authorized representative may 175
	235	+	withdraw any consent given under the provisions of this section at any 176
	236	+	time in a writing addressed to the [person] individual or office in which 177
	237	+	the original consent was filed. Withdrawal of consent shall not affect 178
	238	+	[communications or records] a communication or record thereof 179
	239	+	disclosed prior to notice of the withdrawal. 180
	240	+	Sec. 7. Section 52-146f of the general statutes is repealed and the 181
	241	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 182
	242	+	Consent of the person or patient shall not be required for the 183
	243	+	disclosure or transmission of [communications or records] a 184
	244	+	communication and record of the person or patient in the following 185
	245	+	situations: [as specifically limited:] 186
	246	+	(1) [Communications or records may be disclosed to other persons] 187
	247	+	A psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider may (A) disclose a 188
	248	+	communication and record to any other individual engaged in the 189
	249	+	diagnosis or treatment of the person or patient, [or may be transmitted] 190
	250	+	and (B) transmit the communication and record to another mental 191
	251	+	health facility to which the person or patient is admitted for diagnosis 192
	252	+	or treatment if the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider 193
	253	+	[in possession of the communications or records] determines that the 194
	254	+	disclosure or transmission is needed to accomplish the objectives of 195
	255	+	diagnosis or treatment of the person or patient. The psychologist or 196
	256	+	psychiatric mental health provider shall inform the person or patient 197
	257	+	[shall be informed] that the [communications or records] 198
	258	+	communication and record will be so disclosed or transmitted. For 199
	259	+	purposes of this subsection, [persons] an individual in professional 200
	260	+	training [are to] to become a psychologist or psychiatric mental health 201
	261	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
252	262
253	263
254		-	LCO 8 of 23
255	264
256		-	determines that there is substantial risk of imminent physical injury by 212
257		-	the person or patient to himself, herself or others or when a psychologist 213
258		-	or psychiatric mental health provider, in the course of diagnosis or 214
259		-	treatment of the person or patient, finds it necessary to disclose the 215
260		-	[communications or records] communication and record for the 216
261		-	purpose of placing the person or patient in a mental health facility, by 217
262		-	certification, commitment or otherwise, provided the provisions of 218
263		-	sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall 219
264		-	continue in effect after the person or patient is in the facility. 220
265		-	(3) Except as provided in section 17b-225, a psychologist or 221
266		-	psychiatric mental health provider may disclose the name, address and 222
267		-	fees for [psychiatric] services provided by a psychologist or psychiatric 223
268		-	mental health provider to a person or patient [may be disclosed to 224
269		-	individuals or agencies] to any individual or agency involved in the 225
270		-	collection of fees for such services. In cases where a dispute arises over 226
271		-	the fees or claims or where additional information is needed to 227
272		-	substantiate the fee or claim, the disclosure of further information shall 228
273		-	be limited to the following: (A) That the [person] individual was in fact 229
274		-	a person or patient of the psychologist or psychiatric mental health 230
275		-	provider; (B) the diagnosis of the person or patient; (C) the dates and 231
276		-	duration of treatment of the person or patient; and (D) a general 232
277		-	description of the treatment [, which] provided to the person or patient 233
278		-	that shall include evidence that a treatment plan exists and has been 234
279		-	carried out and evidence to substantiate the necessity for admission and 235
280		-	length of stay in a health care institution or facility. If further 236
281		-	information is required, the party seeking the information shall proceed 237
282		-	in the same manner provided for hospital patients in section 4-105. 238
283		-	(4) [Communications made to or records] A communication and 239
284		-	record made by a psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider in 240
285		-	the course of a psychological or psychiatric examination ordered by a 241
286		-	court or made in connection with the application for the appointment of 242
287		-	a conservator by the Probate Court for good cause shown may be 243
288		-	disclosed at judicial or administrative proceedings in which the person 244
289		-	or patient is a party, or in which the question of his or her incompetence 245 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	265	+	LCO No. 5596 8 of 19
	266	+
	267	+	provider shall be considered as engaged in the diagnosis or treatment 202
	268	+	of the [patients] person or patient. 203
	269	+	(2) [Communications or records may be disclosed] A psychologist or 204
	270	+	psychiatric mental health provider may disclose a communication and 205
	271	+	record when the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider 206
	272	+	determines that there is substantial risk of imminent physical injury by 207
	273	+	the person or patient to himself, herself or others or when a psychologist 208
	274	+	or psychiatric mental health provider, in the course of diagnosis or 209
	275	+	treatment of the person or patient, finds it necessary to disclose the 210
	276	+	[communications or records] communication and record for the 211
	277	+	purpose of placing the person or patient in a mental health facility, by 212
	278	+	certification, commitment or otherwise, provided the provisions of 213
	279	+	sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall 214
	280	+	continue in effect after the person or patient is in the facility. 215
	281	+	(3) Except as provided in section 17b-225, a psychologist or 216
	282	+	psychiatric mental health provider may disclose the name, address and 217
	283	+	fees for [psychiatric] services provided by a psychologist or psychiatric 218
	284	+	mental health provider to a person or patient [may be disclosed to 219
	285	+	individuals or agencies] to any individual or agency involved in the 220
	286	+	collection of fees for such services. In cases where a dispute arises over 221
	287	+	the fees or claims or where additional information is needed to 222
	288	+	substantiate the fee or claim, the disclosure of further information shall 223
	289	+	be limited to the following: (A) That the [person] individual was in fact 224
	290	+	a person or patient of the psychologist or psychiatric mental health 225
	291	+	provider; (B) the diagnosis of the person or patient; (C) the dates and 226
	292	+	duration of treatment of the person or patient; and (D) a general 227
	293	+	description of the treatment [, which] provided to the person or patient 228
	294	+	that shall include evidence that a treatment plan exists and has been 229
	295	+	carried out and evidence to substantiate the necessity for admission and 230
	296	+	length of stay in a health care institution or facility. If further 231
	297	+	information is required, the party seeking the information shall proceed 232
	298	+	in the same manner provided for hospital patients in section 4-105. 233
	299	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
290	300
291	301
292		-	LCO 9 of 23
293	302
294		-	because of mental illness is an issue, or in appropriate pretrial 246
295		-	proceedings, provided (A) the court finds that the person or patient has 247
296		-	been informed before making the [communications] communication to 248
297		-	the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider that any 249
298		-	[communications will] communication made to the psychologist or 250
299		-	psychiatric mental health provider shall not be confidential, and 251
300		-	[provided the communications] (B) the communication and record shall 252
301		-	be admissible only on issues involving the person's or patient's mental 253
302		-	condition. 254
303		-	(5) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 255
304		-	be disclosed in a civil proceeding in which the person or patient 256
305		-	introduces his or her mental condition as an element of his or her claim 257
306		-	or defense, or, after the person's or patient's death, when his or her 258
307		-	condition is introduced by a party claiming or defending through or as 259
308		-	a beneficiary of the person or patient and the court or judge finds that it 260
309		-	is more important to the interests of justice that the [communications] 261
310		-	communication and record be disclosed than that the relationship 262
311		-	between person and psychologist or patient and psychiatric mental 263
312		-	health provider be protected. 264
313		-	(6) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 265
314		-	be disclosed to (A) the Commissioner of Public Health in connection 266
315		-	with any inspection, investigation or examination of an institution, as 267
316		-	defined in subsection (a) of section 19a-490, authorized under section 268
317		-	19a-498, or (B) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction 269
318		-	Services in connection with any inspection, investigation or examination 270
319		-	authorized under subsection (f) of section 17a-451. 271
320		-	(7) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 272
321		-	be disclosed to a member of the immediate family or legal 273
322		-	representative of the victim of a homicide committed by the person or 274
323		-	patient where such person or patient has, on or after July 1, 1989, been 275
324		-	found not guilty of such offense by reason of mental disease or defect 276
325		-	pursuant to section 53a-13, provided (A) such family member or legal 277
326		-	representative requests the disclosure of such [communications or 278 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	303	+	LCO No. 5596 9 of 19
	304	+
	305	+	(4) [Communications made to or records] A communication and 234
	306	+	record made by a psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider in 235
	307	+	the course of a psychological or psychiatric examination ordered by a 236
	308	+	court or made in connection with the application for the appointment of 237
	309	+	a conservator by the Probate Court for good cause shown may be 238
	310	+	disclosed at judicial or administrative proceedings in which the person 239
	311	+	or patient is a party, or in which the question of his or her incompetence 240
	312	+	because of mental illness is an issue, or in appropriate pretrial 241
	313	+	proceedings, provided (A) the court finds that the person or patient has 242
	314	+	been informed before making the [communications] communication to 243
	315	+	the psychologist or psychiatric mental health provider that any 244
	316	+	[communications will] communication made to the psychologist or 245
	317	+	psychiatric mental health provider shall not be confidential, and 246
	318	+	[provided the communications] (B) the communication and record shall 247
	319	+	be admissible only on issues involving the person's or patient's mental 248
	320	+	condition. 249
	321	+	(5) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 250
	322	+	be disclosed in a civil proceeding in which the person or patient 251
	323	+	introduces his or her mental condition as an element of his or her claim 252
	324	+	or defense, or, after the person's or patient's death, when his or her 253
	325	+	condition is introduced by a party claiming or defending through or as 254
	326	+	a beneficiary of the person or patient and the court or judge finds that it 255
	327	+	is more important to the interests of justice that the [communications] 256
	328	+	communication and record be disclosed than that the relationship 257
	329	+	between person and psychologist or patient and psychiatric mental 258
	330	+	health provider be protected. 259
	331	+	(6) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 260
	332	+	be disclosed to (A) the Commissioner of Public Health in connection 261
	333	+	with any inspection, investigation or examination of an institution, as 262
	334	+	defined in subsection (a) of section 19a-490, authorized under section 263
	335	+	19a-498, or (B) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction 264
	336	+	Services in connection with any inspection, investigation or examination 265
	337	+	authorized under subsection (f) of section 17a-451. 266
	338	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
327	339
328	340
329		-	LCO 10 of 23
330	341
331		-	records] communication and record not later than six years after such 279
332		-	finding, and [provided further, such communications] (B) such 280
333		-	communication and record shall only be available during the pendency 281
334		-	of, and for use in, a civil action relating to such person or patient found 282
335		-	not guilty pursuant to section 53a-13. 283
336		-	(8) If a provider of behavioral health services that contracts with the 284
337		-	Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services requests payment, 285
338		-	the name and address of the person or patient, a general description of 286
339		-	the types of services provided, and the amount requested shall be 287
340		-	disclosed to the department, provided notification that such disclosure 288
341		-	will be made [is] shall be sent, in writing, to the person or patient at the 289
342		-	earliest opportunity prior to such disclosure. In cases where a dispute 290
343		-	arises over the fees or claims, or where additional information is needed 291
344		-	to substantiate the claim, the disclosure of further information shall be 292
345		-	limited to additional information necessary to clarify only the following: 293
346		-	(A) That the person [in fact] or patient received the behavioral health 294
347		-	services in question, (B) the dates of such services, and (C) a general 295
348		-	description of the types of services. Information the department receives 296
349		-	pursuant to this subdivision shall be disclosed only to federal or state 297
350		-	auditors and only as necessary for the purposes of auditing. 298
351		-	Sec. 8. Section 52-146g of the general statutes is repealed and the 299
352		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 300
353		-	(a) [A person] An individual engaged in research may have access to 301
354		-	[psychiatric communications and records which identify patients] a 302
355		-	communication and record that identifies a person or patient where 303
356		-	needed for such research, if such [person's] individual's research plan is 304
357		-	first submitted to and approved by the director of the mental health 305
358		-	facility or [his] such director's designee. 306
359		-	(b) The [communications and records] communication and record 307
360		-	shall not be removed from the mental health facility [which] that 308
361		-	prepared them. Coded data or data [which] that does not identify a 309
362		-	person or patient may be removed from a mental health facility, 310 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	342	+	LCO No. 5596 10 of 19
	343	+
	344	+	(7) [Communications or records] A communication and record may 267
	345	+	be disclosed to a member of the immediate family or legal 268
	346	+	representative of the victim of a homicide committed by the person or 269
	347	+	patient where such person or patient has, on or after July 1, 1989, been 270
	348	+	found not guilty of such offense by reason of mental disease or defect 271
	349	+	pursuant to section 53a-13, provided (A) such family member or legal 272
	350	+	representative requests the disclosure of such [communications or 273
	351	+	records] communication and record not later than six years after such 274
	352	+	finding, and [provided further, such communications] (B) such 275
	353	+	communication and record shall only be available during the pendency 276
	354	+	of, and for use in, a civil action relating to such person or patient found 277
	355	+	not guilty pursuant to section 53a-13. 278
	356	+	(8) If a provider of behavioral health services that contracts with the 279
	357	+	Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services requests payment, 280
	358	+	the name and address of the person or patient, a general description of 281
	359	+	the types of services provided, and the amount requested shall be 282
	360	+	disclosed to the department, provided notification that such disclosure 283
	361	+	will be made [is] shall be sent, in writing, to the person or patient at the 284
	362	+	earliest opportunity prior to such disclosure. In cases where a dispute 285
	363	+	arises over the fees or claims, or where additional information is needed 286
	364	+	to substantiate the claim, the disclosure of further information shall be 287
	365	+	limited to additional information necessary to clarify only the following: 288
	366	+	(A) That the person [in fact] or patient received the behavioral health 289
	367	+	services in question, (B) the dates of such services, and (C) a general 290
	368	+	description of the types of services. Information the department receives 291
	369	+	pursuant to this subdivision shall be disclosed only to federal or state 292
	370	+	auditors and only as necessary for the purposes of auditing. 293
	371	+	Sec. 8. Section 52-146g of the general statutes is repealed and the 294
	372	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 295
	373	+	(a) [A person] An individual engaged in research may have access to 296
	374	+	[psychiatric communications and records which identify patients] a 297
	375	+	communication and record that identifies a person or patient where 298
	376	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
363	377
364	378
365		-	LCO 11 of 23
366	379
367		-	provided the key to the code shall remain on the premises of the facility. 311
368		-	(c) The mental health facility and the [person] individual doing the 312
369		-	research shall be responsible for the preservation of the anonymity of 313
370		-	[the patients] each person or patient identified in such communication 314
371		-	and record and shall not disseminate data [which] that identifies a 315
372		-	person or patient except as provided by sections 52-146d to 52-146j, 316
373		-	inclusive, as amended by this act. 317
374		-	Sec. 9. Section 52-146h of the general statutes is repealed and the 318
375		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 319
376		-	(a) Any facility or individual under contract with the Department of 320
377		-	Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide behavioral health 321
378		-	services shall transmit [information and records] a communication and 322
379		-	record, if requested, to the Commissioner of Mental Health and 323
380		-	Addiction Services pursuant to [his] such facility's or individual's 324
381		-	obligation under section 17a-451 to maintain the overall responsibility 325
382		-	for the care and treatment of [persons] individuals with psychiatric 326
383		-	disorders or substance use disorders. The Commissioner of Mental 327
384		-	Health and Addiction Services may collect and use the [information and 328
385		-	records] communication and record for administration, planning or 329
386		-	research, subject to the provisions of section 52-146g, as amended by this 330
387		-	act. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may 331
388		-	enter into contracts within the state and into interstate compacts for the 332
389		-	efficient storage and retrieval of the [information and records] 333
390		-	communication and record. 334
391		-	(b) Identifiable data shall be removed from [all information and 335
392		-	records] each communication and record before issuance from the 336
393		-	individual or facility [which] that prepared [them] such communication 337
394		-	and record, and a code, the key to which shall remain in possession of 338
395		-	the issuing facility and be otherwise available only to the Commissioner 339
396		-	of Mental Health and Addiction Services for purposes of planning, 340
397		-	administration or research, shall be the exclusive means of identifying 341
398		-	persons and patients. The key to the code shall not be available to any 342 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	380	+	LCO No. 5596 11 of 19
	381	+
	382	+	needed for such research, if such [person's] individual's research plan is 299
	383	+	first submitted to and approved by the director of the mental health 300
	384	+	facility or [his] such director's designee. 301
	385	+	(b) The [communications and records] communication and record 302
	386	+	shall not be removed from the mental health facility [which] that 303
	387	+	prepared them. Coded data or data [which] that does not identify a 304
	388	+	person or patient may be removed from a mental health facility, 305
	389	+	provided the key to the code shall remain on the premises of the facility. 306
	390	+	(c) The mental health facility and the [person] individual doing the 307
	391	+	research shall be responsible for the preservation of the anonymity of 308
	392	+	[the patients] each person or patient identified in such communication 309
	393	+	and record and shall not disseminate data [which] that identifies a 310
	394	+	person or patient except as provided by sections 52-146d to 52-146j, 311
	395	+	inclusive, as amended by this act. 312
	396	+	Sec. 9. Section 52-146h of the general statutes is repealed and the 313
	397	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 314
	398	+	(a) Any facility or individual under contract with the Department of 315
	399	+	Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide behavioral health 316
	400	+	services shall transmit [information and records] a communication and 317
	401	+	record, if requested, to the Commissioner of Mental Health and 318
	402	+	Addiction Services pursuant to [his] such facility's or individual's 319
	403	+	obligation under section 17a-451 to maintain the overall responsibility 320
	404	+	for the care and treatment of [persons] individuals with psychiatric 321
	405	+	disorders or substance use disorders. The Commissioner of Mental 322
	406	+	Health and Addiction Services may collect and use the [information and 323
	407	+	records] communication and record for administration, planning or 324
	408	+	research, subject to the provisions of section 52-146g, as amended by this 325
	409	+	act. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may 326
	410	+	enter into contracts within the state and into interstate compacts for the 327
	411	+	efficient storage and retrieval of the [information and records] 328
	412	+	communication and record. 329
	413	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
399	414
400	415
401		-	LCO 12 of 23
402	416
403		-	data banks in which the information is stored or to any other [persons] 343
404		-	individuals, corporations or agencies, private or governmental. 344
405		-	Sec. 10. Section 52-146i of the general statutes is repealed and the 345
406		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 346
407		-	[All written communications or records] Each communication and 347
408		-	record disclosed to another [person] individual or agency shall bear the 348
409		-	following statement: "The confidentiality of this record is required 349
410		-	under chapter 899 of the Connecticut general statutes. This material 350
411		-	shall not be transmitted to anyone without written consent or other 351
412		-	authorization as provided in the aforementioned statutes." A copy of the 352
413		-	consent form specifying to whom and for what specific use the 353
414		-	communication [or] and record is transmitted or a statement setting 354
415		-	forth any other statutory authorization for transmittal and the 355
416		-	limitations imposed thereon shall accompany such communication [or] 356
417		-	and record. In cases where the disclosure is made orally, the [person] 357
418		-	individual disclosing the [information] communication and record shall 358
419		-	inform the recipient that such [information] communication and record 359
420		-	is governed by the provisions of sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, 360
421		-	as amended by this act. 361
422		-	Sec. 11. Section 52-146j of the general statutes is repealed and the 362
423		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 363
424		-	(a) Any [person] individual aggrieved by a violation of any provision 364
425		-	of sections 52-146d to [52-146j] 52-146i, inclusive, as amended by this act, 365
426		-	may petition the superior court for the judicial district in which [he] such 366
427		-	individual resides, or, in the case of a nonresident of the state, the 367
428		-	superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, for appropriate relief, 368
429		-	including temporary and permanent injunctions, and the petition shall 369
430		-	be privileged with respect to assignment for trial. 370
431		-	(b) Any [person] individual aggrieved by a violation of any provision 371
432		-	of sections 52-146d to [52-146j] 52-146i, inclusive, as amended by this act, 372
433		-	may prove a cause of action for civil damages. 373 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	417	+	LCO No. 5596 12 of 19
	418	+
	419	+	(b) Identifiable data shall be removed from [all information and 330
	420	+	records] each communication and record before issuance from the 331
	421	+	individual or facility [which] that prepared [them] such communication 332
	422	+	and record, and a code, the key to which shall remain in possession of 333
	423	+	the issuing facility and be otherwise available only to the Commissioner 334
	424	+	of Mental Health and Addiction Services for purposes of planning, 335
	425	+	administration or research, shall be the exclusive means of identifying 336
	426	+	persons and patients. The key to the code shall not be available to any 337
	427	+	data banks in which the information is stored or to any other [persons] 338
	428	+	individuals, corporations or agencies, private or governmental. 339
	429	+	Sec. 10. Section 52-146i of the general statutes is repealed and the 340
	430	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 341
	431	+	[All written communications or records] Each communication and 342
	432	+	record disclosed to another [person] individual or agency shall bear the 343
	433	+	following statement: "The confidentiality of this record is required 344
	434	+	under chapter 899 of the Connecticut general statutes. This material 345
	435	+	shall not be transmitted to anyone without written consent or other 346
	436	+	authorization as provided in the aforementioned statutes." A copy of the 347
	437	+	consent form specifying to whom and for what specific use the 348
	438	+	communication [or] and record is transmitted or a statement setting 349
	439	+	forth any other statutory authorization for transmittal and the 350
	440	+	limitations imposed thereon shall accompany such communication [or] 351
	441	+	and record. In cases where the disclosure is made orally, the [person] 352
	442	+	individual disclosing the [information] communication and record shall 353
	443	+	inform the recipient that such [information] communication and record 354
	444	+	is governed by the provisions of sections 52-146d to 52-146j, inclusive, 355
	445	+	as amended by this act. 356
	446	+	Sec. 11. Section 52-146j of the general statutes is repealed and the 357
	447	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 358
	448	+	(a) Any [person] individual aggrieved by a violation of any provision 359
	449	+	of sections 52-146d to [52-146j] 52-146i, inclusive, as amended by this act, 360
	450	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
434	451
435	452
436		-	LCO 13 of 23
437	453
438		-	Sec. 12. Section 17a-465b of the general statutes is repealed and the 374
439		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 375
440		-	A relative, guardian or conservator of a person who is receiving 376
441		-	inpatient services at a facility of the Department of Mental Health and 377
442		-	Addiction Services and is missing from such facility may request the 378
443		-	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to file a missing 379
444		-	person report with the Department of Emergency Services and Public 380
445		-	Protection for purposes of receiving assistance in locating such person 381
446		-	under subsection (a) of section 29-1f. Notwithstanding the provisions of 382
447		-	[sections 52-146c and] section 52-146e, as amended by this act, the 383
448		-	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may authorize 384
449		-	an employee of the department who is certified under the provisions of 385
450		-	sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive, to file a missing person report with 386
451		-	the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection under 387
452		-	subsection (a) of section 29-1f with respect to such person. Such report 388
453		-	shall disclose only the minimal amount of information concerning such 389
454		-	person as is necessary for purposes of the assistance provided under 390
455		-	subsection (a) of section 29-1f. 391
456		-	Sec. 13. Section 17a-590 of the general statutes is repealed and the 392
457		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 393
458		-	As one of the conditions of release, the board may require the 394
459		-	acquittee to report to any public or private mental health facility for 395
460		-	examination. Whenever medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment 396
461		-	is recommended, the board may order the acquittee, as a condition of 397
462		-	release, to cooperate with and accept treatment from the facility. The 398
463		-	facility to which the acquittee has been referred for examination shall 399
464		-	perform the examination and submit a written report of its findings to 400
465		-	the board. If the facility finds that treatment of the person is appropriate, 401
466		-	it shall include its recommendations for treatment in the report to the 402
467		-	board. Whenever treatment is provided by the facility, the facility shall 403
468		-	furnish reports to the board on a regular basis concerning the status of 404
469		-	the acquittee and the degree to which the acquittee is a danger to himself 405
470		-	or others. The board shall furnish copies of all such reports to the 406 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	454	+	LCO No. 5596 13 of 19
	455	+
	456	+	may petition the superior court for the judicial district in which [he] such 361
	457	+	individual resides, or, in the case of a nonresident of the state, the 362
	458	+	superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, for appropriate relief, 363
	459	+	including temporary and permanent injunctions, and the petition shall 364
	460	+	be privileged with respect to assignment for trial. 365
	461	+	(b) Any [person] individual aggrieved by a violation of any provision 366
	462	+	of sections 52-146d to [52-146j] 52-146i, inclusive, as amended by this act, 367
	463	+	may prove a cause of action for civil damages. 368
	464	+	Sec. 12. Section 17a-465b of the general statutes is repealed and the 369
	465	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 370
	466	+	A relative, guardian or conservator of a person who is receiving 371
	467	+	inpatient services at a facility of the Department of Mental Health and 372
	468	+	Addiction Services and is missing from such facility may request the 373
	469	+	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to file a missing 374
	470	+	person report with the Department of Emergency Services and Public 375
	471	+	Protection for purposes of receiving assistance in locating such person 376
	472	+	under subsection (a) of section 29-1f. Notwithstanding the provisions of 377
	473	+	[sections 52-146c and] section 52-146e, as amended by this act, the 378
	474	+	Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may authorize 379
	475	+	an employee of the department who is certified under the provisions of 380
	476	+	sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive, to file a missing person report with 381
	477	+	the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection under 382
	478	+	subsection (a) of section 29-1f with respect to such person. Such report 383
	479	+	shall disclose only the minimal amount of information concerning such 384
	480	+	person as is necessary for purposes of the assistance provided under 385
	481	+	subsection (a) of section 29-1f. 386
	482	+	Sec. 13. Section 17a-590 of the general statutes is repealed and the 387
	483	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 388
	484	+	As one of the conditions of release, the board may require the 389
	485	+	acquittee to report to any public or private mental health facility for 390
	486	+	examination. Whenever medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment 391
	487	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
471	488
472	489
473		-	LCO 14 of 23
474	490
475		-	acquittee, counsel for the acquittee and the state's attorney. Psychiatric 407
476		-	or psychological reports concerning the acquittee that are in the 408
477		-	possession of the board shall not be public records, as defined in section 409
478		-	1-200, except that information in such reports relied on by the board or 410
479		-	used as evidence concerning the discharge, conditional release, 411
480		-	temporary leave or confinement of the acquittee shall not be 412
481		-	confidential. The provisions of sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 413
482		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not apply to such reports for the 414
483		-	purposes of this section. The facility shall comply with any other 415
484		-	conditions of release prescribed by order of the board. 416
485		-	Sec. 14. Subsection (d) of section 17a-596 of the general statutes is 417
486		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 418
487		-	1, 2025): 419
488		-	(d) Any hearing by the board, including the taking of any testimony 420
489		-	at such hearing, shall be open to the public. At any hearing before the 421
490		-	board, the acquittee shall have all the rights given a party to a contested 422
491		-	case under chapter 54. In addition to the rights enumerated in chapter 423
492		-	54, the acquittee shall have the right to appear at all proceedings before 424
493		-	the board, except board deliberations, and to be represented by counsel, 425
494		-	to consult with counsel prior to the hearing and, if indigent, to have 426
495		-	counsel provided, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 887, without 427
496		-	cost. At any hearing before the board, copies of documents and reports 428
497		-	considered by the board shall be available for examination by the 429
498		-	acquittee, counsel for the acquittee and the state's attorney. Psychiatric 430
499		-	or psychological reports concerning the acquittee that are in the 431
500		-	possession of the board shall not be public records, as defined in section 432
501		-	1-200, except that information in such reports relied on by the board or 433
502		-	used as evidence concerning the discharge, conditional release, 434
503		-	temporary leave or confinement of the acquittee shall not be 435
504		-	confidential. The provisions of sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 436
505		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not apply to such reports for the 437
506		-	purposes of this section. 438
507		-	Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 52-146o of the general statutes is 439 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	491	+	LCO No. 5596 14 of 19
	492	+
	493	+	is recommended, the board may order the acquittee, as a condition of 392
	494	+	release, to cooperate with and accept treatment from the facility. The 393
	495	+	facility to which the acquittee has been referred for examination shall 394
	496	+	perform the examination and submit a written report of its findings to 395
	497	+	the board. If the facility finds that treatment of the person is appropriate, 396
	498	+	it shall include its recommendations for treatment in the report to the 397
	499	+	board. Whenever treatment is provided by the facility, the facility shall 398
	500	+	furnish reports to the board on a regular basis concerning the status of 399
	501	+	the acquittee and the degree to which the acquittee is a danger to himself 400
	502	+	or others. The board shall furnish copies of all such reports to the 401
	503	+	acquittee, counsel for the acquittee and the state's attorney. Psychiatric 402
	504	+	or psychological reports concerning the acquittee that are in the 403
	505	+	possession of the board shall not be public records, as defined in section 404
	506	+	1-200, except that information in such reports relied on by the board or 405
	507	+	used as evidence concerning the discharge, conditional release, 406
	508	+	temporary leave or confinement of the acquittee shall not be 407
	509	+	confidential. The provisions of sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 408
	510	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not apply to such reports for the 409
	511	+	purposes of this section. The facility shall comply with any other 410
	512	+	conditions of release prescribed by order of the board. 411
	513	+	Sec. 14. Subsection (d) of section 17a-596 of the general statutes is 412
	514	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 413
	515	+	1, 2025): 414
	516	+	(d) Any hearing by the board, including the taking of any testimony 415
	517	+	at such hearing, shall be open to the public. At any hearing before the 416
	518	+	board, the acquittee shall have all the rights given a party to a contested 417
	519	+	case under chapter 54. In addition to the rights enumerated in chapter 418
	520	+	54, the acquittee shall have the right to appear at all proceedings before 419
	521	+	the board, except board deliberations, and to be represented by counsel, 420
	522	+	to consult with counsel prior to the hearing and, if indigent, to have 421
	523	+	counsel provided, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 887, without 422
	524	+	cost. At any hearing before the board, copies of documents and reports 423
	525	+	considered by the board shall be available for examination by the 424
	526	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
508	527
509	528
510		-	LCO 15 of 23
511	529
512		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 440
513		-	1, 2025): 441
514		-	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 442
515		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s 443
516		-	[,] and subsection (b) of this section, in any civil action or any proceeding 444
517		-	preliminary thereto or in any probate, legislative or administrative 445
518		-	proceeding, a physician or surgeon, licensed pursuant to section 20-9, or 446
519		-	other licensed health care provider, shall not disclose (1) any 447
520		-	communication made to him or her by, or any information obtained by 448
521		-	him or her from, a patient or the conservator or guardian of a patient 449
522		-	with respect to any actual or supposed physical or mental disease or 450
523		-	disorder, or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 451
524		-	patient, unless the patient or that patient's authorized representative 452
525		-	explicitly consents to such disclosure. 453
526		-	Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 52-146w of the general statutes is 454
527		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 455
528		-	1, 2025): 456
529		-	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146k, 457
530		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146o, as amended by this 458
531		-	act, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this section, in 459
532		-	any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in any probate, 460
533		-	legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity, as defined 461
534		-	in 45 CFR 160.103, shall disclose (1) any communication made to such 462
535		-	covered entity, or any information obtained by such covered entity 463
536		-	from, a patient or the conservator, guardian or other authorized legal 464
537		-	representative of a patient relating to reproductive health care services, 465
538		-	as defined in section 52-571m, that are permitted under the laws of this 466
539		-	state, or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 467
540		-	patient relating to reproductive health care services, as defined in 468
541		-	section 52-571m, that are permitted under the laws of this state, unless 469
542		-	the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other authorized 470
543		-	legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such disclosure. A 471
544		-	covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's conservator, 472 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	530	+	LCO No. 5596 15 of 19
	531	+
	532	+	acquittee, counsel for the acquittee and the state's attorney. Psychiatric 425
	533	+	or psychological reports concerning the acquittee that are in the 426
	534	+	possession of the board shall not be public records, as defined in section 427
	535	+	1-200, except that information in such reports relied on by the board or 428
	536	+	used as evidence concerning the discharge, conditional release, 429
	537	+	temporary leave or confinement of the acquittee shall not be 430
	538	+	confidential. The provisions of sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 431
	539	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not apply to such reports for the 432
	540	+	purposes of this section. 433
	541	+	Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 52-146o of the general statutes is 434
	542	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 435
	543	+	1, 2025): 436
	544	+	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146j, 437
	545	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s 438
	546	+	[,] and subsection (b) of this section, in any civil action or any proceeding 439
	547	+	preliminary thereto or in any probate, legislative or administrative 440
	548	+	proceeding, a physician or surgeon, licensed pursuant to section 20-9, or 441
	549	+	other licensed health care provider, shall not disclose (1) any 442
	550	+	communication made to him or her by, or any information obtained by 443
	551	+	him or her from, a patient or the conservator or guardian of a patient 444
	552	+	with respect to any actual or supposed physical or mental disease or 445
	553	+	disorder, or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 446
	554	+	patient, unless the patient or that patient's authorized representative 447
	555	+	explicitly consents to such disclosure. 448
	556	+	Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 52-146w of the general statutes is 449
	557	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 450
	558	+	1, 2025): 451
	559	+	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146k, 452
	560	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146o, as amended by this 453
	561	+	act, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this section, in 454
	562	+	any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in any probate, 455
	563	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
545	564
546	565
547		-	LCO 16 of 23
548	566
549		-	guardian or other authorized legal representative of the patient's right 473
550		-	to withhold such written consent. 474
551		-	Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 52-146x of the general statutes is 475
552		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 476
553		-	1, 2025): 477
554		-	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146k, 478
555		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146o, as amended by this 479
556		-	act, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this section, in 480
557		-	any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in any probate, 481
558		-	legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity, as defined 482
559		-	in 45 CFR 160.103, shall disclose (1) any communication made to such 483
560		-	covered entity, or any information obtained by such covered entity 484
561		-	from, a patient or the conservator, guardian or other authorized legal 485
562		-	representative of a patient relating to reproductive health care services 486
563		-	or gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 52-571n, 487
564		-	that are permitted under the laws of this state, or (2) any information 488
565		-	obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to reproductive 489
566		-	health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined 490
567		-	in section 52-571n, that are permitted under the laws of this state, unless 491
568		-	the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other authorized 492
569		-	legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such disclosure. A 493
570		-	covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's conservator, 494
571		-	guardian or other authorized legal representative of the patient's right 495
572		-	to withhold such written consent. 496
573		-	Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 19a-17 of the general statutes is 497
574		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 498
575		-	2025): 499
576		-	(a) Each board or commission established under chapters 369 to 376, 500
577		-	inclusive, 378 to 381, inclusive, and 383 to 388, inclusive, and the 501
578		-	Department of Public Health with respect to professions under its 502
579		-	jurisdiction that have no board or commission may take any of the 503
580		-	following actions, singly or in combination, based on conduct that 504 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	567	+	LCO No. 5596 16 of 19
	568	+
	569	+	legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity, as defined 456
	570	+	in 45 CFR 160.103, shall disclose (1) any communication made to such 457
	571	+	covered entity, or any information obtained by such covered entity 458
	572	+	from, a patient or the conservator, guardian or other authorized legal 459
	573	+	representative of a patient relating to reproductive health care services, 460
	574	+	as defined in section 52-571m, that are permitted under the laws of this 461
	575	+	state, or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 462
	576	+	patient relating to reproductive health care services, as defined in 463
	577	+	section 52-571m, that are permitted under the laws of this state, unless 464
	578	+	the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other authorized 465
	579	+	legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such disclosure. A 466
	580	+	covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's conservator, 467
	581	+	guardian or other authorized legal representative of the patient's right 468
	582	+	to withhold such written consent. 469
	583	+	Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 52-146x of the general statutes is 470
	584	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 471
	585	+	1, 2025): 472
	586	+	(a) Except as provided in sections [52-146c] 52-146d to 52-146k, 473
	587	+	inclusive, as amended by this act, sections 52-146o, as amended by this 474
	588	+	act, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this section, in 475
	589	+	any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in any probate, 476
	590	+	legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity, as defined 477
	591	+	in 45 CFR 160.103, shall disclose (1) any communication made to such 478
	592	+	covered entity, or any information obtained by such covered entity 479
	593	+	from, a patient or the conservator, guardian or other authorized legal 480
	594	+	representative of a patient relating to reproductive health care services 481
	595	+	or gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 52-571n, 482
	596	+	that are permitted under the laws of this state, or (2) any information 483
	597	+	obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to reproductive 484
	598	+	health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined 485
	599	+	in section 52-571n, that are permitted under the laws of this state, unless 486
	600	+	the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other authorized 487
	601	+	legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such disclosure. A 488
	602	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
581	603
582	604
583		-	LCO 17 of 23
584	605
585		-	occurred prior or subsequent to the issuance of a permit or a license 505
586		-	upon finding the existence of good cause: 506
587		-	(1) Revoke a practitioner's license or permit; 507
588		-	(2) Suspend a practitioner's license or permit; 508
589		-	(3) Censure a practitioner or permittee; 509
590		-	(4) Issue a letter of reprimand to a practitioner or permittee; 510
591		-	(5) Restrict or otherwise limit practice to those areas prescribed by the 511
592		-	board, commission or department; 512
593		-	(6) Place a practitioner or permittee on probationary status and 513
594		-	require the practitioner or permittee to: 514
595		-	(A) Report regularly to such board, commission or department upon 515
596		-	the matters which are the basis of probation; 516
597		-	(B) Limit practice to those areas prescribed by such board, 517
598		-	commission or department; and 518
599		-	(C) Continue or renew professional education until a satisfactory 519
600		-	degree of skill has been attained in those areas which are the basis for 520
601		-	the probation; 521
602		-	(7) Assess a civil penalty of up to [ten] twenty-five thousand dollars; 522
603		-	(8) In those cases involving persons or entities licensed or certified 523
604		-	pursuant to sections 20-341d, 20-435, 20-436, 20-437, 20-438, 20-475 and 524
605		-	20-476, require that restitution be made to an injured property owner; 525
606		-	or 526
607		-	(9) Summarily take any action specified in this subsection against a 527
608		-	practitioner's license or permit upon receipt of proof that such 528
609		-	practitioner has been: 529
610		-	(A) Found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes 530 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	606	+	LCO No. 5596 17 of 19
	607	+
	608	+	covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's conservator, 489
	609	+	guardian or other authorized legal representative of the patient's right 490
	610	+	to withhold such written consent. 491
	611	+	Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 19a-17 of the general statutes is 492
	612	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 493
	613	+	2025): 494
	614	+	(a) Each board or commission established under chapters 369 to 376, 495
	615	+	inclusive, 378 to 381, inclusive, and 383 to 388, inclusive, and the 496
	616	+	Department of Public Health with respect to professions under its 497
	617	+	jurisdiction that have no board or commission may take any of the 498
	618	+	following actions, singly or in combination, based on conduct that 499
	619	+	occurred prior or subsequent to the issuance of a permit or a license 500
	620	+	upon finding the existence of good cause: 501
	621	+	(1) Revoke a practitioner's license or permit; 502
	622	+	(2) Suspend a practitioner's license or permit; 503
	623	+	(3) Censure a practitioner or permittee; 504
	624	+	(4) Issue a letter of reprimand to a practitioner or permittee; 505
	625	+	(5) Restrict or otherwise limit practice to those areas prescribed by the 506
	626	+	board, commission or department; 507
	627	+	(6) Place a practitioner or permittee on probationary status and 508
	628	+	require the practitioner or permittee to: 509
	629	+	(A) Report regularly to such board, commission or department upon 510
	630	+	the matters which are the basis of probation; 511
	631	+	(B) Limit practice to those areas prescribed by such board, 512
	632	+	commission or department; and 513
	633	+	(C) Continue or renew professional education until a satisfactory 514
	634	+	degree of skill has been attained in those areas which are the basis for 515
	635	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
611	636
612	637
613		-	LCO 18 of 23
614	638
615		-	a felony under (i) the laws of this state, (ii) federal law, or (iii) the laws 531
616		-	of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would 532
617		-	have constituted a felony under the laws of this state, except for a 533
618		-	practitioner who is a social worker under chapter 383b, an art therapist 534
619		-	under chapter 383g, a dietitian-nutritionist under chapter 384b, an 535
620		-	embalmer or funeral director under chapter 385, a barber under chapter 536
621		-	386, a hairdresser, cosmetician, esthetician, eyelash technician or nail 537
622		-	technician under chapter 387; or 538
623		-	(B) Subject to disciplinary action similar to that specified in this 539
624		-	subsection by a duly authorized professional agency of any state, the 540
625		-	federal government, the District of Columbia, a United States possession 541
626		-	or territory or a foreign jurisdiction. The applicable board or 542
627		-	commission, or the department shall promptly notify the practitioner or 543
628		-	permittee that his license or permit has been summarily acted upon 544
629		-	pursuant to this subsection and shall institute formal proceedings for 545
630		-	revocation within ninety days after such notification. 546
631		-	Sec. 19. Section 19a-490r of the general statutes is repealed and the 547
632		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 548
633		-	A health care employer shall maintain records [which] that detail 549
634		-	incidents of workplace violence and include the specific area or 550
635		-	department of [the] such employer's premises where the incident 551
636		-	occurred. A health care employer shall report not later than [January 1, 552
637		-	2016, and] February first annually [thereafter,] to the Department of 553
638		-	Public Health the number of workplace violence incidents occurring on 554
639		-	the employer's premises during the preceding calendar year and the 555
640		-	specific area or department where such incidents occurred. 556
641		-	Sec. 20. Section 19a-903b of the general statutes is repealed and the 557
642		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 558
643		-	A hospital, as defined in section 19a-490b, may designate any 559
644		-	licensed health care provider and any certified ultrasound, [or] nuclear 560
645		-	medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, radiologic or 561
646		-	polysomnographic technologist to perform the following oxygen-562 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	639	+	LCO No. 5596 18 of 19
	640	+
	641	+	the probation; 516
	642	+	(7) Assess a civil penalty of up to [ten] twenty-five thousand dollars; 517
	643	+	(8) In those cases involving persons or entities licensed or certified 518
	644	+	pursuant to sections 20-341d, 20-435, 20-436, 20-437, 20-438, 20-475 and 519
	645	+	20-476, require that restitution be made to an injured property owner; 520
	646	+	or 521
	647	+	(9) Summarily take any action specified in this subsection against a 522
	648	+	practitioner's license or permit upon receipt of proof that such 523
	649	+	practitioner has been: 524
	650	+	(A) Found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes 525
	651	+	a felony under (i) the laws of this state, (ii) federal law, or (iii) the laws 526
	652	+	of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would 527
	653	+	have constituted a felony under the laws of this state, except for a 528
	654	+	practitioner who is a social worker under chapter 383b, an art therapist 529
	655	+	under chapter 383g, a dietitian-nutritionist under chapter 384b, an 530
	656	+	embalmer or funeral director under chapter 385, a barber under chapter 531
	657	+	386, a hairdresser, cosmetician, esthetician, eyelash technician or nail 532
	658	+	technician under chapter 387; or 533
	659	+	(B) Subject to disciplinary action similar to that specified in this 534
	660	+	subsection by a duly authorized professional agency of any state, the 535
	661	+	federal government, the District of Columbia, a United States possession 536
	662	+	or territory or a foreign jurisdiction. The applicable board or 537
	663	+	commission, or the department shall promptly notify the practitioner or 538
	664	+	permittee that his license or permit has been summarily acted upon 539
	665	+	pursuant to this subsection and shall institute formal proceedings for 540
	666	+	revocation within ninety days after such notification. 541
	667	+	Sec. 19. Section 52-146c of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 542
	668	+	October 1, 2025) 543
	669	+	Raised Bill No. 7157
647	670
648	671
649		-	LCO 19 of 23
650	672
651		-	related patient care activities in a hospital: (1) Connecting or 563
652		-	disconnecting oxygen supply; (2) transporting a portable oxygen source; 564
653		-	(3) connecting, disconnecting or adjusting the mask, tubes and other 565
654		-	patient oxygen delivery apparatus; and (4) adjusting the rate or flow of 566
655		-	oxygen consistent with a medical order. Such provider or technologist 567
656		-	may perform such activities only to the extent permitted by hospital 568
657		-	policies and procedures, including bylaws, rules and regulations 569
658		-	applicable to the medical staff. A hospital shall document that each 570
659		-	person designated to perform oxygen-related patient care activities has 571
660		-	been properly trained, either through such person's professional 572
661		-	education or through training provided by the hospital. In addition, a 573
662		-	hospital shall require that such person satisfy annual competency 574
663		-	testing. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a hospital 575
664		-	from designating persons who are authorized to transport a patient with 576
665		-	a portable oxygen source. The provisions of this section shall not apply 577
666		-	to any type of ventilator, continuous positive airway pressure or bi-level 578
667		-	positive airway pressure units or any other noninvasive positive 579
668		-	pressure ventilation. 580
669		-	Sec. 21. Subsection (n) of section 19a-89e of the general statutes is 581
670		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 582
671		-	1, 2025): 583
672		-	(n) [Not later than October 1, 2024, and biannually thereafter, a] Each 584
673		-	hospital shall report biannually to the Department of Public Health, in 585
674		-	a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health, 586
675		-	whether it has been in compliance, for the previous six months, with at 587
676		-	least eighty per cent of the nurse staffing assignments as required by any 588
677		-	component outlined in the nurse staffing plan developed pursuant to 589
678		-	subsections (d) and (e) of this section. Each hospital shall submit such 590
679		-	reports not later than January fifteenth for the most recent six-month 591
680		-	period ending on January first, and not later than July fifteenth for the 592
681		-	most recent six-month period ending on July first. 593
682		-	Sec. 22. Section 17a-20 of the general statutes is repealed and the 594
683		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 595 Substitute Bill No. 7157
	673	+	LCO No. 5596 19 of 19
684	674
685		-
686		-	LCO 20 of 23
687		-
688		-	(a) For the purposes of this section, "psychiatric clinic" (1) means an 596
689		-	organization licensed by the Department of Children and Families and 597
690		-	staffed by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and such other 598
691		-	professional, paraprofessional and clerical personnel as local 599
692		-	circumstances may require, working in collaboration with other social 600
693		-	service agencies, to provide mental health services that are designed to 601
694		-	[(1)] (A) effectively decrease the prevalence and incidence of mental 602
695		-	illness, emotional disturbance and social disfunctioning, and [(2)] (B) 603
696		-	promote mental health in individuals, groups and institutions, and 604
697		-	[includes] (2) may include a general hospital with such clinic services. 605
698		-	The Department of Children and Families shall develop and maintain a 606
699		-	program of outpatient psychiatric clinics for children and youths and 607
700		-	their families. 608
701		-	(b) For the purposes of this section, "child guidance clinic" means a 609
702		-	subset of psychiatric clinics for children designated by the Department 610
703		-	of Children and Families pursuant to this section to receive grant funds 611
704		-	for the purpose of assisting the department to provide community-612
705		-	based psychiatric services for children, youths and families. In order to 613
706		-	meet such mandate, the department shall designate a subset of 614
707		-	outpatient psychiatric clinics for children to be known as child guidance 615
708		-	clinics. The department shall provide grants to such child guidance 616
709		-	clinics in accordance with the provisions of this section. Any town 617
710		-	having a population of not less than forty thousand, as most recently 618
711		-	determined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or 619
712		-	any combination of towns with a combined population of not less than 620
713		-	forty thousand as similarly determined, or any nonprofit corporation 621
714		-	organized or existing for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a 622
715		-	psychiatric clinic for children and youths or for children and youths and 623
716		-	their families, or any clinic designated by the Department of Children 624
717		-	and Families as of January 1, 1995, may apply to the Department of 625
718		-	Children and Families for funds to be used to assist in establishing, 626
719		-	maintaining or expanding a psychiatric clinic. The applications, and any 627
720		-	grant of funds pursuant thereto, shall not be subject to the provisions of 628
721		-	section 17a-476, except to the extent required by federal law. The 629 Substitute Bill No. 7157
722		-
723		-
724		-	LCO 21 of 23
725		-
726		-	department shall base any grant of funds on the services provided to 630
727		-	children and youths under eighteen years of age and on the 631
728		-	effectiveness of the services. No grant shall exceed two-thirds of the 632
729		-	ordinary recurring operating expenses of the clinic, nor shall any grant 633
730		-	be made to pay for any portion of capital expenditures for the clinic. No 634
731		-	clinic in existence as of October 1, 1995, shall be eligible for grants of any 635
732		-	funds under this section unless it has obtained a license within six 636
733		-	months of the adoption of regulations under subsection (c) of this 637
734		-	section. No clinic receiving funds under this section shall refuse services 638
735		-	to any resident of this state solely because of his or her place of 639
736		-	residence. 640
737		-	(c) The Department of Children and Families shall adopt regulations, 641
738		-	in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, defining the minimum 642
739		-	requirements for outpatient psychiatric clinics for children to be eligible 643
740		-	for licensure under this section in regard to (1) qualification and number 644
741		-	of staff members, (2) clinic operation including but not limited to 645
742		-	physical plant, governing body and recordkeeping, (3) effectiveness of 646
743		-	services, and (4) populations targeted for priority access. The 647
744		-	regulations shall also govern the granting of the funds to assist in 648
745		-	establishing, maintaining and expanding psychiatric clinics. The 649
746		-	department shall, upon payment of a fee of three hundred dollars, issue 650
747		-	to any qualifying clinic a license that shall be in force for twenty-four 651
748		-	months from the date of issue and shall be renewable for additional 652
749		-	twenty-four-month periods, upon payment of a fee of three hundred 653
750		-	dollars for each such period, provided the clinic continues to meet 654
751		-	conditions satisfactory to the department. The department shall make 655
752		-	available to child guidance clinics forms to be used in making 656
753		-	application for available funds. Upon receipt of proper application, the 657
754		-	department shall grant the funds, provided the plans for financing, the 658
755		-	standards of operation and the effectiveness of services of the clinics are 659
756		-	approved by the department in accordance with the provisions of this 660
757		-	section. The grants shall be made on an annual basis. 661
758		-	(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a hospital 662
759		-	licensed by the Department of Public Health to obtain licensure from the 663 Substitute Bill No. 7157
760		-
761		-
762		-	LCO 22 of 23
763		-
764		-	Department of Children and Families to provide inpatient or outpatient 664
765		-	mental health services to patients of any age. 665
766		-	Sec. 23. Section 7-62b of the general statutes is amended by adding 666
767		-	subsection (g) as follows (Effective from passage): 667
768		-	(NEW) (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this 668
769		-	section, the Commissioner of Public Health shall establish, not later than 669
770		-	January 1, 2026, a process by which a person may request a short-form 670
771		-	death certificate that excludes the medical certification portion of the 671
772		-	certificate for provision to persons or institutions that do not require 672
773		-	knowledge of the cause of death of the decedent. 673
774		-	Sec. 24. Section 52-146c of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 674
775		-	October 1, 2025) 675
776	675		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
777	676		sections:
778	677
779	678		Section 1 July 1, 2025 19a-411(b)
780	679		Sec. 2 July 1, 2025 19a-197a
781	680		Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 20-73b(a)
782	681		Sec. 4 October 1, 2025 New section
783	682		Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 52-146d
784	683		Sec. 6 July 1, 2025 52-146e
785	684		Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 52-146f
786	685		Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 52-146g
787	686		Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 52-146h
788	687		Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 52-146i
789	688		Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 52-146j
790	689		Sec. 12 October 1, 2025 17a-465b
791	690		Sec. 13 October 1, 2025 17a-590
792	691		Sec. 14 October 1, 2025 17a-596(d)
793	692		Sec. 15 October 1, 2025 52-146o(a)
794	693		Sec. 16 October 1, 2025 52-146w(a)
795	694		Sec. 17 October 1, 2025 52-146x(a)
796	695		Sec. 18 July 1, 2025 19a-17(a)
797		-	Sec. 19 October 1, 2025 19a-490r
798		-	Sec. 20 July 1, 2025 19a-903b Substitute Bill No. 7157
	696	+	Sec. 19 October 1, 2025 Repealer section
799	697
	698	+	Statement of Purpose:
	699	+	To make various revisions to the public health statutes.
800	700
801		-	LCO 23 of 23
802		-
803		-	Sec. 21 October 1, 2025 19a-89e(n)
804		-	Sec. 22 from passage 17a-20
805		-	Sec. 23 from passage 7-62b(g)
806		-	Sec. 24 October 1, 2025 Repealer section
807		-
808		-	PH Joint Favorable Subst.
	701	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	702	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	703	+	underlined.]
809	704