LCO No. 6549 1 of 15 General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1530 January Session, 2025 LCO No. 6549 Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTIONS Introduced by: (GAE) AN ACT CONCERNING GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE PROVISION OF REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER -AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 4-38j of the general statutes is repealed and the 1 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 2 The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and each 3 department head, as defined by section 4-5, shall, upon request, (1) 4 submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 5 cognizance of matters relating to government administration, 6 organization and reorganization a report [upon request,] on the 7 progress and implementation of reorganization, and [upon request shall 8 also] (2) furnish to the committee any information concerning 9 reorganization or appear before the committee to provide such 10 information as may be determined by the chairpersons of said 11 committee. 12 Sec. 2. Section 52-571m of the general statutes is repealed and the 13 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 2 of 15 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 14 (a) As used in this section: 15 (1) "Reproductive health care services" includes all medical, surgical, 16 counseling or referral services relating to the human reproductive 17 system, including, but not limited to, services relating to pregnancy, 18 fertility, contraception or the termination of a pregnancy; [and all 19 medical care relating to treatment of gender dysphoria as set forth in the 20 most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's 21 "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" and gender 22 incongruence, as defined in the most recent revision of the 23 "International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health 24 Problems"; and] 25 (2) "Gender-affirming health care services" means all medical care 26 related to the treatment of gender dysphoria as set forth in the most 27 recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and 28 Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" and gender incongruence, as 29 defined in the most recent revision of the "International Statistical 30 Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems"; and 31 [(2)] (3) "Person" includes an individual, a partnership, an association, 32 a limited liability company or a corporation. 33 (b) When any person has had [a judgment entered] an action filed 34 against such person, in any state, where liability, in whole or in part, is 35 based on the alleged provision, receipt, assistance in receipt or 36 provision, material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several 37 or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, for reproductive health care 38 services or gender-affirming health care services that are permitted 39 under the laws of this state, regardless of whether the patient was 40 physically located in this state at the time the services were provided, 41 such person may recover damages from any party that brought the 42 action [leading to that judgment] or has sought to enforce [that] a 43 judgment based upon such action. Recoverable damages shall include: 44 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 3 of 15 (1) Just damages created by the action [that led to that judgment,] in the 45 other state, including, but not limited to, money damages in the amount 46 of the judgment in that other state and costs, expenses and reasonable 47 attorney's fees spent in defending the action; [that resulted in the entry 48 of a judgment in another state;] and (2) costs, expenses and reasonable 49 attorney's fees incurred in bringing an action under this section as may 50 be allowed by the court. 51 (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to [a judgment 52 entered in another state that is based on:] (1) [An] an action in another 53 state founded in tort, contract or statute, and for which a similar claim 54 would exist under the laws of this state, brought by the patient who 55 received the reproductive health care services or gender-affirming 56 health care services upon which the original lawsuit was based or the 57 patient's authorized legal representative, for damages suffered by the 58 patient or damages derived from an individual's loss of consortium of 59 the patient; (2) an action in another state founded in contract, and for 60 which a similar claim would exist under the laws of this state, brought 61 or sought to be enforced by a party with a contractual relationship with 62 the person that is the subject of the judgment entered in another state; 63 or (3) an action in another state where no part of the acts that formed the 64 basis for liability occurred in this state. 65 Sec. 3. Section 52-146w of the general statutes is repealed and the 66 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 67 (a) Except as provided in sections 52-146c to 52-146k, inclusive, 68 sections 52-146o, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this 69 section, in any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in 70 any probate, legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity 71 or business associate, as such terms are defined in 45 CFR 160.103, shall 72 disclose (1) any communication made to such covered entity or business 73 associate, or any information obtained by such covered entity or 74 business associate from, a patient or the conservator, guardian or other 75 authorized legal representative of a patient relating to reproductive 76 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 4 of 15 health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined 77 in section 52-571m, as amended by this act, that are permitted under the 78 laws of this state and provided to a patient physically located in this 79 state at the time the services were provided, or (2) any information 80 obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to [reproductive 81 health care services, as defined in section 52-571m] such services, that 82 are permitted under the laws of this state, and provided to a patient 83 physically located in this state at the time the services were provided, 84 unless the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other 85 authorized legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such 86 disclosure. A covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's 87 conservator, guardian or other authorized legal representative of the 88 patient's right to withhold such written consent. A covered entity or 89 business associate that receives a request for patient information related 90 to reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 91 services subject to the provisions of this section that is not exempted 92 under subsection (b) of this section and is not accompanied by the 93 written consent of the patient or the conservator, guardian or other 94 authorized legal representative of the patient, shall provide notice of the 95 request to the office of the Attorney General not later than seven days 96 after receipt of the request. The notice shall not contain any information 97 that identifies the patient or the conservator, guardian or other 98 authorized legal representative of the patient. 99 (b) Written consent of the patient or the patient's conservator, 100 guardian or other authorized legal representative shall not be required 101 for the disclosure of such communication or information (1) pursuant to 102 the laws of this state or the rules of court prescribed by the Judicial 103 Branch, (2) by a covered entity or business associate against whom a 104 claim has been made, or there is a reasonable belief will be made, in such 105 action or proceeding, to the covered entity's or business associate's 106 attorney or professional liability insurer or such insurer's agent for use 107 in the defense of such action or proceeding, (3) to the Commissioner of 108 Public Health for records of a patient of a covered entity in connection 109 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 5 of 15 with an investigation of a complaint, if such records are related to the 110 complaint, or (4) if child abuse, abuse of an elderly individual, abuse of 111 an individual who is physically disabled or incompetent or abuse of an 112 individual with intellectual disability is known or in good faith 113 suspected. 114 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impede the lawful 115 sharing of medical records as permitted by state or federal law or the 116 rules of the court prescribed by the Judicial Branch, except in the case of 117 a subpoena commanding the production, copying or inspection of 118 medical records relating to reproductive health care services or gender-119 affirming health care services, as defined in section 52-571m, as 120 amended by this act. 121 Sec. 4. Section 19a-17e of the general statutes is repealed and the 122 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 123 (a) As used in this section, "reproductive health care services" [has] 124 and "gender-affirming health care services" have the same [meaning] 125 meanings as provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 126 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 19a-127 14, the Department of Public Health shall not deny the eligibility of an 128 applicant for a (1) permit, (2) license by examination, endorsement or 129 reciprocity, or (3) reinstatement of a license (A) voided pursuant to the 130 provisions of subsection (f) of section 19a-88, (B) voluntarily 131 surrendered, or (C) by agreement, not renewed or reinstated pursuant 132 to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 19a-17 based on pending 133 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint or the imposition of 134 disciplinary action against the applicant by a duly authorized 135 professional disciplinary agency of another state, the District of 136 Columbia or a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United 137 States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 138 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 139 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 140 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 6 of 15 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 141 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 142 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 143 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 144 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 145 were provided. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where 146 the underlying conduct of the applicant would constitute the basis of 147 disciplinary action against the applicant under the laws of this state if 148 the applicant had been licensed or permitted in this state and the 149 conduct had occurred in this state. 150 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19a-17, a board or 151 commission established under title 20 that has jurisdiction over persons 152 licensed, certified or registered under said title who provide 153 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 154 services, and the Department of Public Health, with respect to 155 professions under the department's jurisdiction that are not subject to 156 discipline by such a board or commission, shall not impose disciplinary 157 action against a licensed, certified or registered person based on 158 pending disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint or the imposition 159 of disciplinary action against such persons before or by a duly 160 authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the District 161 of Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United 162 States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 163 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 164 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 165 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 166 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 167 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 168 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 169 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 170 were provided. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where 171 the underlying conduct of the licensed, certified or registered person 172 would constitute the basis of disciplinary action against such person 173 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 7 of 15 under the laws of this state if the conduct had occurred in this state. 174 Sec. 5. Section 19a-567 of the general statutes is repealed and the 175 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 176 (a) As used in this section, (1) "credentialing" means the process of 177 assessing and validating the qualifications of a health care provider 178 applying to be approved to provide treatment, care or services in or for 179 an institution, (2) "health care provider" means a person licensed 180 pursuant to title 20 who provides reproductive health care services, (3) 181 "institution" has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-490, (4) 182 "privileging" means the process of authorizing a health care provider to 183 provide specific treatment, care or services at an institution, and (5) 184 "reproductive health care services" [has] and "gender-affirming health 185 care services" have the same [meaning] meanings as provided in section 186 52-571m, as amended by this act. 187 (b) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 188 refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 189 adverse action against a health care provider with respect to 190 credentialing or privileging based solely on the alleged provision of, 191 receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or 192 any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived 193 therefrom, reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 194 care services that (1) are permitted under the laws of this state, (2) were 195 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 196 services, and (3) were provided by the health care provider (A) before 197 the date on which the health care provider entered an employment 198 relationship with the institution, or (B) outside the scope of the health 199 care provider's employment with the institution, regardless of whether 200 the patient receiving such services was [a resident of] physically located 201 in this state at the time the services were provided. 202 (c) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 203 refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 204 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 8 of 15 adverse action against a health care provider based on pending 205 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint or the imposition of 206 disciplinary action against the applicant by a duly authorized 207 professional disciplinary agency of another state, the District of 208 Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United 209 States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 210 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 211 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 212 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 213 services that (1) are permitted under the laws of this state, (2) were 214 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 215 services, and (3) were provided by the health care provider (A) before 216 the date on which the health care provider entered an employment 217 relationship with the institution, or (B) outside the scope of the health 218 care provider's employment with the institution, regardless of whether 219 the patient receiving such services was [a resident of] physically located 220 in this state at the time the services were provided. 221 (d) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent an 222 institution from taking any of the actions described in subsections (b) 223 and (c) of this section against a health care provider for conduct that (1) 224 does not conform to the standards of care for the provider's profession, 225 (2) is illegal under the laws of this state, or (3) violates policies or rules 226 of the institution that define the scope of services provided by the 227 institution if (A) such conduct occurs within the scope of the health care 228 provider's employment with, or delivery of care at, the institution, and 229 (B) the institution's enforcement of such policies or rules is not otherwise 230 prohibited by law or regulation. 231 Sec. 6. Section 20-579a of the general statutes is repealed and the 232 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 233 (a) As used in this section, "reproductive health care services" [has] 234 and "gender-affirming health care services" have the same [meaning] 235 meanings as provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 236 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 9 of 15 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 237 of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 238 deny the eligibility of an applicant for a license, permit or registration 239 under this chapter based on pending disciplinary action, an unresolved 240 complaint or the imposition of disciplinary action against the applicant 241 by a duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, 242 the District of Columbia or a commonwealth, territory or possession of 243 the United States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt 244 of, assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any 245 theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived 246 therefrom, reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 247 care services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 248 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 249 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 250 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 251 were provided. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where 252 the underlying conduct of the applicant would constitute the basis of 253 disciplinary action against the applicant under the laws of this state if 254 the applicant had been licensed, permitted or registered in this state and 255 the conduct had occurred in this state. 256 (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 257 of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 258 impose disciplinary action against any person licensed, permitted or 259 registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter based on pending 260 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint or the imposition of 261 disciplinary action against the applicant by a duly authorized 262 professional disciplinary agency of another state, the District of 263 Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United 264 States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 265 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 266 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 267 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 268 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 269 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 10 of 15 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 270 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 271 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 272 were provided. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where 273 the underlying conduct of the person licensed, permitted or registered 274 would constitute the basis of disciplinary action against such person 275 under the laws of this state if such person had been licensed, permitted 276 or registered in this state and the conduct had occurred in this state. 277 Sec. 7. Section 38a-835 of the general statutes is repealed and the 278 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 279 (a) As used in this section, (1) "health care provider" means a person 280 licensed pursuant to title 20 who provides reproductive health care 281 services, (2) "insurer" means an insurer that insures a health care 282 provider against professional liability, and (3) "reproductive health care 283 services" [has] and "gender-affirming health care services" have the 284 same [meaning] meanings as provided in section 52-571m, as amended 285 by this act. 286 (b) An insurer shall not take any adverse action, including, but not 287 limited to, denial or revocation of coverage, sanctions, fines, penalties or 288 rate increases against a health care provider, if such action is based 289 solely on: 290 (1) Such health care provider's alleged provision of, receipt of, 291 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 292 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 293 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 294 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 295 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 296 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 297 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 298 were provided; or 299 (2) Pending disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint or the 300 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 11 of 15 imposition of disciplinary action against such health care provider by a 301 duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 302 District of Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory or possession of the 303 United States that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 304 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 305 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 306 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 307 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 308 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 309 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was 310 [a resident of] physically located in this state at the time the services 311 were provided. 312 Sec. 8. Section 52-155a of the general statutes is repealed and the 313 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 314 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 52-155 and 52-657, a 315 judge, justice of the peace, notary public or commissioner of the 316 Superior Court shall not issue a subpoena requested by a commissioner, 317 appointed according to the laws or usages of any other state or 318 government, or by any court of the United States or of any other state or 319 government, when such subpoena relates to reproductive health care 320 services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 321 52-571m, as amended by this act, that are permitted under the laws of 322 this state, unless the subpoena relates to: (1) An out-of-state action 323 founded in tort, contract or statute, for which a similar claim would exist 324 under the laws of this state, brought by a patient or the patient's 325 authorized legal representative, for damages suffered by the patient or 326 damages derived from an individual's loss of consortium of the patient; 327 or (2) an out-of-state action founded in contract, and for which a similar 328 claim would exist under the laws of this state, brought or sought to be 329 enforced by a party with a contractual relationship with the person that 330 is the subject of the subpoena requested by a commissioner appointed 331 according to the laws or usages of another state. 332 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 12 of 15 Sec. 9. Subsection (b) of section 54-82i of the general statutes is 333 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 334 1, 2025): 335 (b) If a judge of a court of record in any state which by its laws has 336 made provision for commanding persons within that state to attend and 337 testify in this state certifies, under the seal of such court, that there is a 338 criminal prosecution pending in such court, or that a grand jury 339 investigation has commenced or is about to commence, that a person 340 being within this state is a material witness in such prosecution or grand 341 jury investigation and that the presence of such witness will be required 342 for a specified number of days, upon presentation of such certificate to 343 any judge of a court of record in the judicial district in which such 344 person is, such judge shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall 345 make an order directing the witness to appear at such time and place for 346 such hearing. If, at such hearing, the judge determines that the witness 347 is material and necessary, that it will not cause undue hardship to the 348 witness to be compelled to attend and testify in the prosecution or a 349 grand jury investigation in the other state and that the laws of such other 350 state and the laws of any other state through which the witness may be 351 required to pass by ordinary course of travel will give to such witness 352 protection from arrest and from the service of civil or criminal process, 353 the judge shall issue a summons, with a copy of the certificate attached, 354 directing the witness to attend and testify in the court where the 355 prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 356 commenced or is about to commence at a time and place specified in the 357 summons, except that no judge shall issue a summons in a case where 358 prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 359 commenced or is about to commence for a criminal violation of a law of 360 such other state involving the provision or receipt of or assistance with 361 reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 362 services, as defined in section [52-571n] 52-571m, as amended by this 363 act, that are legal in this state, regardless of whether the patient was 364 physically located in this state at the time the services were provided, 365 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 13 of 15 unless the acts forming the basis of the prosecution or investigation 366 would also constitute an offense in this state. At any such hearing, the 367 certificate shall be prima facie evidence of all the facts stated therein. If 368 such certificate recommends that the witness be taken into immediate 369 custody and delivered to an officer of the requesting state to assure the 370 attendance of the witness in such state, such judge may, in lieu of 371 notification of the hearing, direct that such witness be forthwith brought 372 before such judge for such hearing, and, being satisfied, at such hearing, 373 of the desirability of such custody and delivery, of which desirability 374 such certificate shall be prima facie proof, may, in lieu of issuing a 375 subpoena or summons, order that such witness be forthwith taken into 376 custody and delivered to an officer of the requesting state. If such 377 witness, after being paid or tendered by an authorized person the same 378 amount per mile as provided for state employees pursuant to section 5-379 141c for each mile by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court 380 where the prosecution is pending and five dollars each day that such 381 witness is required to travel and attend as a witness, fails, without good 382 cause, to attend and testify as directed in the summons, the witness shall 383 be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness 384 who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this state. 385 Sec. 10. Section 54-155a of the general statutes is repealed and the 386 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 387 No public agency, as defined in section 1-200, or employee, 388 appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a 389 public agency may provide any information or expend or use time, 390 money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in 391 furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding or unless 392 pursuant to a court order, any federal investigation or proceeding, 393 seeking to impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for 394 (1) the provision, seeking or receipt of or inquiring about reproductive 395 health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined 396 in section 52-571m, as amended by this act, that are legal in this state, or 397 (2) assisting any person or entity providing, seeking, receiving or 398 Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 14 of 15 responding to an inquiry about reproductive health care services or 399 gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 52-571m, as 400 amended by this act, that are legal in this state, regardless of whether 401 the patient was physically located in this state at the time the services 402 were provided. This section shall not apply to any investigation or 403 proceeding where the conduct subject to potential liability under the 404 investigation or proceeding would be subject to liability under the laws 405 of this state if committed in this state. 406 Sec. 11. Subdivision (17) of section 42-515 of the general statutes is 407 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 408 1, 2025): 409 (17) "Gender-affirming health care services" has the same meaning as 410 provided in section [52-571n] 52-571m, as amended by this act. 411 Sec. 12. Sections 52-146x, 52-155b, 52-571n and 54-155b of the general 412 statutes are repealed. (Effective October 1, 2025) 413 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2025 4-38j Sec. 2 October 1, 2025 52-571m Sec. 3 October 1, 2025 52-146w Sec. 4 October 1, 2025 19a-17e Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 19a-567 Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 20-579a Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 38a-835 Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 52-155a Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 54-82i(b) Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 54-155a Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 42-515(17) Sec. 12 October 1, 2025 Repealer section Statement of Purpose: To make a technical change to a statute concerning government administration and to provide protections to health care providers who Raised Bill No. 1530 LCO No. 6549 15 of 15 provide reproductive and gender-affirming health care services to patients, regardless of whether the patients are physically located in this state at the time the services are provided. [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]