HB 5517

General Assembly  Substitute Bill No. 5517
       February Session, 2026
 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
 AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING
 RECOVERY-FRIENDLY LANGUAGE AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO
 MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION STATUTES.
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
 Assembly convened:
1  Section 1. Section 4-67s of the general statutes is repealed and the
2      following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3  As used in sections 4-67s to 4-67x, inclusive, as amended by this act:
4  (1) "Prevention" means policies and programs that promote healthy,
5      safe and productive lives and reduce the likelihood of crime, violence,
6      substance [abuse] use, illness, academic failure and other socially
7      destructive behaviors.
 8        (2) "Research-based prevention" means those prevention programs as
 9     defined in this section that have been rigorously evaluated and are
10     found to be effective or represent best practices.
11        Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 4-67x of the general statutes is
12     repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
13     1, 2026):
14  (b) The ten-year plan shall contain: (1) An identification and analysis
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15   of the occurrence of child poverty in the state, (2) an analysis of the long-
16   term effects of child poverty on children, their families and their
17   communities, (3) an analysis of costs of child poverty to municipalities
18   and the state, (4) an inventory of state-wide public and private programs
19   that address child poverty, (5) the percentage of the target population
20   served by such programs and the current state funding levels, if any, for
21   such programs, (6) an identification and analysis of any deficiencies or
22   inefficiencies of such programs, and (7) procedures and priorities for
23   implementing strategies to achieve a fifty per cent reduction in child
24   poverty in the state by June 30, 2014. Such procedures and priorities
25   shall include, but not be limited to, (A) vocational training and
26   placement to promote career progression for parents of children living
27   in poverty, (B) educational opportunities, including higher education
28   opportunities, and advancement for such parents and children,
29   including, but not limited to, preliteracy, literacy and family literacy
30   programs, (C) housing for such parents and children, (D) child care
31   services, as described in section 19a-77, after-school programs and
32   mentoring programs for such children and for single parents, (E) health
33   care access for such parents and children, including access to mental
34   health services and family planning, (F) treatment programs and
35   services, including substance [abuse] use treatment programs and
36   services, for such parents and children, and (G) accessible childhood
37   nutrition programs.
38      Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 10-16b of the general statutes is
39   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
40   1, 2026):
41      (a) In the public schools the program of instruction offered shall
42   include at least the following subject matter, as taught by legally
43   qualified teachers, the arts; career education; consumer education;
44   personal financial management and financial literacy; health and safety,
45   including, but not limited to, human growth and development,
46   nutrition, first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in
47   accordance with the provisions of section 10-16qq, disease prevention
48   and cancer awareness, including, but not limited to, age and
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49   developmentally appropriate instruction in performing self-
50   examinations for the purposes of screening for breast cancer and
51   testicular cancer, community and consumer health, physical, mental
52   and emotional health, including youth suicide prevention, substance
53   [abuse] use prevention, including instruction relating to opioid use and
54   related disorders, safety, which shall include the safe use of social
55   media, as defined in section 9-601, and may include the dangers of gang
56   membership, and accident prevention; language arts, including reading,
57   writing, grammar, speaking and spelling; mathematics; physical
58   education; science, which may include the climate change curriculum
59   described in subsection (d) of this section; social studies, including, but
60   not limited to, civics and media literacy, citizenship, economics,
61   geography, government, history and Holocaust and genocide education
62   and awareness in accordance with the provisions of section 10-18f;
63   African-American and black studies in accordance with the provisions
64   of section 10-16ss; Puerto Rican and Latino studies in accordance with
65   the provisions of section 10-16ss; Native American studies, in
66   accordance with the provisions of section 10-16vv; Asian American and
67   Pacific Islander studies, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
68   66ww; computer programming instruction; and in addition, on at least
69   the secondary level, one or more world languages; vocational education;
70   and the black and Latino studies course in accordance with the
71   provisions of sections 10-16tt and 10-16uu. For purposes of this
72   subsection, world languages shall include American Sign Language,
73   provided such subject matter is taught by a qualified instructor under
74   the supervision of a teacher who holds a certificate issued by the State
75   Board of Education. For purposes of this subsection, the "arts" means
76   any form of visual or performing arts, which may include, but not be
77   limited to, dance, music, art and theatre; and "reading" means evidence-
78   based instruction that focuses on competency in oral language,
79   phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid automatic
80   name or letter name fluency and reading comprehension.
81      Sec. 4. Section 10-19b of the general statutes is repealed and the
82   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
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 83      Advisory councils on [drug abuse] substance use education and
 84   prevention established by municipalities pursuant to subsection (a) of
 85   Section 4126 of the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 may
 86   serve as a resource for public schools in the field of substance [abuse]
 87   use prevention and education and may assist in the development of out-
 88   of-school activity for students.
 89      Sec. 5. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the general statutes is
 90   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
 91   1, 2026):
 92      (a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-
 93   service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil
 94   personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or
 95   professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such
 96   teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1)
 97   the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in
 98   section 21a-240, to health and personality development, and procedures
 99   for discouraging their abuse, (2) health and mental health risk reduction
100   education that includes, but need not be limited to, the prevention of
101   risk-taking behavior by children and the relationship of such behavior
102   to substance [abuse] use, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases,
103   including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in section 19a-581, as
104   amended by this act, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence
105   and child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution and
106   the prevention of and response to youth suicide, provided such school
107   violence prevention training shall be in a manner prescribed in a school
108   security and safety plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
109   222n, (4) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency life
110   saving procedures, (5) the requirements and obligations of a mandated
111   reporter, (6) the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based
112   structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined
113   in section 10-3d, (7) the laws governing the implementation of planning
114   and placement team meetings and concerning plans pursuant to Section
115   504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time to time, (8)
116   an annual update of the new state and federal policies concerning
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117   special education, recommendations and best practices, and (9)
118   emergency response to students who experience a seizure in a school,
119   including, but not limited to, the recognition of the signs and symptoms
120   of seizures, the appropriate steps for seizure first aid, information about
121   seizure action plans for students and, for those authorized to administer
122   medication under section 10-212a, the administration of seizure rescue
123   medication or prescribed electrical stimulation using a Vagus Nerve
124   Stimulator magnet. The manner and frequency of the provision of the
125   information described in subdivisions (1) to (9), inclusive, of this
126   subsection shall be determined by the professional development and
127   evaluation committee, established pursuant to subsection (b) of this
128   section, provided such information is provided at least once every five
129   years. Each local or regional board of education may allow any
130   paraeducator or noncertified employee to participate, on a voluntary
131   basis, in any in-service training program provided pursuant to this
132   section.
133      Sec. 6. Subsection (h) of section 14-44k of the general statutes is
134   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
135   1, 2026):
136      (h) A person is disqualified for life if such person commits two or
137   more of the offenses specified in subsection (b) of this section, or if such
138   person is the subject of two or more findings by the commissioner under
139   subsection (c) of this section, or any combination of those offenses or
140   findings, arising from two or more separate incidents. A person is
141   disqualified for life if the commissioner takes suspension actions against
142   such person for two or more alcohol test refusals or test failures, or any
143   combination of such actions, arising from two or more separate
144   incidents. Any person disqualified for life, except a person disqualified
145   under subsection (g) of this section, who has both voluntarily enrolled
146   in and successfully completed an appropriate rehabilitation program, as
147   determined by the commissioner, may apply for reinstatement of such
148   person's commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit,
149   provided any such applicant shall not be eligible for reinstatement until
150   such time as such person has served a minimum disqualification period
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151   of ten years. An application for reinstatement shall be accompanied by
152   documentation satisfactory to the commissioner that such person has
153   both voluntarily enrolled in and successfully completed a program
154   established and operated by the Department of Mental Health and
155   Addiction Services pursuant to chapter 319j, a program operated
156   through a substance [abuse] use treatment facility licensed in
157   accordance with section 19a-491, as amended by this act, or the
158   equivalent of either program offered in another state. The commissioner
159   shall not reinstate a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's
160   permit that was disqualified for life unless an applicant for
161   reinstatement requests an administrative hearing in accordance with
162   chapter 54, and offers evidence that the reinstatement of such applicant's
163   commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit does not
164   endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but
165   not be limited to, proof that such applicant has not been convicted of
166   any offense involving alcohol, a controlled substance or a drug during
167   a period of ten years following the date of such applicant's most recent
168   lifetime disqualification. If a person whose commercial driver's license
169   or commercial learner's permit is reinstated under this subsection is
170   subsequently convicted of another disqualifying offense, such person
171   shall be permanently disqualified for life and shall be ineligible to
172   reapply for a reduction of the lifetime disqualification. The following
173   shall remain on the driving history record of a commercial motor vehicle
174   operator or commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit
175   holder for a period of fifty-five years, as required by 49 CFR Part 384, as
176   amended from time to time: (1) Any offense specified in subsection (b)
177   or (c) of this section, provided such offense occurred on or after
178   December 29, 2006; (2) each of two or more offenses specified in
179   subsection (b) or (c) of this section that occur within ten years of each
180   other and result in a lifetime disqualification, regardless of when such
181   offenses occur; (3) any conviction under subsection (g) of this section for
182   using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the
183   manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance,
184   committed on or after January 1, 2005.
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185      Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 17a-4 of the 2026 supplement to the
186   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
187   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
188      (a) There shall be a State Advisory Council on Children and Families
189   which shall consist of the following members: (1) Nineteen members
190   appointed by the Governor, including two persons who are child care
191   professionals, two persons eighteen to twenty-five years of age,
192   inclusive, served by the Department of Children and Families, one child
193   psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this state, one health care
194   professional who has expertise in children's health and is licensed in the
195   state, one attorney who has expertise in legal issues related to children
196   and youth, three members of one or more Youth Advisory Boards, as
197   defined in section 17a-10c, one member of an organization that
198   advocates for the protection and advancement of the legal rights of
199   children, one member of an organization that advocates for policies to
200   promote child welfare and seven persons who shall be representative of
201   young persons, parents and others interested in the delivery of services
202   to children and youths, including child protection, behavioral health
203   and prevention services, at least four of whom shall be parents, foster
204   parents or family members of children who have received, or are
205   receiving, behavioral health services or child welfare services; and (2)
206   six members representing the regional advisory councils established
207   pursuant to section 17a-30, appointed one each by the members of each
208   council. Not more than half the members of the council shall be persons
209   who receive income from a private practice or any public or private
210   agency that delivers mental health, substance [abuse] use, child abuse
211   prevention and treatment or child welfare services. Members of the
212   council shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses
213   incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department of Children
214   and Families shall provide the council with funding to facilitate the
215   participation of those members representing families and youth, as well
216   as for other administrative support services. Members shall serve on the
217   council for terms of two years each and no member shall serve for more
218   than three consecutive terms. The commissioner shall be an ex-officio
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219   member of the council without vote and shall attend its meetings. Any
220   member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or fifty per cent
221   of all meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have
222   resigned. The council shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson to
223   act in the chairperson's absence.
224      Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 17a-22g of the general statutes is
225   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
226   1, 2026):
227      (a) The Judicial Branch and each state agency, community-based
228   program, organization or individual that provides behavioral health or
229   substance [abuse] use prevention and treatment programs that are
230   operated, funded or licensed by the Department of Children and
231   Families pursuant to sections 17a-20, 17a-114, 17a-145, 17a-147, 17a-149,
232   17a-151 and 17a-152 shall provide case specific information to the
233   department for purposes directly connected with the administration of
234   Connecticut Community KidCare in such form and manner as the
235   department requests. The provisions of this section shall be subject to
236   the confidentiality requirements as set forth in applicable federal law.
237      Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 17a-22dd of the general statutes is
238   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
239   1, 2026):
240      (a) Not later than December 1, 2014, the Office of Early Childhood,
241   through the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, shall provide
242   recommendations for implementing the coordination of home visitation
243   programs within the early childhood system that offer a continuum of
244   services to vulnerable families with young children, including
245   prevention, early intervention and intensive intervention, to the joint
246   standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
247   matters relating to appropriations, human services, education and
248   children. Vulnerable families with young children may include, but are
249   not limited to, those facing poverty, trauma, violence, special health care
250   needs, mental, emotional or behavioral health care needs, substance
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251   [abuse] use challenges and teen parenthood. The recommendations
252   shall address, at a minimum:
253     (1) A common referral process for families requesting home visitation
254   programs;
255      (2) A core set of competencies and required training for all home
256   visitation program staff;
257      (3) A core set of standards and outcomes for all programs, including
258   requirements for a monitoring framework;
259       (4) Coordinated training for home visitation and early care providers,
260   to the extent that training is currently provided, on cultural competency,
261   mental health awareness and issues such as child trauma, poverty,
262   literacy and language acquisition;
263     (5) Development of common outcomes;
264      (6) Shared reporting of outcomes, including information on any
265   existing gaps in services, disaggregated by agency and program, which
266   shall be reported annually, pursuant to section 11-4a, to the joint
267   standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
268   matters relating to appropriations, human services and children;
269      (7) Home-based treatment options for parents of young children who
270   are suffering from severe depression; and
271      (8) Intensive intervention services for children experiencing mental,
272   emotional or behavioral health issues, including, but not limited to,
273   relationship-focused intervention services for young children.
274      Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 17a-62a of the general statutes is
275   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
276   1, 2026):
277     (b) The Department of Housing, in collaboration with the
278   Department of Children and Families, within available appropriations,
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279   shall establish a program that provides one or more of the following
280   services for homeless youth: Public outreach, respite housing, and
281   transitional living services for homeless youth and youth at risk of
282   homelessness. The Department of Housing may enter into a contract
283   with nonprofit organizations or municipalities to implement this
284   section. Such program may have the following components:
285      (1) A public outreach and drop-in component that provides youth
286   drop-in centers with walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing
287   supportive services, including one-to-one case management services on
288   a self-referral basis and public outreach that locates, contacts and
289   provides information, referrals and services to homeless youth and
290   youth at risk of homelessness. Such component may include, but need
291   not be limited to, information, referrals and services for (A) family
292   reunification services, conflict resolution or mediation counseling; (B)
293   respite housing, case management aimed at obtaining food, clothing,
294   medical care or mental health counseling, counseling regarding
295   violence, prostitution, substance [abuse] use, sexually transmitted
296   diseases, HIV and pregnancy, and referrals to agencies that provide
297   support services to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness;
298   (C) education, employment and independent living skills; (D) aftercare
299   services; and (E) specialized services for highly vulnerable homeless
300   youth, including teen parents, sexually exploited youth and youth with
301   mental illness or developmental disabilities;
302      (2) A respite housing component that provides homeless youth with
303   referrals and walk-in access to respite care on an emergency basis that
304   includes voluntary housing, with private shower facilities, beds and at
305   least one meal each day, and assistance with reunification with family
306   or a legal guardian when required or appropriate. Services provided at
307   respite housing may include, but need not be limited to, (A) family
308   reunification services or referral to safe housing; (B) individual, family
309   and group counseling; (C) assistance in obtaining clothing; (D) access to
310   medical and dental care and mental health counseling; (E) education
311   and employment services; (F) recreational activities; (G) case
312   management, advocacy and referral services; (H) independent living
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313   skills training; and (I) aftercare services and transportation; and
314      (3) A transitional living component that (A) assists homeless youth in
315   finding and maintaining safe housing, and (B) includes rental assistance
316   and related supportive services. Such component may include, but need
317   not be limited to, (i) educational assessment and referral to educational
318   programs; (ii) career planning, employment, job skills training and
319   independent living skills training; (iii) job placement; (iv) budgeting and
320   money management; (v) assistance in securing housing appropriate to
321   needs and income; (vi) counseling regarding violence, prostitution,
322   substance [abuse] use, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy,
323   referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment; and
324   (vii) parenting skills, self-sufficiency support services or life skills
325   training and aftercare services.
326      Sec. 11. Subsection (e) of section 17a-101j of the general statutes is
327   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
328   1, 2026):
329      (e) If, after the investigation is completed, the commissioner
330   determines that a parent or guardian inflicting abuse or neglecting a
331   child is in need of treatment for substance [abuse] use, the commissioner
332   shall refer such person to appropriate treatment services.
333      Sec. 12. Section 17a-101n of the general statutes is repealed and the
334   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
335      The Department of Children and Families shall collect and analyze
336   data to determine the percentage of the department's cases of child
337   abuse and neglect that involve a parent or guardian with a substance
338   [abuse problem] use disorder and utilize such data to develop strategies
339   to reduce the number of such cases in the future.
340      Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 17a-450 of the general statutes is
341   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
342   1, 2026):
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343      (b) For the purposes of chapter 48, the Department of Mental Health
344   and Addiction Services shall be organized to promote comprehensive,
345   client-based services in the areas of mental health treatment and
346   substance [abuse] use treatment and to ensure the programmatic
347   integrity and clinical identity of services in each area. The department
348   shall perform the functions of: Centralized administration, planning
349   and program development; prevention and treatment programs and
350   facilities, both inpatient and outpatient, for persons with psychiatric
351   disabilities or persons with substance use disorders, or both; community
352   mental health centers and community or regional programs and
353   facilities providing services for persons with psychiatric disabilities or
354   persons with substance use disorders, or both; training and education;
355   and research and evaluation of programs and facilities providing
356   services for persons with psychiatric disabilities or persons with
357   substance use disorders, or both. The department shall include, but not
358   be limited to, the following divisions and facilities or their successor
359   facilities: The office of the Commissioner of Mental Health and
360   Addiction Services; Capitol Region Mental Health Center; Connecticut
361   Valley Hospital, including the Addictions Division and the General
362   Psychiatric Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital; the Whiting
363   Forensic Hospital; the Connecticut Mental Health Center; Ribicoff
364   Research Center; the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System,
365   including the Franklin S. DuBois Center and the Greater Bridgeport
366   Community Mental Health Center; the Southeastern Mental Health
367   Authority; River Valley Services; the Western Connecticut Mental
368   Health Network; and any other state-operated facility for the treatment
369   of persons with psychiatric disabilities or persons with substance use
370   disorders, or both, but shall not include those portions of such facilities
371   transferred to the Department of Children and Families for the purpose
372   of consolidation of children's services. All department divisions and
373   facilities shall provide their patient records to the electronic health
374   record system established pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (c)
375   of this section. Disclosures of patient information from the electronic
376   health record system outside of the department shall be in accordance
377   with applicable federal and state law.
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378      Sec. 14. Subsection (d) of section 17a-450 of the general statutes is
379   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
380   1, 2026):
381      (d) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is
382   designated as the lead state agency for substance [abuse] use prevention
383   and treatment in this state, and as such is designated as the state
384   [methadone] opioid treatment authority. As the designated state
385   [methadone] opioid treatment authority, the department is authorized
386   by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the Substance
387   Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the United
388   States Department of Health and Human Services to exercise
389   responsibility and authority for the treatment of [opiate addiction]
390   opioid use disorder with an opioid medication, and specifically for: (1)
391   Approval of exceptions to federal opioid treatment protocols in
392   accordance with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, (2)
393   monitoring all opioid treatment programs in the state, and (3) approval
394   of Center for Substance Abuse Treatment certification of all opioid
395   treatment programs in the state. The Commissioner of Mental Health
396   and Addiction Services may adopt regulations in accordance with
397   chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
398      Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 17a-451 of the general statutes is
399   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
400   1, 2026):
401      (a) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
402   be a qualified person with a master's degree or higher in a health-related
403   field and at least ten years' experience in hospital, health, mental health
404   or substance [abuse] use administration.
405      Sec. 16. Section 17a-453c of the general statutes is repealed and the
406   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
407      There shall be an interagency collaboration, to be known as "Project
408   Safe", between the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
409   and the Department of Children and Families, for the evaluation of and
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410   service delivery to families identified by the Department of Children
411   and Families as requiring substance [abuse] use and other behavioral
412   health services. Such collaboration shall include, but not be limited to,
413   evaluations, service needs, service delivery, housing, medical coverage,
414   vocation and employment support and other related recovery support
415   services. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services
416   and the Commissioner of Children and Families shall enter into a
417   written memorandum of understanding to carry out the interagency
418   collaboration required under this section. The Department of Social
419   Services and the Labor Department may participate in such
420   collaboration as necessary on a case-by-case basis.
421      Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 17a-456 of the general statutes is
422   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
423   1, 2026):
424      (a) On and before October 1, 2022, there shall be a Board of Mental
425   Health and Addiction Services that shall consist of: (1) Nineteen
426   members appointed by the Governor, subject to the provisions of section
427   4-9a, five of whom shall have had experience in the field of substance
428   use disorders, five of whom shall be from the mental health community,
429   three of whom shall be physicians licensed to practice medicine in this
430   state who have had experience in the field of psychiatry, two of whom
431   shall be psychologists licensed to practice in this state, two of whom
432   shall be persons representing families of individuals with behavioral
433   health disorders, and two of whom shall be persons representing
434   families of individuals recovering from substance use disorders; (2) the
435   chairmen of the regional mental health boards; (3) one designee of each
436   such board; (4) two designees from each of the five subregions
437   represented by the substance abuse subregional planning and action
438   councils; (5) one designee from each mental health region established
439   pursuant to section 17a-478, as amended by this act, each of whom shall
440   represent individuals with psychiatric disabilities, selected by such
441   regional mental health boards in collaboration with advocacy groups;
442   and (6) one designee from each of the five subregions represented by
443   such substance abuse subregional planning and action councils, each of
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444   whom shall represent individuals recovering from substance use
445   disorders, selected by such substance [abuse] use subregional planning
446   and action councils in collaboration with advocacy groups. The
447   members of the board shall serve without compensation except for
448   necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The members
449   of the board may include representatives of nongovernment
450   organizations or groups, and of state agencies, concerned with
451   planning, operation or utilization of facilities providing mental health
452   and substance use disorder services, including consumers and
453   providers of such services who are familiar with the need for such
454   services, except that no more than half of the members of the board shall
455   be providers of such services. Appointed members shall serve on the
456   board for terms of four years each and members who are designees shall
457   serve on the board at the pleasure of the designating authority. No
458   appointed member of the board shall be employed by the state or be a
459   member of the staff of any institution for which such member's
460   compensation is paid wholly by the state. A majority of the board shall
461   constitute a quorum.
462      Sec. 18. Subsections (f) and (g) of section 17a-457 of the general
463   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
464   (Effective October 1, 2026):
465      (f) The board shall advise and assist the Commissioner of Mental
466   Health and Addiction Services on program development and
467   community mental health or substance [abuse] use center construction
468   planning.
469      (g) The board is designated and shall serve as the state advisory
470   council to consult with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
471   Services in administering the state's mental health and substance
472   [abuse] use programs.
473      Sec. 19. Section 17a-464 of the general statutes is repealed and the
474   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
475     The Ribicoff Research Center is established and shall be operated by
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476   the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a facility
477   with state-wide responsibility for research in mental health or substance
478   [abuse] use, or both, to include, but not be limited to, the following
479   areas: Neurochemistry, neurophysiology, clinical behavior and clinical
480   evaluation.
481      Sec. 20. Section 17a-484c of the general statutes is repealed and the
482   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
483      Any licensed residential treatment facility that provides adult mental
484   health or substance [abuse] use treatment services, or both, and receives
485   state funds for the provision of such services shall prepare a discharge
486   plan, including housing referrals, for each client receiving such services
487   prior to such client's release from such residential treatment facility. The
488   Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may adopt
489   regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the provisions
490   of this section.
491      Sec. 21. Subsection (b) of section 17a-484f of the general statutes is
492   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
493   1, 2026):
494      (b) The duties of each regional behavioral health action organization,
495   within its mental health region, shall include, but need not be limited to:
496   (1) Assessing the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents and
497   adults across the region and engaging with stakeholders to identify
498   needs, problems, barriers and gaps in the behavioral health service
499   continuum, (2) enhancing the capacity of local communities to
500   understand and address problem gambling, (3) raising awareness and
501   advocating for the general public for mental health promotion and
502   substance [abuse] use prevention, treatment and recovery, (4) receiving
503   and expanding federal, state and local funds and leveraging funds to
504   support behavioral health promotion, prevention, treatment and
505   recovery activities, (5) serving on local, regional and state advisory and
506   planning bodies, (6) within available appropriations, providing training
507   in the administration of an opioid antagonist, as defined in section 17a-
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508   714a, and distributing supplies of opioid antagonists to communities,
509   (7) reporting community needs, program review findings and
510   conclusions annually to the relevant local, regional and state
511   stakeholders with recommendations for the establishment, modification
512   or expansion of behavioral health services within the mental health
513   region, and (8) serving as the regional partner responsible for
514   coordinating and aligning federal, state, regional and local behavioral
515   health initiatives.
516      Sec. 22. Subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of section 17a-485d of the
517   general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
518   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
519      (c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall take such action as may
520   be necessary to amend the Medicaid state plan to provide for coverage
521   of optional adult rehabilitation services supplied by providers of mental
522   health services or substance [abuse] use rehabilitation services for adults
523   with serious and persistent mental illness or who have alcoholism or
524   other substance use disorders, that are certified by the Department of
525   Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Commissioner of Social
526   Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of
527   chapter 54, to implement optional rehabilitation services under the
528   Medicaid program. The commissioner shall implement policies and
529   procedures to administer such services while in the process of adopting
530   such policies or procedures in regulation form, provided notice of
531   intention to adopt the regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law
532   Journal within forty-five days of implementation, and any such policies
533   or procedures shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.
534      (d) Not later than February 1, 2006, the Commissioner of Mental
535   Health and Addiction Services, in consultation with the Commissioners
536   of Children and Families and Social Services shall report, in accordance
537   with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of
538   the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public
539   health, human services and appropriations and the budgets of state
540   agencies, on any moneys received by the state as federal Medicaid
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541   reimbursement for providing coverage of optional rehabilitation
542   services for children and adults.
543      (e) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
544   have the authority to certify providers of mental health or substance
545   [abuse] use rehabilitation services for adults with serious and persistent
546   mental illness or who have alcoholism or other substance use disorders
547   for the purpose of coverage of optional rehabilitation services. The
548   Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall adopt
549   regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for
550   purposes of certification of such providers. The commissioner shall
551   implement policies and procedures for purposes of such certification
552   while in the process of adopting such policies or procedures in
553   regulation form, provided notice of intention to adopt the regulations is
554   printed in the Connecticut Law Journal no later than twenty days after
555   implementation and any such policies and procedures shall be valid
556   until the time the regulations are effective.
557      Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 17a-485i of the general statutes is
558   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
559   1, 2026):
560      (a) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall,
561   within available appropriations, operate a behavioral health recovery
562   program to provide clinical substance [abuse] use treatment, psychiatric
563   treatment and nonclinical recovery support services, which are not
564   covered under the Medicaid program, for individuals with substance
565   use disorders or psychiatric disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid
566   pursuant to Sections 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and 1902(k)(2) of the Social
567   Security Act. Services provided under the program may include, but
568   shall not be limited to, residential substance [abuse] use treatment,
569   recovery support services, peer supports, housing assistance,
570   transportation, food, clothing and personal care items. The Department
571   of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall be responsible for all
572   services and payments related to the provision of the behavioral health
573   recovery support services for eligible recipients.
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574      Sec. 24. Subsections (b) and (c) of section 17a-667 of the general
575   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
576   (Effective October 1, 2026):
577      (b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The
578   Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's
579   designee; (2) the Commissioners of Children and Families, Consumer
580   Protection, Correction, Education, Mental Health and Addiction
581   Services, Public Health, Emergency Services and Public Protection,
582   Aging and Disability Services and Social Services, and the Insurance
583   Commissioner, or their designees; (3) the Chief Court Administrator, or
584   the Chief Court Administrator's designee; (4) the chairperson of the
585   Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the chairperson's designee;
586   (5) the president of The University of Connecticut, or the president's
587   designee; (6) the Chief State's Attorney, or the Chief State's Attorney's
588   designee; (7) the Chief Public Defender, or the Chief Public Defender's
589   designee; (8) the Child Advocate, or the Child Advocate's designee; and
590   (9) the cochairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing
591   committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
592   relating to public health, criminal justice and appropriations, or their
593   designees. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services
594   and the Commissioner of Children and Families shall be cochairpersons
595   of the council and may jointly appoint up to seven individuals to the
596   council as follows: (A) Two individuals in recovery from a substance use
597   disorder or representing an advocacy group for individuals with a
598   substance use disorder; (B) a provider of community-based substance
599   [abuse] use services for adults; (C) a provider of community-based
600   substance [abuse] use services for adolescents; (D) an addiction
601   medicine physician; (E) a family member of an individual in recovery
602   from a substance use disorder; and (F) an emergency medicine
603   physician currently practicing in a Connecticut hospital. The
604   cochairpersons of the council may establish subcommittees and
605   working groups and may appoint individuals other than members of
606   the council to serve as members of the subcommittees or working
607   groups. Such individuals may include, but need not be limited to: (i)
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608   Licensed alcohol and drug counselors; (ii) pharmacists; (iii) municipal
609   police chiefs; (iv) emergency medical services personnel; and (v)
610   representatives of organizations that provide education, prevention,
611   intervention, referrals, rehabilitation or support services to individuals
612   with substance use disorder or chemical dependency.
613      (c) The council shall review policies and practices of state agencies
614   and the Judicial Department concerning substance [abuse] use
615   treatment programs, substance [abuse] use prevention services, the
616   referral of persons to such programs and services, and criminal justice
617   sanctions and programs and shall develop and coordinate a state-wide,
618   interagency, integrated plan for such programs and services and
619   criminal sanctions.
620      Sec. 25. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of
621   section 17a-667a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is
622   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
623   1, 2026):
624      (B) Establishing a publicly accessible electronic information portal, in
625   the form of an Internet web site or application, as a single point of entry
626   for information regarding the availability of (i) beds at a facility in the
627   state for persons in need of medical treatment for (I) [detoxification]
628   withdrawal management for potentially life-threatening symptoms of
629   withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, and (II) rehabilitation or treatment
630   for alcohol dependency, drug dependency or intoxication, and (ii) slots
631   for outpatient treatment using opioid medication that is used to treat
632   opioid use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine. Such
633   examination shall include the ability of the portal to (I) provide real-time
634   data on the availability of beds and slots, including, but not limited to,
635   the types of beds and slots available, the location of such beds and slots
636   and the wait times, if available, for such beds and slots, and (II) be
637   accessible to the public.
638      Sec. 26. Subsection (e) of section 17a-667a of the 2026 supplement to
639   the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
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640   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
641      (e) The Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council shall convene
642   a working group to study substance [abuse] use treatment referral
643   programs that have been established by municipal police departments
644   to refer persons with an opioid use disorder or seeking recovery from
645   drug addiction to substance [abuse] use treatment facilities. The
646   working group shall (1) examine such referral programs, (2) identify any
647   barriers faced by such referral programs, and (3) determine the
648   feasibility of implementing such programs on a state-wide basis. Not
649   later than February 1, 2018, the council shall report, in accordance with
650   the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the
651   General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public
652   health and public safety and security regarding the findings of the
653   working group.
654      Sec. 27. Section 17a-670 of the general statutes is repealed and the
655   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
656      (a) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
657   designate substance [abuse] use planning regions within the state. Such
658   regions and the boundaries of such regions may be redesignated by said
659   department as it deems necessary.
660      (b) The department shall designate subregions within each region
661   established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The boundaries of
662   such subregions may be redesignated by said department as it deems
663   necessary. Each subregion shall be located entirely within the
664   boundaries of a substance [abuse] use planning region.
665      Sec. 28. Subsection (b) of section 17a-673a of the general statutes is
666   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
667   1, 2026):
668      (b) A treatment program that provides treatment or [detoxification]
669   withdrawal management services to any person with an opioid use
670   disorder shall (1) educate such person regarding opioid antagonists and
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671   the administration thereof at the time such person is admitted to or first
672   receives services from such program, (2) offer education regarding
673   opioid antagonists and the administration thereof to the relatives and
674   significant other of such person if the relatives and significant other have
675   been identified by such person, and (3) if there is a prescribing
676   practitioner affiliated with such program who determines that such
677   person would benefit from access to an opioid antagonist, issue a
678   prescription for or deliver to such person at least one dose of an opioid
679   antagonist at the time such person is admitted to or first receives
680   treatment services from such program.
681      Sec. 29. Subsection (b) of section 17a-683 of the general statutes is
682   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
683   1, 2026):
684      (b) Any police officer finding a person who appears to be
685   incapacitated by alcohol shall take him into protective custody and have
686   him brought forthwith to a treatment facility which provides medical
687   triage in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-
688   495, as amended by this act, or to a hospital. The police, in detaining the
689   person and in having him brought forthwith to such a treatment facility
690   or a hospital, shall be taking him into protective custody and shall make
691   every reasonable effort to protect his health and safety. In taking the
692   person into protective custody, the detaining officer may take
693   reasonable steps to protect himself. A taking into protective custody
694   under this section is not an arrest. No entry or other record shall be made
695   to indicate that the person has been arrested or charged with a crime.
696   For purposes of this section "medical triage" means a service which
697   provides immediate assessment of symptoms of substance [abuse] use
698   disorder, the immediate care and treatment of these symptoms as
699   necessary, a determination of need for treatment, and assistance in
700   attaining appropriate continued treatment.
701      Sec. 30. Subsection (d) of section 17a-683 of the general statutes is
702   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
703   1, 2026):
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704      (d) If the medical officer determines that the person requires inpatient
705   treatment, the person shall be (1) admitted to, referred to or detained at
706   a treatment facility that provides medical treatment for [detoxification]
707   withdrawal management or a hospital, or (2) committed to a treatment
708   facility operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
709   Services for emergency treatment pursuant to the provisions of section
710   17a-684, as amended by this act. A person treated under subdivision (1)
711   of this subsection shall be admitted as a voluntary patient, or, if
712   necessary, detained for necessary treatment. If such person is referred
713   to another treatment facility or another hospital, the referring facility or
714   hospital shall arrange for his transportation.
715      Sec. 31. Subsection (a) of section 17a-684 of the general statutes is
716   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
717   1, 2026):
718      (a) A person who is intoxicated at the time of application for
719   commitment pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and who (1) is
720   dangerous to himself or dangerous to others unless committed, (2)
721   needs medical treatment for [detoxification] withdrawal management
722   for potentially life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol or
723   drugs or (3) is incapacitated by alcohol, may be committed for
724   emergency treatment to a treatment facility operated by the Department
725   of Mental Health and Addiction Services or a private treatment facility
726   approved by the department to provide emergency treatment. The
727   requirement that a person be intoxicated at the time of application may
728   be waived if a licensed physician determines that the person is in
729   immediate need of medical treatment for [detoxification] withdrawal
730   management for potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. A
731   refusal to undergo treatment shall not constitute evidence of lack of
732   judgment as to the need for treatment.
733      Sec. 32. Subsection (a) of section 17a-710 of the general statutes is
734   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
735   1, 2026):
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736      (a) It shall be the policy of the Department of Mental Health and
737   Addiction Services to develop and implement treatment programs for
738   pregnant women of any age with substance use disorders and their
739   children. The department shall seek private and public funds for such
740   programs. Each program shall, to the extent possible and within
741   available appropriations, offer comprehensive services, including (1)
742   education and prevention programs in high schools and family
743   planning clinics; (2) outreach services to identify pregnant women with
744   substance use disorders early and enroll them in prenatal care and
745   substance [abuse] use treatment programs; (3) case management
746   services; (4) hospital care with substance [abuse] use treatment available
747   in coordination with obstetric services; (5) pediatric care, including
748   therapeutic care for neurologically, behaviorally or developmentally
749   impaired infants; (6) child care for other siblings; (7) classes on parenting
750   skills; (8) home visitation for those who need additional support or who
751   are reluctant to enter a treatment program; (9) access to WIC and other
752   entitlement programs; (10) vocational training for mothers seeking entry
753   to the job market; and (11) a housing component. To the extent possible
754   all services shall be coordinated to be delivered from a centralized
755   location, utilizing medical vans where available and providing
756   transportation assistance when needed.
757      Sec. 33. Subdivision (2) of section 17a-750 of the general statutes is
758   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
759   1, 2026):
760     (2) "Human services" means services provided to persons or families
761   experiencing difficulty in meeting their basic human needs for (A)
762   physical survival, including their need for food, shelter, clothing and
763   maintenance of minimum income, (B) preparing for and sustaining
764   employment, (C) job readiness, including employment and training
765   programs and child care programs, (D) social support and interaction,
766   especially in time of personal or family crisis, (E) assistance in
767   addressing specific pathologies, such as health, mental health and
768   substance [abuse] use, and (F) access to available appropriate services,
769   such as education, transportation, information and referral services and
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770   includes remedial and preventative services targeted to low and
771   moderate income individuals and families, by age group or by specific
772   need;
773     Sec. 34. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 17a-838 of the 2026
774   supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
775   substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
776      (8) "Medical setting" means gatherings or gathering places where
777   physical health, mental health, or both are addressed, including, but not
778   limited to, hospitals, clinics, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities,
779   mental health treatment sessions, psychological evaluations, substance
780   [abuse] use treatment sessions, crisis intervention and appointments or
781   other treatment requiring the presence of a doctor, nurse, medical staff
782   or other health care professional; and
783     Sec. 35. Subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 17b-28 of the 2026
784   supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
785   substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
786      (4) Three appointed by the majority leader of the House of
787   Representatives, one of whom shall be an advocate for persons with
788   substance [abuse disabilities] use disorders, one of whom shall be a
789   Medicaid dental provider and one of whom shall be a representative of
790   the for-profit nursing home industry;
791      Sec. 36. Subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 17b-59d of the
792   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
793   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
794      (2) Such request for proposals may require an eligible organization
795   responding to the request to: (A) Have not less than three years of
796   experience operating either a state-wide health information exchange in
797   any state or a regional exchange serving a population of not less than
798   one million that (i) enables the exchange of patient health information
799   among health care providers, patients and other authorized users
800   without regard to location, source of payment or technology, (ii)
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801   includes, with proper consent, behavioral health and substance [abuse]
802   use treatment information, (iii) supports transitions of care and care
803   coordination through real-time health care provider alerts and access to
804   clinical information, (iv) allows health information to follow each
805   patient, (v) allows patients to access and manage their health data, and
806   (vi) has demonstrated success in reducing costs associated with
807   preventable readmissions, duplicative testing or medical errors; (B) be
808   committed to, and demonstrate, a high level of transparency in its
809   governance, decision-making and operations; (C) be capable of
810   providing consulting to ensure effective governance; (D) be regulated or
811   administratively overseen by a state government agency; and (E) have
812   sufficient staff and appropriate expertise and experience to carry out the
813   administrative, operational and financial responsibilities of the State-
814   wide Health Information Exchange.
815      Sec. 37. Subsection (c) of section 17b-112 of the 2026 supplement to
816   the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
817   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
818      (c) A family who is subject to time-limited benefits may petition the
819   Commissioner of Social Services for six-month extensions of such
820   benefits. The commissioner shall grant not more than two extensions to
821   such family who has made a good faith effort to comply with the
822   requirements of the program and despite such effort has a total family
823   income below one hundred per cent of the federal poverty level, or has
824   encountered circumstances preventing employment including, but not
825   limited to: (1) Domestic violence or physical harm to such family's
826   children; or (2) other circumstances beyond such family's control. The
827   commissioner shall disregard ninety dollars of earned income in
828   determining applicable family income. The commissioner may grant a
829   subsequent six-month extension if each adult in the family meets one or
830   more of the following criteria: (A) The adult is precluded from engaging
831   in employment activities due to domestic violence or another reason
832   beyond the adult's control; (B) the adult has two or more substantiated
833   barriers to employment including, but not limited to, the lack of
834   available child care, substance [abuse or addiction] use disorder, severe
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835   mental or physical health problems, one or more severe learning
836   disabilities, domestic violence or a child who has a serious physical or
837   behavioral health problem; or (C) the adult is employed and works less
838   than thirty-five hours per week due to (i) a documented medical
839   impairment that limits the adult's hours of employment, provided the
840   adult works the maximum number of hours that the medical condition
841   permits, or (ii) the need to care for a disabled member of the adult's
842   household, provided the adult works the maximum number of hours
843   the adult's caregiving responsibilities permit. Families receiving
844   temporary family assistance shall be notified by the department of the
845   right to petition for such extensions. Notwithstanding the provisions of
846   this section, the commissioner shall not provide benefits under the
847   state's temporary family assistance program to a family that is subject to
848   the thirty-six-month benefit limit and has received benefits beginning
849   on or after October 1, 1996, if such benefits result in that family's
850   receiving more than sixty months of time-limited benefits unless that
851   family experiences domestic violence, as defined in Section 402(a)(7)(B),
852   P.L. 104-193. For the purpose of calculating said sixty-month limit: (I) A
853   month shall count toward the limit if the family receives assistance for
854   any day of the month, provided any months of temporary family
855   assistance received during the public health emergency declared by
856   Governor Ned Lamont related to the COVID-19 pandemic shall not be
857   included, and (II) a month in which a family receives temporary
858   assistance for needy families benefits that are issued from a jurisdiction
859   other than Connecticut shall count toward the limit.
860      Sec. 38. Section 17b-112d of the general statutes is repealed and the
861   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
862      A person convicted of any offense under federal or state law, on or
863   after August 22, 1996, which (1) is classified as a felony, and (2) has as
864   an element the possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance,
865   as defined in Subsection (6) of 21 USC 802, shall be eligible for benefits
866   pursuant to the temporary assistance for needy families program or the
867   supplemental nutrition assistance program pursuant to the Food and
868   Nutrition Act of 2008, if such person has completed a sentence imposed
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869   by a court. A person shall also be eligible for said benefits if such person
870   is satisfactorily serving a sentence of a period of probation or is in the
871   process of completing or has completed a sentence imposed by the court
872   of mandatory participation in a substance [abuse] use treatment
873   program or mandatory participation in a substance [abuse] use testing
874   program.
875      Sec. 39. Subsection (c) of section 17b-191 of the 2026 supplement to
876   the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
877   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
878      (c) To be eligible for cash assistance under the program, a person shall
879   (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older; (B) a minor found by a court to
880   be emancipated pursuant to section 46b-150; or (C) under eighteen years
881   of age and the commissioner determines good cause for such person's
882   eligibility, and (2) not have assets exceeding five hundred dollars or, if
883   such person is married, such person and his or her spouse shall not have
884   assets exceeding one thousand dollars. In determining eligibility, the
885   commissioner shall disregard from income (A) all United States
886   Department of Veterans Affairs-administered non-service-connected
887   pension benefits, Aid and Attendance pension benefits and
888   Housebound pension benefits that are granted to a veteran, as defined
889   in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran; and (B) any
890   tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to
891   the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded
892   under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program
893   financed in whole or in part with federal funds. No person who [is] has
894   a substance [abuser] use disorder and refuses or fails to enter available,
895   appropriate treatment shall be eligible for cash assistance under the
896   program until such person enters treatment. No person whose benefits
897   from the temporary family assistance program have terminated as a
898   result of time-limited benefits or for failure to comply with a program
899   requirement shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program.
900      Sec. 40. Subsection (a) of section 17b-194 of the general statutes is
901   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
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902   1, 2026):
903       (a) For the purposes of this section and sections 17b-131, 17b-191 to
904   17b-193, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17b-195, as amended by this
905   act, 17b-197 and 17b-198, (1) an "employable person" means one (A) who
906   is sixteen years of age or older but less than sixty-five years of age; and
907   (B) who has no documented physical or mental impairment prohibiting
908   such person from working or participating in an education, training or
909   other work-readiness program, or who has such an impairment which
910   is expected to last less than two months, as determined by the
911   commissioner; (2) an "unemployable person" means a person who (A) is
912   under sixteen years of age or sixty-five years of age or older or fifty-five
913   years of age or older with a history of chronic unemployment; (B) has a
914   physical or mental impairment prohibiting such person from working
915   or participating in an education, training or other work-readiness
916   program, which is expected to last at least six months, as determined by
917   the commissioner; (C) is pending receipt of supplemental security
918   income, Social Security income or financial assistance through another
919   program administered by the Department of Social Services; (D) is
920   needed to care for a child under two years of age or to care for an
921   incapacitated child or spouse; (E) is a full-time high school student in
922   good standing; or (F) is a VISTA volunteer; and (3) a "transitional
923   person" means one (A) who has a documented physical or mental
924   impairment which prevents employment and is expected to last at least
925   two months, but less than six months, as determined by the
926   commissioner, and who has a recent connection to the labor market,
927   unless circumstances precluded participation in the labor force, as
928   determined by the commissioner; or (B) whose determination of
929   unemployability or disability, as defined by the commissioner, is
930   pending and who provides medical documentation of a severe physical
931   or mental impairment which is expected to last at least six months. A
932   person who [is a substance abuser] has a substance use disorder shall be
933   required to participate in treatment, including counseling, and shall be
934   eligible for assistance while waiting for treatment.
935      Sec. 41. Section 17b-195 of the general statutes is repealed and the
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936   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
937      Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, when a
938   person who is ineligible for financial assistance due to his or her
939   employability status is currently in or enters a residential substance
940   [abuse] use treatment facility, the Department of Social Services or the
941   Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall pay his or
942   her room and board while at such facility, provided the person is eligible
943   to receive medical assistance. Such assistance shall be paid directly to
944   the treatment facility at a rate established by the Department of Social
945   Services or negotiated by the Department of Mental Health and
946   Addiction Services.
947      Sec. 42. Section 17b-241 of the general statutes is repealed and the
948   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
949      (a) Any rates established by the Commissioner of Social Services in
950   effect February 1, 1991, for mental health and substance [abuse] use
951   residential facilities shall remain in effect through June 30, 1992, except
952   those which would have been decreased effective July 1, 1991, shall be
953   decreased. Any rate increases made during the fiscal year ending June
954   30, 1993, shall not exceed the most recent annual increase in the
955   consumer price index for urban consumers.
956      (b) Any rates established by the Commissioner of Social Services in
957   effect February 1, 1991, for freestanding [detoxification] withdrawal
958   management centers shall remain in effect through June 30, 1992, except
959   those which would have been decreased effective July 1, 1991, shall be
960   decreased. Any rate increases made during the fiscal years ending June
961   30, 1993, June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1995, shall not exceed the most
962   recent annual increase in the consumer price index for urban consumers.
963   Any freestanding [detoxification] withdrawal management center
964   which has an established rate below the average and, due to a material
965   change in circumstances resulting in financial hardship, is aggrieved by
966   a rate determined pursuant to this subsection may, within ten days of
967   receipt of written notice of such rate from the commissioner, request in
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968   writing a hearing on such rate. The commissioner shall, upon the receipt
969   of all documentation necessary to evaluate the request, determine
970   whether there has been such a change in circumstances and shall
971   conduct a hearing if appropriate.
972      Sec. 43. Section 17b-241a of the general statutes is repealed and the
973   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
974      Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the
975   Commissioner of Social Services may reimburse the Department of
976   Mental Health and Addiction Services for targeted case management
977   services that it provides to its target population, which, for purposes of
978   this section, shall include individuals with severe and persistent
979   psychiatric illness and individuals with [persistent substance
980   dependence] substance use disorder. The Commissioners of Social
981   Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, in consultation
982   with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall ensure
983   that all expenditures for intensive care management eligible for
984   Medicaid reimbursement are submitted to the Centers for Medicare and
985   Medicaid Services.
986      Sec. 44. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 17b-689c of the
987   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
988   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
989      (1) The Department of Social Services shall perform an initial
990   assessment in the following areas: Education, employment and training
991   history, basic educational needs and other social service needs,
992   including transportation, child care, child support, domestic violence,
993   substance [abuse] use and mental health.
994      Sec. 45. Subsection (a) of section 17b-694 of the general statutes is
995   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
996   1, 2026):
997     (a) The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner
998   of Social Services and the Commissioner of Mental Health and
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 999   Addiction Services, shall administer a grant program, within available
1000   appropriations, to fund employment placement projects for recipients
1001   of state-administered general assistance or recipients of Medicaid who
1002   are eighteen to twenty years of age. A grant may be awarded to (1) a
1003   municipality or group of towns which form a region based on a project
1004   plan providing education, training or other assistance in securing
1005   employment, (2) a private substance [abuse] use or mental health
1006   services provider based on a project plan incorporating job placement
1007   in the treatment process, or (3) a nonprofit organization providing
1008   employment services when no municipality or group of towns elect to
1009   apply for such a grant for a given geographic area. A plan may include
1010   cash incentives as a supplement to wages for recipients who work.
1011      Sec. 46. Section 18-69b of the general statutes is repealed and the
1012   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1013     The Department of Correction shall establish rehabilitative
1014   programs, including, but not limited to, substance [abuse] use, academic
1015   and vocational education services and work-release and job training, for
1016   women incarcerated at the York Correctional Institution.
1017      Sec. 47. Subsection (a) of section 18-69c of the general statutes is
1018   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1019   1, 2026):
1020      (a) The Commissioner of Correction shall ensure that at least one
1021   departmental or contracted, licensed health care provider who is
1022   employed at the York Correctional Institution (1) has been trained in
1023   prenatal and postpartum medical care, and (2) has knowledge of and
1024   the ability to educate any inmate who is pregnant concerning prenatal
1025   nutrition, high-risk pregnancy and [addiction and substance abuse]
1026   substance use during pregnancy and childbirth.
1027      Sec. 48. Subsection (g) of section 18-69c of the general statutes is
1028   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1029   1, 2026):
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1030      (g) The York Correctional Institution shall provide a pregnant inmate,
1031   prior to the inmate's release, with counseling and discharge planning to
1032   ensure, to the extent feasible, the continuity of prenatal and pregnancy-
1033   related care, including substance [abuse] use programs and treatment
1034   referrals when deemed appropriate.
1035      Sec. 49. Subsection (a) of section 18-87k of the general statutes is
1036   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1037   1, 2026):
1038      (a) The Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission shall: (1)
1039   Develop and recommend policies for preventing prison and jail
1040   overcrowding; (2) examine the impact of statutory provisions and
1041   current administrative policies on prison and jail overcrowding and
1042   recommend legislation to the Governor and the General Assembly; (3)
1043   research and gather relevant statistical data and other information
1044   concerning the impact of efforts to prevent prison and jail overcrowding
1045   and make such information available to criminal justice agencies and
1046   members of the General Assembly; (4) advise the undersecretary of the
1047   Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division on policies and
1048   procedures to promote more effective and cohesive state criminal justice
1049   and juvenile justice systems and to develop and implement the offender
1050   reentry strategy as provided in section 18-81w; (5) monitor
1051   developments throughout the state's criminal justice system; (6) identify
1052   specific needs for reentry services in geographic areas throughout the
1053   state; (7) identify institution-based and community-based programs and
1054   services that effectively address offender needs and reduce recidivism
1055   including, but not limited to, education and training, employment
1056   preparation and job bank, transitional health care, family support,
1057   substance [abuse] use, domestic violence and sexual offender programs
1058   and services; and (8) assist the undersecretary of the Criminal Justice
1059   Policy and Planning Division in developing the recommendations
1060   included in the report and presentation made by the division pursuant
1061   to section 4-68p.
1062     Sec. 50. Section 18-100f of the general statutes is repealed and the
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1063   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1064      Unless otherwise ordered by the court, whenever an arrested person
1065   charged with the commission of no crime other than a class D or E felony
1066   or a misdemeanor, except a violation of section 53a-60a, 53a-60b, 53a-
1067   60c, 53a-60d, 53a-72a, 53a-73a or 53a-181c, is committed by the court to
1068   the custody of the Commissioner of Correction pursuant to section 54-
1069   64a, the commissioner may release such person to a residence approved
1070   by the Department of Correction subject to such conditions as the
1071   commissioner may impose including, but not limited to, participation in
1072   a substance [abuse] use treatment program and being subject to
1073   electronic monitoring or any other monitoring technology or services.
1074   Any person released pursuant to this section shall remain in the custody
1075   of the commissioner and shall be supervised by employees of the
1076   department during the period of such release. Upon the violation by
1077   such person of any condition of such release, the commissioner may
1078   revoke such release and return such person to confinement in a
1079   correctional facility.
1080      Sec. 51. Section 19a-6d of the general statutes is repealed and the
1081   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1082      The Commissioner of Public Health and the Commissioner of Mental
1083   Health and Addiction Services shall, within available appropriations,
1084   develop a tobacco [abuse] use reduction and health plan and shall
1085   submit such plan to the joint standing committees of the General
1086   Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and
1087   appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, not later than April 1,
1088   2001. The plan shall consider and recommend actions to (1) reduce
1089   tobacco and substance [abuse] use, and (2) address the unmet physical
1090   and mental health needs of the state, taking into account the most recent
1091   version of the state health plan prepared by the Department of Public
1092   Health pursuant to section 19a-7.
1093     Sec. 52. Subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 19a-6h of the
1094   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
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1095   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1096      (2) Inventory the state's existing primary care infrastructure,
1097   including, but not limited to, (A) the number of primary care providers
1098   practicing in the state, (B) the total amount of money expended on
1099   public and private primary care services during the last fiscal year, (C)
1100   the number of public and private buildings or offices used primarily for
1101   the rendering of primary care services, including, but not limited to,
1102   hospitals, mental health facilities, dental offices, school-based health
1103   clinics, community-based health centers and academic health centers.
1104   For the purposes of this subdivision, "primary care provider" means any
1105   physician, dentist, nurse, provider of services for persons with
1106   psychiatric disabilities or persons with intellectual disability, or other
1107   person involved in providing primary medical, nursing, counseling, or
1108   other health care, substance [abuse] use or mental health service,
1109   including such services associated with, or under contract to, a health
1110   maintenance organization or medical services plan.
1111      Sec. 53. Subsection (b) of section 19a-7c of the general statutes is
1112   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1113   1, 2026):
1114      (b) The contract for pregnant women shall include coverage for: (1)
1115   Physician visits for diagnosis and treatment; (2) prenatal and postnatal
1116   care; and (3) outpatient hospital care; and may include coverage for: (A)
1117   Labor and delivery; (B) laboratory and diagnostic tests; (C) prescription
1118   drugs; (D) physical therapy; (E) mental health and substance [abuse] use
1119   visits; and (F) inpatient care, including mental health and substance
1120   [abuse] use treatment, subject to eighty per cent coinsurance on the first
1121   two thousand five hundred dollars of expenses.
1122      Sec. 54. Section 19a-7e of the general statutes is repealed and the
1123   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1124     The Department of Public Health, in consultation with the
1125   Department of Social Services, shall establish a three-year
1126   demonstration program to improve access to health care for uninsured
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1127   pregnant women under two hundred fifty per cent of the poverty level.
1128   Services to be covered by the program shall include, but not be limited
1129   to, the professional services of obstetricians, dental care providers,
1130   physician assistants or midwives on the staff of the sponsoring hospital
1131   and community-based providers; services of pediatricians for purposes
1132   of assistance in delivery and postnatal care; dietary counseling; dental
1133   care; substance [abuse] use counseling, and other ancillary services
1134   which may include substance [abuse] use treatment and mental health
1135   services, as required by the patient's condition, history or circumstances;
1136   necessary pharmaceutical and other durable medical equipment during
1137   the prenatal period; and postnatal care, as well as preventative and
1138   primary care for children up to age six in families in the eligible income
1139   level. The program shall encourage the acquisition, sponsorship and
1140   extension of existing outreach activities and the activities of mobile,
1141   satellite and other outreach units. The Commissioner of Public Health
1142   shall issue a request for proposals to Connecticut hospitals. Such request
1143   shall require: (1) An interactive relationship between the hospital,
1144   community health centers, community-based providers and the healthy
1145   start program; (2) provisions for case management; (3) provisions for
1146   financial eligibility screening, referrals and enrollment assistance where
1147   appropriate to the medical assistance program, the healthy start
1148   program or private insurance; and (4) provisions for a formal liaison
1149   function between hospitals, community health centers and other health
1150   care providers. Hospitals participating in the program shall report
1151   monthly to the Departments of Public Health and Social Services or their
1152   designees and annually to the joint standing committees of the General
1153   Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and
1154   human services such information as the departments and the
1155   committees deem necessary.
1156      Sec. 55. Subsection (b) of section 19a-124 of the general statutes is
1157   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1158   1, 2026):
1159     (b) The programs shall: (1) Be incorporated into existing human
1160   immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C outreach and prevention
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1161   programs in the selected communities; (2) provide access to free and
1162   confidential exchanges of syringes; (3) provide for safe disposal or
1163   exchange of syringes; (4) provide that first-time applicants to the
1164   program receive an initial packet of syringes, educational material and
1165   a list of drug counseling services; (5) offer education on the human
1166   immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, reduction in harm caused by such
1167   viruses, and drug overdose prevention measures and assist program
1168   participants in obtaining drug treatment services; (6) provide referrals
1169   for substance [abuse] use counseling or treatment; and (7) provide
1170   referrals for medical or mental health care.
1171      Sec. 56. Subsection (a) of section 19a-490 of the general statutes is
1172   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1173   1, 2026):
1174      (a) "Institution" means a hospital, short-term hospital special hospice,
1175   hospice inpatient facility, residential care home, nursing home facility,
1176   home health care agency, home health aide agency, behavioral health
1177   facility, assisted living services agency, substance [abuse] use treatment
1178   facility, outpatient surgical facility, outpatient clinic, clinical laboratory,
1179   blood collection facility, source plasma donation center, birth center, an
1180   infirmary operated by an educational institution for the care of students
1181   enrolled in, and faculty and employees of, such institution; a facility
1182   engaged in providing services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment
1183   or care of human health conditions, including facilities operated and
1184   maintained by any state agency; and a residential facility for persons
1185   with intellectual disability licensed pursuant to section 17a-227 and
1186   certified to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid program as an
1187   intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disability.
1188   "Institution" does not include any facility for the care and treatment of
1189   persons with mental illness or substance use disorder operated or
1190   maintained by any state agency, except Whiting Forensic Hospital and
1191   the hospital and psychiatric residential treatment facility units of the
1192   Albert J. Solnit Children's Center;
1193      Sec. 57. Section 19a-490h of the general statutes is repealed and the
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1194   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1195      (a) Each hospital licensed by the Department of Public Health as a
1196   short-term general hospital, outpatient surgical facility or outpatient
1197   clinic shall include in the record of each trauma patient a notation
1198   indicating the extent and outcome of screening for alcohol and
1199   substance [abuse] use disorder. For purposes of this section, "trauma
1200   patient" means a patient of sufficient age to be at risk of alcohol and
1201   substance [abuse] use disorder with a traumatic injury, as defined in the
1202   most recent edition of the International Classification of Disease, who is
1203   admitted to the hospital on an inpatient basis, is transferred to or from
1204   an acute care setting, dies or requires emergent trauma team activation.
1205      (b) Each such hospital shall establish protocols for screening patients
1206   for alcohol and substance [abuse] use disorder.
1207      (c) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, after
1208   consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall assist each
1209   hospital required to conduct alcohol and substance [abuse] use disorder
1210   screening pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section with the
1211   development and implementation of alcohol and substance [abuse] use
1212   disorder screening protocols.
1213      Sec. 58. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 19a-490q of the
1214   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1215   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1216      (1) "Health care employer" means any institution, as defined in
1217   section 19a-490, as amended by this act, with fifty or more full or part-
1218   time employees. "Health care employer" includes a facility for the care
1219   or treatment of mentally ill persons or persons with substance [abuse
1220   issues] use disorder, a residential facility for persons with intellectual
1221   disability licensed pursuant to section 17a-227, and a community health
1222   center, as defined in section 19a-490a; and
1223      Sec. 59. Subsection (a) of section 19a-491 of the general statutes is
1224   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
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1225   1, 2026):
1226      (a) No person acting individually or jointly with any other person
1227   shall establish, conduct, operate or maintain an institution in this state
1228   without a license as required by this chapter, except for persons issued
1229   a license by the Commissioner of Children and Families pursuant to
1230   section 17a-145 for the operation of (1) a substance [abuse] use treatment
1231   facility, or (2) a facility for the purpose of caring for women during
1232   pregnancies and for women and their infants following such
1233   pregnancies, provided such exception shall not apply to the hospital and
1234   psychiatric residential treatment facility units of the Albert J. Solnit
1235   Children's Center. Application for such license shall (A) be made to the
1236   Department of Public Health upon forms provided by it, (B) be
1237   accompanied by the fee required under subsection (c), (d) or (e) of this
1238   section, (C) contain such information as the department requires, which
1239   may include affirmative evidence of ability to comply with reasonable
1240   standards and regulations prescribed under the provisions of this
1241   chapter, and (D) not be required to be notarized. The commissioner may
1242   require as a condition of licensure that an applicant sign a consent order
1243   providing reasonable assurances of compliance with the Public Health
1244   Code. The commissioner may issue more than one chronic disease
1245   hospital license to a single institution until such time as the state offers
1246   a rehabilitation hospital license.
1247      Sec. 60. Subsection (d) of section 19a-495 of the general statutes is
1248   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1249   1, 2026):
1250      (d) The Commissioner of Public Health, in consultation with the
1251   Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, may
1252   implement policies and procedures, in compliance with federal law,
1253   permitting licensed health care providers with prescriptive authority to
1254   prescribe medications to treat persons [dependent on opiates] with
1255   opioid use disorder in freestanding substance [abuse] use treatment
1256   facilities, licensed under section 19a-490, as amended by this act, while
1257   in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation
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1258   form, provided the commissioner prints notice of the intent to adopt
1259   regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than thirty days
1260   after the date of implementation of such policies and procedures.
1261   Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall
1262   be valid until the time final regulations are adopted.
1263      Sec. 61. Section 19a-495c of the general statutes is repealed and the
1264   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1265      A substance [abuse] use treatment facility licensed as an institution
1266   pursuant to section 19a-490, as amended by this act, and providing
1267   medication-assisted treatment for opioid [addiction] use disorder shall
1268   be permitted to provide methadone delivery and related substance use
1269   treatment services to persons in a nursing home facility licensed
1270   pursuant to section 19a-493. The Department of Public Health may
1271   allow the delivery of methadone and related substance use treatment
1272   services to a nursing home facility if the Commissioner of Public Health
1273   determines that such delivery would not endanger the health, safety or
1274   welfare of any patient. No such delivery shall be conducted unless a
1275   substance [abuse] use treatment facility proposing the delivery of
1276   methadone and related substance use treatment services has made a
1277   request for such delivery in a form and manner prescribed by the
1278   commissioner and the commissioner has approved such request. Upon
1279   approving a request, the commissioner may impose conditions that
1280   assure the health, safety or welfare of any patient. The commissioner
1281   may revoke the approval of a request upon a finding that the health,
1282   safety or welfare of any patient has been jeopardized.
1283      Sec. 62. Section 19a-509e of the general statutes is repealed and the
1284   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1285      Each hospital shall establish and implement, on or before October 1,
1286   1992, a protocol whereby each patient who shows symptoms of
1287   substance [abuse] use disorder, shall be provided with informational
1288   referrals to (1) entitlement programs for which the patient may be
1289   eligible; (2) area substance [abuse] use treatment programs; and (3)
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1290   appropriate community-based support services.
1291      Sec. 63. Subdivisions (11) and (12) of section 19a-581 of the general
1292   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1293   (Effective October 1, 2026):
1294      (11) "Health facility" means an institution, as defined in section 19a-
1295   490, as amended by this act, blood bank, blood center, sperm bank,
1296   organ or tissue bank, clinical laboratory or facility providing care or
1297   treatment to persons with psychiatric disabilities or persons with
1298   intellectual disability or a facility for the treatment of substance [abuse]
1299   use disorder;
1300      (12) "Health care provider" means any physician, physician assistant,
1301   dentist, nurse, provider of services for persons with psychiatric
1302   disabilities or persons with intellectual disability or other person
1303   involved in providing medical, nursing, counseling, or other health
1304   care, substance [abuse] use or mental health service, including such
1305   services associated with, or under contract to, a health maintenance
1306   organization or medical services plan;
1307      Sec. 64. Subdivision (10) of section 19a-630 of the 2026 supplement to
1308   the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1309   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1310      (10) "Health care facility" means (A) hospitals licensed by the
1311   Department of Public Health under chapter 368v; (B) specialty hospitals;
1312   (C) freestanding emergency departments; (D) outpatient surgical
1313   facilities, as defined in section 19a-493b and licensed under chapter
1314   368v; (E) a hospital or other facility or institution operated by the state
1315   that provides services that are eligible for reimbursement under Title
1316   XVIII or XIX of the federal Social Security Act, 42 USC 301, as amended;
1317   (F) a central service facility; (G) mental health facilities; (H) substance
1318   [abuse] use treatment facilities; and (I) any other facility requiring
1319   certificate of need review pursuant to subsection (a) of section 19a-638,
1320   as amended by this act. "Health care facility" includes any parent
1321   company, subsidiary, affiliate or joint venture, or any combination
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1322   thereof, of any such facility.
1323      Sec. 65. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 19a-638 of the
1324   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1325   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1326     (5) The termination of inpatient or outpatient services offered by a
1327   hospital, including, but not limited to, the termination by a short-term
1328   acute care general hospital or children's hospital of inpatient and
1329   outpatient mental health and substance [abuse] use services;
1330      Sec. 66. Section 19a-902 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1331   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1332      On or before January 1, 2011, the Department of Public Health, in
1333   consultation with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
1334   Services, may (1) amend the department's substance [abuse] use
1335   treatment regulations; (2) implement a dual licensure program for
1336   behavioral health care providers who provide both mental health
1337   services and substance [abuse] use services; or (3) permit the use of
1338   saliva-based drug screening or urinalysis when conducting initial and
1339   subsequent drug screenings of persons who [abuse] use substances
1340   other than alcohol at facilities which are licensed by the Department of
1341   Public Health.
1342      Sec. 67. Section 20-14i of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes
1343   is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
1344   October 1, 2026):
1345      Notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 378, said chapter shall not
1346   prohibit the administration of medication to persons (1) attending day
1347   programs, residing in residential facilities or receiving individual and
1348   family support, under the jurisdiction of the Departments of Children
1349   and Families, Correction, Developmental Services and Mental Health
1350   and Addiction Services, (2) being detained in juvenile residential centers
1351   or residing in residential facilities dually licensed by the Department of
1352   Children and Families and the Department of Public Health, (3) residing
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1353   in substance [abuse] use treatment facilities licensed by the Department
1354   of Children and Families pursuant to section 17a-145 when such
1355   medication is administered by trained persons, pursuant to the written
1356   order of a physician licensed under this chapter, a dentist licensed under
1357   chapter 379, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe
1358   in accordance with section 20-94a or a physician assistant licensed to
1359   prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, authorized to prescribe
1360   such medication, or (4) residing in facilities licensed or certified by the
1361   Department of Developmental Services, provided (A) such
1362   administration of medication is performed using an auto injector and
1363   limited to the administration of epinephrine or insulin to treat an acute
1364   allergic reaction or diabetes, and (B) such administration of medication
1365   is performed by a trained person who has received specialized training
1366   in the administration of medication by auto injector, as prescribed by
1367   the Commissioner of Developmental Services. The provisions of this
1368   section shall not apply to institutions, facilities or programs licensed
1369   pursuant to chapter 368v.
1370      Sec. 68. Subdivisions (4) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of section
1371   20-74s of the general statutes are repealed and the following is
1372   substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1373      (4) "Practice of alcohol and drug counseling" means (A) the clinical
1374   evaluation by a licensed alcohol and drug counselor of substance use
1375   disorders and co-occurring disorders, including screening, assessment
1376   and diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling, therapy, trauma-
1377   informed care and psychoeducation with individuals, families and
1378   groups in the areas of substance use disorders and co-occurring
1379   disorders, and may include, as appropriate, (i) conducting a substance
1380   use disorder screening or psychosocial history evaluation of an
1381   individual to document the individual's use of drugs prescribed for
1382   pain, other prescribed drugs, illegal drugs and alcohol to determine the
1383   individual's risk for substance [abuse] use disorder, (ii) developing a
1384   preliminary diagnosis for the individual based on such screening or
1385   evaluation, (iii) determining the individual's risk for [abuse] misuse of
1386   drugs prescribed for pain [,] and other prescribed drugs, or use of illegal
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1387   drugs and alcohol, (iv) developing a treatment plan and referral options
1388   for the individual to ensure the individual's recovery support needs are
1389   met, and (v) developing and submitting an opioid use consultation
1390   report to an individual's primary care provider to be reviewed by the
1391   primary care provider and included in the individual's medical record,
1392   or (B) the professional application by a certified alcohol and drug
1393   counselor of methods that assist an individual or group to develop an
1394   understanding of alcohol and drug dependency problems, define goals
1395   and plan action reflecting the individual's or group's interest, abilities
1396   and needs as affected by alcohol and drug dependency problems;
1397      (5) "Private practice of alcohol and drug counseling" means the
1398   independent practice of alcohol and drug counseling by a licensed or
1399   certified alcohol and drug counselor who is self-employed on a full-time
1400   or part-time basis and who is responsible for that independent practice;
1401     (6) "Self-help group" means a voluntary group of persons who offer
1402   peer support to each other in recovering from [an addiction] a substance
1403   use disorder;
1404      Sec. 69. Section 20-74ss of the general statutes is repealed and the
1405   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1406      The Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action
1407   set forth in section 19a-17 against a radiologist assistant for any of the
1408   following reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards of
1409   the profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining
1410   or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice as a radiologist assistant;
1411   (4) fraud or deceit in the practice of the profession; (5) negligent,
1412   incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical,
1413   mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to
1414   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
1415   substance [abuse] use; (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital,
1416   patient or other record pertaining to the profession; or (9) violation of
1417   any provision of sections 20-74nn to 20-74tt, inclusive, and subsection
1418   (c) of section 19a-14. The commissioner may order a license holder to
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1419   submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if the physical or
1420   mental capacity of the license holder to practice safely is the subject of
1421   an investigation. The commissioner may petition the superior court for
1422   the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken
1423   pursuant to said section 19a-17. The commissioner shall give notice and
1424   an opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action under said
1425   section 19a-17.
1426      Sec. 70. Subsection (b) of section 20-94d of the general statutes is
1427   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1428   1, 2026):
1429      (b) Except as provided in this section, for registration periods
1430   beginning on and after October 1, 2014, a licensee applying for license
1431   renewal shall earn a minimum of fifty contact hours of continuing
1432   education within the preceding twenty-four-month period. Such
1433   continuing education shall: (1) Be in an area of the advanced practice
1434   registered nurse's practice; (2) reflect the professional needs of the
1435   licensee in order to meet the health care needs of the public; (3) include
1436   at least five contact hours of training or education in
1437   pharmacotherapeutics; (4) include at least one contact hour of training
1438   or education in each of the following topics: (A) Infectious diseases,
1439   including, but not limited to, acquired immune deficiency syndrome
1440   and human immunodeficiency virus, (B) risk management, (C) sexual
1441   assault, (D) domestic violence, (E) cultural competency, and (F)
1442   substance [abuse] use disorders, including, but not limited to,
1443   prescribing controlled substances and pain management; (5) on and
1444   after January 1, 2016, include not less than two contact hours of training
1445   or education during the first renewal period in which continuing
1446   education is required and not less than once every six years thereafter
1447   on the topic of mental health conditions common to veterans and family
1448   members of veterans, including (A) determining whether a patient is a
1449   veteran or family member of a veteran, (B) screening for conditions such
1450   as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief,
1451   and (C) suicide prevention training; and (6) on and after January 1, 2020,
1452   may include not less than two contact hours of training or education
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1453   during the first renewal period in which continuing education is
1454   required and not less than once every six years thereafter in diagnosing
1455   and treating cognitive or mental health conditions, including, but not
1456   limited to, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, delirium, related cognitive
1457   impairments and geriatric depression. For purposes of this section,
1458   qualifying continuing education activities include, but are not limited
1459   to, courses, including on-line courses, offered or approved by the
1460   American Nurses Association, Connecticut Hospital Association,
1461   Connecticut Nurses Association, Connecticut League for Nursing, a
1462   specialty nursing society or an equivalent organization in another
1463   jurisdiction, an educational offering sponsored by a hospital or other
1464   health care institution or a course offered by a regionally accredited
1465   academic institution or a state or local health department. The
1466   commissioner may grant a waiver of not more than ten contact hours of
1467   continuing education for an advanced practice registered nurse who:
1468   (A) Engages in activities related to the advanced practice registered
1469   nurse's service as a member of the Connecticut State Board of Examiners
1470   for Nursing, established pursuant to section 20-88; or (B) assists the
1471   department with its duties to boards and commissions as described in
1472   section 19a-14.
1473      Sec. 71. Section 20-162cc of the general statutes is repealed and the
1474   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1475      The Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action
1476   set forth in section 19a-17 against a perfusionist for any of the following
1477   reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards of the
1478   profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining or
1479   seeking reinstatement of a license to practice perfusion; (4) fraud or
1480   deceit in the practice of the profession; (5) negligent, incompetent or
1481   wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical, mental or
1482   emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to conform to the
1483   accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or substance [abuse]
1484   use; (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital, patient or other
1485   record pertaining to the profession; or (9) violation of any provision of
1486   sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive, as amended by this act. The
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1487   commissioner may order a license holder to submit to a reasonable
1488   physical or mental examination if the physical or mental capacity of the
1489   license holder to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The
1490   commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of
1491   Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to said
1492   section 19a-17. The commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity
1493   to be heard on any contemplated action under said section 19a-17.
1494      Sec. 72. Section 20-185m of the general statutes is repealed and the
1495   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1496      The Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action
1497   set forth in section 19a-17 against a behavior analyst for any of the
1498   following reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards of
1499   the profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining
1500   or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice behavior analysis; (4)
1501   fraud or deceit in the practice of behavior analysis; (5) negligent,
1502   incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical,
1503   mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to
1504   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
1505   substance [abuse] use; or (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital,
1506   patient or other record pertaining to behavior analysis. The
1507   commissioner may order a license holder to submit to a reasonable
1508   physical or mental examination if his or her physical or mental capacity
1509   to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The commissioner
1510   may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to
1511   enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17. The
1512   commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any
1513   contemplated action under section 19a-17.
1514      Sec. 73. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 20-195dd of the general
1515   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1516   (Effective October 1, 2026):
1517      (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this
1518   section, an applicant for a license as a professional counselor shall
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1519   submit evidence satisfactory to the commissioner of having: (1) (A)
1520   Earned a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling as part of
1521   a program of higher learning accredited by the Council for
1522   Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or a
1523   successor organization, or (B) (i) completed at least sixty graduate
1524   semester hours in counseling or a related mental health field at a
1525   regionally accredited institution of higher education that included
1526   coursework in each of the following areas: (I) Human growth and
1527   development; (II) social and cultural foundations; (III) counseling
1528   theories; (IV) counseling techniques; (V) group counseling; (VI) career
1529   counseling; (VII) appraisals or tests and measurements to individuals
1530   and groups; (VIII) research and evaluation; (IX) professional orientation
1531   to mental health counseling; (X) addiction and substance [abuse] use
1532   counseling; (XI) trauma and crisis counseling; and (XII) diagnosis and
1533   treatment of mental and emotional disorders, (ii) earned from a
1534   regionally accredited institution of higher education a graduate degree
1535   in counseling or a related mental health field, (iii) completed a one-
1536   hundred-hour practicum in counseling taught by a faculty member
1537   licensed or certified as a professional counselor or its equivalent in
1538   another state, and (iv) completed a six-hundred-hour clinical mental
1539   health counseling internship taught by a faculty member licensed or
1540   certified as a professional counselor or its equivalent in another state; (2)
1541   acquired three thousand hours of postgraduate experience under
1542   professional supervision, including a minimum of one hundred hours
1543   of direct professional supervision, in the practice of professional
1544   counseling, performed over a period of not less than two years; and (3)
1545   passed an examination prescribed by the commissioner. The provisions
1546   of subparagraphs (B)(i)(X) to (B)(i)(XII), inclusive, (B)(iii) and (B)(iv) of
1547   this subsection shall not apply to any applicant who, on or before July
1548   1, 2017, was a matriculating student in good standing in a graduate
1549   degree program at a regionally accredited institution of higher
1550   education in one of the fields required under subparagraph (B) of this
1551   subsection.
1552     (b) An applicant for a license as a professional counselor associate
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1553   shall submit to the Commissioner of Public Health evidence satisfactory
1554   to the commissioner of having (1) earned a graduate degree in clinical
1555   mental health counseling as part of a program of higher learning
1556   accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related
1557   Educational Programs, or a successor organization, or (2) (A) completed
1558   at least sixty graduate semester hours in counseling or a related mental
1559   health field at a regionally accredited institution of higher education
1560   that included coursework in each of the following areas: Human growth
1561   and development; social and cultural foundations; counseling theories;
1562   counseling techniques; group counseling; career counseling; appraisals
1563   or tests and measurements to individuals and groups; research and
1564   evaluation; professional orientation to mental health counseling;
1565   addiction and substance [abuse] use counseling; trauma and crisis
1566   counseling; and diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional
1567   disorders, (B) completed a one-hundred-hour practicum in counseling
1568   taught by a faculty member licensed or certified as a professional
1569   counselor or its equivalent in another state, (C) completed a six-
1570   hundred-hour clinical mental health counseling internship taught by a
1571   faculty member licensed or certified as a professional counselor or its
1572   equivalent in another state, and (D) earned from a regionally accredited
1573   institution of higher education a graduate degree in counseling or a
1574   related mental health field. The provisions of subparagraphs (A) to (C),
1575   inclusive, of subdivision (2) of this subsection shall not apply to any
1576   applicant who, on or before July 1, 2022, earned a graduate degree at a
1577   regionally accredited institution of higher education in counseling or a
1578   related mental health field and has accumulated at least three thousand
1579   hours of experience under professional supervision, as defined in
1580   section 20-195aa.
1581      Sec. 74. Section 20-195ee of the general statutes is repealed and the
1582   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1583      The Commissioner of Public Health may deny an application of an
1584   individual or take any disciplinary action set forth in section 19a-17
1585   against a professional counselor or professional counselor associate for
1586   any of the following reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted
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1587   standards of the profession; (2) conviction of a felony, provided any
1588   action taken is based upon (A) the nature of the conviction and its
1589   relationship to the license holder's ability to safely or competently
1590   practice professional counseling, (B) information pertaining to the
1591   degree of rehabilitation of the license holder, and (C) the time elapsed
1592   since the conviction or release; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining or seeking
1593   reinstatement of a license to practice professional counseling; (4) fraud
1594   or deceit in the practice of professional counseling; (5) negligent,
1595   incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical,
1596   mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to
1597   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
1598   substance [abuse] use; (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital,
1599   patient or other record pertaining to professional counseling; or (9)
1600   violation of any provision of sections 20-195aa to 20-195dd, inclusive, as
1601   amended by this act, or any regulation adopted pursuant to section 20-
1602   195ff. The commissioner may order a license holder to submit to a
1603   reasonable physical or mental examination if his physical or mental
1604   capacity to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The
1605   commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of
1606   Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to said
1607   section 19a-17. The commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity
1608   to be heard on any contemplated action under said section 19a-17.
1609      Sec. 75. Section 20-195tt of the general statutes is repealed and the
1610   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1611      The Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action
1612   set forth in section 19a-17 against a genetic counselor for any of the
1613   following reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards of
1614   the profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining
1615   or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice genetic counseling; (4)
1616   fraud or deceit in the practice of genetic counseling; (5) negligent,
1617   incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical,
1618   mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to
1619   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
1620   substance [abuse] use; or (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital,
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1621   patient or other record pertaining to genetic counseling. The
1622   commissioner may order a license holder to submit to a reasonable
1623   physical or mental examination if his or her physical or mental capacity
1624   to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The commissioner
1625   may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to
1626   enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17. The
1627   commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any
1628   contemplated action under section 19a-17.
1629      Sec. 76. Section 20-195kkk of the general statutes is repealed and the
1630   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1631       The Commissioner of Public Health may deny an application of an
1632   individual or take any disciplinary action set forth in section 19a-17
1633   against a music therapist for any of the following reasons: (1) Failure to
1634   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (2) conviction of a
1635   felony, provided any action taken is based upon (A) the nature of the
1636   conviction and its relationship to the license holder's ability to safely or
1637   competently practice as a music therapist, (B) information pertaining to
1638   the degree of rehabilitation of the license holder, and (C) the time
1639   elapsed since the conviction or release; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining
1640   or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice music therapy; (4) fraud
1641   or deceit in the practice of music therapy; (5) negligent, incompetent or
1642   wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical, mental or
1643   emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to conform to the
1644   accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or substance [abuse]
1645   use; or (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital, patient or other
1646   record pertaining to music therapy. The commissioner may order a
1647   license holder to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination
1648   if such license holder's physical or mental capacity to practice safely is
1649   the subject of an investigation. The commissioner may petition the
1650   superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order
1651   or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17. The commissioner shall
1652   give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action
1653   under section 19a-17.
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1654      Sec. 77. Section 20-195qqq of the general statutes is repealed and the
1655   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1656      The Commissioner of Public Health may deny an application of an
1657   individual or take any disciplinary action set forth in section 19a-17
1658   against an art therapist for any of the following reasons: (1) Failure to
1659   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (2) conviction of a
1660   felony, provided any action taken is based upon (A) the nature of the
1661   conviction and its relationship to the license holder's ability to safely or
1662   competently practice as an art therapist, (B) information pertaining to
1663   the degree of rehabilitation of the license holder, and (C) the time
1664   elapsed since the conviction or release; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining
1665   or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice art therapy; (4) fraud or
1666   deceit in the practice of art therapy; (5) negligent, incompetent or
1667   wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical, mental or
1668   emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to conform to the
1669   accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or substance [abuse]
1670   use; or (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital, patient or other
1671   record pertaining to art therapy. The commissioner may order a license
1672   holder to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if his
1673   or her physical or mental capacity to practice safely is the subject of an
1674   investigation. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the
1675   judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken
1676   pursuant to section 19a-17. The commissioner shall give notice and an
1677   opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action under section 19a-
1678   17.
1679      Sec. 78. Subsection (h) of section 20-206bb of the general statutes is
1680   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1681   1, 2026):
1682     (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section,
1683   any person who maintains certification with the National Acupuncture
1684   Detoxification Association may practice the five-point auricular
1685   acupuncture protocol specified as part of such certification program as
1686   an adjunct therapy for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse and
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1687   other behavioral interventions for which the protocol is indicated,
1688   provided the treatment is performed under the supervision of a
1689   physician licensed under chapter 370, a physician assistant licensed
1690   under chapter 370, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under
1691   chapter 378 or an acupuncturist licensed under chapter 384c and is
1692   performed in (1) a private freestanding facility licensed by the
1693   Department of Public Health that provides care or treatment for
1694   [substance abusive or dependent persons] persons with substance use
1695   disorder, (2) a setting operated by the Department of Mental Health and
1696   Addiction Services, or (3) any other setting where such protocol is an
1697   appropriate adjunct therapy to a substance [abuse] use or behavioral
1698   health treatment program. The Commissioner of Public Health may
1699   adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to
1700   implement the provisions of this section.
1701      Sec. 79. Section 20-206nn of the general statutes is repealed and the
1702   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1703      The Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action
1704   set forth in section 19a-17 against a paramedic, emergency medical
1705   technician, emergency medical responder, advanced emergency
1706   medical technician or emergency medical services instructor for any of
1707   the following reasons: (1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards
1708   of the profession; (2) conviction of a felony, in accordance with the
1709   provisions of section 46a-80; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining or seeking
1710   reinstatement of a license to practice paramedicine or a certificate to
1711   practice as an emergency medical technician, emergency medical
1712   responder, advanced emergency medical technician or emergency
1713   medical services instructor; (4) fraud or deceit in the practice of
1714   paramedicine, the provision of emergency medical services or the
1715   provision of emergency medical services education; (5) negligent,
1716   incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; (6) physical,
1717   mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting in an inability to
1718   conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
1719   substance [abuse] use; or (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital,
1720   patient or other health record. The commissioner may take any such
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1721   disciplinary action against emergency medical services personnel for
1722   violation of any provision of section 20-206mm or any regulations
1723   adopted pursuant to section 20-206oo. The commissioner may order a
1724   license or certificate holder to submit to a reasonable physical or mental
1725   examination if his or her physical or mental capacity to practice safely is
1726   the subject of an investigation. The commissioner may petition the
1727   superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order
1728   or any action taken pursuant to section 19a-17. The commissioner shall
1729   give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action
1730   under said section 19a-17.
1731      Sec. 80. Subsection (h) of section 20-660 of the general statutes is
1732   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1733   1, 2026):
1734      (h) The provisions of this section do not apply to any person licensed
1735   in this state to provide medical, dental, nursing, counseling or other
1736   health care, substance [abuse] use or mental health services.
1737      Sec. 81. Subsection (a) of section 21a-252 of the general statutes is
1738   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1739   1, 2026):
1740      (a) A physician, in good faith and in the course of the physician's
1741   professional practice only, may prescribe, administer and dispense
1742   controlled substances, or may cause the same to be administered by a
1743   physician assistant, nurse or intern under the physician's direction and
1744   supervision, for demonstrable physical or mental disorders but not for
1745   drug dependence except in accordance with state and federal laws and
1746   regulations adopted thereunder. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
1747   subsection the Department of Consumer Protection may approve
1748   protocols allowing the dispensing of take-home doses of methadone, by
1749   a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, to outpatients in duly
1750   licensed substance [abuse] use treatment facilities. Such dispensing shall
1751   be done pursuant to the order of a licensed prescribing practitioner and
1752   using computerized dispensing equipment into which bulk supplies of
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1753   methadone are dispensed by a pharmacist. The quantity of methadone
1754   dispensed by such nurse shall not exceed at any one time that amount
1755   allowed under federal or state statutes or regulations governing the
1756   treatment of drug dependent patients. The Department of Consumer
1757   Protection shall conduct inspections of such treatment facilities to
1758   ensure that the computerized dispensing equipment and related
1759   dispensing procedures documented in the approved protocols are
1760   adhered to.
1761      Sec. 82. Subsection (a) of section 21a-274a of the general statutes is
1762   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1763   1, 2026):
1764      (a) There is established a drug enforcement grant program which
1765   shall be administered by the Office of Policy and Management. Grants
1766   may be made to municipalities, the Department of Emergency Services
1767   and Public Protection and the Division of Criminal Justice for the
1768   purpose of enforcing federal and state laws concerning controlled
1769   substances, undertaking crime prevention activities related to the
1770   enforcement of such laws, substance [abuse] use prevention education
1771   or training related to such enforcement or education activities. The
1772   Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall adopt
1773   regulations in accordance with chapter 54 for the administration of this
1774   subsection, including the establishment of priorities, program
1775   categories, eligibility requirements, funding limitations and the
1776   application process. Such regulations shall provide that the costs of a
1777   community-based police program, as defined in the regulations, may be
1778   paid from a grant made under this section.
1779      Sec. 83. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 21a-279 of the
1780   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1781   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1782     (2) For a second offense of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court
1783   shall evaluate such person and, if the court determines such person is a
1784   drug-dependent person, the court may suspend prosecution of such
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1785   person and order such person to undergo a substance [abuse] use
1786   treatment program.
1787      Sec. 84. Subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 21a-279a of the
1788   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1789   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1790      (2) For an offense under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court
1791   shall evaluate such person and, if the court determines such person is a
1792   drug-dependent person, the court may suspend prosecution of such
1793   person and order such person to undergo a substance [abuse] use
1794   treatment program.
1795      Sec. 85. Subsection (b) of section 21a-322 of the general statutes is
1796   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1797   1, 2026):
1798      (b) If a practitioner dispenses, administers or prescribes any
1799   controlled substance to a patient, the practitioner shall make available
1800   to the Department of Consumer Protection, for inspection by the
1801   department, records of medical evaluations associated with dispensing,
1802   administering or prescribing such controlled substance. Such records
1803   shall be confidential and not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom
1804   of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200. The department may
1805   inspect such records solely for the purpose of investigating any violation
1806   or suspected violation, or enforcing any provision, of this chapter or any
1807   regulation promulgated under this chapter. Nothing in this subsection
1808   shall be construed to require disclosure of any substance [abuse] use
1809   treatment record that is protected from disclosure under 42 USC 290dd-
1810   2, as amended from time to time, or other applicable federal law.
1811      Sec. 86. Subsection (b) of section 21a-420f of the 2026 supplement to
1812   the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1813   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1814      (b) On and after July 1, 2022, there is established a fund to be known
1815   as the "Cannabis Prevention and Recovery Services Fund". The fund
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1816   shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund
1817   and shall be held by the Treasurer separate and apart from all other
1818   moneys, funds and accounts. Amounts in the fund may be expended
1819   only pursuant to appropriation by the General Assembly. Any balance
1820   remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried
1821   forward in the fund for the fiscal year next succeeding. Moneys in the
1822   fund shall be appropriated for the purposes of (1) substance [abuse] use
1823   prevention, treatment and recovery services, which may include, but
1824   need not be limited to, the (A) provision of youth cannabis use
1825   prevention services by the local advisory councils on drug use and
1826   prevention established by municipalities pursuant to subsection (a) of
1827   Section 4126 of the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, as
1828   amended from time to time, regional behavioral health action
1829   organizations described in section 17a-484f, as amended by this act, or
1830   youth service bureaus established pursuant to section 10-19m, and (B)
1831   development of a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the
1832   mental and physical health risks of youth cannabis use and cannabis use
1833   by pregnant persons, and (2) collection and analysis of data regarding
1834   substance use. The Social Equity Council may make recommendations
1835   to any relevant state agency regarding expenditures to be made for the
1836   purposes set forth in this subsection.
1837      Sec. 87. Subsection (b) of section 31-40v of the general statutes is
1838   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1839   1, 2026):
1840      (b) The chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission, in
1841   consultation with the Labor Commissioner and in accordance with the
1842   provisions of chapter 54, shall adopt regulations to carry out the
1843   provisions of this section. The regulations shall (1) prescribe the
1844   membership of safety and health committees to ensure representation
1845   of employees and employers; (2) specify the frequency of committee
1846   meetings; (3) require employers to make, file and maintain adequate
1847   written records of each committee meeting subject to inspection by the
1848   chairman or his authorized designee; (4) require employers to
1849   compensate employee representatives at their regular hourly wage
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1850   while the employee representatives are engaged in safety and health
1851   committee training or are attending committee meetings; (5) prescribe
1852   the duties and functions of safety and health committees, which shall
1853   include (A) establishing procedures for workplace safety inspections by
1854   the committee, (B) establishing procedures for investigating all safety
1855   incidents, accidents, illnesses and deaths, (C) evaluating accident and
1856   illness prevention programs, (D) establishing training programs for the
1857   identification and reduction of hazards in the workplace which damage
1858   the reproductive systems of employees, and (E) establishing training
1859   programs to assist committee members in understanding and
1860   identifying the effects of employee substance [abuse] use on workplace
1861   accidents and safety; and (6) prescribe guidelines for the training of
1862   safety and health committee members.
1863      Sec. 88. Subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of section 38a-479qq of the
1864   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1865   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1866       (6) "Health care services" means any care, service or treatment of an
1867   illness or dysfunction of, or injury to, the human body. "Health care
1868   services" includes physician care, inpatient care, hospital surgical
1869   services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, dental care
1870   services, vision care services, mental health care services, substance
1871   [abuse] use disorder services, chiropractic services, podiatric services,
1872   laboratory test services and the provision of medical equipment or
1873   supplies. "Health care services" does not include pharmaceutical
1874   supplies or prescriptions;
1875      Sec. 89. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 38a-488a of the general
1876   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1877   (Effective October 1, 2026):
1878     (a) For the purposes of this section:
1879     (1) (A) "Mental or nervous conditions" means mental disorders, as
1880   defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric
1881   Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
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1882      (B) "Mental or nervous conditions" does not include (i) intellectual
1883   disability, (ii) specific learning disorders, (iii) motor disorders, (iv)
1884   communication disorders, (v) caffeine-related disorders, (vi) relational
1885   problems, and (vii) other conditions that may be a focus of clinical
1886   attention, that are not otherwise defined as mental disorders in the most
1887   recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and
1888   Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
1889     (2) "Benefits payable" means the usual, customary and reasonable
1890   charges for treatment deemed necessary under generally accepted
1891   medical standards, except that in the case of a managed care plan, as
1892   defined in section 38a-478, "benefits payable" means the payments
1893   agreed upon in the contract between a managed care organization, as
1894   defined in section 38a-478, and a provider, as defined in section 38a-478.
1895     (3) "Acute treatment services" means twenty-four-hour medically
1896   supervised treatment for a substance use disorder, that is provided in a
1897   medically managed or medically monitored inpatient facility.
1898      (4) "Clinical stabilization services" means twenty-four-hour clinically
1899   managed [postdetoxification] post-withdrawal management treatment,
1900   including, but not limited to, relapse prevention, family outreach,
1901   aftercare planning and addiction education and counseling.
1902      (b) Each individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the
1903   type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469
1904   delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this
1905   state shall provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of mental or
1906   nervous conditions. Benefits payable include, but need not be limited to:
1907      (1) General inpatient hospitalization, including in state-operated
1908   facilities;
1909     (2) Medically necessary acute treatment services and medically
1910   necessary clinical stabilization services;
1911     (3) General hospital outpatient services, including at state-operated
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1912   facilities;
1913      (4) Psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, including in state-operated
1914   facilities;
1915     (5) Psychiatric outpatient hospital services, including at state-
1916   operated facilities;
1917      (6) Intensive outpatient services, including at state-operated facilities;
1918      (7) Partial hospitalization, including at state-operated facilities;
1919     (8) Intensive, home-based or evidence-based services designed to
1920   address specific mental or nervous conditions in a child or adolescent;
1921      (9) Evidence-based family-focused therapy that specializes in the
1922   treatment of juvenile substance use disorders;
1923      (10) Short-term family therapy intervention;
1924      (11) Nonhospital inpatient [detoxification] withdrawal management;
1925      (12) Medically monitored [detoxification] withdrawal management;
1926      (13) Ambulatory [detoxification] withdrawal management;
1927      (14) Inpatient services at psychiatric residential treatment facilities;
1928      (15) Rehabilitation services provided in residential treatment
1929   facilities, general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals or psychiatric facilities;
1930      (16) Observation beds in acute hospital settings;
1931     (17) Psychological and neuropsychological testing conducted by an
1932   appropriately licensed health care provider;
1933     (18) Trauma screening conducted by a licensed behavioral health
1934   professional;
1935      (19) Depression screening, including maternal depression screening,
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1936   conducted by a licensed behavioral health professional; and
1937     (20) Substance use screening conducted by a licensed behavioral
1938   health professional.
1939      Sec. 90. Section 38a-488d of the general statutes is repealed and the
1940   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1941      No individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the type
1942   specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 that
1943   is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this
1944   state on or after January 1, 2020, shall deny coverage for covered
1945   substance [abuse] use disorder services solely because such substance
1946   [abuse] use disorder services were provided pursuant to an order issued
1947   by a court of competent jurisdiction.
1948      Sec. 91. Section 38a-492p of the general statutes is repealed and the
1949   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
1950      Each insurance company, hospital service corporation, medical
1951   service corporation, health care center, fraternal benefit society or other
1952   entity that delivers, issues for delivery, renews, amends or continues in
1953   this state an individual health insurance policy providing coverage of
1954   the type specified in subdivision (1), (2), (4), (11) or (12) of section 38a-
1955   469 that provides coverage to an insured or enrollee who has been
1956   diagnosed with a substance use disorder, as described in section 17a-
1957   458, shall cover medically necessary, medically monitored inpatient
1958   [detoxification] withdrawal management services and medically
1959   necessary, medically managed intensive inpatient [detoxification]
1960   withdrawal management services provided to the insured or enrollee.
1961   For purposes of this section, ["medically monitored inpatient
1962   detoxification" and "medically managed intensive inpatient
1963   detoxification"]    "medically      monitored      inpatient     withdrawal
1964   management" and "medically managed intensive inpatient withdrawal
1965   management" have the same meanings as described in the most recent
1966   edition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Treatment
1967   Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related and Co-Occurring Conditions.
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1968      Sec. 92. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 38a-514 of the general
1969   statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1970   (Effective October 1, 2026):
1971     (a) For the purposes of this section:
1972     (1) (A) "Mental or nervous conditions" means mental disorders, as
1973   defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric
1974   Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
1975      (B) "Mental or nervous conditions" does not include (i) intellectual
1976   disability, (ii) specific learning disorders, (iii) motor disorders, (iv)
1977   communication disorders, (v) caffeine-related disorders, (vi) relational
1978   problems, and (vii) other conditions that may be a focus of clinical
1979   attention, that are not otherwise defined as mental disorders in the most
1980   recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and
1981   Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
1982     (2) "Benefits payable" means the usual, customary and reasonable
1983   charges for treatment deemed necessary under generally accepted
1984   medical standards, except that in the case of a managed care plan, as
1985   defined in section 38a-478, "benefits payable" means the payments
1986   agreed upon in the contract between a managed care organization, as
1987   defined in section 38a-478, and a provider, as defined in section 38a-478.
1988     (3) "Acute treatment services" means twenty-four-hour medically
1989   supervised treatment for a substance use disorder, that is provided in a
1990   medically managed or medically monitored inpatient facility.
1991      (4) "Clinical stabilization services" means twenty-four-hour clinically
1992   managed [postdetoxification] post-withdrawal management treatment,
1993   including, but not limited to, relapse prevention, family outreach,
1994   aftercare planning and addiction education and counseling.
1995     (b) Except as provided in subsection (j) of this section, each group
1996   health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in
1997   subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 delivered,
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1998   issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall
1999   provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of mental or nervous
2000   conditions. Benefits payable include, but need not be limited to:
2001      (1) General inpatient hospitalization, including in state-operated
2002   facilities;
2003     (2) Medically necessary acute treatment services and medically
2004   necessary clinical stabilization services;
2005      (3) General hospital outpatient services, including at state-operated
2006   facilities;
2007      (4) Psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, including in state-operated
2008   facilities;
2009     (5) Psychiatric outpatient hospital services, including at state-
2010   operated facilities;
2011     (6) Intensive outpatient services, including at state-operated facilities;
2012     (7) Partial hospitalization, including at state-operated facilities;
2013     (8) Intensive, home-based or evidence-based services designed to
2014   address specific mental or nervous conditions in a child or adolescent;
2015      (9) Evidence-based family-focused therapy that specializes in the
2016   treatment of juvenile substance use disorders;
2017     (10) Short-term family therapy intervention;
2018     (11) Nonhospital inpatient [detoxification] withdrawal management;
2019     (12) Medically monitored [detoxification] withdrawal management;
2020     (13) Ambulatory [detoxification] withdrawal management;
2021     (14) Inpatient services at psychiatric residential treatment facilities;
2022     (15) Rehabilitation services provided in residential treatment
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2023   facilities, general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals or psychiatric facilities;
2024      (16) Observation beds in acute hospital settings;
2025     (17) Psychological and neuropsychological testing conducted by an
2026   appropriately licensed health care provider;
2027     (18) Trauma screening conducted by a licensed behavioral health
2028   professional;
2029      (19) Depression screening, including maternal depression screening,
2030   conducted by a licensed behavioral health professional; and
2031     (20) Substance use screening conducted by a licensed behavioral
2032   health professional.
2033      Sec. 93. Section 38a-514d of the general statutes is repealed and the
2034   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2035      No group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type
2036   specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 that
2037   is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this
2038   state on or after January 1, 2020, shall deny coverage for covered
2039   substance [abuse] use disorder services solely because such substance
2040   [abuse] use disorder services were provided pursuant to an order issued
2041   by a court of competent jurisdiction.
2042      Sec. 94. Section 38a-518p of the general statutes is repealed and the
2043   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2044      Each insurance company, hospital service corporation, medical
2045   service corporation, health care center, fraternal benefit society or other
2046   entity that delivers, issues for delivery, renews, amends or continues in
2047   this state a group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type
2048   specified in subdivision (1), (2), (4), (11) or (12) of section 38a-469 that
2049   provides coverage to an insured or enrollee who has been diagnosed
2050   with a substance use disorder, as described in section 17a-458, shall
2051   cover medically necessary, medically monitored inpatient
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2052   [detoxification] withdrawal management services and medically
2053   necessary, medically managed intensive inpatient [detoxification]
2054   withdrawal management services provided to the insured or enrollee.
2055   For purposes of this section, ["medically monitored inpatient
2056   detoxification" and "medically managed intensive inpatient
2057   detoxification"]    "medically    monitored    inpatient   withdrawal
2058   management" and "medically managed intensive inpatient withdrawal
2059   management" have the same meanings as described in the most recent
2060   edition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Treatment
2061   Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related and Co-Occurring Conditions.
2062      Sec. 95. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 38a-999 of the
2063   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2064   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2065      (8) Additional protection against unauthorized disclosure of sensitive
2066   health information, which shall include information regarding: Sexually
2067   transmitted diseases; mental health; substance [abuse] use disorder; the
2068   human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency
2069   syndrome; and genetic testing, including the fact that an individual has
2070   undergone a genetic test.
2071      Sec. 96. Subsection (a) of section 46a-11b of the general statutes is
2072   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2073   1, 2026):
2074      (a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter
2075   370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state,
2076   whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for
2077   caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse,
2078   medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist,
2079   optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school
2080   teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school counselor,
2081   paraeducator, licensed behavior analyst, mental health professional,
2082   physician assistant, licensed or certified [substance abuse] alcohol and
2083   drug counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech and
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2084   language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist, physical
2085   therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault counselor or
2086   domestic violence counselor, as defined in section 52-146k, who has
2087   reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with intellectual
2088   disability or any person who receives services from the Department of
2089   Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been
2090   abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but not later than forty-
2091   eight hours after such person has reasonable cause to suspect or believe
2092   that a person with intellectual disability or any person who receives
2093   services from the Department of Social Services' Division of Autism
2094   Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or neglected, report such
2095   information or cause a report to be made in any reasonable manner to
2096   the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee. An unsuccessful
2097   attempt to make an initial report to the commissioner, or the
2098   commissioner's designee, on a weekend, holiday or after normal
2099   business hours shall not be construed as a violation of this section if
2100   reasonable attempts are made by a person required to report under this
2101   subsection to reach the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee,
2102   as soon as practicable after the initial attempt. The initial report shall be
2103   followed up by a written report not later than five calendar days after
2104   the initial report was made. Any person required to report under this
2105   subsection who fails to make such report shall be fined not more than
2106   five hundred dollars. For purposes of this subsection, "reasonable
2107   manner" and "reasonable attempts" mean efforts that include, but are
2108   not limited to, efforts to reach the commissioner, or the commissioner's
2109   designee, by phone, in person or by electronic mail.
2110      Sec. 97. Subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of
2111   section 46a-170 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is
2112   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2113   1, 2026):
2114      (E) Develop a plan for mental health, support and substance [abuse]
2115   use programs for individuals identified as victims of trafficking and
2116   those arrested for prostitution in violation of section 53a-82. The plan
2117   shall provide for (i) the diversion of victims of trafficking and
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2118   prostitution offenders into community-based treatment and support
2119   services, including, but not limited to, substance [abuse] use recovery,
2120   housing, healthcare, job training, treatment and mental health support,
2121   and (ii) after the successful completion of the program, the dismissal of
2122   any related criminal charges against the accused.
2123      Sec. 98. Subsection (c) of section 46b-38d of the general statutes is
2124   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2125   1, 2026):
2126      (c) For the purpose of establishing accurate data on the extent and
2127   severity of family violence in the state and on the degree of compliance
2128   with the requirements of sections 46b-38a to 46b-38f, inclusive, the
2129   Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall
2130   prescribe a form for making family violence offense reports. The form
2131   shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (1) Name of the parties;
2132   (2) relationship of the parties; (3) sex of the parties; (4) date of birth of
2133   the parties; (5) time and date of the incident; (6) whether children were
2134   involved or whether the alleged act of family violence was committed
2135   in the presence of children; (7) type and extent of the alleged abuse; (8)
2136   existence of substance [abuse] use; (9) number and types of weapons
2137   involved; (10) existence of any prior court orders; (11) any other data
2138   that may be necessary for a complete analysis of all circumstances
2139   leading to the arrest.
2140      Sec. 99. Subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of section 46b-129a of the
2141   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2142   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2143      (2) (A) A child shall be represented by counsel knowledgeable about
2144   representing such children who shall be assigned to represent the child
2145   by the office of Chief Public Defender, or appointed by the court if there
2146   is an immediate need for the appointment of counsel during a court
2147   proceeding. Such assignment or appointment shall continue for the
2148   duration of any such proceeding under section 46b-129,
2149   notwithstanding such child's attainment of eighteen years of age. If the
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2150   child's parent or guardian has been accused by a competent witness of
2151   abusing the child, or of causing the child to be neglected or uncared for,
2152   upon the assignment or appointment of counsel, such counsel shall be
2153   granted immediate access to (i) records relating to the child, including,
2154   but not limited to, Department of Social Services records and medical,
2155   mental health and substance [abuse] use treatment, law enforcement
2156   and educational records, without the necessity of securing further
2157   releases, and (ii) the child, for the purpose of consulting with the child
2158   privately. The court shall give the parties prior notice of such
2159   assignment or appointment. Counsel for the child shall act solely as
2160   attorney for the child.
2161      Sec. 100. Subsection (a) of section 51-81d of the general statutes is
2162   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2163   1, 2026):
2164      (a) The Superior Court, in accordance with rules established by the
2165   judges of the Superior Court, may (1) establish a Client Security Fund to
2166   (A) reimburse claims for losses caused by the dishonest conduct of
2167   attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state and incurred in the
2168   course of an attorney-client relationship, (B) provide for crisis
2169   intervention and referral assistance to attorneys admitted to the practice
2170   of law in this state who [suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse
2171   problems or gambling problems, or who have behavioral health
2172   problems] have a mental health or substance use disorder or identified
2173   behavioral health needs, and (C) make grants-in-aid to the organization
2174   administering the program for the use of interest earned on lawyers'
2175   clients' funds accounts pursuant to section 51-81c, for the purpose of
2176   funding the delivery of legal services to the poor, and (2) assess any
2177   person admitted as an attorney by the Superior Court, in accordance
2178   with section 51-80, an annual fee to be deposited in the Client Security
2179   Fund for the purposes described in this subsection. Such crisis
2180   intervention and referral assistance (i) shall be provided with the
2181   assistance of an advisory committee, to be appointed by the Chief Court
2182   Administrator, that includes one or more behavioral health
2183   professionals, and (ii) shall not be deemed to constitute the practice of
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2184   medicine or mental health care.
2185      Sec. 101. Section 51-181b of the general statutes is repealed and the
2186   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2187      (a) The Chief Court Administrator may establish in any court location
2188   or juvenile matters court location a docket separate from other criminal
2189   or juvenile matters for the hearing of criminal or juvenile matters in
2190   which a defendant is a drug-dependent person, as defined in section
2191   21a-240. The docket shall be available to offenders who could benefit
2192   from placement in a substance [abuse] use treatment program.
2193      (b) The Chief Court Administrator shall establish, within the
2194   appropriations designated in public act 03-1 of the June 30 special
2195   session* for said purpose, one or more drug courts for the hearing of
2196   criminal or juvenile matters in which a defendant is a drug-dependent
2197   person, as defined in section 21a-240, who could benefit from placement
2198   in a substance [abuse] use treatment program.
2199      Sec. 102. Subdivision (9) of section 53a-65 of the general statutes is
2200   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2201   1, 2026):
2202      (9) "Psychotherapist" means a physician, psychologist, nurse,
2203   [substance abuse] alcohol and drug counselor, social worker,
2204   clergyman, marital and family therapist, mental health service provider,
2205   hypnotist or other person, whether or not licensed or certified by the
2206   state, who performs or purports to perform psychotherapy.
2207      Sec. 103. Subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 54-36i of the
2208   general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2209   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2210      (a) There is established and created an account of the General Fund
2211   to be known as the "drug assets forfeiture revolving account" for the
2212   purpose of providing funds for substance [abuse] use treatment and
2213   education programs and for use in the detection, investigation,
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2214   apprehension and prosecution of persons for the violation of the laws
2215   pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution or possession of
2216   controlled substances.
2217     (b) The account shall consist of the proceeds from the sale of property
2218   and moneys received and deposited pursuant to section 54-36h.
2219      (c) Moneys in such account shall be distributed as follows: (1) Seventy
2220   per cent shall be allocated to the Department of Emergency Services and
2221   Public Protection and local police departments pursuant to subsection
2222   (d) of this section, fifteen per cent of which shall be used for purposes of
2223   drug education and eighty-five per cent of which shall be used for the
2224   detection, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of persons for
2225   the violation of laws pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale,
2226   distribution or possession of controlled substances and for the purposes
2227   of police training on gang-related violence as required by section 7-294l,
2228   (2) twenty per cent shall be allocated to the Department of Mental
2229   Health and Addiction Services for substance [abuse] use treatment and
2230   education programs and tobacco prevention and enforcement positions
2231   engaged in compliance activities as required by the federal government
2232   as a condition of receipt of substance [abuse] use prevention and
2233   treatment block grant funds, and (3) ten per cent shall be allocated to the
2234   Division of Criminal Justice for use in the prosecution of persons for the
2235   violation of laws pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution
2236   or possession of controlled substances.
2237      Sec. 104. Subsections (b) to (f), inclusive, of section 54-56g of the
2238   general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2239   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2240      (b) The court, after consideration of the recommendation of the state's
2241   attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in
2242   charge of the case, may, in its discretion, grant such application. If the
2243   court grants such application, the court shall refer such person to the
2244   Court Support Services Division for assessment and confirmation of the
2245   eligibility of the applicant and to the Department of Mental Health and
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2246   Addiction Services for evaluation. The Court Support Services Division,
2247   in making its assessment and confirmation, may rely on the
2248   representations made by the applicant under oath in open court with
2249   respect to convictions in other states of offenses specified in subsection
2250   (a) of this section. Upon confirmation of eligibility and receipt of the
2251   evaluation report, the defendant shall be referred to the Department of
2252   Mental Health and Addiction Services by the Court Support Services
2253   Division for placement in an appropriate alcohol intervention program
2254   for one year, or be placed in a state-licensed substance [abuse] use
2255   treatment program. The alcohol intervention program shall include a
2256   ten-session intervention program and a fifteen-session intervention
2257   program. Any person who enters the pretrial alcohol education
2258   program shall agree: (1) To the tolling of the statute of limitations with
2259   respect to such crime, (2) to a waiver of such person's right to a speedy
2260   trial, (3) to complete ten or fifteen counseling sessions in an alcohol
2261   intervention program or successfully complete a substance [abuse] use
2262   treatment program of not less than twelve sessions pursuant to this
2263   section dependent upon the evaluation report and the court order, (4) to
2264   commence participation in an alcohol intervention program or
2265   substance [abuse] use treatment program not later than ninety days after
2266   the date of entry of the court order unless granted a delayed entry into
2267   a program by the court, (5) upon completion of participation in the
2268   alcohol intervention program, to accept placement in a substance
2269   [abuse] use treatment program upon the recommendation of a provider
2270   under contract with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
2271   Services pursuant to subsection (f) of this section or placement in a state-
2272   licensed substance [abuse] use treatment program which meets
2273   standards established by the Department of Mental Health and
2274   Addiction Services, if the Court Support Services Division deems it
2275   appropriate, and (6) if ordered by the court, to participate in at least one
2276   victim impact panel. The suspension of the motor vehicle operator's
2277   license of any such person pursuant to section 14-227b shall be effective
2278   during the period such person is participating in the pretrial alcohol
2279   education program, provided such person shall have the option of not
2280   commencing the participation in such program until the period of such
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2281   suspension is completed. If the Court Support Services Division informs
2282   the court that the defendant is ineligible for such program and the court
2283   makes a determination of ineligibility or if the program provider
2284   certifies to the court that the defendant did not successfully complete
2285   the assigned program or is no longer amenable to treatment and such
2286   person does not request, or the court denies, program reinstatement
2287   under subsection (e) of this section, the court shall order the court file to
2288   be unsealed, enter a plea of not guilty for such defendant and
2289   immediately place the case on the trial list. If such defendant
2290   satisfactorily completes the assigned program, such defendant may
2291   apply for dismissal of the charges against such defendant and the court,
2292   on reviewing the record of the defendant's participation in such
2293   program submitted by the Court Support Services Division and on
2294   finding such satisfactory completion, shall dismiss the charges. If the
2295   defendant does not apply for dismissal of the charges against such
2296   defendant after satisfactorily completing the assigned program the
2297   court, upon receipt of the record of the defendant's participation in such
2298   program submitted by the Court Support Services Division, may on its
2299   own motion make a finding of such satisfactory completion and dismiss
2300   the charges. Upon motion of the defendant and a showing of good
2301   cause, the court may extend the one-year placement period for a
2302   reasonable period for the defendant to complete the assigned program.
2303   A record of participation in such program shall be retained by the Court
2304   Support Services Division for a period of ten years from the date the
2305   court grants the application for participation in such program. The
2306   Court Support Services Division shall transmit to the Department of
2307   Motor Vehicles a record of participation in such program for each
2308   person who satisfactorily completes such program. The Department of
2309   Motor Vehicles shall maintain for a period of ten years the record of a
2310   person's participation in such program as part of such person's driving
2311   record. The Court Support Services Division shall transmit to the
2312   Department of Energy and Environmental Protection the record of
2313   participation of any person who satisfactorily completes such program
2314   who has been charged with a violation of the provisions of subsection
2315   (d) of section 15-133 or section 15-140n. The Department of Energy and
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2316   Environmental Protection shall maintain for a period of ten years the
2317   record of a person's participation in such program as a part of such
2318   person's boater certification record.
2319      (c) (1) At the time the court grants the application for participation in
2320   the pretrial alcohol education program, such person shall also pay to the
2321   court a nonrefundable program fee of three hundred fifty dollars if such
2322   person is ordered to participate in the ten-session intervention program
2323   and a nonrefundable program fee of five hundred dollars if such person
2324   is ordered to participate in the fifteen-session intervention program. If
2325   the court grants the application for participation in the pretrial alcohol
2326   education program and such person is ordered to participate in a
2327   substance abuse treatment program, such person shall be responsible
2328   for the costs associated with participation in such program. No person
2329   may be excluded from either program for inability to pay such fee or
2330   cost, and the court shall waive any such fee or cost for any intervention
2331   program if such person is found eligible to have such fee or cost waived
2332   under subsection (i) of this section.
2333      (2) If the court finds that a person is indigent or unable to pay for a
2334   treatment program using the method for determining indigency
2335   described in subsection (i) of this section, the costs of such program shall
2336   be paid from the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
2337      (3) If the court denies the application, such person shall not be
2338   required to pay the program fee. If the court grants the application and
2339   such person is later determined to be ineligible for participation in such
2340   pretrial alcohol education program or fails to complete the assigned
2341   program, the program fee shall not be refunded. All program fees shall
2342   be credited to the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
2343      (d) If a person returns to court with certification from a program
2344   provider that such person did not successfully complete the assigned
2345   program or is no longer amenable to treatment, the provider, to the
2346   extent practicable, shall include a recommendation to the court as to
2347   whether a ten-session intervention program, a fifteen-session
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2348   intervention program or placement in a state-licensed substance [abuse]
2349   use treatment program would best serve such person's needs. The
2350   provider shall also indicate whether the current program referral was
2351   an initial referral or a reinstatement to the program.
2352       (e) When a person subsequently requests reinstatement into an
2353   alcohol intervention program or a substance [abuse] use treatment
2354   program and the Court Support Services Division verifies that such
2355   person is eligible for reinstatement into such program and thereafter the
2356   court favorably acts on such request, such person shall pay a
2357   nonrefundable program fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars if
2358   ordered to complete a ten-session intervention program or two hundred
2359   fifty dollars if ordered to complete a fifteen-session intervention
2360   program, as the case may be, except as provided in subsection (i) of this
2361   section. If the court grants a person's request to be reinstated into a
2362   treatment program, such person shall be responsible for the costs, if any,
2363   associated with being reinstated into the treatment program. All
2364   program fees collected in connection with a reinstatement to an
2365   intervention program shall be credited to the pretrial account
2366   established under section 54-56k. No person shall be permitted more
2367   than two program reinstatements pursuant to this subsection.
2368      (f) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
2369   contract with service providers, develop standards and oversee
2370   appropriate alcohol programs to meet the requirements of this section.
2371   Said department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54,
2372   to establish standards for such alcohol programs. Any person ordered
2373   to participate in a treatment program shall do so at a state-licensed
2374   treatment program which meets the standards established by said
2375   department. Any defendant whose employment or residence makes it
2376   unreasonable to attend an alcohol intervention program or a substance
2377   [abuse] use treatment program in this state may attend a program in
2378   another state which has standards substantially similar to, or higher
2379   than, those of this state, subject to the approval of the court and payment
2380   of the application, evaluation and program fees and treatment costs, as
2381   appropriate, as provided in this section.
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2382      Sec. 105. Subsections (a) to (k), inclusive, of section 54-56i of the
2383   general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2384   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2385      (a) There is established a pretrial drug education and community
2386   service program for persons charged with a violation of section 21a-257,
2387   21a-267, 21a-279, as amended by this act, or 21a-279a, as amended by
2388   this act. The pretrial drug education and community service program
2389   shall include a fifteen-session drug education program and a substance
2390   [abuse] use treatment program of not less than fifteen sessions, and the
2391   performance of community service.
2392       (b) Upon application by any such person for participation in such
2393   program, the court shall, but only as to the public, order the court file
2394   sealed, and such person shall pay to the court an application fee of one
2395   hundred dollars and a nonrefundable evaluation fee of one hundred
2396   fifty dollars, except as provided in subsection (l) of this section. A person
2397   shall be ineligible for participation in such pretrial drug education and
2398   community service program if such person has twice previously
2399   participated in (1) the pretrial drug education program established
2400   under the provisions of this section in effect prior to October 1, 2013, (2)
2401   the community service labor program established under section 53a-39c,
2402   (3) the pretrial drug education and community service program
2403   established under this section, or (4) any of such programs, except that
2404   the court may allow a person who has twice previously participated in
2405   such programs to participate in the pretrial drug education and
2406   community service program one additional time, for good cause shown.
2407   The evaluation and application fee imposed under this subsection shall
2408   be credited to the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
2409      (c) The court, after consideration of the recommendation of the state's
2410   attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in
2411   charge of the case, may, in its discretion, grant such application. If the
2412   court grants such application, the court shall refer such person (1) to the
2413   Court Support Services Division for confirmation of the eligibility of the
2414   applicant, (2) to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
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2415   Services for evaluation and determination of an appropriate drug
2416   education or substance [abuse] use treatment program for the first or
2417   second time such application is granted, and (3) to a state-licensed
2418   substance [abuse] use treatment program for evaluation and
2419   determination of an appropriate substance [abuse] use treatment
2420   program for the third time such application is granted, except that, if
2421   such person is a veteran, the court may refer such person to the
2422   Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of
2423   Veterans Affairs, as applicable, for any such evaluation and
2424   determination. For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (d) of
2425   this section, "veteran" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-
2426   103.
2427      (d) (1) (A) Upon confirmation of eligibility and receipt of the
2428   evaluation and determination required under subsection (c) of this
2429   section, such person shall be placed in the pretrial drug education and
2430   community service program and referred by the Court Support Services
2431   Division for the purpose of receiving appropriate drug education
2432   services or substance [abuse] use treatment program services, as
2433   recommended by the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection (c)
2434   of this section and ordered by the court, to the Department of Mental
2435   Health and Addiction Services or to a state-licensed substance [abuse]
2436   use treatment program for placement in the appropriate drug education
2437   or substance [abuse] use treatment program, except that, if such person
2438   is a veteran, the division may refer such person to the Department of
2439   Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs,
2440   subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection.
2441      (B) Persons who have been granted entry into the pretrial drug
2442   education and community service program for the first time shall
2443   participate in either a fifteen-session drug education program or a
2444   substance [abuse] use treatment program of not less than fifteen
2445   sessions, as ordered by the court on the basis of the evaluation and
2446   determination required under subsection (c) of this section. Persons
2447   who have been granted entry into the pretrial drug education and
2448   community service program for the second time shall participate in
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2449   either a fifteen-session drug education program or a substance abuse
2450   treatment program of not less than fifteen sessions, as ordered by the
2451   court based on the evaluation and determination required under
2452   subsection (c) of this section. Persons who have been granted entry into
2453   the pretrial drug education and community service program for a third
2454   time shall be referred to a state-licensed substance [abuse] use program
2455   for evaluation and participation in a course of treatment as ordered by
2456   the court based on the evaluation and determination required under
2457   subsection (c) of this section.
2458      (C) Persons who have been granted entry into the pretrial drug
2459   education and community service program shall also participate in a
2460   community service program administered by the Court Support
2461   Services Division pursuant to section 53a-39c. Persons who have been
2462   granted entry into the pretrial drug education and community service
2463   program for the first time shall participate in the community service
2464   program for a period of five days. Persons who have been granted entry
2465   into the pretrial drug education and community service program for the
2466   second time shall participate in the community service program for a
2467   period of fifteen days. Persons who have been granted entry into the
2468   pretrial drug education and community service program for a third or
2469   additional time shall participate in the community service program for
2470   a period of thirty days.
2471      (D) Placement in the pretrial drug education and community service
2472   program pursuant to this section shall not exceed one year. Persons
2473   receiving substance [abuse] use treatment program services in
2474   accordance with the provisions of this section shall only receive such
2475   services at state-licensed substance [abuse] use treatment program
2476   facilities that are in compliance with all state standards governing the
2477   operation of such facilities, except that, if such person is a veteran, such
2478   person may receive services from facilities under the supervision of the
2479   Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of
2480   Veterans Affairs, subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this
2481   subsection.
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2482      (E) Any person who enters the pretrial drug education and
2483   community service program shall agree: (i) To the tolling of the statute
2484   of limitations with respect to such crime; (ii) to a waiver of such person's
2485   right to a speedy trial; (iii) to complete participation in the pretrial drug
2486   education and community service program, as ordered by the court; (iv)
2487   to commence participation in the pretrial drug education and
2488   community service program not later than ninety days after the date of
2489   entry of the court order unless granted a delayed entry into the program
2490   by the court; and (v) upon completion of participation in the pretrial
2491   drug education and community service program, to accept (I) placement
2492   in a treatment program upon the recommendation of a provider under
2493   contract with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
2494   or a provider under the supervision of the Department of Veterans
2495   Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or (II)
2496   placement in a treatment program that has standards substantially
2497   similar to, or higher than, a program of a provider under contract with
2498   the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, if the Court
2499   Support Services Division deems it appropriate.
2500      (2) The Court Support Services Division may only refer a veteran to
2501   the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of
2502   Veterans Affairs for the receipt of services under the program if (A) the
2503   division determines that such services will be provided in a timely
2504   manner under standards substantially similar to, or higher than,
2505   standards for services provided by the Department of Mental Health
2506   and Addiction Services under the program, and (B) the applicable
2507   department agrees to submit timely program participation and
2508   completion reports to the division in the manner required by the
2509   division.
2510      (e) If the Court Support Services Division informs the court that such
2511   person is ineligible for the program and the court makes a determination
2512   of ineligibility or if the program provider certifies to the court that such
2513   person did not successfully complete the assigned program and such
2514   person did not request, or the court denied, reinstatement in the
2515   program under subsection (i) of this section, the court shall order the
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2516   court file to be unsealed, enter a plea of not guilty for such person and
2517   immediately place the case on the trial list.
2518      (f) If such person satisfactorily completes the assigned program, such
2519   person may apply for dismissal of the charges against such person and
2520   the court, on reviewing the record of such person's participation in such
2521   program submitted by the Court Support Services Division and on
2522   finding such satisfactory completion, shall dismiss the charges. If such
2523   person does not apply for dismissal of the charges against such person
2524   after satisfactorily completing the assigned program, the court, upon
2525   receipt of the record of such person's participation in such program
2526   submitted by the Court Support Services Division, may on its own
2527   motion make a finding of such satisfactory completion and dismiss the
2528   charges. Upon motion of such person and a showing of good cause, the
2529   court may extend the placement period for a reasonable period of time
2530   to allow such person to complete the assigned program. A record of
2531   participation in such program shall be retained by the Court Support
2532   Services Division for a period of ten years from the date the court grants
2533   the application for participation in the program.
2534       (g) At the time the court grants the application for participation in the
2535   pretrial drug education and community service program, any person
2536   ordered to participate in such drug education program shall pay to the
2537   court a nonrefundable program fee of six hundred dollars. If the court
2538   orders participation in a substance [abuse] use treatment program, such
2539   person shall pay to the court a nonrefundable program fee of one
2540   hundred dollars and shall be responsible for the costs associated with
2541   such program. No person may be excluded from any such program for
2542   inability to pay such fee or cost, and the court shall waive any such fee
2543   or cost if such person is found eligible to have such fee or cost waived
2544   under subsection (l) of this section. If the court waives the costs for a
2545   substance [abuse] use treatment program, the costs of such program
2546   shall be paid from the pretrial account established under section 54-56k.
2547   If the court denies the application, such person shall not be required to
2548   pay the program fee. If the court grants the application, and such person
2549   is later determined to be ineligible for participation in such pretrial drug
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2550   education and community service program or fails to complete the
2551   assigned program, the program fee shall not be refunded. All program
2552   fees shall be credited to the pretrial account established under section
2553   54-56k.
2554      (h) If a person returns to court with certification from a program
2555   provider that such person did not successfully complete the assigned
2556   program or is no longer amenable to treatment, the provider, to the
2557   extent practicable, shall include a recommendation to the court as to
2558   whether placement in a drug education program or placement in a
2559   substance [abuse] use treatment program would best serve such
2560   person's needs. The provider shall also indicate whether the current
2561   program referral was an initial referral or a reinstatement to the
2562   program.
2563      (i) When a person subsequently requests reinstatement into a drug
2564   education program or a substance [abuse] use treatment program and
2565   the Court Support Services Division verifies that such person is eligible
2566   for reinstatement into such program and thereafter the court favorably
2567   acts on such request, any person reinstated into such drug education
2568   program shall pay a nonrefundable program fee of two hundred fifty
2569   dollars, and any person reinstated into a substance [abuse] use
2570   treatment program shall be responsible for the costs, if any, associated
2571   with being reinstated into the treatment program, unless such person is
2572   found eligible to have such fee or costs waived under subsection (l) of
2573   this section. All program fees collected in connection with a
2574   reinstatement to a drug education program shall be credited to the
2575   pretrial account established under section 54-56k. No person shall be
2576   permitted more than two program reinstatements pursuant to this
2577   subsection.
2578      (j) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
2579   develop standards and oversee appropriate drug education programs
2580   that it administers to meet the requirements of this section and may
2581   contract with service providers to provide such programs. The
2582   department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to
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2583   establish standards for such drug education programs.
2584      (k) Any person whose employment or residence or schooling makes
2585   it unreasonable to attend a drug education program or substance
2586   [abuse] use treatment program in this state may attend a program in
2587   another state that has standards similar to, or higher than, those of this
2588   state, subject to the approval of the court and payment of the program
2589   fee or costs as provided in this section.
2590      Sec. 106. Subsection (a) of section 54-56l of the general statutes is
2591   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2592   1, 2026):
2593      (a) There shall be a supervised diversionary program for persons
2594   with psychiatric disabilities, or persons who are veterans, who are
2595   accused of a crime or crimes or a motor vehicle violation or violations
2596   for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment may be imposed, which
2597   crimes or violations are not of a serious nature. For the purposes of this
2598   section, (1) "psychiatric disability" means a mental or emotional
2599   condition, other than solely substance [abuse] use disorder, that (A) has
2600   substantial adverse effects on the defendant's ability to function, and (B)
2601   requires care and treatment, and (2) "veteran" means a veteran, as
2602   defined in section 27-103, who is found, pursuant to subsection (d) of
2603   this section, to have a mental health condition that is amenable to
2604   treatment.
2605      Sec. 107. Subsection (d) of section 54-91a of the general statutes is
2606   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2607   1, 2026):
2608      (d) In lieu of ordering a full presentence investigation, the court may
2609   order an abridged version of such investigation, which (1) shall contain
2610   (A) identifying information about the defendant, (B) information about
2611   the pending case from the record of the court, (C) the circumstances of
2612   the offense, (D) the attitude of the complainant or victim, (E) any
2613   damages suffered by the victim, including medical expenses, loss of
2614   earnings and property loss, and (F) the criminal record of the defendant,
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2615   and (2) may encompass one or more areas of the social history and
2616   present condition of the defendant, including family background,
2617   significant relationships or children, educational attainment or
2618   vocational training, employment history, financial situation, housing
2619   situation, medical status, mental health status, substance [abuse] use
2620   history, the results of any clinical evaluation conducted of the defendant
2621   or any other information required by the court that is consistent with
2622   the provisions of this section. If the court orders an abridged version of
2623   such investigation for a felony involving family violence, as defined in
2624   section 46b-38a, the abridged version of such investigation shall, in
2625   addition to the information set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection,
2626   contain the following information concerning the defendant: (A) Family
2627   background, (B) significant relationships or children, (C) mental health
2628   status, and (D) substance [abuse] use history.
2629      Sec. 108. Subdivision (4) of subsection (f) of section 54-125a of the
2630   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2631   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2632      (4) After such hearing, the board may allow such person to go at large
2633   on parole with respect to any portion of a sentence that was based on a
2634   crime or crimes committed while such person was under eighteen years
2635   of age if the board finds that such parole release would be consistent
2636   with the factors set forth in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of
2637   subsection (c) of section 54-300 and if it appears, from all available
2638   information, including, but not limited to, any reports from the
2639   Commissioner of Correction, that (A) there is a reasonable probability
2640   that such person will live and remain at liberty without violating the
2641   law, (B) the benefits to such person and society that would result from
2642   such person's release to community supervision substantially outweigh
2643   the benefits to such person and society that would result from such
2644   person's continued incarceration, and (C) such person has demonstrated
2645   substantial rehabilitation since the date such crime or crimes were
2646   committed considering such person's character, background and
2647   history, as demonstrated by factors, including, but not limited to, such
2648   person's correctional record, the age and circumstances of such person
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2649   as of the date of the commission of the crime or crimes, whether such
2650   person has demonstrated remorse and increased maturity since the date
2651   of the commission of the crime or crimes, such person's contributions to
2652   the welfare of other persons through service, such person's efforts to
2653   overcome substance [abuse, addiction] use disorder, trauma, lack of
2654   education or obstacles that such person may have faced as a child or
2655   youth in the adult correctional system, the opportunities for
2656   rehabilitation in the adult correctional system, whether the person has
2657   also applied for or received a sentence modification and the overall
2658   degree of such person's rehabilitation considering the nature and
2659   circumstances of the crime or crimes.
2660      Sec. 109. Subdivision (4) of subsection (g) of section 54-125a of the
2661   general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2662   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2663      (4) After such hearing, the board may allow such person to go at large
2664   on parole with respect to any portion of a sentence that was based on a
2665   crime or crimes committed while such person was under twenty-one
2666   years of age, if the board finds that such parole release would be
2667   consistent with the factors set forth in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive,
2668   of subsection (c) of section 54-300 and if it appears, from all available
2669   information, including, but not limited to, any reports from the
2670   Commissioner of Correction, that (A) there is a reasonable probability
2671   that such person will live and remain at liberty without violating the
2672   law, (B) the benefits to such person and society that would result from
2673   such person's release to community supervision substantially outweigh
2674   the benefits to such person and society that would result from such
2675   person's continued incarceration, and (C) such person has demonstrated
2676   substantial rehabilitation since the date such crime or crimes were
2677   committed considering such person's character, background and
2678   history, as demonstrated by factors, including, but not limited to, such
2679   person's correctional record, the age and circumstances of such person
2680   as of the date of the commission of the crime or crimes, whether such
2681   person has demonstrated remorse and increased maturity since the date
2682   of the commission of the crime or crimes, such person's contributions to
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2683   the welfare of other persons through service, such person's efforts to
2684   overcome substance [abuse, addiction] use disorder, trauma, lack of
2685   education or obstacles that such person may have faced as a person who
2686   was under twenty-one years of age in the adult correctional system, the
2687   opportunities for rehabilitation in the adult correctional system,
2688   whether the person has also applied for or received a sentence
2689   modification and the overall degree of such person's rehabilitation
2690   considering the nature and circumstances of the crime or crimes.
2691      Sec. 110. Subsection (a) of section 54-142m of the general statutes is
2692   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2693   1, 2026):
2694      (a) A criminal justice agency holding nonconviction information may
2695   disclose it to persons or agencies not otherwise authorized (1) for the
2696   purposes of research, evaluation or statistical analysis, or (2) if there is a
2697   specific agreement with a criminal justice agency to provide services
2698   required for the administration of criminal justice pursuant to such
2699   agreement. The Judicial Branch may disclose nonconviction information
2700   to a state agency pursuant to an agreement to provide services related
2701   to the collection of moneys due. Any such disclosure of information
2702   shall be limited to that information necessary for the collection of
2703   moneys due. Pursuant to an agreement, the Judicial Branch may
2704   disclose nonconviction information to the Department of Mental Health
2705   and Addiction Services for the administration of court-ordered
2706   evaluations and the provision of programs and services to persons with
2707   psychiatric disabilities and substance [abuse] use treatment needs.
2708   Pursuant to an agreement, the Judicial Branch may disclose
2709   nonconviction information to advocates for victims of family violence to
2710   allow such advocates to develop plans to provide for the safety of
2711   victims and victims' minor children, provided such agreement prohibits
2712   such advocates from disclosing such nonconviction information to any
2713   person, including, but not limited to, a victim of family violence.
2714      Sec. 111. Subsection (c) of section 28-5a of the general statutes is
2715   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
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2716   passage):
2717      (c) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection
2718   shall coordinate with the [Commissioner] Commissioners of Public
2719   Health and Mental Health and Addiction Services for the deployment
2720   of grief counselors and mental health professionals to provide mental
2721   health services to the family members or other individuals with a close
2722   association with any victim of a mass shooting. Such deployments shall
2723   be made to local community outreach groups in and around the
2724   impacted geographical location and to any school or institution of
2725   higher education where any victim or perpetrator of a mass shooting
2726   event was enrolled.
2727      Sec. 112. Section 17a-470 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2728   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
2729      Each state-operated facility for the treatment of persons with
2730   psychiatric disabilities or persons with substance use disorders, or both,
2731   shall have an advisory board appointed by the superintendent or
2732   director of the facility for terms to be decided by such superintendent or
2733   director. The superintendent or director shall appoint at least two
2734   persons with lived experience with a behavioral health disorder to the
2735   advisory board. [In any case where the present number of members of
2736   an advisory board is less than the number of members designated by
2737   the superintendent or director of the facility, the superintendent or
2738   director shall appoint additional members to such board in accordance
2739   with this section in such manner that the terms of an approximately
2740   equal number of members shall expire in each odd-numbered year. The
2741   superintendent or director shall fill any vacancy that may occur for the
2742   unexpired portion of any term. No member shall serve more than two
2743   successive terms plus the balance of any unexpired term to which the
2744   member had been appointed.] The superintendent or director of the
2745   facility shall be an ex-officio member of the advisory board. Each
2746   member of an advisory board of a state-operated facility within the
2747   Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services assigned a
2748   geographical territory shall be a resident of the assigned geographical
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2749   territory. Members of said advisory boards shall receive no
2750   compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary
2751   expenses involved in the performance of their duties. [At least one-third
2752   of such members shall be from regional behavioral health action
2753   organizations, established pursuant to section 17a-484f, and at least one-
2754   third shall be members of the catchment area councils, as provided in
2755   section 17a-483, for the catchment areas served by such facility, except
2756   that members serving as of October 1, 1977, shall serve out their terms]
2757   The provisions of this section shall not apply to the Connecticut Valley
2758   Hospital Advisory Council established pursuant to section 17a-471a or
2759   the oversight board for Whiting Forensic Hospital established pursuant
2760   to section 17a-565.
2761      Sec. 113. Section 17a-471 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2762   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
2763      Any advisory board established pursuant to section 17a-470, as
2764   amended by this act, shall: Meet with the superintendent or director of
2765   the facility periodically to advise him on the programs and policies of
2766   the facility; act as a liaison between its facility and the residents of the
2767   facility's assigned geographic territory and the state of Connecticut to
2768   inform them of the programs and policies of the facility; and issue
2769   reports, in a form and manner prescribed by such advisory board, to the
2770   Governor and Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services
2771   on conditions at the facility and recommendations for changes or
2772   improvements in the facility.
2773      Sec. 114. Subsection (a) of section 17a-476 of the general statutes is
2774   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2775   1, 2026):
2776     (a) Any general hospital, municipality or nonprofit organization in
2777   Connecticut may apply to the Department of Mental Health and
2778   Addiction Services for funds to establish, expand or maintain
2779   psychiatric or mental health services. The application for funds shall be
2780   submitted on forms provided by the Department of Mental Health and
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2781   Addiction Services, and shall be accompanied by (1) a definition of the
2782   towns and areas to be served; (2) a plan by means of which the applicant
2783   proposes to coordinate its activities with those of other local agencies
2784   presently supplying mental health services or contributing in any way
2785   to the mental health of the area; (3) a description of the services to be
2786   provided, and the methods through which these services will be
2787   provided; and (4) indication of the methods that will be employed to
2788   effect a balance in the use of state and local resources so as to foster local
2789   initiative, responsibility and participation. In accordance with
2790   subdivision (4) of section 17a-480, the regional behavioral health action
2791   organization, established pursuant to section 17a-484f, as amended by
2792   this act, serving the mental health region in which the applicant is
2793   located shall review each such application with the Department of
2794   Mental Health and Addiction Services and make recommendations to
2795   the department with respect to each such application.
2796      Sec. 115. Section 17a-482 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2797   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2798      As used in this section, subsection (a) of section 17a-476, as amended
2799   by this act, and sections 17a-478 to 17a-480, inclusive, as amended by
2800   this act, [and section 17a-483,] unless the context otherwise requires:
2801   "Catchment area" means any geographical area within the state
2802   established as such by the Commissioner of Mental Health and
2803   Addiction Services, the boundaries of which may be redesignated by
2804   said commissioner when deemed necessary to equalize the population
2805   of each area and in such manner as is consistent with the boundaries of
2806   the municipalities therein, provided such boundaries of any catchment
2807   area shall be entirely within the boundaries of a mental health region
2808   established under section 17a-478, as amended by this act; ["council"
2809   means the catchment area council established under section 17a-483;]
2810   "regional behavioral health action organization" means the organization
2811   established pursuant to section 17a-484f, as amended by this act; and
2812   "provider" means any person who receives income from private practice
2813   or any public or private agency which delivers mental health services.
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2814      Sec. 116. Subsection (a) of section 17a-450a of the general statutes is
2815   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2816   1, 2026):
2817      (a) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
2818   constitute a successor department to the Department of Mental Health.
2819   Whenever the words "Commissioner of Mental Health" are used or
2820   referred to in the following general statutes, the words "Commissioner
2821   of Mental Health and Addiction Services" shall be substituted in lieu
2822   thereof and whenever the words "Department of Mental Health" are
2823   used or referred to in the following general statutes, the words
2824   "Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services" shall be
2825   substituted in lieu thereof: 4-5, 4-38c, 4-77a, 4a-12, 4a-16, 5-142, 8-206d,
2826   10-19, 10-71, 10-76d, 17a-14, 17a-26, 17a-31, 17a-33, 17a-218, 17a-246, 17a-
2827   450, as amended by this act, 17a-451, as amended by this act, 17a-453,
2828   17a-454, 17a-455, 17a-456, as amended by this act, 17a-457, as amended
2829   by this act, 17a-458, 17a-459, 17a-464, as amended by this act, 17a-465,
2830   17a-466, 17a-467, 17a-468, 17a-470, as amended by this act, 17a-471, as
2831   amended by this act, 17a-472, 17a-473, 17a-474, 17a-476, as amended by
2832   this act, 17a-478, as amended by this act, 17a-479, 17a-480, 17a-481, 17a-
2833   482, as amended by this act, [17a-483,] 17a-498, as amended by this act,
2834   17a-499, as amended by this act, 17a-502, 17a-506, 17a-510, 17a-511, 17a-
2835   512, 17a-513, 17a-519, as amended by this act, 17a-528, as amended by
2836   this act, 17a-560, 17a-561, 17a-562, 17a-565, 17a-581, 17a-582, 17a-675, 17-
2837   836a, 17b-28, as amended by this act, 17b-59a, 17b-222, 17b-223, 17b-225,
2838   17b-359, 17b-694, as amended by this act, 19a-82, 19a-495, as amended
2839   by this act, 19a-498, 19a-507a, 19a-576, 19a-583, 20-14i, as amended by
2840   this act, 20-14j, 21a-240, 21a-301, 27-122a, 31-222, 38a-514, as amended
2841   by this act, 51-51o, 52-146h and 54-56d.
2842      Sec. 117. Section 17a-478 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2843   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2844     The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall
2845   designate mental health regions within the state. Such regions and
2846   boundaries thereof may be redesignated by said commissioner as he
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2847   deems necessary. For the purposes of sections 17a-476, as amended by
2848   this act, and 17a-478 to 17a-480, inclusive, as amended by this act,
2849   "community mental health services" means comprehensive services,
2850   both medical and nonmedical, designed to (1) decrease the prevalence
2851   and incidence of psychiatric disabilities, emotional disturbance and
2852   social disfunctioning, and (2) promote mental health in individuals,
2853   groups and institutions and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
2854   Outreach and case finding, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment,
2855   partial hospitalization, diagnosis and screening, aftercare and
2856   rehabilitation, education, consultation, emergency services, research,
2857   evaluation, training and services to the courts. The Commissioner of
2858   Mental Health and Addiction Services may enter into such contracts for
2859   services as may be required to carry out the provisions of subsection (a)
2860   of section 17a-476, as amended by this act, sections 17a-478 to 17a-480,
2861   inclusive, as amended by this act, and [sections] section 17a-482, as
2862   amended by this act. [and 17a-483.]
2863      Sec. 118. Subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of section 17a-495 of the
2864   general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2865   thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2866      (b) For the purposes of this section, sections 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-
2867   482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-496 to 17a-528, inclusive, as
2868   amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, and 17a-560 to 17a-
2869   575, inclusive, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
2870   "Business day" means Monday to Friday, inclusive, except when a legal
2871   holiday falls on any such day; "hospital for persons with psychiatric
2872   disabilities" means any public or private hospital, retreat, institution,
2873   house or place in which any person with psychiatric disabilities is
2874   received or detained as a patient, but shall not include any correctional
2875   institution of this state; "patient" means any person detained and taken
2876   care of as a person with psychiatric disabilities; "keeper of a hospital for
2877   persons with psychiatric disabilities" means any person, body of
2878   persons or corporation which has the immediate superintendence,
2879   management and control of a hospital for persons with psychiatric
2880   disabilities and the patients therein; "support" includes all necessary
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2881   food, clothing and medicine and all general expenses of maintaining
2882   state hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities; "indigent
2883   person" means any person who has an estate insufficient, in the
2884   judgment of the Court of Probate, to provide for his or her support and
2885   has no person or persons legally liable who are able to support him or
2886   her; "dangerous to himself or herself or others" means there is a
2887   substantial risk that physical harm will be inflicted by an individual
2888   upon his or her own person or upon another person; "gravely disabled"
2889   means that a person, as a result of mental or emotional impairment, is
2890   in danger of serious harm as a result of an inability or failure to provide
2891   for his or her own basic human needs such as essential food, clothing,
2892   shelter or safety and that hospital treatment is necessary and available
2893   and that such person is mentally incapable of determining whether or
2894   not to accept such treatment because his judgment is impaired by his
2895   psychiatric disabilities; "respondent" means a person who is alleged to
2896   have psychiatric disabilities and for whom an application for
2897   commitment to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities has
2898   been filed; "voluntary patient" means any patient sixteen years of age or
2899   older who applies in writing to and is admitted to a hospital for persons
2900   with psychiatric disabilities as a person with psychiatric disabilities or
2901   any patient under sixteen years of age whose parent or legal guardian
2902   applies in writing to such hospital for admission of such patient; and
2903   "involuntary patient" means any patient hospitalized pursuant to an
2904   order of a judge of the Probate Court after an appropriate hearing or a
2905   patient hospitalized for emergency diagnosis, observation or treatment
2906   upon certification of a qualified physician.
2907      (c) For the purposes of this section and sections 17a-496 to 17a-528,
2908   inclusive, as amended by this act, "person with psychiatric disabilities"
2909   means any person who has a mental or emotional condition which has
2910   substantial adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who
2911   requires care and treatment, and specifically excludes a person who is
2912   an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in
2913   section 17a-680.
2914     (d) For the purposes of sections 17a-453, 17a-454, 17a-456, as
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2915   amended by this act, 17a-458 to 17a-464, inclusive, as amended by this
2916   act, 17a-466 to 17a-469, inclusive, 17a-471, as amended by this act, 17a-
2917   474, 17a-476 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-
2918   540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to
2919   17a-618, inclusive, "person with psychiatric disabilities" means any
2920   person who has a mental or emotional condition which has substantial
2921   adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who requires care
2922   and treatment, and specifically includes a person who is an alcohol-
2923   dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in section
2924   17a-680.
2925      Sec. 119. Section 17a-496 of the general statutes is repealed and the
2926   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
2927      Any keeper of a hospital for psychiatric disabilities who wilfully
2928   violates any of the provisions of this section, sections 17a-75 to 17a-83,
2929   inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act,
2930   17a-497 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550,
2931   inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618,
2932   inclusive, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or
2933   imprisoned not more than one year or both.
2934      Sec. 120. Subsection (b) of section 17a-497 of the general statutes is
2935   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2936   1, 2026):
2937      (b) Upon the motion of any respondent or his or her counsel, or the
2938   probate judge having jurisdiction over such application, filed not later
2939   than three days prior to any hearing scheduled on such application, the
2940   Probate Court Administrator shall appoint a three-judge court from
2941   among the probate judges to hear such application. The judge of the
2942   Probate Court having jurisdiction over such application under the
2943   provisions of this section shall be a member, provided such judge may
2944   disqualify himself in which case all three members of such court shall
2945   be appointed by the Probate Court Administrator. Such three-judge
2946   court when convened shall have all the powers and duties set forth
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  Substitute Bill No. 5517
2947   under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482,
2948   inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as
2949   amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575,
2950   inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, and shall be subject to all of
2951   the provisions of law as if it were a single-judge court. No such
2952   respondent shall be involuntarily confined without the vote of at least
2953   two of the three judges convened hereunder. The judges of such court
2954   shall designate a chief judge from among their members. All records for
2955   any case before the three-judge court shall be maintained in the Probate
2956   Court having jurisdiction over the matter as if the three-judge court had
2957   not been appointed.
2958      Sec. 121. Subsection (g) of section 17a-498 of the general statutes is
2959   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
2960   1, 2026):
2961      (g) The hospital shall notify each patient at least annually that such
2962   patient has a right to a further hearing pursuant to this section. If the
2963   patient requests such hearing, it shall be held by the Probate Court for
2964   the district in which the hospital is located. Any such request shall be
2965   immediately filed with the appropriate court by the hospital. After such
2966   request is filed with the Probate Court, it shall proceed in the manner
2967   provided in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (f) of this section. In addition,
2968   the hospital shall furnish the Probate Court for the district in which the
2969   hospital is located on a monthly basis with a list of all patients confined
2970   in the hospital involuntarily without release for one year since the last
2971   annual review under this section of the patient's commitment or since
2972   the original commitment. The hospital shall include in such notification
2973   the type of review the patient last received. If the patient's last annual
2974   review had a hearing, the Probate Court shall, within fifteen business
2975   days thereafter, appoint an impartial physician who is a psychiatrist
2976   from the list provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and
2977   Addiction Services as set forth in subsection (c) of this section and not
2978   connected with the hospital in which the patient is confined or related
2979   by blood or marriage to the original applicant or to the respondent,
2980   which physician shall see and examine each such patient within fifteen
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2981   business days after such physician's appointment and make a report
2982   forthwith to such court of the condition of the patient on forms provided
2983   by the Probate Court Administrator. If the Probate Court concludes that
2984   the confinement of any such patient should be reviewed by such court
2985   for possible release of the patient, the court, on its own motion, shall
2986   proceed in the manner provided in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (f) of this
2987   section, except that the examining physician shall be considered one of
2988   the physicians required by subsection (c) of this section. If the patient's
2989   last annual review did not result in a hearing, and in any event at least
2990   every two years, the Probate Court shall, within fifteen business days,
2991   proceed with a hearing in the manner provided in subsections (a), (b),
2992   (c) and (f) of this section. All costs and expenses, including Probate
2993   Court entry fees provided by statute, in conjunction with the annual
2994   psychiatric review and the judicial review under this subsection, except
2995   costs for physicians appointed pursuant to this subsection, shall be
2996   established by, and paid from funds appropriated to, the Judicial
2997   Department, except that if funds have not been included in the budget
2998   of the Judicial Department for such costs and expenses, such payment
2999   shall be made from the Probate Court Administration Fund.
3000   Compensation of any physician appointed to conduct the annual
3001   psychiatric review, to examine a patient for any hearing held as a result
3002   of such annual review or for any other biennial hearing required
3003   pursuant to sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-
3004   482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as
3005   amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575,
3006   inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be paid by the state
3007   from funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and
3008   Addiction Services in accordance with rates established by the
3009   Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
3010      Sec. 122. Section 17a-499 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3011   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3012      All proceedings of the Probate Court, upon application made under
3013   the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-
3014   483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528,
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3015   inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560
3016   to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be in
3017   writing and filed in such court, and, whenever a court passes an order
3018   for the admission of any person to any state hospital for psychiatric
3019   disabilities, the court shall record the order and give a certified copy of
3020   such order and of the reports of the physicians to the person by whom
3021   such person is to be taken to the hospital, as the warrant for such taking
3022   and commitment, and shall also forthwith transmit a like copy to the
3023   Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and, in the case
3024   of a person in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, to the
3025   Commissioner of Correction. Whenever a court passes an order for the
3026   commitment of any person to any hospital for psychiatric disabilities, it
3027   shall, within three business days, provide the Commissioner of Mental
3028   Health and Addiction Services with access to identifying information
3029   including, but not limited to, name, address, sex, date of birth and date
3030   of commitment on all commitments ordered on and after June 1, 1998.
3031   All commitment applications, orders of commitment and commitment
3032   papers issued by any court in committing persons with psychiatric
3033   disabilities to public or private hospitals for psychiatric disabilities shall
3034   be in accordance with a form prescribed by the Probate Court
3035   Administrator, which form shall be uniform throughout the state. State
3036   hospitals and other hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities
3037   shall, so far as they are able, upon reasonable request of any officer of a
3038   court having the power of commitment, send one or more trained
3039   attendants or nurses to attend any hearing concerning the commitment
3040   of any person with psychiatric disabilities and any such attendant or
3041   nurse, when present, shall be designated by the court as the authority to
3042   serve commitment process issued under the provisions of sections 17a-
3043   75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as
3044   amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this
3045   act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-
3046   615 to 17a-618, inclusive.
3047      Sec. 123. Subsection (a) of section 17a-500 of the general statutes is
3048   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
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  Substitute Bill No. 5517
3049   1, 2026):
3050      (a) Each court of probate shall keep a record of the cases relating to
3051   persons with psychiatric disabilities coming before it under sections
3052   17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as
3053   amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this
3054   act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-
3055   615 to 17a-618, inclusive, and the disposition of them. It shall also keep
3056   on file the original application and certificate of physicians required by
3057   said sections, or a microfilm duplicate of such records in accordance
3058   with regulations issued by the Probate Court Administrator. All records
3059   maintained in the courts of probate under the provisions of said sections
3060   shall be sealed and available only to the respondent or his or her counsel
3061   unless the Court of Probate, after hearing held with notice to the
3062   respondent, determines such records should be disclosed for cause
3063   shown.
3064      Sec. 124. Section 17a-501 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3065   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3066      Any person with psychiatric disabilities, the expense of whose
3067   support is paid by himself or by another person, may be committed to
3068   any institution for the care of persons with psychiatric disabilities
3069   designated by the person paying for such support; and any indigent
3070   person with psychiatric disabilities, not a pauper, committed under the
3071   provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483]
3072   17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive,
3073   as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575,
3074   inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be committed to any
3075   state hospital for psychiatric disabilities which is equipped to receive
3076   him, at the discretion of the Court of Probate, upon consideration of a
3077   request made by the person applying for such commitment.
3078      Sec. 125. Section 17a-504 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3079   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3080      Any person who wilfully and maliciously causes, or attempts to
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3081   cause, or who conspires with any other person to cause, any person who
3082   does not have psychiatric disabilities to be committed to any hospital
3083   for psychiatric disabilities, and any person who wilfully certifies falsely
3084   to the psychiatric disabilities of any person in any certificate provided
3085   for in sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482,
3086   inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as
3087   amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575,
3088   inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, and any person who, under
3089   the provisions of said sections relating to persons with psychiatric
3090   disabilities, wilfully reports falsely to any court or judge that any person
3091   has psychiatric disabilities, shall be guilty of a class D felony.
3092      Sec. 126. Section 17a-505 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3093   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3094      When any female with psychiatric disabilities is escorted to a state
3095   hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities by a male guard,
3096   attendant or other employee of a correctional or reformatory institution,
3097   or by a male law enforcement officer, under the provisions of sections
3098   17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as
3099   amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this
3100   act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-
3101   615 to 17a-618, inclusive, the person so escorting her shall be
3102   accompanied by an adult member of her family or at least one woman.
3103      Sec. 127. Section 17a-519 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3104   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3105      Each officer or indifferent person making legal service of any order,
3106   notice, warrant or other paper under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to
3107   17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by
3108   this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to
3109   17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618,
3110   inclusive, shall be entitled to the same compensation as is by law
3111   provided for like services in civil causes. Physicians, for examining a
3112   person alleged to have psychiatric disabilities and making a certificate
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3113   as provided by said sections, shall be entitled to a reasonable
3114   compensation established by the Commissioner of Mental Health and
3115   Addiction Services. The fees of the courts of probate shall be such as are
3116   provided by law for similar services. The Superior Court, on an appeal,
3117   may tax costs at its discretion.
3118      Sec. 128. Section 17a-525 of the general statutes is repealed and the
3119   following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
3120      Any person aggrieved by an order, denial or decree of a Probate
3121   Court under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483]
3122   17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive,
3123   as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575,
3124   inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, including any relative or
3125   friend, on behalf of any person found to have psychiatric disabilities,
3126   shall have the right of appeal in accordance with sections 45a-186 to 45a-
3127   193, inclusive. On the trial of an appeal, the Superior Court may require
3128   the state's attorney or, in the state's attorney's absence, some other
3129   practicing attorney of the court to be present for the protection of the
3130   interests of the state and of the public.
3131      Sec. 129. Subsection (a) of section 17a-528 of the general statutes is
3132   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
3133   1, 2026):
3134      (a) When any person is found to have psychiatric disabilities, and is
3135   committed to a state hospital for psychiatric disabilities, upon
3136   proceedings had under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to
3137   [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528,
3138   inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560
3139   to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, all fees and
3140   expenses incurred upon the probate commitment proceedings, payment
3141   of which is not otherwise provided for under said sections, shall be paid
3142   by the state within available appropriations from funds appropriated to
3143   the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance
3144   with rates established by said department; and, if such person is found
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3145   not to have psychiatric disabilities, such fees and expenses shall be paid
3146   by the applicant.
3147      Sec. 130. Subsection (d) of section 45a-656 of the general statutes is
3148   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
3149   1, 2026):
3150      (d) The conservator of the person shall not have the power or
3151   authority to cause the respondent to be committed to any institution for
3152   the treatment of the mentally ill except under the provisions of sections
3153   17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-456 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as
3154   amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this
3155   act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, 17a-615
3156   to 17a-618, inclusive, and 17a-621 to 17a-664, inclusive, and chapter 359.
3157      Sec. 131. Subsection (e) of section 45a-677 of the general statutes is
3158   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
3159   1, 2026):
3160      (e) A plenary guardian or limited guardian shall not have the power
3161   or authority: (1) To cause the protected person to be admitted to any
3162   institution for treatment of the mentally ill, except in accordance with
3163   the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-456 to [17a-
3164   483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528,
3165   inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560
3166   to 17a-575, inclusive, 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, and 17a-621 to 17a-
3167   664, inclusive, and chapter 420b; (2) to cause the protected person to be
3168   admitted to any training school or other facility provided for the care
3169   and training of persons with intellectual disability if there is a conflict
3170   concerning such admission between the guardian and the protected
3171   person or next of kin, except in accordance with the provisions of
3172   sections 17a-274 and 17a-275; (3) to consent on behalf of the protected
3173   person to a sterilization, except in accordance with the provisions of
3174   sections 45a-690 to 45a-700, inclusive; (4) to consent on behalf of the
3175   protected person to psychosurgery, except in accordance with the
3176   provisions of section 17a-543; (5) to consent on behalf of the protected
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3177   person to the termination of the protected person's parental rights,
3178   except in accordance with the provisions of sections 45a-706 to 45a-709,
3179   inclusive, 45a-715 to 45a-718, inclusive, 45a-724 to 45a-737, inclusive,
3180   and 45a-743 to 45a-757, inclusive; (6) to consent on behalf of the
3181   protected person to the performance of any experimental biomedical or
3182   behavioral medical procedure or participation in any biomedical or
3183   behavioral experiment, unless it (A) is intended to preserve the life or
3184   prevent serious impairment of the physical health of the protected
3185   person, (B) is intended to assist the protected person to regain the
3186   protected person's abilities and has been approved for the protected
3187   person by the court, or (C) has been (i) approved by a recognized
3188   institutional review board, as defined by 45 CFR 46, 21 CFR 50 and 21
3189   CFR 56, as amended from time to time, which is not a part of the
3190   Department of Developmental Services, (ii) endorsed or supported by
3191   the Department of Developmental Services, and (iii) approved for the
3192   protected person by such protected person's primary care physician; (7)
3193   to admit the protected person to any residential facility operated by an
3194   organization by whom such guardian is employed, except in accordance
3195   with the provisions of section 17a-274; (8) to prohibit the marriage or
3196   divorce of the protected person; and (9) to consent on behalf of the
3197   protected person to an abortion or removal of a body organ, except in
3198   accordance with applicable statutory procedures when necessary to
3199   preserve the life or prevent serious impairment of the physical or mental
3200   health of the protected person.
3201      Sec. 132. Subsection (a) of section 17a-486 of the general statutes is
3202   repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
3203   1, 2026):
3204      (a) Prior to the arraignment of a person charged with the commission
3205   of a misdemeanor or felony, the Department of Mental Health and
3206   Addiction Services shall, to the maximum extent possible within the
3207   limits of available appropriations, with the consent of the arrested
3208   person, cause a clinical assessment to be performed of any person who
3209   has previously received mental health services or treatment for
3210   substance [abuse] use from the department or who would reasonably
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3211   benefit from such services to determine whether such person should be
3212   referred for community-based mental health services. If the person is
3213   determined to be in need of such services and is willing to accept the
3214   services offered, the court shall be informed of the result of the
3215   assessment and the recommended treatment plan for consideration by
3216   the court in the disposition of the criminal case.
3217     Sec. 133. Section 17a-483 of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective
3218   October 1, 2026)
        This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
        sections:
        Section 1     October 1, 2026  4-67s
        Sec. 2        October 1, 2026  4-67x(b)
        Sec. 3        October 1, 2026  10-16b(a)
        Sec. 4        October 1, 2026  10-19b
        Sec. 5        October 1, 2026  10-220a(a)
        Sec. 6        October 1, 2026  14-44k(h)
        Sec. 7        October 1, 2026  17a-4(a)
        Sec. 8        October 1, 2026  17a-22g(a)
        Sec. 9        October 1, 2026  17a-22dd(a)
        Sec. 10       October 1, 2026  17a-62a(b)
        Sec. 11       October 1, 2026  17a-101j(e)
        Sec. 12       October 1, 2026  17a-101n
        Sec. 13       October 1, 2026  17a-450(b)
        Sec. 14       October 1, 2026  17a-450(d)
        Sec. 15       October 1, 2026  17a-451(a)
        Sec. 16       October 1, 2026  17a-453c
        Sec. 17       October 1, 2026  17a-456(a)
        Sec. 18       October 1, 2026  17a-457(f) and (g)
        Sec. 19       October 1, 2026  17a-464
        Sec. 20       October 1, 2026  17a-484c
        Sec. 21       October 1, 2026  17a-484f(b)
        Sec. 22       October 1, 2026  17a-485d(c) to (e)
        Sec. 23       October 1, 2026  17a-485i(a)
        Sec. 24       October 1, 2026  17a-667(b) and (c)
        Sec. 25       October 1, 2026  17a-667a(c)(1)(B)
        Sec. 26       October 1, 2026  17a-667a(e)
        Sec. 27       October 1, 2026  17a-670
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Sec. 28   October 1, 2026   17a-673a(b)
Sec. 29   October 1, 2026   17a-683(b)
Sec. 30   October 1, 2026   17a-683(d)
Sec. 31   October 1, 2026   17a-684(a)
Sec. 32   October 1, 2026   17a-710(a)
Sec. 33   October 1, 2026   17a-750(2)
Sec. 34   October 1, 2026   17a-838(a)(8)
Sec. 35   October 1, 2026   17b-28(c)(4)
Sec. 36   October 1, 2026   17b-59d(d)(2)
Sec. 37   October 1, 2026   17b-112(c)
Sec. 38   October 1, 2026   17b-112d
Sec. 39   October 1, 2026   17b-191(c)
Sec. 40   October 1, 2026   17b-194(a)
Sec. 41   October 1, 2026   17b-195
Sec. 42   October 1, 2026   17b-241
Sec. 43   October 1, 2026   17b-241a
Sec. 44   October 1, 2026   17b-689c(a)(1)
Sec. 45   October 1, 2026   17b-694(a)
Sec. 46   October 1, 2026   18-69b
Sec. 47   October 1, 2026   18-69c(a)
Sec. 48   October 1, 2026   18-69c(g)
Sec. 49   October 1, 2026   18-87k(a)
Sec. 50   October 1, 2026   18-100f
Sec. 51   October 1, 2026   19a-6d
Sec. 52   October 1, 2026   19a-6h(e)(2)
Sec. 53   October 1, 2026   19a-7c(b)
Sec. 54   October 1, 2026   19a-7e
Sec. 55   October 1, 2026   19a-124(b)
Sec. 56   October 1, 2026   19a-490(a)
Sec. 57   October 1, 2026   19a-490h
Sec. 58   October 1, 2026   19a-490q(a)(1)
Sec. 59   October 1, 2026   19a-491(a)
Sec. 60   October 1, 2026   19a-495(d)
Sec. 61   October 1, 2026   19a-495c
Sec. 62   October 1, 2026   19a-509e
Sec. 63   October 1, 2026   19a-581(11) and (12)
Sec. 64   October 1, 2026   19a-630(10)
Sec. 65   October 1, 2026   19a-638(a)(5)
Sec. 66   October 1, 2026   19a-902
Sec. 67   October 1, 2026   20-14i
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Sec. 68    October 1, 2026   20-74s(a)(4) to (6)
Sec. 69    October 1, 2026   20-74ss
Sec. 70    October 1, 2026   20-94d(b)
Sec. 71    October 1, 2026   20-162cc
Sec. 72    October 1, 2026   20-185m
Sec. 73    October 1, 2026   20-195dd(a) and (b)
Sec. 74    October 1, 2026   20-195ee
Sec. 75    October 1, 2026   20-195tt
Sec. 76    October 1, 2026   20-195kkk
Sec. 77    October 1, 2026   20-195qqq
Sec. 78    October 1, 2026   20-206bb(h)
Sec. 79    October 1, 2026   20-206nn
Sec. 80    October 1, 2026   20-660(h)
Sec. 81    October 1, 2026   21a-252(a)
Sec. 82    October 1, 2026   21a-274a(a)
Sec. 83    October 1, 2026   21a-279(a)(2)
Sec. 84    October 1, 2026   21a-279a(e)(2)
Sec. 85    October 1, 2026   21a-322(b)
Sec. 86    October 1, 2026   21a-420f(b)
Sec. 87    October 1, 2026   31-40v(b)
Sec. 88    October 1, 2026   38a-479qq(a)(6)
Sec. 89    October 1, 2026   38a-488a(a) and (b)
Sec. 90    October 1, 2026   38a-488d
Sec. 91    October 1, 2026   38a-492p
Sec. 92    October 1, 2026   38a-514(a) and (b)
Sec. 93    October 1, 2026   38a-514d
Sec. 94    October 1, 2026   38a-518p
Sec. 95    October 1, 2026   38a-999(a)(8)
Sec. 96    October 1, 2026   46a-11b(a)
Sec. 97    October 1, 2026   46a-170(f)(1)(E)
Sec. 98    October 1, 2026   46b-38d(c)
Sec. 99    October 1, 2026   46b-129a(2)(A)
Sec. 100   October 1, 2026   51-81d(a)
Sec. 101   October 1, 2026   51-181b
Sec. 102   October 1, 2026   53a-65(9)
Sec. 103   October 1, 2026   54-36i(a) to (c)
Sec. 104   October 1, 2026   54-56g(b) to (f)
Sec. 105   October 1, 2026   54-56i(a) to (k)
Sec. 106   October 1, 2026   54-56l(a)
Sec. 107   October 1, 2026   54-91a(d)
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Sec. 108      October 1, 2026       54-125a(f)(4)
Sec. 109      October 1, 2026       54-125a(g)(4)
Sec. 110      October 1, 2026       54-142m(a)
Sec. 111      from passage  28-5a(c)
Sec. 112      from passage  17a-470
Sec. 113      from passage  17a-471
Sec. 114      October 1, 2026       17a-476(a)
Sec. 115      October 1, 2026       17a-482
Sec. 116      October 1, 2026       17a-450a(a)
Sec. 117      October 1, 2026       17a-478
Sec. 118      October 1, 2026       17a-495(b) to (d)
Sec. 119      October 1, 2026       17a-496
Sec. 120      October 1, 2026       17a-497(b)
Sec. 121      October 1, 2026       17a-498(g)
Sec. 122      October 1, 2026       17a-499
Sec. 123      October 1, 2026       17a-500(a)
Sec. 124      October 1, 2026       17a-501
Sec. 125      October 1, 2026       17a-504
Sec. 126      October 1, 2026       17a-505
Sec. 127      October 1, 2026       17a-519
Sec. 128      October 1, 2026       17a-525
Sec. 129      October 1, 2026       17a-528(a)
Sec. 130      October 1, 2026       45a-656(d)
Sec. 131      October 1, 2026       45a-677(e)
Sec. 132      October 1, 2026       17a-486(a)
Sec. 133      October 1, 2026       Repealer section
PH  Joint Favorable Subst.
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