Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 8 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 5515 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION STATUTES.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 05, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on May 27, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

This bill improves access to opioid overdose reversal medication and updates mental health laws.

The legislation focuses on enhancing access to medication that reverses opioid overdoses and making updates to existing mental health and addiction-related laws. It aims to address current challenges in the treatment of addiction and mental health issues.

What this means for you
  • Families: Families may benefit from improved access to overdose reversal medication, potentially saving lives during emergencies.
  • Healthcare: Healthcare providers may have clearer guidelines for prescribing and distributing opioid overdose reversal medications.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

799 added · 1058 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 5515 includes new guidelines for the administration of medication by school coaches and personnel, specifically regarding how they can provide medicinal preparations to students during sports activities. It also emphasizes the necessity for regulations about storing and administering medications like epinephrine in emergency situations. These changes are important as they aim to enhance the safety of students by ensuring that schools have clear protocols for handling medical emergencies and providing necessary medications.

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House of Representatives File No.
Substitute House Bill No.
752 General Assembly February Session, 2026Reprint of File No.
5515 Public Act No.
541) Substitute House Bill No.
26-38 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION STATUTES.
5515 As Amended by House Amendment Schedule "A" Approved by the Legislative Commissioner April 30, 2026 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION STATUTES.
Subsections (c) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-212a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
Subsections (c) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-212a of the supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adoptedbythecommissioner,toachildparticipatinginsuchintramural sHB5515 / File No.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adoptedbythecommissioner,toa childparticipatinginsuchintramural and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for the administration of medication by school personnel to students, including, but not limited to, (A) the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel to students for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who Substitute House Bill No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
5515 experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written authorization for the administration of epinephrine, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, and (B) the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of opioid antagonists by school personnel to students who experience an opioid-related drug overdose, [and who do not have a prior written authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist,] in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section, and (3) specify conditions for the possession, self- administration or possession and self-administration of medication by students, including permitting a child diagnosed with:
752 and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for the administration of medication by school personnel to students, including, but not limited to, (A) the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel to students for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written authorization for the administration of epinephrine, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, and (B) the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of opioid antagonists by school personnel to students who experience an opioid-related drug overdose, [and who do not have a prior written authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist,] in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section, and (3) specify conditions for the possession, self- administration or possession and self-administration of medication by students, including permitting a child diagnosed with:
and (ii) the written authorization of a parent sHB5515 / File No.
and (ii) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child.
752 sHB5515 File No.
(d) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or Public Act No.
752 or guardian of such child.
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(d) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a qualified medical professional, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, may jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified paraeducator to administer medication, including, but not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to a specific student with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death.
5515 guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a qualified medical professional, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, may jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified paraeducator to administer medication, including, but not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to a specific student with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death.
Such administration of epinephrinebyaqualifiedschoolemployeeshallbelimitedtosituations when the school nurse is absent or unavailable.
Such administration of epinephrinebyaqualifiedschoolemployeeshallbelimitedto situations when the school nurse is absent or unavailable.
The parent or guardian of a student may submit, in writing, to the school nurse and school medical sHB5515 / File No.
The parent or guardian of a student may submit, in writing, to the school nurse and school medical Public Act No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
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752 advisor, if any, that epinephrine shall not be administered to such student under this subdivision.
5515 advisor, if any, that epinephrine shall not be administered to such student under this subdivision.
Such authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is absent or unavailable.
Such authorization shall be limited to situations when the Public Act No.
No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A) such sHB5515 / File No.
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5515 school nurse is absent or unavailable.
752 qualified school employee annually completes any training required by the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, in the administration of medication with equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee.
No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A) such qualified school employee annually completes any training required by the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, in the administration of medication with equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee.
No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (i) such qualified school employee annually completes the training program described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (ii) the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has completed such training, (iii) such qualified school employee receives monthly reviews by the school nurse to confirm such qualified school employee's competency to administer antiepileptic medication under this subsection, and (iv) such qualified school sHB5515 / File No.
No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (i) such qualified school employee annually completes the training program described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (ii) the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified Public Act No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
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752 employeevoluntarilyagreestoserveasaqualifiedschoolemployee.For purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or paraeducator.
5515 school employee has completed such training, (iii) such qualified school employee receives monthly reviews by the school nurse to confirm such qualified school employee's competency to administer antiepileptic medication under this subsection, and (iv) such qualified school employeevoluntarilyagreestoserveasaqualifiedschoolemployee.For purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or paraeducator.
[and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for the administration of such opioid antagonist.] A school nurse or a school principal shall select qualified school employees to administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one such qualified school employee on the grounds of the school during regular school hours in the absence of a school nurse.
[and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for the administration of such opioid antagonist.] A school nurse or a school principal shall select qualified school employees to administer such Public Act No.
A school nurse or [, in the absence of such school nurse, such] qualified school employee may administer [such] a legend opioid antagonist under this subdivision, provided such administration of the legend opioid antagonist is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted sHB5515 / File No.
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5515 opioid antagonist under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one such qualified school employee on the grounds of the school during regular school hours in the absence of a school nurse.
752 pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
A school nurse or [, in the absence of such school nurse, such] qualified school employee may administer [such] a legend opioid antagonist under this subdivision, provided such administration of the legend opioid antagonist is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(2)[Not later thanOctober 1,2022,the]The Department ofEducation, in consultation with the Departments of Consumer Protection, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Public Health, shall develop guidelines for use by local and regional boards of education on the storage and administration of nonlegend opioid antagonists in schools in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
Public Act No.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "legend opioid antagonist" means an opioid antagonist that is required by any applicable federal or sHB5515 / File No.
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5515 (2)[Not later thanOctober 1,2022,the]The Department ofEducation, in consultation with the Departments of Consumer Protection, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Public Health, shall develop guidelines for use by local and regional boards of education on the storage and administration of nonlegend opioid antagonists in schools in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
752 state law to be dispensed pursuant only to a prescription or is restricted to use by prescribing practitioners only, or means an opioid antagonist that, under federal law, is required to bear either of the following legends:
(3) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "legend opioid antagonist" means an opioid antagonist that is required by any applicable federal or state law to be dispensed pursuant only to a prescription or is restricted to use by prescribing practitioners only, or means an opioid antagonist that, under federal law, is required to bear either of the following legends:
(a) For purposes of this section, (1) "opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of drug overdose, and (2) "person" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240.
(a) For purposes of this section, (1) "opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the Public Act No.
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5515 treatment of drug overdose, and (2) "person" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240.
A licensed health care professional who prescribes or dispenses an opioid antagonist in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed not sHB5515 / File No.
A licensed health care professional who prescribes or dispenses an opioid antagonist in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed not to have violated the standard of care for such licensed health care professional.
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752 to have violated the standard of care for such licensed health care professional.
(d)(1)Any person may provideanonlegendopioid antagonist to any person for the purposes of treating or preventing an opioid-related drug overdose.
(d)(1)Any person may provideanonlegendopioidantagonist to any person for the purposes of treating or preventing an opioid-related drug overdose.
[(d)] (e) Any person who in good faith believes that another person is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose may, if acting with reasonable care, administer an opioid antagonist to such other person.
Public Act No.
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5515 [(d)] (e) Any person who in good faith believes that another person is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose may, if acting with reasonable care, administer an opioid antagonist to such other person.
[(e)] (f) Not later than October 1, 2017, each municipality shall amend its local emergency medical services plan, as described in section 19a- 181b, to ensure that at least one emergency medical services provider, as defined in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies pertaining to sHB5515 / File No.
[(e)] (f) Not later than October 1, 2017, each municipality shall amend its local emergency medical services plan, as described in section 19a- 181b, to ensure that at least one emergency medical services provider, as defined in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies pertaining to emergency medical services, who is likely to be the first person to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency in the municipality, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services personnel, as defined in section 20-206jj, or a resident state trooper, is equipped with an opioid antagonist and such person has received training, approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, in the administration of an opioid antagonist.
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 emergency medical services, who is likely to be the first person to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency in the municipality, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services personnel, as defined in section 20-206jj, or a resident state trooper, is equipped with an opioid antagonist and such person has received training, approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, in the administration of an opioid antagonist.
Such deployments shall be made to local community outreach groups in and around the impacted geographical location and to any school or institution of higher education where any victim or perpetrator of a mass shooting event was enrolled.
Such deployments shall be made to local community outreach groups in and around the impacted geographical location and to any school or institution of higher education where any victim or perpetrator of a mass shooting Public Act No.
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5515 event was enrolled.
[In any case where the present number of members of an advisory board is less than the number of members designated by the superintendent or director of the facility, the superintendent or director shall appoint additional members to such board in accordance sHB5515 / File No.
[In any case where the present number of members of an advisory board is less than the number of members designated by the superintendent or director of the facility, the superintendent or director shall appoint additional members to such board in accordance with this section in such manner that the terms of an approximately equal number of members shall expire in each odd-numbered year.
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752 with this section in such manner that the terms of an approximately equal number of members shall expire in each odd-numbered year.
[At least one-third of such members shall be from regional behavioral health action organizations, established pursuant to section 17a-484f, and at least one- third shall be members of the catchment area councils, as provided in section 17a-483, for the catchment areas served by such facility, except that members serving as of October 1, 1977, shall serve out their terms] The provisions of this section shall not apply to the Connecticut Valley Hospital Advisory Council established pursuant to section 17a-471a or the oversight board for Whiting Forensic Hospital established pursuant to section 17a-565.
[At least one-third of such members shall be from regional behavioral health action organizations, established pursuant to section 17a-484f, and at least one- third shall be members of the catchment area councils, as provided in section 17a-483, for the catchment areas served by such facility, except that members serving as of October 1, 1977, shall serve out their terms] Public Act No.
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5515 The provisions of this section shall not apply to the Connecticut Valley Hospital Advisory Council established pursuant to section 17a-471a or the oversight board for Whiting Forensic Hospital established pursuant to section 17a-565.
sHB5515 / File No.
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752 Sec.
(3) a description of the services to be provided, and the methods through which these services will be provided;
(3) a description of the services to be provided, and the methods through which these services will be Public Act No.
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5515 provided;
"Catchment area" means any geographical area within the state established as such by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the boundaries of which may be redesignated by said commissioner when deemed necessary to equalize the population of each area and in such manner as is consistent with the boundaries of sHB5515 / File No.
"Catchment area" means any geographical area within the state established as such by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the boundaries of which may be redesignated by said commissioner when deemed necessary to equalize the population of each area and in such manner as is consistent with the boundaries of the municipalities therein, provided such boundaries of any catchment area shall be entirely within the boundaries of a mental health region established under section 17a-478, as amended by this act;
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752 the municipalities therein, provided such boundaries of any catchment area shall be entirely within the boundaries of a mental health region established under section 17a-478, as amended by this act;
(a) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall constitute a successor department to the Department of Mental Health.
Public Act No.
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5515 (a) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall constitute a successor department to the Department of Mental Health.
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752 Sec.
For the purposes of sections 17a-476, as amended by this act, and 17a-478 to 17a-480, inclusive, as amended by this act, "community mental health services" means comprehensive services, both medical and nonmedical, designed to (1) decrease the prevalence and incidence of psychiatric disabilities, emotional disturbance and social disfunctioning, and (2) promote mental health in individuals, groupsandinstitutionsandincludes,but isnot limitedto,thefollowing:
For the purposes of sections 17a-476, as amended by this act, and 17a-478 to 17a-480, inclusive, as amended by this act, "community mental health services" means comprehensive services, both medical and nonmedical, designed to (1) decrease the prevalence Public Act No.
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5515 and incidence of psychiatric disabilities, emotional disturbance and social disfunctioning, and (2) promote mental health in individuals, groupsandinstitutionsandincludes,but isnot limitedto,thefollowing:
"hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities" means any public or private hospital, retreat, institution, house or place in which any person with psychiatric disabilities is received or detained as a patient, but shall not include any correctional sHB5515 / File No.
"hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities" means any public or private hospital, retreat, institution, house or place in which any person with psychiatric disabilities is received or detained as a patient, but shall not include any correctional institution of this state;
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 institution of this state;
"support" includes all necessary food, clothing and medicine and all general expenses of maintaining state hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities;
"support" includes all necessary food, clothing and medicine and all general expenses of maintaining Public Act No.
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5515 state hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities;
(c) For the purposes of this section and sections 17a-496 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, "person with psychiatric disabilities" sHB5515 / File No.
(c) For the purposes of this section and sections 17a-496 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, "person with psychiatric disabilities" means any person who has a mental or emotional condition which has substantial adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who requires care and treatment, and specifically excludes a person who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in section 17a-680.
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Public Act No.
752 means any person who has a mental or emotional condition which has substantial adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who requires care and treatment, and specifically excludes a person who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in section 17a-680.
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(d) For the purposes of sections 17a-453, 17a-454, 17a-456, 17a-458 to 17a-464, inclusive, 17a-466 to 17a-469, inclusive, 17a-471, as amended by this act, 17a-474, 17a-476 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, "person with psychiatric disabilities" means any person who has a mental or emotional condition which has substantial adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who requires care and treatment, and specifically includes a person who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in section 17a-680.
5515 (d) For the purposes of sections 17a-453, 17a-454, 17a-456, 17a-458 to 17a-464, inclusive, 17a-466 to 17a-469, inclusive, 17a-471, as amended by this act, 17a-474, 17a-476 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, "person with psychiatric disabilities" means any person who has a mental or emotional condition which has substantial adverse effects on his or her ability to function and who requires care and treatment, and specifically includes a person who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as defined in section 17a-680.
The judge of the sHB5515 / File No.
The judge of the Probate Court having jurisdiction over such application under the provisions of this section shall be a member, provided such judge may disqualify himself in which case all three members of such court shall Public Act No.
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752 Probate Court having jurisdiction over such application under the provisions of this section shall be a member, provided such judge may disqualify himself in which case all three members of such court shall be appointed by the Probate Court Administrator.
5515 be appointed by the Probate Court Administrator.
If the patient's last annual review had a hearing, the Probate Court shall, within fifteen business days thereafter, appoint an impartial physician who is a psychiatrist sHB5515 / File No.
If the patient's last annual review had a hearing, the Probate Court shall, within fifteen business days thereafter, appoint an impartial physician who is a psychiatrist Public Act No.
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752 from the list provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services as set forth in subsection (c) of this section and not connected with the hospital in which the patient is confined or related by blood or marriage to the original applicant or to the respondent, which physician shall see and examine each such patient within fifteen business days after such physician's appointment and make a report forthwithtosuchcourt oftheconditionofthepatient onformsprovided by the Probate Court Administrator.
5515 from the list provided by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services as set forth in subsection (c) of this section and not connected with the hospital in which the patient is confined or related by blood or marriage to the original applicant or to the respondent, which physician shall see and examine each such patient within fifteen business days after such physician's appointment and make a report forthwithtosuchcourt oftheconditionofthepatient onformsprovided by the Probate Court Administrator.
Compensation of any physician appointed to conduct the annual psychiatric review, to examine a patient for any hearing held as a result of such annual review or for any other biennial hearing required pursuant to sections17a-75to 17a-83,inclusive, 17a-450to [17a-483] 17a- 482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance with rates established by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Compensation of any physician appointed to conduct the annual psychiatric review, to examine a patient for any hearing held as a result of such annual review or for any other biennial hearing required pursuant to sections17a-75to 17a-83,inclusive, 17a-450to [17a-483] 17a- 482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance with rates established by the Public Act No.
sHB5515 / File No.
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5515 Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
752 Sec.
Sec.
State hospitals and other hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities shall, so far as they are able, upon reasonable request of any officer of a court having the power of commitment, send one or more trained attendants or nurses to attend any hearing concerning the commitment of any person with psychiatric disabilities and any such attendant or nurse, when present, shall be designated by the court as the authority to serve commitment process issued under the provisions of sections 17a- 75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as sHB5515 / File No.
State hospitals and other hospitals for persons with psychiatric disabilities shall, so far as they are able, upon reasonable request of any officer of a court having the power of commitment, send one or more trained attendants or nurses to attend any hearing concerning the commitment Public Act No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
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752 amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- 615 to 17a-618, inclusive.
5515 of any person with psychiatric disabilities and any such attendant or nurse, when present, shall be designated by the court as the authority to serve commitment process issued under the provisions of sections 17a- to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- to 17a-618, inclusive.
(a) Each court of probate shall keep a record of the cases relating to persons with psychiatric disabilities coming before it under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- 615 to 17a-618, inclusive, and the disposition of them.
(a) Each court of probate shall keep a record of the cases relating to persons with psychiatric disabilities coming before it under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- to 17a-618, inclusive, and the disposition of them.
All records maintained inthe courtsofprobate under the provisionsofsaidsections shall be sealed and available only to therespondent or his or her counsel unless the Court of Probate, after hearing held with notice to the respondent, determines such records should be disclosed for cause shown.
All records maintained inthe courtsofprobate under the provisionsofsaidsections shall be sealed and available only to the respondent or his or her counsel unless the Court of Probate, after hearing held with notice to the respondent, determines such records should be disclosed for cause shown.
and any indigent person with psychiatric disabilities, not a pauper, committed under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be committed to any state hospital for psychiatric disabilities which is equipped to receive sHB5515 / File No.
and any indigent Public Act No.
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752 him, at the discretion of the Court of Probate, upon consideration of a request made by the person applying for such commitment.
5515 person with psychiatric disabilities, not a pauper, committed under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be committed to any state hospital for psychiatric disabilities which is equipped to receive him, at the discretion of the Court of Probate, upon consideration of a request made by the person applying for such commitment.
When any female with psychiatric disabilities is escorted to a state hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities by a male guard, attendant or other employee of a correctional or reformatory institution, or by a male law enforcement officer, under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- 615 to 17a-618, inclusive, the person so escorting her shall be accompanied by an adult member of her family or at least one woman.
When any female with psychiatric disabilities is escorted to a state hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities by a male guard, attendant or other employee of a correctional or reformatory institution, or by a male law enforcement officer, under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this Public Act No.
26-38 22 of 26 Substitute House Bill No.
5515 act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a- to 17a-618, inclusive, the person so escorting her shall be accompanied by an adult member of her family or at least one woman.
Each officer or indifferent person making legal service of any order, notice, warrant or other paper under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to sHB5515 / File No.
Each officer or indifferent person making legal service of any order, notice, warrant or other paper under the provisions of sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be entitled to the same compensation as is by law provided for like services in civil causes.
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, shall be entitled to the same compensation as is by law provided for like services in civil causes.
On the trial of an appeal, the Superior Court may require the state's attorney or, in the state's attorney's absence, some other practicing attorney of the court to be present for the protection of the interests of the state and of the public.
On the trial of an appeal, the Superior Court may require the state's attorney or, in the state's attorney's absence, some other practicing attorney of the court to be present for the protection of the Public Act No.
26-38 23 of 26 Substitute House Bill No.
5515 interests of the state and of the public.
(a) When any person is found to have psychiatric disabilities, and is committed to a state hospital for psychiatric disabilities, upon proceedings had under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 sHB5515 / File No.
(a) When any person is found to have psychiatric disabilities, and is committed to a state hospital for psychiatric disabilities, upon proceedings had under sections 17a-75 to 17a-83, inclusive, 17a-450 to [17a-483] 17a-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-495 to 17a-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, 17a-540 to 17a-550, inclusive, 17a-560 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, all fees and expensesincurred upontheprobate commitment proceedings,payment of which is not otherwise provided for under said sections, shall be paid by the state within available appropriations from funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance with rates established by said department;
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 to 17a-575, inclusive, and 17a-615 to 17a-618, inclusive, all fees and expensesincurred upontheprobate commitment proceedings,payment of which is not otherwise provided for under said sections, shall be paid by the state within available appropriations from funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in accordance with rates established by said department;
Subsection (e) of section 45a-677 of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
Subsection (e) of section 45a-677 of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober Public Act No.
26-38 24 of 26 Substitute House Bill No.
5515 1, 2026):
(2) to cause the protected person to be admitted to any training school or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with intellectual disability if there is a conflict concerning such admission between the guardian and the protected sHB5515 / File No.
(2) to cause the protected person to be admitted to any training school or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with intellectual disability if there is a conflict concerning such admission between the guardian and the protected person or next of kin, except in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-274 and 17a-275;
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 person or next of kin, except in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-274 and 17a-275;
(6) to consent on behalf of the protected person to the performance of any experimental biomedical or behavioral medical procedure or participation in any biomedical or behavioral experiment, unless it (A) is intended to preserve the life or prevent serious impairment of the physical health of the protected person, (B) is intended to assist the protected person to regain the protected person's abilities and has been approved for the protected person by the court, or (C) has been (i) approved by a recognized institutional review board, as defined by 45 CFR 46, 21 CFR 50 and 21 CFR 56, as amended from time to time, which is not a part of the Department of Developmental Services, (ii) endorsed or supported by the Department of Developmental Services, and (iii) approved for the protected person by such protected person's primary care physician;
(6) to consent on behalf of the protected person to the performance of any experimental biomedical or behavioral medical procedure or participation in any biomedical or behavioral experiment, unless it (A) is intended to preserve the life or prevent serious impairment of the physical health of the protected person, (B) is intended to assist the protected person to regain the protected person's abilities and has been approved for the protected person by the court, or (C) has been (i) approved by a recognized institutional review board, as defined by 45 CFR 46, 21 CFR 50 and 21 CFR 56, as amended from time to time, which is not a part of the Department of Developmental Services, (ii) endorsed or supported by Public Act No.
26-38 25 of 26 Substitute House Bill No.
5515 the Department of Developmental Services, and (iii) approved for the protected person by such protected person's primary care physician;
(Effective October 1, 2026) sHB5515 / File No.
(Effective October 1, 2026) Governor's Action:
752 sHB5515 File No.
Approved May 27, 2026 Public Act No.
752 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
26-38 26 of 26
Section 1 July 1, 2026 10-212a(c) to (g) Sec.
2 from passage 17a-714a Sec.
3 from passage 28-5a(c) Sec.
4 from passage 17a-470 Sec.
5 from passage 17a-471 Sec.
6 October 1, 2026 17a-476(a) Sec.
7 October 1, 2026 17a-482 Sec.
8 October 1, 2026 17a-450a(a) Sec.
9 October 1, 2026 17a-478 Sec.
10 October 1, 2026 17a-495(b) to (d) Sec.
11 October 1, 2026 17a-496 Sec.
12 October 1, 2026 17a-497(b) Sec.
13 October 1, 2026 17a-498(g) Sec.
14 October 1, 2026 17a-499 Sec.
15 October 1, 2026 17a-500(a) Sec.
16 October 1, 2026 17a-501 Sec.
17 October 1, 2026 17a-504 Sec.
18 October 1, 2026 17a-505 Sec.
19 October 1, 2026 17a-519 Sec.
20 October 1, 2026 17a-525 Sec.
21 October 1, 2026 17a-528(a) Sec.
22 October 1, 2026 45a-656(d) Sec.
23 October 1, 2026 45a-677(e) Sec.
24 October 1, 2026 Repealer section sHB5515 / File No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $ Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Loss Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation Thebillmakeschangestoopioidantagonistadministrationinschools and by school personnel, as well as by the general public, resulting in a potential revenue loss to the General Fund as described below.
Section 2 removes the permitting requirement from certain distributors of nonlegend drugs resulting in a potential revenue loss to theGeneralFundbeginning inFY 26totheextent fewernonlegenddrug permits are applied for.
In FY 25 there were over 2,000 application and renewal requests for a nonlegend drug permit.
The bill makes additional changes that have no fiscal impact as they are clarifying and procedural in nature.
House “A” makes clarifying, technical and conforming changes and has no fiscal impact.
1The application fee for a nonlegend drug permit is $140 and the renewal fee is $100.
sHB5515 / File No.
752 sHB5515 File No.
752 The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of permits applied for.
sHB5515 / File No.
752 27 sHB5515 File No.
752 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5515 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ACCESS TO OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION.
SUMMARY This bill expands the instances an opioid antagonist (used to treat opioid overdose, such as Narcan) may be administered to students in public schools.
It updates education statutes on administering opioid antagonists to reflect federal Food and Drug Administration changes to these medications’ designation.
Prior to 2023, all opioid antagonists were legend drugs, meaning a prescription was requiredto access them, but this bill makes changes to reflect the recent availability of a non- legend (over-the-counter) version.
(The non-legend version is a nasal spray whereas legend versions are typically administered by injection.) The bill also more broadly allows any person (for example, an individual, governmental entity, or business) to give someone a non- legend opioid antagonist to treat or prevent an opioid drug overdose, including in a school, and gives them immunity from civil and criminal liability for doing so.
The bill exempts anyone who distributes these medications for free from needing a non-legend drug permit to do so.
Existing law already generally immunizes anyone who, in good faith, believes that another person is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose and administers an opioid antagonist to the other person.
Additionally, the bill:
1.
requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to coordinate with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), in addition to the Department of Public Health (DPH) as under current law, when deploying behavioral health professionals after mass shootings;
sHB5515 / File No.
752 28 sHB5515 File No.
752 2.
updates the membership requirements of certain DMHAS advisory boards to reflect current practice;
and 3.
repeals a statutory provision establishing catchment area councils (community councils that help plan mental health services in a geographic area) and makes related technical changes, removing statutory references to these councils (in practice, their functions are now performed by Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations).
Lastly, the bill makes minor and technical changes.
*House Amendment “A” defines “person” for the purposes of the underlying bill and adds provisions on (1) deploying behavioral health professionals after mass shootings, (2) advisory boards for DMHAS- operated facilities, and (3) repealing catchment area councils.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2026, except the provisions on the (1) general non-legend opioid antagonist immunity, deploying mental health professionals after mass shootings, and advisory boards for DMHAS-operated facilities are effective upon passage and (2) catchment area councils are effective October 1, 2026.
OPIOID ANTAGONIST IN SCHOOLS Under current law, only school nurses or, in their absence, a qualified school employee who has completed a training program may administer an opioid antagonist to students who do not have prior written authorization from a parent, guardian, or qualified medical professional.
Non-legend The bill allows any person to administer a non-legend opioid antagonist to a student experiencing an opioid drug overdose.
It gives a person who administers a non-legend opioid antagonist immunity from civil liability for any injuries that may result from actions that are considered ordinary negligence.
However, this immunity does not apply to acts or omissions that constitute gross, willful, or wanton sHB5515 / File No.
752 29 sHB5515 File No.
752 negligence.
Under current law, the Department of Education (SDE) must consult with DPH and the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to develop guidelines on storing and administering opioid antagonists in schools.
The bill also requires SDE to consult with DMHAS and limits these guidelines to non-legend opioid antagonists.
Legend The bill generally extends current law’s requirements to the administration of legend opioid antagonists, while expanding the circumstances in which they may be administered.
It allows a qualified school employee to administer the medication to a student experiencing an opioid drug overdose at any time, regardless of any prior approvals.
It also removes the option for a student’s parent or guardian to request that the student not be given an opioid antagonist.
Under current law, the training program that nurses and qualified employees must complete is one developed by SDE, DPH, and DCP.
The bill instead allows the program to be approved or developed by these departments, along with DMHAS.
DEPLOYING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AFTER MASS SHOOTINGS The bill requires the DESPP commissioner to coordinate with the DMHAS commissioner, in addition to the DPH commissioner as under current law, when deploying grief counselors and mental health professionals to provide mental health services to mass shooting victims’ family members and other people with a close association to them.
By law, these deployments must be made to (1) local community outreach groups in and around the impacted geographic location and (2) any school or higher education institution where a mass shooting victim or perpetrator was enrolled.
DMHAS ADVISORY BOARDS Advisory Boards for State-Operated Facilities sHB5515 / File No.
752 30 sHB5515 File No.
752 Existing law requires all hospitals and facilities DMHAS operates (partially or wholly) that treat people with psychiatric disabilities or substance use disorders (or both) to have an advisory board that includes members with lived experience of behavioral health disorders (see BACKGROUND).
The bill exempts from this requirement the Connecticut Valley Hospital advisory council and Whiting Forensic Hospital oversight board.
By law, facilities must have their superintendent or director make advisory board member appointments, at least two of whom must have lived experience with behavioral health disorders.
The bill eliminates current law’s requirement that the superintendent or director appoint additional board members when the current membership is less than the number of members they designated and to fill vacancies.
It also eliminates the requirement under current law that (1) appointed members’ terms be staggered so that an approximately equal number of member terms expire in odd-numbered years;
(2) members serve no more than two successive terms in addition to any unexpired term they were appointed to fill;
and (3) at least one-third of members each represent regional behavioral health action organizations and catchment area councils, which the bill repeals.
The bill also makes related minor and technical changes.
BACKGROUND DMHAS-Operated Facilities and Advisory Boards By law, DMHAS-operated facilities generally include the Capitol Region Mental Health Center, the Connecticut Valley Hospital (including its Addictions and General Psychiatric divisions), the Whiting Forensic Hospital, the Connecticut Mental Health Center, the Franklin S.
DuBois Center, the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, and River Valley Services (CGS § 17a-458).
A DMHAS-operated facility’s advisory board must (1) periodically meet with the facility superintendent or director to advise on the sHB5515 / File No.
752 31 sHB5515 File No.
752 facility’s programs and policies, (2) act as a liaison between the facility andresidentsofitsassignedgeographicarea, and(3) issuereportstothe governor and DMHAS commissioner on facility conditions and make recommendations for changes or improvements (CGS § 17a-471).
Related Bill sHB 5517 (File 529), favorably reported by the Public Health Committee, has the same provisions on (1) deploying behavioral health professionals after mass shootings, (2) advisory boards for DMHAS- operated facilities, and (3) repealing catchment area councils.
COMMITTEE ACTION Public Health Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 32 Nay 0 (03/23/2026) sHB5515 / File No.
752 32
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the existing regulations regarding the administration of medications in schools, specifically addressing the protocols for opioid antagonists and other emergency medications.

  • Section 10-212a

    [and who do not have a prior written authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist,]

    It removes the requirement for prior written authorization before administering opioid antagonists to students experiencing an overdose.

  • Section 10-212a

    in the absence of a school nurse,

    It removes reference to a qualified school employee administering epinephrine when a school nurse is not available.

Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-38

  5. ON CONSENT CALENDAR /IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. FILE NO. 752

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 492

  10. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  11. IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE

  12. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  14. FILE NO. 541

  15. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 360

  16. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  17. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  18. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26

  19. FILED WITH LCO

  20. Joint Favorable Substitute

  21. PUBLIC HEARING 0313

  22. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 177 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (177)

177 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5515?
HB 5515 is sponsored by Chris Stewart (Republican), Tina Courpas (Republican), Nicole Klarides-Ditria (Republican), Karen Reddington-Hughes (Republican), Tony Hwang (Republican), William Pizzuto (Republican), Tom O'Dea (Republican), Tom Delnicki (Republican), Saud Anwar (Democratic), and Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 5515?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 05, 2026. Enacted.
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