HB 5518 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SUBSURFACE SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WATER OPERATOR APPRENTICES AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND DRINKING WATER STATUTES.
Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed House
-
✓Passed Senate
-
✓To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 05, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on June 04, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
-
Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
-
3 sponsors
3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill addresses recommendations for sewage enforcement officers and water operator apprentices.
This legislation modifies existing regulations related to subsurface sewage enforcement officers and water operator apprentices. It also updates various environmental health and drinking water statutes.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
1405 added · 1226 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent changes to Bill HB 5518 involve the addition of specific terms and definitions related to drinking water sources and approved laboratories. These updates clarify what constitutes an "approved laboratory" and "approved source," ensuring they meet standards set by the Department of Public Health or the Environmental Protection Agency. By formalizing these definitions, the bill aims to enhance the safety and quality of drinking water and improve regulations surrounding its testing and sourcing. This clarity is important for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Substitute House ofBill Representatives General Assembly File No.
5435518 FebruaryPublic Session,Act 2026 Substitute House Bill No.
551826-142 HouseAN ofACT Representatives,CONCERNING AprilTHE 9,DEPARTMENT 2026OF ThePUBLIC CommitteeHEALTH'S onRECOMMENDATIONS PublicREGARDING HealthSUBSURFACE reportedSEWAGE throughENFORCEMENT REP.OFFICERS, WATER OPERATOR APPRENTICES AND VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND DRINKING WATER STATUTES.
MCCARTHY VAHEY of the 133rd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND DRINKING WATER STATUTES.
(2) "Approved source" means the source of any bottled water, including, but not limited to, a spring, artesian well, drilled well or public water supply, that, for a source located in the state, has been inspected and approved by the Department of Public Health, or for a source located out of state, has been inspected and approved by the sHB5518government /entities Filehaving jurisdiction to regulate the use of such out- Substitute House Bill No.
5435518 1of-state sHB5518source; File No.
543 government entities having jurisdiction to regulate the use of such out- of-state source;
(10)Public "NaturalAct water" means bottled spring water, artesian well water sHB5518 / File No.
54326-142 2 sHB5518of File46 Substitute House Bill No.
5435518 (10) "Natural water" means bottled spring water, artesian well water or well water, that has been obtained from any approved source other than a public water supply and that has not been modified by blending with water from any other source or by the addition or deletion of any mineral other than any addition or deletion that may occur as a result of ozonation, filtration or any other substantially similar disinfection process;
(11) "Perfluoroalkyl substance" means perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluoronoanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid or any other perfluoroalkyl substance thethat commissioneris determineslisted requiresin an40 actionCFR level141.903, foras theamended protectionfromtime ofto publictime,or health,set safetyforthinregulationsadoptedpursuant ortosection welfare;25-32, as amended by this act;
[(13)] (14) "Purified water" means bottled water that is produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or any other suitable process and that meets standards established for purified water in the twentieth editionPublic ofAct theNo. United States Pharmacopoeia;
26-142 3 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia;
[and] sHB5518(16) /"Unregulated Filecontaminant" No.means any chemical, physical, biological or radiological substance in a bottled water source, except a perfluoroalkyl substance, for which there is no state or federal statutory or regulatory drinking water health standard, and that is listed in 40 CFR 141.40, as amended from time to time;
543 3 sHB5518 File No.
543 (16) "Unregulated contaminant" means any chemical, physical, biological or radiological substance in a bottled water source, except a perfluoroalkyl substance, for which there is no state or federal statutory or regulatory drinking water health standard;
(c) (1) The Commissioner of Public HealthAct shall,No. not less than annually, issue a schedule containing (A) a list of perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants, and (B) the acceptable levels of or standards governing such perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants in drinking water.
The26-142 commissioner4 shallof update46 theSubstitute schedule,House asBill deemedNo. necessary by the commissioner.
[(c)]5518 (2)(c) On(1) orThe beforeCommissioner Januaryof 1,Public [2022]Health 2027,shall andissue annuallya thereafter,schedule qualifiedcontaining employees(A) a list of aperfluoroalkyl bottlersubstances shalland [(1)]unregulated (A)contaminants, collectand samples(B) ofacceptable waterlevels sHB5518for /(i) Filesuch No.perfluoroalkyl substances, basedonlevelssetforthin40CFR 141.903,as amendedfrom time totime, and(ii)unregulatedcontaminants,basedonlevelsset forth in 40 CFR 141.40, as amended from time to time.
543[(c)] 4(2) sHB5518On Fileor No.before January 1, [2022] 2027, and annually thereafter, qualified employees of a bottler shall [(1)] (A) collect samples of water from each approved source that is located in the state, that has been inspected and approved by the Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 21a-150a, as amended by this act, and is used by such bottler, prior to any treatment, to test for compliance with the (i) levels or standards governing perfluoroalkyl substances and [other] unregulated contaminants established in the most recent schedule issued pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, and (ii) physical, chemical, radiological and microbiological standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 25-32, as amended by this act, and [(2)] (B) have such samples analyzed by an environmental laboratory [registered] certified by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-29a, as amended by this act, that has the Environmental Protection Agency approved certification to conduct such analysis.
543 from each approved source that is located in the state, that has been inspected and approved by the Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 21a-150a, as amended by this act, and is used by such bottler, prior to any treatment, to test for compliance with the (i) levels or standards governing perfluoroalkyl substances and [other] unregulated contaminants established in the most recent schedule issued pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, and (ii) physical, chemical, radiological and microbiological standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 25-32, and [(2)] (B) have such samples analyzed by an environmental laboratory [registered] certified by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-29a, as amended by this act, that has the Environmental Protection Agency approved certification to conduct such analysis.
(2) Collect, not less than once annually, a representative sample from a batch or segment of a continuous production of each type of bottled water sold by such bottler in this state, and have such sample analyzed by an approved laboratory to determine whether such sample complies with the chemical, inorganic, organic, physical and radiological standards set forth in regulations adopted by the Department of Public HealthAct pursuantNo. to section [19a-36] 25-32 concerning public drinking water.
Each26-142 bottler5 that uses water obtained from an out-of-state source may meet the requirements of this46 subdivisionSubstitute byHouse demonstratingBill complianceNo. with substantially similar standards established by the government entity having jurisdictiontoregulate theuse ofsuchsource.
5518 a batch or segment of a continuous production of each type of bottled water sold by such bottler in this state, and have such sample analyzed by an approved laboratory to determine whether such sample complies with the chemical, inorganic, organic, physical and radiological standards set forth in regulations adopted by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section [19a-36] 25-32, as amended by this act, concerning public drinking water.
Each bottler that uses water obtained from an out-of-state source may meet the requirements of this subdivision by demonstrating compliance with substantially similar standards established by the government entity having jurisdiction to regulate the use of such source.
Subsection (d) of section 21a-150d of the general statutes is sHB5518repealed /andthefollowing Fileissubstituted No.inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
543 5 sHB5518 File No.
543 repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
If such results [exceed the level set by the Commissioner of Public Health pursuant to section 22a-471 for suchperfluoroalkylsubstancesandother unregulatedcontaminants]do not meet the requirements for (1) levels or standards governing perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants established pursuant to the provisions of section 21a-150b, as amended by this act, or (2) physical, chemical, radiological and microbiological standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 25-32, as amended by this act, the Department of Public Health may require such bottler to discontinue use of its approved source until such source [no longer creates an unacceptable risk of injury to the health or safety of persons drinking the bottled water that comes from such source] meets thePublic requirementsAct forNo. such levels or standards.
26-142 6 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 the requirements for such levels or standards.
[As used in this subsection, "unregulated contaminant" means a contaminant for which the Commissioner of Public Health, pursuant to section 22a-471, has set a level at which such contaminant creates or can reasonably be expected to create an unacceptableunacceptableriskofinjurytothehealthorsafetyofthepersonsdrinking risk of injury to the health or safety of the persons drinking such source of water.] Sec.
Theownerofanyresidentialorcommercialpropertyshallnotifyeach tenant of any leased or rented unit located on such property and the sHB5518lessee /of Filesuch No.property whenever any testing of the water supply for such property indicates that the water exceeds [a] any maximum contaminant level [applicable to] for water supply systems [for any contaminant listed] set forth in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies or for [any contaminant listed on the state drinking water action level list established pursuant to section 22a-471] perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants established pursuant to the provisions of section 21a-150b, as amended by this act.
543As 6soon sHB5518as Filepracticable, No.but not later than forty-eight hours after receiving notification of theresults of such testing, the owner shall forward a copy of such notification to each such tenant and lessee.
543 lessee of such property whenever any testing of the water supply for such property indicates that the water exceeds [a] any maximum contaminant level [applicable to] for water supply systems [for any contaminant listed] set forth in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies [or for any contaminant listed on the state drinking water action level list established pursuant to section 22a-471] or for perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants established pursuant to the provisions of section 21a-150b, as amended by this act.
As soon as practicable, but not later than forty-eight hours after receiving notification of the results of such testing, the owner shall forward a copy of such notification to each such tenant and lessee.
(a)Public AsAct usedNo. in this section:
26-142 7 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
Show all 500 changed lines (460 more)
5518 (a) As used in this section:
"Environmental laboratory" does not include a publicly-owned treatment works, as defined in section 22a-521, that performs only physical, residue, microbiological and biological oxygen demand tests for its own facility for which results are required by or submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to comply with permits or authorizations issued pursuant to section 22a-6k, 22a-430 or 22a-430b, or a pollution abatement facility, as defined in either section 22a-423 or sHB551822a-475,thattestsforpH,turbidity,conductivity,salinityandoxidation- /reduction Filepotential, No.and tests for residual chlorine for its own facility for which results are required by or submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protectionto comply with permits or authorizations issued pursuant to section 22a-6k, 22a-430 or 22a-430b;
543 7 sHB5518 File No.
543 22a-475,thattestsforpH,turbidity,conductivity,salinityandoxidation- reduction potential, and tests for residual chlorine for its own facility for which results are required by or submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protectionto comply with permits or authorizations issued pursuant to section 22a-6k, 22a-430 or 22a-430b;
[(3)] (4) "Matrix" means the substance or medium in which an analyte [is]mayPublic becontainedAct [,]thatNo. may includedrinking water or wastewater;
26-142 8 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 [is]may becontained [,]that may includedrinking water or wastewater;
[, and (2) establish one sHB5518or /more Fileschedules No.of the amounts of civil penalties that may be imposed under this section.
543 8 sHB5518 File No.
543 or more schedules of the amounts of civil penalties that may be imposed under this section.
The Commissioner of Public Health may revoke or otherwise limit the license of any environmental laboratory that fails to comply with the provisions of this section or regulations adopted under this section.] The(c) [The Commissioner of Public Health mayshall implementdetermine policieswhether andit proceduresis necessary tofor implement the provisionsprotection of this section while in the processpublic ofhealth adoptingor such policies and procedures as regulations, provided the departmentenvironment postsfor suchPublic policiesAct andNo. procedures on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after thedateofimplementationofsuchpoliciesandprocedures.Policiesand procedures implemented pursuant to this section shall be valid until final regulations are adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
(c)26-142 [The9 Commissioner of Public46 HealthSubstitute shallHouse determineBill whetherNo. it is necessary for the protection of the public health or the environment for an environmental laboratory to be registered and to have certification to conduct a test for an analyte in a matrix.
5518 an environmental laboratory to be registered and to have certification to conduct a test for an analyte in a matrix.
sHB5518(d) /The Filecommissioner No.shall, annually, publish a list setting forth all analytes and matrices for which a certification for testing is required.
543 9 sHB5518 File No.
543 (d) The commissioner shall, annually, publish a list setting forth all analytes and matrices for which a certification for testing is required.
[Registration]Public CertificationAct shallNo. not be in force until notice of its effective date and term has been sent to the applicant.
26-142 10 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 [Registration] Certification shall not be in force until notice of its effective date and term has been sent to the applicant.
(h)Notwithstanding If,the uponprovisions review,of investigationthis section, results from analyses performed by certified water operators, or inspection,persons under the [Commissionersupervision of Publiccertified Healthwater determinesoperators, an]at commissionerdrinking determineswater atreatment certifiedfacilities sHB5518may /be Fileused No.to confirm treatment effectiveness and for regulatory reporting, when permitted by applicable law.
543(h) 10If, sHB5518upon Filereview, No.investigation or inspection, the [Commissioner of Public Health determines an] commissioner determines a certified environmental laboratory has violated any provision of this section or regulations adopted under this section, the commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation per day and issue such other orders as the commissioner determines necessary to protect the public health.
543 environmental laboratory has violated any provision of this section or regulations adopted under this section, the commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation per day and issue such other orders as the commissioner determines necessary to protect the public health.
The commissioner (1) may take any of the actions authorized under section 19a-494 against an environmental laboratory that fails to comply with thePublic provisionsAct ofNo. this section or regulations adopted thereunder, and (2) shall summarily suspend the certification of an environmental laboratory in advance of a final adjudication or during the appeals process if the commissioner finds that the environmental laboratory presents a clear and present danger to the public health and safety if allowed to continue operating.
26-142 11 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 the provisions of this section or regulations adopted thereunder, and (2) shall summarily suspend the certification of an environmental laboratory in advance of a final adjudication or during the appeals process if the commissioner finds that the environmental laboratory presents a clear and present danger to the public health and safety if allowed to continue operating.
(k) The commissioner may request the Attorney General to petition sHB5518the /Superior FileCourt No.for an order to aid in enforcement of any provision of this section.
543 11 sHB5518 File No.
543 the Superior Court for an order to aid in enforcement of any provision of this section.
An out-of-state environmental laboratory seeking to operate a service center shall apply forPublic suchAct approvalNo. in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
26-142 12 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 for such approval in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
Subsection (a) of section 19a-14d of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober sHB55181, /2026): File No.
543(a) 12An sHB5518occupational Fileor professional license, permit, certification or registration issued by the Department of Public Health pursuant to Public Act No.
54326-142 1,13 2026):of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
(a)5518 An occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration issued by the Department of Public Health pursuant to chapter 368v, 370, 372, 373, 375, 375a, 376, 376a, 376b, 376c, 377, 378, 378a, 379, 379a, 380, 381, 381a, 381b, 382a, 382b, 382c, 383, 383a, 383b, 383c, 383d, 383e, 383f, 383g, 383h, 384, 384a, 384b, 384c, 384d, 385, 386, 387, 387a, 388, 388a, 393a, 395, 397a, 398, 399, [400a,] 400c or 474 shall be issued, in the occupation or profession applied for andat a practice level determined by the department, to a person, including, but not limited to, an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States or such person's spouse, if:
Section 19a-332 of the general statutes is repealed and the sHB5518following /is Filesubstituted No.in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
543Public 13Act sHB5518 File No.
54326-142 following14 isof substituted46 inSubstitute lieuHouse thereofBill (EffectiveNo. October 1, 2026):
5518 As used in subsection (c) of section 19a-14 and sections 19a-332 to 19a-332e, inclusive, as amended by this act, 20-435 to 20-442, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 52-577a:
(6) "Asbestos contractor" means any person or entity engaged in asbestosPublic abatementAct [whose employees actually perform] that actually sHB5518 / File No.
54326-142 1415 sHB5518of File46 Substitute House Bill No.
5435518 asbestos abatement [whose employees actually perform] that actually performs the asbestos abatement work and who has been issued a license by the commissioner;
A person who provides services as an asbestos contractor shall not perform any duties associated with those of an asbestos abatement site supervisor unless suchPublic personAct isNo. certified pursuant to the provisions of section 20-438, as amended by this act.
Applications26-142 for16 such license shall be made to the Department of Public46 HealthSubstitute onHouse formsBill provided by it, shall be accompanied by a fee of six hundred twenty-five dollars and shall sHB5518 / File No.
5435518 15such sHB5518person Fileis No.certified pursuant to the provisions of section 20-438, as amended by this act.
543Applications for such license shall be made to the Department of Public Health on forms provided by it, shall be accompanied by a fee of six hundred twenty-five dollars and shall contain such information regarding the applicant's qualifications as the [department] commissioner may require in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, as amended by this act, including, but not limited to, proof of a valid certification as an asbestos abatement site supervisor if the applicant is an individual, and documentation demonstrating that all employees have passed a training course, as defined in section 20-439, as amended by this act, approved by the [department and have been issued a certificate by the department] commissioner.
Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-8819a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of six hundred twenty-five dollars.
Applications for such license shall be made to the department on forms provided by it, and shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred fifty dollars, and shall contain such information regardingPublic theAct applicant'sNo. qualifications and experience [in asbestos- related consultations asthedepartment]relatedto asbestosconsultation services, including supervised field experience related to asbestos consultation services, as the commissioner may require in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, as amended by this act.
[Except26-142 as17 providedof in46 thisSubstitute section,House noBill person shall be licensed as an asbestos consultant unless he completes a training course approved by the sHB5518 / File No.
5435518 16regarding sHB5518the Fileapplicant's No.qualifications and experience [in asbestos- related consultations asthedepartment]relatedto asbestosconsultation services, including supervised field experience related to asbestos consultation services, as the commissioner may require in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, as amended by this act.
543[Except as provided in this section, no person shall be licensed as an asbestos consultant unless he completes a training course approved by the department, passes an examination prescribed by the department, receivesa certificate issuedby thedepartment andsatisfiesemployment experience and educational requirements established by the commissioner pursuant to section 20-441.] An applicant may apply for licensure as an asbestos consultant in one or more of the asbestos consultant services disciplines of inspector, management planner, project designer or project monitor.
Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-8819a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of two hundred fifty dollars.
[(c)Public NotwithstandingAct theNo. provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a person who between July 1, 1985, and November 1, 1994, has been employed for a minimum of two years as an asbestos consultant may be licensed asan asbestos consultant without the educationalrequirements established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.] Sec.
26-142 18 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 [(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a person who between July 1, 1985, and November 1, 1994, has been employed for a minimum of two years as an asbestos consultant may be licensed asan asbestos consultant without the educationalrequirements established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.] Sec.
[On and after one year following the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, no] No person shall be employed as sHB5518an /asbestos Fileabatement No.worker unless such [worker] person has completed a training program on asbestos hazards and abatement procedures approved by the [department] commissioner pursuant to section 20-439, as amended by this act, and has been issued a certificate by the [department] commissioner.
543 17 sHB5518 File No.
543 an asbestos abatement worker unless such [worker] person has completed a training program on asbestos hazards and abatement procedures approved by the [department] commissioner pursuant to section 20-439, as amended by this act, and has been issued a certificate by the [department] commissioner.
Certificates issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-8819a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of fifty dollars.
[On and after one year following the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, no] No person shall be employed as anPublic asbestosAct abatementNo. site supervisor unless such [worker] person has completed a training program on the supervision of asbestos abatement approved bythe [department]commissioner pursuant to section20-439, as amended by this act, and has been issued a certificate by the [department] commissioner.
26-142 19 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 an asbestos abatement site supervisor unless such [worker] person has completed a training program on the supervision of asbestos abatement approved bythe [department]commissioner pursuant to section20-439, as amended by this act, and has been issued a certificate by the [department] commissioner.
The [department] commissioner may issue a certificate under this section to any person who is licensed or certified in another state under a lawwhich providesstandards which are equalto or higher than those of the state of Connecticut, provided such person is not subject to sHB5518any /unresolved Filecomplaints No.or pending disciplinary actions.
543Certificates 18issued sHB5518pursuant Fileto No.this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of one hundred dollars.
543 any unresolved complaints or pending disciplinary actions.
Certificates issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88 upon payment of a fee of one hundred dollars.
andPublic (2)Act "trainingNo. course" means a specific course offered as part of a training program by a certified asbestos training provider for asbestos abatement, asbestos site supervision or asbestos consultant services and approved in accordance with this section.
26-142 20 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 and (2) "training course" means a specific course offered as part of a training program by a certified asbestos training provider for asbestos abatement, asbestos site supervision or asbestos consultant services and approved in accordance with this section.
Each certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with thetheprovisionsofsubsection(e)ofsection19a-88,asamendedby provisionsthisact, of subsection (e) of section 19a-88 upon payment of a fee sHB5518of /fifty Filedollars. No.
543 19 sHB5518 File No.
543 of fifty dollars.
Each application for approval or reapproval of a refresher training program [as required by section 20-441] shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred fifty dollars.Public Act No.
26-142 21 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 dollars.
(a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to administer the provisions of subsection (c) of section 19a-14, as amended by this act, and sections [19a-332 and] 20-435 to [20-441] 20-442a, inclusive, asamendedas amended by thisact.Suchregulationsshallthis include,act. but not be limited to, the following:
Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(2) sHB5518standards /for Filethe No.licensing of asbestos contractors and asbestos consultants in each of the asbestos consultant disciplines and for the certification of asbestos abatement workers and asbestos abatement site supervisors;
543(3) 20standards sHB5518for Fileapproval No.of asbestos training providers and training programs [of asbestos abatement and asbestos consultation services] under section 20-439, as amended by this act, including standards for successful completion of such programs;
543 standards for the licensing of asbestos contractors and asbestos consultants in each of the asbestos consultant disciplines and for the certification of asbestos abatement workers and asbestos abatement site supervisors;
(3) standards for approval of asbestos training providers andtraining programs [ofasbestosabatement andasbestosconsultation services] under section 20-439, as amended by this act, including standards for successful completion of such programs;
(b) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to provide for the training of asbestos abatementPublic siteAct supervisors,No. asbestos abatement workers and asbestos consultants, and for the specification of closely related environmental science degrees.
26-142 22 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 abatement site supervisors, asbestos abatement workers and asbestos consultants, and for the specification of closely related environmental science degrees.
sHB5518(a) /The Filedepartment No.may deny an application of [an individual] a person or entity or take any action set forth in section 19a-17 and subsection (f) of section 19a-88 against a person or entity licensed, [or] certified or approved pursuant to chapter 400a for [reasons including, but not limited to,] the following reasons:
543 21 sHB5518 File No.
543 (a) The department may deny an application of [an individual] a person or entity or take any action set forth in section 19a-17 and subsection (f) of section 19a-88 against a person or entity licensed, [or] certified or approved pursuant to chapter 400a for [reasons including, but not limited to,] the following reasons:
(3) negligent,Public incompetentAct orNo. wrongful conduct in professional activities;
26-142 23 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 negligent, incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities;
The location of such crematory shall be within the confines of an established cemetery containing not less than twenty acres, which cemetery shall have been in existence and operation for at least five years immediately preceding the time of the erection of such crematory, or shall be within the confines of a plot of land approved for the location of a crematory by the selectmen of any town, the mayor and council or board of aldermen of any city and the warden and burgesses sHB5518of /any Fileborough; No.
543 22 sHB5518 File No.
543 of any borough;
(b)ApplicationforPublic suchapprovalshallbeAct madeinwritingNo. to thelocal authority specified in subsection (a) of this section and a hearing shall be held within the town, city or borough in which such location is situated within sixty-five days from the date of receipt of such application.
26-142 24 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (b)Applicationfor suchapprovalshallbe madeinwriting to thelocal authority specified in subsection (a) of this section and a hearing shall be held within the town, city or borough in which such location is situated within sixty-five days from the date of receipt of such application.
(2) Each holder of an inspection certificate shall, annually, on or sHB5518before /July Filefirst, No.submit in writing to the Department of Public Health an application for renewal of such certificate together with a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars.
543 23 sHB5518 File No.
543 before July first, submit in writing to the Department of Public Health an application for renewal of such certificate together with a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars.
(3) Upon receipt of an application for arenewal of such certificate, the Department of Public HealthAct shallNo. make an inspection of each crematory.
26-142 25 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 Department of Public Health shall make an inspection of each crematory.
(e) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limitedto,establishinglimited to,establishing technicalstandardsfor theuse of alkaline hydrolysis and other chemical processes for cremation and the disposal of any products or by-products used in such processes.
The sHB5518 / File No.
543 24 sHB5518 File No.
543 commissioner may adopt policies and procedures necessary to implementtheprovisionsofthissectionwhileintheprocessofadopting such policies and procedures as regulations, provided the department posts such policies and procedures on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation of such policies and procedures.
Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this section shall be valid until final regulations are adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
The zoning regulations adopted under section 8-2 or any special act shallPublic notAct authorizeNo. the location of a crematory within five hundred feet of any residential structure or land zoned for residential purposes not owned by the owner of the crematory.
26-142 26 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 shall not authorize the location of a crematory within five hundred feet of any residential structure or land zoned for residential purposes not owned by the owner of the crematory.
sHB5518(1) /"Laboratory Fileor No.firm" means an environmental laboratory [registered] certified by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-29a, as amended by this act;
543 25 sHB5518 File No.
543 (1) "Laboratory or firm" means an environmental laboratory [registered] certified by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-29a, as amended by this act;
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Agent of the local director of health" means a person who holds an approval from the commissioner, pursuant to the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, to investigate, inspect and approve plans relating to subsurface sewage disposal systems;
Public Act No.
26-142 27 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health;
(3) "Department" means the Department of Public Health;
(4) "Local director of health" means a director of a (A) municipal health department, appointed pursuant to section 19a-200 of the general statutes,or (B)districthealthdepartment,appointedpursuant to section 19a-242 of the general statutes;
(5) "Subsurface sewage enforcement officer" means a person who has obtained certification from the commissioner to (A) review and approve plans, (B) conduct regulatory inspections, (C) investigate complaints relating to subsurface sewage disposal systems within the jurisdiction of a local director of health, and (D) perform any other related duties as prescribed by the commissioner;
(6) "Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer" means a person certifiedby thecommissioner to act asa subsurface sewage enforcement officer for a subsurface sewage disposal system serving a building with a design flow of up to two thousand gallons per day, except for such subsurface sewage disposal systems designed by a professional engineer licensed pursuant to chapter 391 of the general statutes;
(7) "Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer" means a person certifiedby thecommissioner to act asa subsurface sewage enforcement officer for a subsurface sewage disposal system serving a building with a design flow up to ten thousand gallons per day;
and (8) "Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer" means a person certifiedby thecommissioner to act asa subsurface sewage enforcement officer for an alternative on-site sewage treatment system serving a building with a design flow of ten thousand gallons per day or less.
(b) (1) On and after October 1, 2026, no person, including a licensed environmental health specialist, as defined in section 20-358 of the Public Act No.
26-142 28 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 general statutes, shall perform the duties of a subsurface sewage enforcement officer unless such person is (A) certified by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this section, and (B) appointed by a local director of health to perform the duties of a subsurface sewage enforcement officer as an employee or contractor of the municipal health department or health district.
The local director of health shall maintain records of such appointments and provide the department a copy of, or access to, such records upon the commissioner's request.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, an agent of the local director of health approved before October 1, 2026, may perform the duties of a subsurface sewage enforcement officer for a local director of health without obtaining certification pursuant to the provisions of this section, provided such agent applies for an initial certification as a subsurface sewage enforcement officer pursuant to the provisions of this section not later than October 1, 2027.
(c) (1) An agent of the local director of health, who is approved to investigate, inspect and approve all plans for subsurface sewage disposal systems, except those prepared by a professional engineer licensed pursuant to chapter 391 of the general statutes, shall seek initial certification as a Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer.
An agent of the local director of health, who is approved to investigate, inspect and approve plans for subsurface sewage disposal systems prepared by a professional engineer, licensed pursuant to chapter 391 of the general statutes, shall seek initial certification as a Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer.
After receiving initial certification, such certification shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section.
On and after the date on which the commissioner begins issuing certifications pursuant to the provisionsofthissection,thecommissionershallnotgrantanyapproval of an agent of the local director of health pursuant to the regulations of Public Act No.
26-142 29 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 Connecticut state agencies.
(2) Employees or contractors of the department may conduct regulatory inspections and investigate complaints concerning subsurface sewage disposal systems on behalf of the department without obtaining certification as a subsurface sewage enforcement officer pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(3) An applicant for certification as a subsurface sewage enforcement officer may perform the duties of a subsurface sewage enforcement officer as part of a practical component of a training course, as described in subsection (i) of this section, developed by the department that is taught by department staff or an approved training provider holding a certification for the certification level sought.
(d) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, a person may apply, in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, for an initial certification after (1) completing a training courseprescribedbythecommissioner,and(2)receivingapassingscore on an examination prescribed by the commissioner for the subsurface sewage enforcement officer certification level the applicant seeks.
No person may apply for certification as a Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer earlier than the date on which minimum requirements for alternative on-site sewage treatment systems are established in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-35a of the general statutes.
(e) There shall be no fee to apply for an initial subsurface sewage enforcement officer certification or to renew such certification.
A certification shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
(f) The commissioner may require subsurface sewage enforcement officers to attend conferences to provide information and updates Public Act No.
26-142 30 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 regarding on-site sewage treatment systems, which may include, but need not be limited to, a review of the department's technical standards for the siting, design and installation requirements of a subsurface sewage disposal system.
The commissioner may conduct such conferences in person, online or by prerecorded online presentations.
The commissioner shall not conduct more than two such conferences in any one calendar year.
(g) A subsurface sewage enforcement officer shall only hold a certification as a Phase I, Phase II or Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer and shall not hold more than one such certification at one time.
A Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer shall only perform activities associated with a Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer certification.
A Phase II subsurface sewage enforcementofficermayperformactivitiesassociatedwithaPhaseIand Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer certification.
A Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer may perform activities associated with Phase I and Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer certification and activities associated with alternative on-site sewage treatment systems.
No person shall apply for certification as a Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer without having previously obtained certification as a Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer or served as an agent of a local director of health prior to October 1, 2026.
No person shall apply for certification as a Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer without having previously obtained certification as a Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer.
(h) The commissioner shall develop the following initial certification applications:
(1) Phase I or Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer for agents of local directors of health approved prior to October 1, 2026, which shall include an attestation of such approval prior to October 1, 2026, (2) Phase I subsurface sewage enforcement officer, (3) Public Act No.
26-142 31 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 Phase II subsurface sewage enforcement officer, and (4) Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officer.
The commissioner shall also develop a renewal certification application and an application for training providers seeking the commissioner's approval to provide subsurface sewage enforcement officer training courses pursuant to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section.
(i) The commissioner shall develop training courses and corresponding examinations for Phase I, Phase II and Phase III subsurface sewage enforcement officers.
The training courses may include a practical component, plan reviews and homework.
The commissioner may approve training providers to teach the courses.
To be approved, a training provider shall demonstrate, in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, that the training course and its materials are consistent with the department's technical standards for the siting, design and installation of subsurface sewage disposal systems.
Any approval granted pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall expire three years after the date of such approval.
The commissioner may administer or contract with a testing center to administer training courses or certification examinations.
(j) The commissioner may adopt regulations concerning the certification of subsurface sewage enforcement officers, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, that shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) The scope of duties performed by each certification of subsurface sewage enforcement officer;
(2) requirements and procedures for the issuance of an initial certification;
(3) requirements and procedures to renew certification, in accordance with section 19a-88 of the general statutes, as amended by this act;
(4) standards and procedures for certification examinations administered by the commissioner or a testing center;
(5) training standards required for initial and renewal certification;
and (6) standards and procedures for the commissioner's approval of training providers and courses of Public Act No.
26-142 32 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 study offered by training providers.
The commissioner may implement policies and procedures necessary to implement the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures as regulations, provided the commissioner publishes notice of intent to adopt regulations on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation of such policies and procedures.
Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until final regulations are adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes.
(k) (1) The commissioner may take any disciplinary action against a subsurface sewage enforcement officer permitted under section 19a-17 of the general statutes, except for the assessment of a civil penalty, for any of the following reasons:
(A) Fraud or material deception in obtaining initial certification or renewal certification or the reinstatement of a certificate;
(B) fraudulent practices including, but not limited to, acceptance of bribes in the performance of the subsurface sewage enforcement officer's professional activities;
(C) incompetent, negligent or illegal performance of the subsurface sewage enforcement officer's professional duties;
(D) conviction of the subsurface sewage enforcement officer for a felony;
or (E) failure of the subsurface sewage enforcement officer to complete the mandatory training or attend mandatory conferences.
(2) The commissioner may take any disciplinary action against a training provider permitted under section 19a-17 of the general statutes, except for the assessment of a civil penalty, if the commissioner determines that (A) a training course's hours or materials were not consistent with the department's technical standards for the siting, designandinstallationofsubsurfacesewagedisposalsystems;or(B)the training provider engaged in incompetent, negligent or illegal activities in the provision of training courses.
Sec.
22.
Subsection (c) of section 19a-14 of the 2026 supplement to the Public Act No.
26-142 33 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(c) No board shall exist for the following professions that are licensed or otherwise regulated by the Department of Public Health:
(1) Speech and language pathologist and audiologist;
(2) Hearing instrument specialist;
(3) Nursing home administrator;
(4) Environmental health specialist;
(5) Subsurface sewage system installer or cleaner;
(6) Marital and family therapist and marriage and family therapist associate;
(7) Nurse-midwife;
(8) Licensed clinical social worker;
(9) Respiratory care practitioner;
(10) Asbestos contractor, asbestos consultant and asbestos training provider;
(11) Massage therapist;
(12) Registered nurse's aide;
(13) Radiographer;
(14) Dental hygienist;
(15) Dietitian-Nutritionist;
Public Act No.
26-142 34 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (16) Asbestos abatement worker;
(17) Asbestos abatement site supervisor;
(18) Licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor;
(19) Professional counselor and professional counselor associate;
(20) Acupuncturist;
(21) Occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant;
(22) Lead abatement contractor, lead consultant contractor, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor, lead abatement worker, lead training provider, lead inspector, lead inspector risk assessor and lead planner-project designer;
(23) Emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical responder and emergency medical services instructor;
(24) Paramedic;
(25) Athletic trainer;
(26) Perfusionist;
(27) Master social worker subject to the provisions of section 20-195v;
(28) Radiologist assistant, subject to the provisions of section 20-74tt;
(29) Homeopathic physician;
(30) Certified water treatment plant operator, certified distribution system operator, certified small water system operator, certified backflow prevention device tester and certified cross connection survey inspector, including certified limited operators, certified conditional Public Act No.
26-142 35 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 operators and certified operators in training;
(31) Tattoo technician;
(32) Genetic counselor;
(33) Behavior analyst;
(34) Art therapist;
(35) Esthetician;
(36) Eyelash technician;
[and] (37) Nail technician;
and (38) Subsurface sewage enforcement officer.
The department shall assume all powers and duties normally vested with a board in administering regulatory jurisdiction over such professions.
The uniform provisions of this chapter and chapters 368v, to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 388, inclusive, 393a, 395, 398, 399, 400a and 400c, including, but not limited to, standards for entry and renewal;
grounds for professional discipline;
receiving and processing complaints;
and disciplinary sanctions, shall apply, except as otherwise provided by law, to the professions listed in this subsection.
Sec.
23.
Subsection (c) of section 19a-14 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 196 of public act 25-168, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(c) No board shall exist for the following professions that are licensed or otherwise regulated by the Department of Public Health:
(1) Speech and language pathologist and audiologist;
Public Act No.
26-142 36 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (2) Hearing instrument specialist;
(3) Nursing home administrator;
(4) Environmental health specialist;
(5) Subsurface sewage system installer or cleaner;
(6) Marital and family therapist and marriage and family therapist associate;
(7) Nurse-midwife;
(8) Licensed clinical social worker;
(9) Respiratory care practitioner;
(10) Asbestos contractor, asbestos consultant and asbestos training provider;
(11) Massage therapist;
(12) Registered nurse's aide;
(13) Radiographer;
(14) Dental hygienist;
(15) Dietitian-Nutritionist;
(16) Asbestos abatement worker;
(17) Asbestos abatement site supervisor;
(18) Licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor;
(19) Professional counselor and professional counselor associate;
(20) Acupuncturist;
Public Act No.
26-142 37 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (21) Occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant;
(22) Lead abatement contractor, lead consultant contractor, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor, lead abatement worker, lead training provider, lead inspector, lead inspector risk assessor and lead planner-project designer;
(23) Emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical responder and emergency medical services instructor;
(24) Paramedic;
(25) Athletic trainer;
(26) Perfusionist;
(27) Master social worker subject to the provisions of section 20-195v;
(28) Radiologist assistant, subject to the provisions of section 20-74tt;
(29) Homeopathic physician;
(30) Certified water treatment plant operator, certified distribution system operator, certified small water system operator, certified backflow prevention device tester and certified cross connection survey inspector, including certified limited operators, certified conditional operators and certified operators in training;
(31) Tattoo technician;
(32) Genetic counselor;
(33) Behavior analyst;
(34) Art therapist;
Public Act No.
26-142 38 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (35) Esthetician;
(36) Eyelash technician;
(37) Nail technician;
[and] (38) Subsurface sewage enforcement officer;
and [(38)] (39) Lactation consultant.
The department shall assume all powers and duties normally vested with a board in administering regulatory jurisdiction over such professions.
The uniform provisions of this chapter and chapters 368v, to 381a, inclusive, 382e to 388,inclusive, 393a,395,398,399,400a and 400c, including, but not limited to, standards for entry and renewal;
grounds for professional discipline;
receiving and processing complaints;
and disciplinary sanctions, shall apply, except as otherwise provided by law, to the professions listed in this subsection.
Sec.
24.
Subsection (e) of section 19a-88 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(e) (1) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, 20-65k, 20-74s, 20-185k, 20-185l, 20-195cc or 20-206ll and chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, 375, 378 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 383c, inclusive, 383g, 384, 384a, 384b, 385, 393a, 395, 399 or 400a and section 20-206n or 20-206o shall, annually, or, in the case of a person holding a license as a marital and family therapist associate under section 20-195c on or before twenty-four months after the date of initial licensure, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the Department of Public Health, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
Public Act No.
26-142 39 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 (2) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, and chapters 384a, 384c, 384d, 386, 387, 388 and 398 shall apply for renewal of such license or certificate once every two years, during the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(3) Each person holding a certificate issued under section 20-195ttt shall apply for renewal of such certificate once every three years, during the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(4) Each person holding a license or certificate issued pursuant to chapter 400c shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
Each lead training provider certified pursuant to chapter 400c and each asbestos training provider certified pursuant to chapter 400a shall, annually, during the anniversary month of such training provider's initial certification, apply for renewal of such certificate to the department.
(5) Each entity holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-475 shall, annually, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
(6) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-162bb shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license to the Department of Public Health, upon payment of a fee of three hundred twenty dollars, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(7) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-278h Public Act No.
26-142 40 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 shall, once every two years, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license to the department.
(8) Each person holding a certificate pursuant to section 21 of this act shall, on or before three years after the date of issuance of an initial or renewal certification, apply for renewal of such certificate to the department.
Sec.
25.
Subsection (e) of section 19a-88 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 197 of public act 25-168, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(e) (1) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, 20-65k, 20-74s, 20-185k, 20-185l, 20-195cc or 20-206ll and chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, 375, 378 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 383c, inclusive, 383g, 384, 384a, 384b, 385, 393a, 395, 399 or 400a and section 20-206n or 20-206o shall, annually, or, in the case of a person holding a license as a marital and family therapist associate under section 20-195c on or before twenty-four months after the date of initial licensure, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the Department of Public Health, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(2) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, and chapters 382e, 384a, 384c, 384d, 386, 387, 388 and 398 shall apply for renewal of such license or certificate once every two years, during the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(3) Each person holding a certificate issued under section 20-195ttt shall apply for renewal of such certificate once every three years, during Public Act No.
26-142 41 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(4) Each person holding a license or certificate issued pursuant to chapter 400c shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
Each lead training provider certified pursuant to chapter 400c and each asbestos training provider certified pursuant to chapter 400a shall, annually, during the anniversary month of such training provider's initial certification, apply for renewal of such certificate to the department.
(5) Each entity holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-475 shall, annually, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
(6) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-162bb shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license to the Department of Public Health, upon payment of a fee of three hundred twenty dollars, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(7) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-278h shall, once every two years, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license to the department.
(8) Each person holding a certificate pursuant to section 21 of this act shall, on or before three years after the date of issuance of an initial or renewal certification, apply for renewal of such certificate to the department.
Sec.
26.
Subsection (n) of section 25-32 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, Public Act No.
26-142 42 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 2026):
(n) (1) On and after the effective date of regulations adopted under this subsection, no person shall operate any water treatment plant, water distribution system or small water system that treats or supplies water used or intended for use by the public, test any backflow prevention device, perform a cross connection survey without a certificate issued by the commissioner under this subsection or operate any water treatment plant or water distribution system as an operator- in-training unless such person is issued a certificate by the commissioner under this subsection.
The commissioner shall adopt regulations, inaccordance with chapter 54,to provide:(A)Standardsfor theoperationofsuch water treatment plants,water distributionsystems and small water systems;
(B) standards and procedures for the issuance of certificates to operators and operators-in-training of such water treatment plants and water distribution systems and operators of small water systems, including, but not limited to, standards and procedures for the department's approval of third parties to administer certification examinations to such operators and operators-in-training;
(C) procedures for the renewal of such certificates to operators every three years;
(D) standards for training required for the issuance or renewal of a certificate;
(E) standards and procedures for the department's approval of course providers and courses of study as they relate to certifiedoperatorsandcertifiedoperators-in-trainingofwatertreatment plants and water distribution systems and certified operators of small water systems and certified persons who test backflow prevention devices or perform cross connection surveys for initial and renewal applications;
and (F) standards and procedures for the issuance and renewal of certificates to persons who test backflow prevention devices or perform cross connection surveys.
Such regulations shall be consistent with applicable federal law and guidelines for operator certificationprogramspromulgatedbytheUnited StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency.
For purposes of this subsection, "small water Public Act No.
26-142 43 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 system" means a public water system, as defined in section 25-33d, that serves less than one thousand persons and has no treatment or has only treatment that does not require any chemical treatment, process adjustment, backwashing or media regeneration by an operator.
(2) The commissioner may take any disciplinary action set forth in section 19a-17, except for the assessment of a civil penalty under subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section 19a-17, against an operator, an operator-in-training, a person who tests backflow preventiondevices or a person who performs cross connection surveys holding a certificate issued under this subsection for any of the following reasons:
(A) Fraud or material deception in procuring a certificate, the renewal of a certificate or the reinstatement of a certificate;
(B) fraud or material deception in the performance of the certified operator's or certified operator-in-training's professional activities;
(C) incompetent, negligent or illegal performance of the certified operator's or certified operator-in- training's professional activities;
(D) conviction of the certified operator or certifiedoperator-in-training for afelony;
or (E)failure ofthe certified operator or certified operator-in-training to complete the training required under subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(3) The commissioner may issue an initial certificate to perform a function set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection upon receipt of a completed application, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, together with an application fee as follows:
(A) For a water treatment plant, water distribution system or small water system operator certificate, or operator-in-training certificate for a water treatment plant or water distribution system, two hundred twenty-four dollars, except there shall be no such application fee required for a student enrolled in an accredited high school small water system operator certification course;
(B) for a backflow prevention device tester certificate, one hundred fifty-four dollars;
and (C) for a cross-connection survey inspector certificate, one hundred fifty-four dollars.
A certificate issued Public Act No.
26-142 44 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 pursuant to this subdivision shall expire three years from the date of issuance unless renewed by the certificate holder prior to such expiration date, except a certificate issued for an operator-in-training pursuant to this section shall expire six years from the date of issuance and shall not be renewable.
The commissioner may renew a certificate, other than a certificate for an operator-in-training, for an additional three years upon receipt of a completed renewal application, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, together with a renewal applicationfee as follows:
(i) For a water treatment plant, water distribution system or small water system operator certificate, ninety-eight dollars;
(ii) for a backflow prevention device tester certificate, sixty-nine dollars;
and (iii) for a cross-connection survey inspector certificate, sixty-nine dollars.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (3) of this subsection, the commissioner may issue a certification to an applicant for water treatment plant operator, water distribution system operator or small water system operator under this subsection upon receiving such applicant's written application, in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, if the applicant (A) is an apprentice registered with the Labor Department, (B) has successfully completed an apprenticeship approved by the Labor Department and conducted in accordance with sections 31-22m to 31-22u, inclusive, for the type of system for which the apprentice is seeking certification, and (C) has passed a written examination prescribed in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies after completion of an approved registered apprenticeship program for the classification level sought for certification.
An apprentice shall provide written notification to the department not later than ten days before participating in such apprenticeshipprogram.
Suchwrittennotificationshallbeinaformand manner prescribed by the commissioner and shall include, but need not be limited to, information regarding the entity providing the apprenticeship program and the certified water operator or operators directly supervising such program.
A registered apprentice shall be Public Act No.
26-142 45 of 46 Substitute House Bill No.
5518 under direct supervision of a certified water operator of the type of system for which the apprentice is seeking certification but shall not make any process and system integrity decisions concerning the quality and quantity of water that affects public health.
Failure of a certified water operator to provide the supervision required under this section shall be grounds for disciplinary action against the certified water operator pursuant to the provisions of this section.
Sec.
27.
(Effective October 1, 2026) ThisGovernor's actAction: shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
SectionApproved 1June October4, 1, 2026 21a-150Public Sec.Act No.
226-142 October46 1,of 202646 21a-150a(a)(2) Sec.
3 October 1, 2026 21a-150b(c) Sec.
4 October 1, 2026 21a-150c(a)(2) Sec.
5 October 1, 2026 21a-150d(d) Sec.
6 October 1, 2026 19a-37k Sec.
7 October 1, 2026 19a-29a Sec.
8 October 1, 2026 19a-14d(a) Sec.
9 October 1, 2026 19a-332 Sec.
10 October 1, 2026 20-435 Sec.
11 October 1, 2026 20-436 Sec.
12 October 1, 2026 20-437 Sec.
13 October 1, 2026 20-438 Sec.
14 October 1, 2026 20-439 Sec.
15 October 1, 2026 20-440 Sec.
16 October 1, 2026 20-442a(a) Sec.
17 from passage 19a-320 Sec.
18 from passage 8-2n Sec.
19 October 1, 2026 20-442 Sec.
20 October 1, 2026 19a-37(a)(1) Sec.
21 October 1, 2026 Repealer section Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 11(a)(2), "adopted" was added for consistency with the general statutes, and in Section 17(a), "under subsection (d) of this section" was changed to "pursuant to subsection (d) of this section" for grammar.
PH Joint Favorable Subst.
-LCO sHB5518 / File No.
543 26 sHB5518 File No.
543 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 27 $ FY 28 $ Public Health, Dept.
GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill makes various unrelated changes to environmental health and drinking water statutes, resulting in a potential General Fund revenue gain beginning in FY 27 as described below.
Section 7 expands the Department of Public Health's (DPH) oversight of environmental laboratories, including the ability to assess certain civil penalties against out-of-state laboratories' in-state service centers, resulting in a potential General Fund revenue gain beginning in FY 27.
The exact revenue gain, if any, is dependent on the number of violations and DPH's discretion in assessing civil penalties.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations and value of assessed civil penalties.
DPH may issue civil fines of up to $5,000 per day for environmental laboratory violations, which is extended to in-state service centers by the bill.
sHB5518 / File No.
543 27 sHB5518 File No.
543 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5518 AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND DRINKING WATER STATUTES.
SUMMARY This bill makes various unrelated changes to statutory provisions on the regulation of public drinking water and environmental laboratories that test water sources, oversight of asbestos professionals, and crematories.
Principally, it:
1.
makes changes to the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) oversight of bottled water and water sources, such as specifically (a) requiring the commissioner to annually issue a schedule of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and unregulated contaminants in drinking water and (b) allowing DPH to set conditions on its approval of bottled water sources (§§ 1-6);
2.
(a) requires certain out-of-state environmental laboratories to get the department’s approval before operating service centers (collection sites) in the state, (b) allows DPH to implement policies and procedures on environmental laboratory regulation while in the process of adopting regulations, and (c) makes other changes affecting these laboratories (§§ 7 & 20);
3.
makes various changes to laws on asbestos professional credentialing, including certain changes to conform to existing practice or regulation (§§ 8-16, 19, & 21);
4.
exempts crematories that perform only alkaline hydrolysis at funeral homes from the law’s general restrictions on crematories being near residential properties (§§ 17 & 18);
and sHB5518 / File No.
543 28 sHB5518 File No.
543 5.
allows DPH to adopt policies and procedures and regulations on crematories, including on alkaline hydrolysis and other chemical cremation processes (§ 17).
The bill also makes several minor, technical, and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026, except the alkaline hydrolysis and crematory provisions are effective upon passage.
§§ 1-6 — BOTTLED WATER AND WATER SOURCES Conditions on Source Approval (§ 2) By law, sellers or distributors of bottled water from in-state sources must get DPH approval after an inspection of the water source.
The bill specifically allows DPH to set terms or conditions on its approval as the commissioner deems necessary to address quality and safety issues.
Under existing law, the approval is good for three years.
DPH Schedule of PFAS and Unregulated Contaminants and Required Testing (§ 3) By law, bottlers must annually collect water samples from each DPH- approved source and get them tested (before any water treatment) through an environmental laboratory for PFAS and other unregulated contaminants.
The bill specifically requires the DPH commissioner, at least annually, to issue a schedule that lists PFAS and unregulated contaminantsandtheacceptablelevelsor standardsfor eachindrinking water.
She must update the schedule as she deems necessary.
(Currently, DPH issues an action level list setting contaminant levels for drinking water, above which DPH or the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may take certain actions.) Correspondingly, starting by January 1, 2027, the bill requires that bottlers’ testing of water sources tests for (1) compliance with the levels or standards set in DPH’s schedule and (2) physical, chemical, radiological, and microbiological standards set in DPH regulations.
sHB5518 / File No.
543 29 sHB5518 File No.
543 For these purposes, the bill defines PFAS as any of five specific substances (for example, perfluorooctanoic acid or perfluoronoanoic acid) or any other perfluoroalkyl substances that the commissioner determines require an action level to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
The bill also revises the definition of “unregulated contaminant.” Current law defines this term as a contaminant for which DPH, under existing law, has set a level at which it creates, or can be reasonably expected to create, an unacceptable risk to health or safety.
The bill instead defines it as any chemical, physical, biological, or radiological substance in a bottled water source (other than PFAS) for which there is no state or federal statutory or regulatory drinking water health standard.
(Existing lawalso requireswater bottlersto collect samplesfromeach approved source at least once a year to test for regulated contaminants and at least once every three years for unregulated contaminants for which allowable levels have not been established.) Bottler Reporting (§ 5) By law, bottlers must report the testing results to DPH and the Department of Consumer Protection.
The bill specifies that they must do so in a way the DPH commissioner sets.
Under current law, if the testing results exceed DPH’s set level for PFAS or unregulated contaminants, the department may require the bottler to stop using that water source until the problem is resolved.
The bill instead grants DPH this authority if the testing results fail to meet the (1) PFAS or unregulated contaminant levels or standards in DPH’s schedule or (2) physical, chemical, radiological, and microbiological standards in DPH regulations.
Property Owner Notification to Tenants (§ 6) Existing law requires commercial and residential property owners to notify tenants and lessees whenever the property’s water supply is tested and exceeds certain thresholds.
Currently, this requirement sHB5518 / File No.
543 30 sHB5518 File No.
543 applies if the water exceeds any maximum contaminant level in state regulations or DPH’s state drinking water action level list.
The bill makes a conforming change by requiring this notice when the water exceeds the level in regulations or in the DPH schedule for PFAS or unregulated contaminants.
§§ 7 & 20 — ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORIES Certification Requirement By law, DPH regulates environmental laboratories that test drinking water, sewage, soil, and other environmental samples for contaminants.
Under current law, DPH must determine whether it is necessary for the protection of the public health or the environment to require an environmental laboratory to register with DPH and obtain certification to conduct analyte testing in a matrix;
if so, the laboratory must obtain DPHcertificationtodothesetests.Thebilleliminatesthisdetermination and instead requires environmental laboratories to be certified, rather than registered, with DPH.
The certification must set forth the specific analytes that may be tested and the acceptable testing methods (see below).
The bill specifies that the certification requirement applies to owning a laboratory, as well as managing or controlling one as under current law, that tests for analytes on DPH’s list (see below).
Current law allows DPH to revoke or otherwise limit a laboratory’s credential if it fails to comply with applicable law or regulations.
The bill instead specifically prohibits DPH from certifying an environmental laboratory until the laboratory shows its compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The bill exempts state-owned or -operated laboratories from the existing $1,250 certification application fee other applicants must pay.
Regulations and Policies and Procedures Existing law requires DPH to adopt regulations setting standards on various issues related to environmental laboratories.
The bill requires sHB5518 / File No.
543 31 sHB5518 File No.
543 the regulations to include standards for service centers (in-state collection sites operated solely to collect samples to be tested at a certified environmental laboratory or out-of-state one).
It eliminates the requirement for the regulations to set a civil penalty schedule (existing law sets a maximum $5,000 per day penalty for violations of the law or regulations).
The bill also allows the commissioner to adopt implementing policies and procedures while in the process of adopting regulations, as long as DPH posts them on the eRegulations System within 20 days after they are implemented.
The policies and procedures are valid until the final regulations are adopted.
Acceptable Testing Methods By law, DPH must annually publish a list of analytes and matrices that require certification for testing.
The bill requires the list to include the specific acceptable testing methods.
By law, an “analyte” is a microbiological, chemical, radiological, or other matrix component being measured by an analytical test.
Similar to current law, a “matrix” is the substance or medium in which an analyte may be contained, including drinking water or wastewater.
Exemption Currently, an environmental laboratory is exempt from these laws if it only provides laboratory services or information for its owner or operator.
The bill specifies that for the exemption to apply, the laboratory must use laboratory results solely for the owner’s or operator’s own information.
Show all 500 changed rows (460 more)
View plain text versions (4)
- Chaptered Public Act No. 26-142 Current pdf
- File No. 543 View text pdf
- PH Joint Favorable View text pdf
- Raised Bill View text pdf
Action History
-
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
-
TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR
-
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE
-
PUBLIC ACT 26-142
-
IN CONCURRENCE
-
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
-
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
-
SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 520
-
FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.
-
IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE
-
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
-
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
-
FILE NO. 543
-
HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 363
-
FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR
-
RPTD. OUT OF LCO
-
REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26
-
FILED WITH LCO
-
Joint Favorable
-
PUBLIC HEARING 0313
-
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
Sponsors
- Hilda E. Santiago · Primary
- Jaime S. Foster · Primary
- Iris N Sanchez · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on
Sponsors (3)
- Hilda E. Santiago Democratic
- Jaime S. Foster Democratic
- Iris N Sanchez Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (184)
184 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 184 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 5518?
- HB 5518 is sponsored by Hilda E. Santiago (Democratic), Jaime S. Foster (Democratic), and Iris N Sanchez (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 5518?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 05, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 5518?
- Track HB 5518 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on HB 5518
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of HB 5518
Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →