HB 5567 — AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FACILITIES.

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5567 (1) Receive, investigate and respond to complaints regarding access toorqualityofhealthcareserviceswithintheDepartmentofCorrection;

and sHB5567(4) /Make Filerecommendations No.to the Departments of Correction and Public Health and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance ofmattersrelating to publichealthandthe judiciary regarding necessary improvements in the delivery of health care services within correctional facilities.

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750 (4) Make recommendations to the Departments of Correction and Public Health and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance ofmattersrelating to publichealthandthe judiciary regarding necessary improvements in the delivery of health care services within correctional facilities.

(s) (1) Not later than January 1, 2027, there shall be a Correction MentalPublic HealthAct CareNo. Clinician employed within the Office of the Correction Ombuds who (A) (i) holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, (ii) holds an applicable professional license issued by this state under chapter 383, or (iii) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378and specializesin mentalhealth care, and (B) has experience in clinical mental health care, forensic psychology, correctional health or a related field.

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5567 Mental Health Care Clinician employed within the Office of the Correction Ombuds who (A) (i) holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, (ii) holds an applicable professional license issued by this state under chapter 383, or (iii) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378and specializesin mentalhealth care, and (B) has experience in clinical mental health care, forensic psychology, correctional health or a related field.

(t) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any administrative directive oftheDepartment ofCorrection,theCorrection Ombuds may possess and use state-issued cellular telephones and other state-issued electronic communication devices while conducting official duties within any correctional facility under the jurisdiction of the sHB5567Department /of FileCorrection. No.

750 sHB5567 File No.

750 Department of Correction.

and (4) provide contactPublic informationAct forNo. the Correction Mental Health Care Clinician.

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5567 contact information for the Correction Mental Health Care Clinician.

(2) Not later than five days after intake of any person who is incarcerated, the department shall provide such person with the sHB5567opportunity /to Fileauthorize No.the sharing of medical information with the Office of the Correction Ombuds.

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750 opportunity to authorize the sharing of medical information with the Office of the Correction Ombuds.

[The department shall post the release of information form on its Internet web site and shall be make such form available upon request in all of the department's medical units.] (d)Public TheAct departmentNo. shall develop a "frequently asked questions" document that details the steps involved in investigating [an inmate] a fatality or permanent injury suffered by a person who is incarcerated and includes all relevant forms and contact information.

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5567 (d) The department shall develop a "frequently asked questions" document that details the steps involved in investigating [an inmate] a fatality or permanent injury suffered by a person who is incarcerated and includes all relevant forms and contact information.

(f) The department shall, within available bond authorizations, sHB5567develop, /implement Fileand No.maintain an electronic health records system, or enter into a contract for the provision of such system.

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750 develop, implement and maintain an electronic health records system, or enter into a contract for the provision of such system.

(1)A method bywhichapersonwhoisincarceratedbywhichapersonwhoisincarceratedmay(A)digitally may(A)digitally request medical care by use of a secure messaging system from within facilities operated by the department, including through the use of a portable electronic device that may be accessible by such person, a stationary electronic device or a telephonic request system, provided any such method for requesting medical care shall be in addition to any existingwrittenandoralmethodstorequest medicalcare,and(B)access recordsPublic concerningAct currentNo. medication, medication schedules, administration of medication and missed or delayed doses;

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5567 records concerning current medication, medication schedules, administration of medication and missed or delayed doses;

The department shall document and track any delay, denial or refusal of medically necessary care, including the sHB5567reason /for Filesuch No.delay, denial or refusal, and shall use such information to identify and address barriers to care.

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750 reason for such delay, denial or refusal, and shall use such information to identify and address barriers to care.

In the event that the department is unable to provide for a timely medically necessary procedure or such procedure is overridden pursuant to this subsection, thePublic commissioner,Act orNo. the commissioner's designee, shall document the reason why such procedure was not provided or was delayed.

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5567 the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall document the reason why such procedure was not provided or was delayed.

(1) Consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice that are defined as standards that are based on (A) credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature that is generally recognized by the relevant medical community, (B) recommendations of a physician-specialty society, (C) the views of physicians practicing inrelevant clinical areas,andareas, and (D)any other relevant factors;(2)clinically appropriateintermsoftype,frequency,timing,site,extentandduration andconsidered effective for theindividual'sillness,injury or disease;

sHB5567Sec. / File No.

750 sHB5567 File No.

750 Sec.

(1) "Advanced practice registered nurse" means an advanced practice registeredPublic nurseAct licensedNo. under chapter [373] 378;

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5567 registered nurse licensed under chapter [373] 378;

(11) "Mental health care provider" means (A) a physician who sHB5567specializes /in Filepsychiatry, No.or (B) an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in mental health;

750(12) sHB5567"Mental Filehealth therapist" means (A) a physician who specializes Public Act No.

75026-40 specializes16 inof psychiatry,37 orSubstitute (B)House anBill advancedNo. practice registered nurse who specializes in mental health;

(12)5567 "Mental health therapist" means (A) a physician who specializes in psychiatry, (B) a psychologist licensed under chapter 383, (C) an advancedpracticeregisterednursewhospecializesinmentalhealth,(D) a clinical social worker or master social worker licensed under chapter 383b, or (E) a professional counselor licensed under chapter 383c;

(C) Each mental health therapist shall deliver such services in concert with the security needs of all persons who are incarcerated and correctional staff and the overall operation of the correctional sHB5567institution, /as Filedetermined No.by the warden of the correctional institution;

750Public sHB5567Act File No.

75026-40 institution,17 asof determined37 bySubstitute theHouse wardenBill ofNo. the correctional institution;

5567 and (D) No mental health therapist who is providing mental health care services pursuant to this subdivision and licensed to prescribe medication shall prescribe a psychotropic medication to a person who is incarcerated unless (i) the mental health therapist has reviewed the mental health history and medical history of the person, including, but not limited to, the list of all medications the person is taking, (ii) the mental health therapist determines, based on a review of such history, that the benefits of prescribing such medication outweigh the risk of prescribing such medication, (iii) the mental health therapist diagnoses the person with a mental health disorder, the person has received a previous diagnosis of a mental health disorder by a licensed mental health care provider and such medication is used to treat such mental health disorder, or, in an emergency situation, the mental health therapist makes an assessment that the inmate's mental health is substantially impaired and requires psychotropic medication to treat, (iv) the mental health therapist approves the use of such medication by the person as part of the person's mental health treatment plan, and (v) the mental health therapist keeps a record of each psychotropic medication such provider prescribes to the person and all other medications the person is taking.

sHB5567Public /Act File No.

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7505567 (4) If a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse recommends, based on the initial health assessment of a person who is incarcerated or other person, that such person who is incarcerated or other person be placed in a medical or mental health housing unit, the department shall ensure that such person who is incarcerated or other person is placed in an appropriate medical or mental health housing unit unless there are significant safety or security reasons for not making such placement.

(8) The commissioner shall ensure that each person who is incarcerated has access to all vaccines licensed or authorized under an emergencyPublic useAct authorization by the federal Food and Drug Administration that are recommended by the National Centers for sHB5567 / File No.

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7505567 emergency use authorization by the federal Food and Drug Administration that are recommended by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, subject to availability of such vaccines, unless there are substantial security concerns with providing access to such vaccines.

(11) A medical professional shall interview each person who is incarceratedPublic regardingAct suchNo. person's drug and alcohol use and mental health history at the time the person initially enters a correctional institution.

If26-40 the20 person is exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal37 fromSubstitute aHouse drugBill or alcohol or mental distress at such time, a medical professional sHB5567 / File No.

7505567 sHB5567incarcerated Fileregarding No.such person's drug and alcohol use and mental health history at the time the person initially enters a correctional institution.

750If the person is exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal from a drug or alcohol or mental distress at such time, a medical professional shallperforma physicalandmentalhealthassessment ofthepersonand communicate the results of such assessment to a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registerednurse, andamentalhealthcare provider or mental health therapist, if applicable.

(12) A physician, a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse with experience in substance use disorder diagnosis andPublic treatmentAct shallNo. oversee the medical treatment of a person who is incarcerated experiencing withdrawal from a drug or alcohol at each correctional institution.

A26-40 medical21 professional shall be present in the medicalunitateachcorrectionalfacilityatalltimesduringtheprovision of medical37 treatmentSubstitute toHouse suchBill person.No.

(13)5567 Aand drugtreatment andshall alcoholoversee counselorthe shallmedical offertreatment appropriateof substancea sHB5567person /who Fileis No.incarcerated experiencing withdrawal from a drug or alcohol at each correctional institution.

750A sHB5567medical Fileprofessional No.shall be present in the medicalunitateachcorrectionalfacilityatall timesduringtheprovision of medical treatment to such person.

750(13) A drug and alcohol counselor shall offer appropriate substance use disorder counseling services, including, but not limited to, individual counseling sessions and group counseling sessions, to a person who is incarcerated and exhibits signs of or discloses an addiction to a drug or alcohol and encourage such person to participate in at least one counselling session.

(16) The department shall issue a request for information to which a school of medicine may apply for purposes of providing practical trainingPublic atAct correctionalNo. institutions as part of a medical residency program, through which residents participating in such program may provide health care services to persons who are incarcerated.

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5567 training at correctional institutions as part of a medical residency program, through which residents participating in such program may provide health care services to persons who are incarcerated.

The plan shall ensure that a service is sHB5567available /for Filesame-day No.delivery of a medication that such person needs.

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750 available for same-day delivery of a medication that such person needs.

Any such medication that is administered outside of the prescribed timing window or not in accordance with escalation or lock- down protocols shall cause the documentation of such missed or delayedPublic administration,Act includingNo. any justification for such missed or delayed administration.

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5567 delayed administration, including any justification for such missed or delayed administration.

sHB5567(A) /Medical Filestaffing No.levels;

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750 (A) Medical staffing levels;

Not laterPublic thanAct thirtyNo. days following the development of each such plan, the department and commission, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, shall report each such plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction and the budgets of state agencies.

(B)26-40 The24 department shall implement the plan developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this37 subdivisionSubstitute forHouse anyBill correctional facility where thevacancy rate forthehealthservicespositionsreachestwenty percent of all such positions at the facility, provided the department shall not implement such plan in a manner that results in health services staffing levels below those necessary to ensure the safe and adequate delivery of sHB5567 / File No.

7505567 sHB5567later Filethan No.thirty days following the development of each such plan, the department and commission, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, shall report each such plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction and the budgets of state agencies.

750(B) The department shall implement the plan developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision for any correctional facility where thevacancy rate forthehealthservicespositionsreachestwenty percent of all such positions at the facility, provided the department shall not implement such plan in a manner that results in health services staffing levels below those necessary to ensure the safe and adequate delivery of health care services and that such plan shall not be used as a substitute for the timely recruitment and hiring of permanent health services staff.

(a) No defendant convicted of a crime, other than a capital felony under the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, orPublic murderAct withNo. special circumstances under the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect on or after April 25, 2012, the punishment for which may include imprisonment for more than one year, may be sentenced, or the defendant's case otherwise disposed of, until a written report of investigation by a probation officer has been presented to and considered by the court, if the defendant is soconvicted for the first time inthis state or uponany convictionofafelony involving family violence pursuant to section 46b-38a for which the punishment may include imprisonment;

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5567 or murder with special circumstances under the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect on or after April 25, 2012, the punishment for which may include imprisonment for more than one year, may be sentenced, or the defendant's case otherwise disposed of, until a written report of investigation by a probation officer has been presented to and considered by the court, if the defendant is soconvicted for the first time inthis state or uponany convictionofafelony involving family violence pursuant to section 46b-38a for which the punishment may include imprisonment;

(b) A defendant who is convicted of a crime and is not eligible for sentence review pursuant to section 51-195 may, with the consent of the sHB5567sentencing /judge Fileand No.the prosecuting official, waive the presentence investigation, except that the presentence investigation may not be waived when the defendant is convicted of a felony involving family violence pursuant to section 46b-38a and the punishment for which may include imprisonment.

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750 sentencing judge and the prosecuting official, waive the presentence investigation, except that the presentence investigation may not be waived when the defendant is convicted of a felony involving family violence pursuant to section 46b-38a and the punishment for which may include imprisonment.

If the defendant is committedPublic toAct anyNo. institution, the investigating agency shall send the reports of such investigation to the institution at the time of commitment.

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5567 committed to any institution, the investigating agency shall send the reports of such investigation to the institution at the time of commitment.

If the court orders an abridged version of such sHB5567investigation /for Filea No.felony involving family violence, as defined in section 46b-38a, the abridged version of such investigation shall, in additiontotheinformationset forthinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsection, contain the following information concerning the defendant:

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750 investigation for a felony involving family violence, as defined in section 46b-38a, the abridged version of such investigation shall, in additiontotheinformationset forthinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsection, contain the following information concerning the defendant:

Such history shall be includedPublic inAct anNo. appendix to such report.

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5567 included in an appendix to such report.

(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a Department of Correction nurse and social workers student loan sHB5567reimbursement /program Fileto No.be administered by the Office of Higher Education.

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750 reimbursement program to be administered by the Office of Higher Education.

(c) Persons who qualify under subsection (b) of this section shall be reimbursed annually in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars forPublic documentedAct loanNo. payments.

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5567 for documented loan payments.

Section 18-81ss of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes sHB5567is /repealed Fileand No.the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

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750 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

[(b)] For purposes of this [section] subsection, "nutraloaf" means a mixture of foods blended together and baked into a solid loaf and "punitive diet" meansPublic aAct dietNo. that is used for punishment purposes.

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5567 means a diet that is used for punishment purposes.

(d) Not later than January 11, 2028, the Commissioner of Correction, sHB5567in /consultation Filewith the Correction Medical and Health Commission established pursuant to section 9 of this act, shall develop and submit to the Office of the Correction Ombuds and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, a report including (1) a corrective action plan that is responsive to Public Act No.

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7505567 in consultation with the Correction Medical and Health Commission established pursuant to section 9 of this act, shall develop and submit to the Office of the Correction Ombuds and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, a report including (1) a corrective action plan that is responsive to any concerns or issues noted in the report of the audit conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and (2) a determination of whether the department should employ a nutritionist and a dietician to work collaboratively incompliance with the provisions of subsection(a) of this section and to address any concerns or issues noted in such report.

Such program shall be administered by a medical staff member from within the Department of Correction who is licensed by the Department of Public sHB5567Health /who Fileshall No.determine which persons taking which medications maybeeligibleforparticipation.Any suchparticipationbypersonswho are eligible shall not be compelled.

750Eligibility sHB5567for Fileparticipation in the program may be revoked for documented misuse of medication or if Public Act No.

75026-40 Health31 whoof shall37 determineSubstitute whichHouse personsBill takingNo. which medications maybeeligibleforparticipation.Anysuchparticipationbypersonswho are eligible shall not be compelled.

Eligibility5567 for participation in the program may be revoked for documented misuse of medication or if such person or medication poses a safety risk to such person or another person.

(2) Not later than January 15, 2029, and January fifteenth following eachcalendar yearthereafter duringwhichsuchprogramismaintained, sHB5567the /Departments Fileof Mental Health and Addiction Services and Social Public Act No.

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7505567 the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Social Services, the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Correction health services and behavioral health employees and the federally qualified health center assisting with such program shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on the results of such program to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction, human services and public health.

(2) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be a physician with experience with correctional medicine, emergencyPublic medicineAct orNo. internal medicine;

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7505567 sHB5567emergency Filemedicine No.or internal medicine;

750 (3) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate who shall be a public health expert or epidemiologist with experience in population health or correctional health systems;

(10)Public ThreeAct appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a person who holds a doctorate in nutrition, one of whom shall be a formerly incarcerated person with experience navigating health care services while incarcerated in a Department of Correction facility and one of sHB5567 / File No.

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7505567 (10) Three appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a person who holds a doctorate in nutrition, one of whom shall be a formerly incarcerated person with experience navigating health care services while incarcerated in a Department of Correction facility and one of whom shall be a representative of a federally qualified health center in this state;

Each member of the commission appointed pursuant to subdivisions (2) to (10), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section shall serve for a term that iscoterminouswiththe termofthemember's appointing authority.Any member who missesthree consecutive meetingsofthecommissionshall bePublic deemedAct toNo. have resigned.

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5567 be deemed to have resigned.

sHB5567(f) /Two-thirds Fileof No.the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum and all actions shall require the affirmative vote of a quorum.

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750 (f) Two-thirds of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum and all actions shall require the affirmative vote of a quorum.

ThisPublic actAct shallNo. take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section26-40 136 fromof passage37 18-81qqSubstitute Sec.House Bill No.

25567 OctoberGovernor's 1,Action: 2026 18-81ll Sec.

3Approved fromMay passage26, 18-81pp2026 Sec.Public Act No.

426-40 from37 passageof New37 section Sec.

5 October 1, 2026 54-91a Sec.

6 from passage New section Sec.

7 from passage 18-81ss sHB5567 / File No.

750 sHB5567 File No.

750 Sec.

8 from passage 18-100j Sec.

9 from passage New section sHB5567 / File No.

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750 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 $ Correction, Dept.

GF - Cost None At least 254,600 Correction, Dept.

GF - Potential Potential Potential Cost Significant Significant Legislative Mgmt.

GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Cost Correction, Dept.

GF - Revenue 40,000 40,000 Loss Correction, Dept.;

Treasurer, GF - Cost See Below See Below Debt Serv.

Governmental Accountability, GF - Cost 63,000 125,500 Off.

Governmental Accountability, GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Off.

Savings State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Cost 26,500 130,635 Benefits1 Higher Ed., Off.;

Treasurer, Debt GF - Cost See Below See Below Serv.

Auditors GF - Potential See Below None Cost Policy & Mgmt., Off.

GF - Potential See Below See Below Cost Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill makes various changes to laws on health care services for incarcerated individuals, resulting in the following impacts.

1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.82% of payroll in FY 27.

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750 Section1 requiresthe Office oftheCorrectionOmbuds(OCO) within the Office of Governmental Accountability (OGA) to hire one additional staff member as a Correction Mental Health Care Clinician.

This results in an estimated General Fund salary cost to OGA of $63,000 in FY 27, 2 with an associated fringe cost of $26,500, and beginning in FY 28, an estimated annual salary cost of $125,500 with an associated fringe cost of $52,500.

The additional staff will support inmate access to care and medication management.

Additionally, this section specifies that OCO can recover costs associated with filing and defending a subpoena if the subpoena is unsuccessfully challenged in court, resulting in potential minimal savings to OCO and a corresponding potential minimal cost to the Department of Correction (DOC) beginning in FY 26.

The potential impact will depend on the number of subpoenas brought by OCO, the number that are challenged, and the reimbursement awarded to OCO.

Any savings to OCO and corresponding cost to DOC is expected to be minimal as the subpoena power has only been used three times to date.

Section 2 results in (1) a potentially significant cost beginning in FY 27, (2) a revenue loss of about $40,000 to DOC beginning in FY 27, and (3) a one-time cost to DOC of up to $200,000 in FY 27.

This section requires that DOC ensure that medically necessary procedures are provided to inmates in a timely and clinically appropriate manner.

To the extent this bill requires an expansion of DOC's current medical policies and procedures, there may be a significant cost to the state for additional medical staffing and/or for coordinating timely specialized services with outside providers.

This section also prohibits DOC from charging any fees, fines, costs or surcharges for all health care services, resulting in an annual revenue loss of $40,000 beginning in FY 27.

The FY 27 figure represents the half-year cost, anticipating a January 1, 2027 start date as required by the bill.

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750 Finally,thissectionresultsinaone-timecosttoDOCofupto$200,000 inFY27.ItrequiresDOCtomodifytheircurrentelectronichealthrecord (EHR) system and/or inmate tablets to (1) allow inmates to digitally request medical care through a secure messaging system, (2) allow inmates to access certain medical records, and (3) include a digital, time- stamped log of medical care request.

Contract costs to modify their current systems to effect these changes are not expected to exceed $200,000.

The section specifies that the EHR upgrades must be funded within available bond funding.

sSB 85 includes $10 million for electronic health records systems, including digital medical care 27 request systems, devices, and access points.

Section 4 results in a potential cost to DOC beginning in FY 27.

The section requires DOC to create and implement a contingency staffing plan, which, if implemented, may require the use of additional compensation or other incentives to maintain continuity of care.

The potential cost depends on whether the plan is implemented and includes these incentives and the extent of additional compensation provided to medical providers pursuant to the plan.

Section 6 results in an estimated cost of up to $1 million annually beginning in FY 27 to the Office of Higher Education (OHE).

It requires OHE to administer a student loan reimbursement program for licensed nurses and licensed clinical social workers employed by DOC.

Eligible employees who choose to participate can receive up to $5,000 annually in reimbursement for student loan payments, and up to $20,000 cumulatively over their lifetime.

DOC currently employs 385 licensed nurses and 45 licensed clinical social workers (totaling 430 employees).

The cost will vary based on the number of nurses and social workers who participate, and the amount of outstanding debt they carry.

If 30% of nurses and 80% of social sHB5567 / File No.

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750 workers DOC employs receive the maximum $5,000 reimbursement, the annual cost would be about $758,000.

The section additionally allows OHE to use up to 5% of program funding for administration and promotion of the program.

The section specifies that the program must be funded within available bond funding.

There are no authorizations for the program under current law.

Section 7 requires the Auditors of Public Accounts (APA) to audit DOC's nutrition and food service and commissary programs resulting in a potential cost to the state in FY 27.

To meet the requirements of the bill,theAPAmayhavetohireaconsultantthathasnutritionalexpertise.

Section8 resultsina cost ofatleast $154,600toDOC fortwo positions and $78,135 to the State Comptroller for fringe benefits in FY 28, as well as at least $100,000 for contracting costs.

The section requires DOC, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHMAS), and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to initiate a pilot program to expand DOC's internal capacity for discharge planning and to contract with a federally qualified health center (FQHC) to provide community-based care and improve continuity of care for persons upon release from correctional facilities.

To expand capacity for discharge planning and care coordination to facilitate access to programs and services upon release, DOC will be required to hire one Correctional Counselor and one Clinical Social Worker.

The costs of the FQHC contract may vary widely and will depend on (1) the type and level of services the FQHC is required to provide, (2) 3A study by the University of Michigan published on 1/26/26 indicated between 28% and 33% of licensed nurses carry student loan debt.

The "2024 Social Work Workforce StudySeries"completedfortheAssociationofSocialWorkBoardsindicatedthatabout 80% of licensed clinical social workers carry student loan debt at graduation.

The starting annual salaries for these positions are $68,339 and $86,261 respectively.

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750 the current condition of DOC's discharge planning, and (3) the number of offenders discharged from York that qualify for the pilot program.

It is expected that the contract will cost a minimum of $100,000.

5 This section also results in a potential cost to OPM and DMHAS to the extent additional resources are required for the pilot program.

Section 9 creates a Correction Medical and Health Commission resulting in a potential minimal cost to the Office of Legislative Management.Thebillspecifiesthatcommissionmembersservewithout compensation but can be reimbursed for necessary expenses resulting in a potential cost to the extent reimbursements occur.

The bill makes other changes that do not result in a fiscal impact because the affected agencies have the capacity and resources to meet the bill's requirements.

House "A" strikes the underlying bill and results in fiscal impact described above.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into thefuture subject to inflation,employee wage agreements, the number employees that participate in the loan reimbursement program, and the length and terms of the pilot program at York CI.

The bill specifies that DOC, DMHAS, and OPM shall contract with the FQHC.

This fiscal note assumes that DOC will bear the costs of the contract.

sHB5567 / File No.

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750 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5567 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FACILITIES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

SUMMARY § 1 — CORRECTION OMBUDS Requiresthecorrectionombudstohireacorrectionmentalhealth care clinician;

makes certain changes related to the ombuds’ investigation process, such as removing the condition that incarcerated people must have pursued an internal grievance procedure before the ombudsmay discussanincident withthem;allowstheombuds to use state-issued cell phones while performing official duties at correctional facilities § 2 — DOC HEALTH CARE SERVICES, NOTICES, RECORDS, AND RELATED MATTERS Requires DOC to (1) provide health care to incarcerated people for free and cancel any outstanding fees or other costs;

(2) generally provide medically necessary procedures (in some cases, at DPH- licensed facilities) in a timely way;

(3) post notices in English and Spanish about the right to access care;

(4) upon intake, verify the person’s prescriptions and ask them to identify their primary care provider and to sign a related form;

and (5) implement an electronic health records system, including to allow for care requests to be made electronically § 3 — DOC HEALTH CARE SERVICES PLAN Requires the DOC commissioner to (1) update the department’s health care services plan to ensure continuity of care regarding medications upon incarcerated people’s intake and that there is an available same-day medication delivery service and (2) annually report on the plan’s implementation status § 4 — TIME-CRITICAL MEDICATION LIST sHB5567 / File No.

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750 Requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission, in consultation with DPH, to create a list of time-critical medications, with timing windows, related protocols, and documentation requirements § 4 — MEDICAL STAFFING SCORECARD AND CONTINGENCY PLAN Requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission to (1) publish a quarterly scorecard with medical staffing-related information and (2) develop a health services staffing shortage contingency plan for each correctional facility § 5 — PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORTS Requires certain pre-sentence investigation reports to include an appendix about thedefendant’smedicalandprescriptionhistory;

sets documentation requirements if the defendant refuses to give that history § 6 — DOC NURSE AND SOCIAL WORKER STUDENT LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM Creates a program to give student loan reimbursement grants, within available bond authorizations, to nurses and LCSWs who work at DOC § 7 — FOOD SERVICE AND COMMISSARY PROGRAM AUDITS Requires (1) APA to conduct or contract for an audit of DOC’s nutrition and food service and commissary programs and (2) DOC to submit a corrective action plan in response § 8 — PILOT PROGRAMS RequiresDOCtobegintwopilotprograms,oneallowingincarcerated people to keep and self-administer certain medications for chronic disease management at a minimum security facility and another to help with discharge planning and care coordination at York Correctional Institution § 9 — CORRECTION MEDICAL AND HEALTH COMMISSION Creates a Correction Medical and Health Commission to, among other duties, (1) make recommendations to improve medical, nutrition, behavioral health, and health care services for incarcerated people and (2) develop a related 10-year plan BACKGROUND SUMMARY sHB5567 / File No.

750 42 sHB5567 File No.

750 This bill makes various changes to laws on health care services for incarcerated people, the Department of Correction (DOC), the Office of theCorrectionOmbuds, andrelatedmatters,asdiscussedinthesection- by-section analysis below.

*House Amendment “A” replaces the underlying bill.

It removes provisions that would have (1) required the ombuds to hire a correction patient advocate and (2) made changes to correctional officer training.

It makes several changes to the other provisions.

For example, it (1) narrowsa provisionontheuse ofstate-issuedcellphonesat correctional facilities to only apply to the ombuds and not his staff;

(2) replaces a prohibition on denying health care services due to failure to pay a co- pay with a more general ban on DOC assessing fees or surcharges for health care services;

(3) expands the contingency staffing plan requirements to apply to health services positions generally, not just medical positions, and sets conditions on the development and use of those plans;

(4) requires the nurse and social worker student loan reimbursement program to be within available bond authorizations, rather than available appropriations;

(5) requires the Auditors of Public Accounts, rather than the ombuds’ office, to audit DOC’s nutrition and food service and commissary programs;

(6) changes the scope of the pilot program at York Correctional Institution to focus on discharge planning and related care coordination for certain patients;

(7) expands the duties and membership of the Correction Medical and Health Commission;

and (8) makes various minor changes throughout.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Various;

see below.

§ 1 — CORRECTION OMBUDS Requires the correction ombuds to hire a correction mental health care clinician;

makes certain changes related to the ombuds’ investigation process, such as removing the condition that incarcerated people must have pursued an internal grievance procedure before the ombuds may discuss an incident with them;

allows the ombuds to use state- issued cell phones while performing official duties at correctional facilities Mental Health Care Clinician Starting by January 1, 2027, the bill creates the position of correction mental health care clinician within the ombuds’ office.

This clinician sHB5567 / File No.

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750 must have (1) a clinical psychology doctorate or psychologist license or (2) an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license and specialize in mental health care.

He or she must also have experience in clinical mental health care, forensic psychology, correctional health, or a related field.

The clinician’s role is to help incarcerated people with matters relating to mental health care, including service access, medication management, continuity of care, treatment planning, and patient rights.

Ombuds Investigations, Decision Process, Subpoenas, and Complaint Confidentiality By law, when investigating a complaint involving a particular incident, the ombuds must try to rely on communications from incarcerated people.

The bill removes the condition that these people have first reasonably tried to get the complaint resolved through any existing DOC internal grievance procedures.

By law, after an investigation, the ombuds must issue a public decisiononthemerits ofeachcomplaint, including any findings of DOC or employee violations and recommendations for how DOC should address the issue.

Before issuing a decision criticizing DOC or one of its employees, the ombuds must consult with DOC, or the employee or the employee’s union representative, as applicable.

The bill requires this to occur at least three business days, instead of 96 hours, before he issues the decision.

The bill also generally requires the court, if it fully overrules someone’s written objection to a subpoena from the ombuds, to order DOC to reimburse the ombuds’ office for its reasonable costs in serving the subpoena.

This does not apply if the court finds that the objection was substantially justified.

By law, the ombuds can choose not to investigate a complaint if he determines that the investigation is unwarranted and, in that case, he must inform the complainant of that determination in writing.

The bill requires these complaints and decisions not to investigate to be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of sHB5567 / File No.

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750 Information Act (FOIA), and it prohibits them from being disclosed without thecomplainant’sconsent.Existing lawexemptsfromFOIAthe identity of complainants and the ombuds’ findings, with limited exceptions (such as the ombuds’ duty to disclose threats).

Cell Phone Use The bill allows the ombuds to possess and use state-issued electronic communication devices (including cell phones) while performing official duties at DOC correctional facilities, and specifically bars this cellphoneuse frombeing restrictedor these devicesfrombeing deemed as contraband.

This applies despite any contrary law or DOC administrative directive.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 2 — DOC HEALTH CARE SERVICES, NOTICES, RECORDS, AND RELATED MATTERS Requires DOC to (1) provide health care to incarcerated people for free and cancel any outstanding fees or other costs;

(2) generally provide medically necessary procedures (in some cases, at DPH-licensed facilities) in a timely way;

(3) post notices in English and Spanish about the right to access care;

(4) upon intake, verify the person’s prescriptions and ask them to identify their primary care provider and to sign a related form;

and (5) implement an electronic health records system, including to allow for care requests to be made electronically Free Health Care Services (§ 2(e)) Starting by July 1, 2026, the bill prohibits DOC from assessing any fine, fee, cost, or surcharge against people in DOC custody for health care services of any kind.

DOC must also cancel any outstanding liability for these fines, fees, costs, or surcharges.

These provisions apply to medical, dental, mental health, or optometric services;

specialty or emergency care;

scheduled follow-up treatment;

medical, dental, or optometric devices, including eyeglasses;

and laboratory testing.

General Right to Medically Necessary Procedures (§ 2(g)) The bill requires DOC to ensure that medically necessary procedures (see below) for incarcerated people are provided in a timely and sHB5567 / File No.

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750 clinically appropriate way.

Under the bill, DOC may provide routine or emergent procedures within a correctional facility when that can be done safely.

Procedures must be provided by a Department of Public Health (DPH)-licensed health care institution when they require specialized equipment or a higher level of care or cannot be safely performed within a correctional facility.

Under the bill, a clinical determination that a procedure is medically necessary generally may not be overridden for nonclinical reasons.

But the DOC commissioner or the commissioner’s designee may delay or override the procedure upon a determination that there is a specific and clearly definable safety or security risk that cannot be reasonably mitigated.

The bill requires DOC to (1) document and track any delay, denial, or refusal of medically necessary care, including the reason for it, and (2) use this information to identify and address barriers to care.

It specifically requires that documentation of the reason why a medically necessary procedure was denied or delayed be included in the department’s electronic health record systems (see below).

Definition.

Under the bill, a “medically necessary procedure” is one performed by a medical professional, in a location such as a hospital, clinic, or outpatient center, and is required to prevent, identify, diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, or ameliorate someone’s medical condition, including mental illness, or its effects, to attain or maintain the person’s achievable health and independent functioning.

To be considered medically necessary, a procedure must be consistent with generally accepted medical practice standards that are based on (1) credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature that is generally recognized by the relevant medical community, (2) physician-specialty society recommendations, (3) the views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas, and (4) any other relevant factors.

In addition, the procedure must be:

1.

clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, timing, site, sHB5567 / File No.

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750 extent, and duration and considered effective for the person’s illness, injury, or disease;

2.

not primarily for the convenience of the person, the person’s health care provider, or other providers;

3.

not more costly than therapeutically equivalent alternatives;

and 4.

based on an assessment of the person and the person’s medical condition.

Posting of Right to Medical Care (§ 2(a)) The bill requires DOC to post notices in correctional facilities, in plain language and in both English and Spanish, on incarcerated people’s right to access medical care.

The notices must be posted in conspicuous places, including any medical units, and must:

1.

describe these people’s right to receive prescribed medications and how they may report missing or delayed doses, 2.

explain how they may request medical and mental health care, and 3.

have contact information for the ombuds’ office’s correction mental health care clinician.

DOC must also make the notice available on any portable electronic devices that incarcerated people may access.

Intake Procedures (§ 2(b) & (c)) Under the bill, during someone’s intake to a correctional institution, DOC must verify what medications the person takes.

DOC may ask the persondirectlyor check withthestatewidehealthinformationexchange or the person’s pharmacy or prescribing provider.

If the person has any prescriptionmedicationin his or her possessionuponintake, DOC must accept that medication to be stored and administered (as prescribed) by appropriate DOC staff.

sHB5567 / File No.

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750 The bill also requires DOC, upon intake, to ask the person to (1) identify their primary care provider and (2) sign a release form authorizing the sharing of medical information with that provider and a family member or health care proxy.

Additionally, within five days after a person’s intake, DOC must give the person the opportunity to authorize the sharing of medical information with the ombuds’ office.

The bill makes related conforming changes to DOC’s required posting of information about the medical release form process.

It removes specific requirements on how DOC must make the release forms available.

Electronic Health Records System (§ 2(f)) The bill requires DOC, within available bond authorizations, to (1) develop, implement, and maintain an electronic health record (EHR) system or (2) contract for one.

The system must allow incarcerated people to digitally request medical care through a secure messaging system from within DOC facilities, in addition to existing written and verbal ways to do so.

This may be through a phone system or a portable or stationary electronic device.

The EHR system also must allow incarcerated people to access records on their current medications, medication schedules and doses given, and missed or delayed doses.

The system must include a digital, time-stamped log of medical care requests, with the log integrated into the system’s other records for the incarcerated person.

That person and the medical staff must be able to review the log, as must the ombuds’ office if the person grants them access.

Each DOC medical unit must have an access point allowing incarcerated people to access the EHR system.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2026 § 3 — DOC HEALTH CARE SERVICES PLAN Requires the DOC commissioner to (1) update the department’s health care services plan to ensure continuity of care regarding medications upon incarcerated people’s intake and sHB5567 / File No.

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750 that there is an available same-day medication delivery service and (2) annually report on the plan’s implementation status The bill requires the DOC commissioner, by January 1, 2027, to amend the department’s plan for providing health care services to incarcerated people (see below) to ensure that (1) there is no interruption in clinically necessary medications upon a person’s intake, to provide continuity of care, and (2) there is an available same-day delivery service for medication when needed.

Starting by December 31, 2026, it also requires the DOC commissioner to annually report to the Judiciary and Public Health committees on (1) any updates on the plan’s implementation status, (2) thetimelinetoimplementit,and(3)recommendationsforany necessary related legislation.

The bill also makes a technical correction.

By law, the DOC commissioner must develop a plan for providing health care services to incarcerated people at DOC correctional institutions.

The plan must ensure that requirements are met in a number of areas, such as initial health assessments, annual physical examinations when clinically indicated, mental health provider staffing, discharge planning, vaccinations, dental services, drug and alcohol use treatment, and specific services for incarcerated women who are pregnant.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 4 — TIME-CRITICAL MEDICATION LIST Requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission, in consultation with DPH, to create a list of time-critical medications, with timing windows, related protocols, and documentation requirements The bill requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission (see below), in consultation with DPH, to create and maintain a list of time-critical medications, at least including medications for diabetes, seizure disorders, cardiac conditions, serious mental illness, and other medication-assisted treatment.

The list must sHB5567 / File No.

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750 have strict timing windows and escalation protocols for administering these medications and a detailed protocol for how DOC must administer them during a facility lockdown.

Under the bill, DOC must document when these medications are given outside of the timing window or not in line with the required protocols, including the justification for the missed or delayed dose.

Incarcerated people who refuse to take a medication must do so in writing with their signature.

All of this documentation is subject to a supervisor’s review.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 4 — MEDICAL STAFFING SCORECARD AND CONTINGENCY PLAN Requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission to (1) publish a quarterly scorecard with medical staffing-related information and (2) develop a health services staffing shortage contingency plan for each correctional facility Scorecard and Reporting Starting in 2027, the bill requires DOC and the Correction Medical and Health Commission to publish a quarterly scorecard that lists the following for each correctional facility:

1.

medical staffing levels;

2.

vacancy rates for these positions and the average time to fill them;

3.

the use of temporary or agency staff to perform duties they would not otherwise perform due to these vacancies;

and 4.

any medical staff suspensions or terminations.

DOC and the commission must report each medical scorecard to the ombuds’ office and the Judiciary Committee.

Contingency Staffing Plan Under the bill, DOC and the commission also must develop a written sHB5567 / File No.

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750 contingency staffing plan for each correctional facility for whenever the vacancy rate for health services positions reaches 20%.

In developing these plans, DOC and the commission must consult with health services professionals and representatives from each of the bargaining units representing employees who would fill these positions or who are affected by vacancies in these positions.

The plans must prioritize voluntary coverage by permanent health services staff and may include the use of additional compensation or other incentives to maintain continuity of care.

Within 30 days after developing a contingency staffing plan, DOC and the commission must report the plan to the Appropriations and Judiciary committees.

The bill requires DOC to implement the plan for a given facility when its health services position vacancy rate reaches 20%.

DOC must not implement theplanina way thatresultsinhealthservicesstaffing levels below those necessary to ensure safe and adequate service delivery.

Under the bill, the plan must not be a substitute for the timely recruitment and hiring of permanent staff.

DOC must take all reasonable steps to fill vacancies as expeditiously as practicable and must not rely on contingency staffing plans in place of sustained recruitment and retention efforts.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 5 — PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORTS Requires certain pre-sentence investigation reports to include an appendix about the defendant’s medical and prescription history;

sets documentation requirements if the defendant refuses to give that history Except for murder with special circumstances, existing law generally requiresa probationofficer to conduct apre-sentence investigation(PSI) for anyone convicted of a (1) felony for the first time in Connecticut or (2) family violence felony.

For other criminal convictions, the court may order a PSI at its discretion.

The bill requires certain PSI reports to include information on the defendant’s medical and prescription history.

This applies to cases sHB5567 / File No.

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750 where (1) the defendant has entered into a plea agreement for which there is a sentencing recommendation of a prison term or (2) there isany other information indicating that the defendant may be sentenced to prison.

In these cases, the probation officer must inquire into the defendant’s medical and prescription history for the past five years, with that information included in an appendix to the report.

The probation officer must notify DOC and the ombuds’ office by email no later than five days before the defendant’s sentencing.

If the defendant refuses to supply information to compile the history, the probation officer must document their attempts to get the information and sign a sworn statement attesting to that refusal.

Under the bill, the appendix, and any refusal documentation and sworn statements, must be recorded in DOC’s EHR system (see above) and available for the defendant’s review in the same way as other health records are reviewable.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2026 § 6 — DOC NURSE AND SOCIAL WORKER STUDENT LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM Creates a program to give student loan reimbursement grants, within available bond authorizations, to nurses and LCSWs who work at DOC Thebillcreatesaprogramtogivestudentloanreimbursementgrants, within available bond authorizations, to licensed nurses and clinical social workers (LCSWs) who work for DOC in positions requiring this licensure.

The Office of Higher Education (OHE) must administer the program.

The maximum annual grants are $5,000, and the cumulative total for any person is $20,000.

To receive the grants, eligible people must apply to OHE and be employed in a qualifying position when they apply.

Applicants may request reimbursement for qualifying employment from previous years if they did not already receive reimbursement for those payments under this or another program.

Under the bill, any unspent funds appropriated for the program do sHB5567 / File No.

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750 not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and are available for the next fiscal year.

In anyfiscalyearinwhich fundsare appropriatedfortheprogram, OHE may spend up to 5% of the funds for program administration, promotion, and recruitment.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 7 — FOOD SERVICE AND COMMISSARY PROGRAM AUDITS Requires (1) APA to conduct or contract for an audit of DOC’s nutrition and food service and commissary programs and (2) DOC to submit a corrective action plan in response By July 1, 2027, the bill requires the Auditors of Public Accounts (APA) to audit DOC’s nutrition and food service and commissary programs.

Within available appropriations, APA may contract with an independent auditor with relevant expertise to complete the audit.

The audit must evaluate:

1.

DOC’s compliance with the statutory requirement to provide palatable and nutritious meals (and to not serve punitive diets) to people in its custody, by examining the nutritional adequacy of meals and quality of food served in DOC facilities;

2.

DOC’s compliance with incarcerated people’s therapeutic diet needs;

3.

the nutrition food service program’s cost efficiency;

4.

any commissary program irregularities;

and 5.

any patterns of incarcerated people’s grievances about compliance with the statutory requirement described above or other issues concerning these programs.

APA must submit a report on the audit to the DOC commissioner, ombuds’ office, and Judiciary Committee by July 15, 2027.

By January 11, 2028, the DOC commissioner, in consultation with the Correction Medical and Health Commission, must submit to the sHB5567 / File No.

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750 ombuds’ office and the committee a (1) corrective action plan that addresses any concerns or issues in the audit report and (2) determination of whether the department should hire a nutritionist and a dietician to work together to comply with the statutory requirement for food service and to address any concerns or issues in the audit.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 8 — PILOT PROGRAMS Requires DOC to begin two pilot programs, one allowing incarcerated people to keep and self-administer certain medications for chronic disease management at a minimum security facility and another to help with discharge planning and care coordination at York Correctional Institution Medication Self-Administration Pilot The bill requires DOC, by October 1, 2026, to begin a pilot program at a minimum security facility, to allow incarcerated people to keep and self-administer certain medications for chronic disease management.

A DPH-licensed DOC medical staff member must administer the program and determine which people and medications are eligible.

Program participation is voluntary, and may be revoked for documented medication misuse or if the person or medication poses a safety risk to anyone.

The commissioner must report on the program’s results to the Judiciary Committee by January 1, 2028.

Discharge Planning and Care Coordination Pilot By October 1, 2027, and within available appropriations, the bill requiresDOC, theDepartment ofMentalHealthandAddictionServices (DMHAS), the Department of Social Services (DSS), and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to begin a pilot program to help with discharge planning and care coordination for people being released from York Correctional Institution (the state’s only correctional institution for female offenders).

Specifically, the program must help with discharge planning for patients with chronic disease and behavioral health needs (including mental health and substance abuse disorders) and to coordinate specialty care referrals.

The program must sHB5567 / File No.

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750 be administered by DOC health services and behavioral health employees, and must expand internal capacity for discharge planning and care coordination (including coordinating with DMHAS) to facilitate access to programs and services upon release.

Under the bill, the agencies must contract with an in-state federally qualified health center (FQHC) to work with these DOC employees to provide community-based care for people upon release for at least two years.

Through the program, the FQHC must work with DOC employees to improve DOC’s continuity of care and community health care standards.

The bill specifies that it does not allow DOC to contract out work that department employees typically perform.

By January 15, 2029, and then annually while the program is running, the DOC health services and behavioral health employees, DMHAS, DSS, and OPM and the FQHC must report on it to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Public Health committees.

The reports must evaluate the:

1.

effectivenessofdischargeplanningandreentrycarecoordination for program participants;

2.

chronic disease management and continuity of care for program participants;

3.

coordination, timeliness, and completion of specialty care referrals for program participants;

4.

extent to which participants successfully access community- based health care services following release;

and 5.

program’s costs compared to other care delivery models in use when the program began.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage § 9 — CORRECTION MEDICAL AND HEALTH COMMISSION Creates a Correction Medical and Health Commission to, among other duties, (1) make recommendations to improve medical, nutrition, behavioral health, and health care services for incarcerated people and (2) develop a related 10-year plan sHB5567 / File No.

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750 The bill creates a 21-member Correction Medical and Health Commission and charges it with (1) making recommendations to improve medical, nutrition, behavioral health, and health care services and outcomes for incarcerated people and (2) developing a 10-year plan to improve health care and food services in correctional facilities.

It allows the commission to update the plan as it deems necessary.

The commission must report the 10-year plan, and any related legislative recommendations, to the Judiciary Committee by January 1, 2027.

After that, within 30 days after any plan updates, the commission must report the update and related recommendations to the committee.

The commission also must carry out the other duties the bill requires of it (see §§ 4 & 7 above) and any other duties set by law.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage Membership and Administration The commission includes the Judiciary Committee chairpersons, UConn Health Center’s chief executive officer (CEO), OPM’s Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division undersecretary, DSS’s Medicaid director, and the correction ombuds, or their designees.

It also includes appointed members as shown in the table below.

Table:

Correction Medical and Health Commission Appointed Members Appointing Authority Appointee Qualifications Physician experienced in correctional, emergency, House speaker or internal medicine Senate president pro tempore Public health expert or epidemiologist experienced in population health or correctional health systems Expert in correctional policy, reentry services, or House majority leader criminal justice reform and experienced working with formerly incarcerated populations Behavioral health professional, who may be a Senate majority leader psychiatrist, psychologist, or LCSW experienced in forensic or correctional mental heath In-state nonprofit hospital CEO or hospital House minority leader association CEO or executive member Senate minority leader Expert in health care finance sHB5567 / File No.

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750 Appointing Authority Appointee Qualifications Judiciary Committee House ranking member Clinical pharmacist Judiciary Committee Senate Registered nurse, APRN, or physician assistant ranking member (PA) experienced in institutional or community health care Person with nutrition doctorate Formerly incarcerated person experienced in Governor (three appointments) navigating health care services while incarcerated in a DOC facility In-state FQHC representative Judiciary Committee Representatives of each of the four bargaining units representing DOC employees whose job chairpersons (four joint duties include directly interacting with incarcerated appointments) people Under the bill, no members may be legislators except the Judiciary Committee chairpersons or their designees.

Appointing authorities must make their initial appointments by 30 days after the bill’s passage and must fill any vacancy for the rest of the unexpired term.

Generally, appointed members serve a term that coincides with the appointing authority’s term.

A member who misses three consecutive commission meetings is deemed to have resigned.

The Judiciary Committee chairpersons or their designees serve as the commission’s chairpersons, and they must schedule and hold the first meeting within 60 days after the bill’s passage.

Two-thirds of the membership is a quorum, and a majority vote of a quorum is required for all commission actions.

Commission members are not paid but, within available funding, must be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

The Judiciary Committee’sadministrative staffservesinthat capacity for the commission.

BACKGROUND Related Bills sHB5474 (File 333), favorably reportedby theGovernment Oversight Committee, (1) requires the DOC commissioner to add certain sHB5567 / File No.

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750 components to the department’s health care services plan and annually report on the plan’s implementation and (2) adds PAs who specialize in mental health to the list of providers who may serve as “mental health care providers” or “mental health therapists” under the plan.

SB 391 (File 617), favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee, authorizes DOC to arrange for breast cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for women in DOC custody to occur at health care institutions that are closer to the correctional facility than is the UConn Health Center.

COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 30 Nay 6 (03/24/2026) Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Yea 45 Nay 7 (04/24/2026) sHB5567 / File No.

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