Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: In Committee 7 D cosponsors

SB 705 — AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS.

Last action — FILE NO. 659

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

This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

319 added · 230 removed

319 line(s) added, 230 removed.

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General Assembly Committee Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
705 January Session, 2021 LCO No.
659 January Session, 2021 Substitute Senate Bill No.
5699 Referred to Committee on APPROPRIATIONS Introduced by:
705 Senate, May 10, 2021 The Committee on Appropriations reported through SEN.
(APP) AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS.
OSTEN of the 19th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS.
(2) Developing the state's public health emergency plan and initiatives in coordination with the Commissioner of Public Health;
sSB705 / File No.
LCO No.
659 1 sSB705 File No.
5699 1 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 (3) (A) Establishing and maintaining an inventory of a strategic reserve of necessary equipment in the event of a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, including, but not limited to, hand sanitizer, ventilators, hospital beds, modes of transportation, gloves, masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment and equipment and space for vaccine storage;
659 (2) Developing the state's public health emergency plan and initiatives in coordination with the Commissioner of Public Health;
(3) (A) Establishing and maintaining an inventory of a strategic reserve of necessary equipment in the event of a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, including, but not limited to, hand sanitizer, ventilators, hospital beds, modes of transportation, gloves, masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment and equipment and space for vaccine storage;
(4) Connecting small businesses to local providers of personal protective equipment;
(4) Establishing and maintaining a directory of businesses in the state that produce items that could be included in such strategic reserve or otherwise be used to prevent or respond to a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency;
and (5) Developing and proposing policies to (A) support and secure the state's medical supply chain, (B) restore jobs at the conclusion of any pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, and (C) establish and support training programs to increase the availability of necessary staff during a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency.
(5) Connecting small businesses to local providers of personal protective equipment;
and (6) Developing and proposing policies to (A) support and secure the state's medical supply chain, (B) restore jobs at the conclusion of any pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, and (C) establish and support training programs to increase the availability of necessary staff during a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency.
The office may also request the assistance of local health directors and may utilize any other public or private agencies, groups or individuals who are appropriate and who may be available to assist in performing such duties.
The office may also request the assistance of local health directors and may utilize any other public or private agencies, groups or individuals who are sSB705 / File No.
(d) Not later than January first, annually, the executive director of the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly LCO No.
659 2 sSB705 File No.
5699 2 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 having cognizance ofmattersrelatingto appropriationsandthebudgets of state agencies and public health, the Committee on Pandemic and PublicHealth Preparedness,establishedpursuant to section 2ofthisact, and the Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 19a-131g of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
659 appropriate and who may be available to assist in performing such duties.
(d) Not later than January first, annually, the executive director of the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance ofmattersrelatingto appropriationsandthebudgets of state agencies and public health, the Committee on Pandemic and PublicHealth Preparedness,establishedpursuant to section2ofthisact, and the Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 19a-131g of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Such chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the committee, which shall be held not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.
Such sSB705 / File No.
The committee shall meet on a quarterly basis, except the committee shall meet on a biweekly basis during any period in which a public health emergency is declared pursuant to section 19a-131a of the LCO No.
659 3 sSB705 File No.
5699 3 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 general statutes.
659 chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the committee, which shall be held not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.
The committee shall meet on a quarterly basis, except the committee shall meet on a biweekly basis during any period in which a public health emergency is declared pursuant to section 19a-131a of the general statutes.
Sec.3.(NEW)(EffectiveJuly1,2021)Theveterinarymedicaldiagnostic laboratory operated by The University of Connecticut shall track potential and active animal pandemics and epidemics in the state and assess the risk of transmission from any such pandemic or epidemic to sSB705 / File No.
659 4 sSB705 File No.
659 humans.
If said laboratory identifies an animal pandemic or epidemic and determines that such animal pandemic or epidemic poses a risk of transmission to humans, said laboratory shall immediately notify the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness and the Committee on Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness.
3.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station shall, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 426 of the general statutes, track potential and active animal pandemics and epidemics in the state and assess the risk of transmission from any such pandemic or epidemic to humans.
If said station identifies an animal pandemic or epidemic and determines that such animal pandemic or epidemic poses a risk of transmission to humans, said station shall immediately notify the Office of Pandemic and Public LCO No.
5699 4 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 Health Preparedness and the Committee on Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness.
Sec.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Department of Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of mattersrelatingto education.Suchreport shallinclude aplanto address staff shortages in schools that may occur as a result of a pandemic or epidemic, which shall include, but need not be limited to, a proposal for school districts to share available teachers on a limited time basis.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Department of Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of mattersrelatingto education.Suchreport shallincludeaplanto address staff shortages in schools that may occur as a result of a pandemic or epidemic, which shall include, but need not be limited to, a proposal for school districts to share available teachers on a limited time basis.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness shall submit a report, in accordance with the LCO No.
sSB705 / File No.
5699 5 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
659 5 sSB705 File No.
659 (b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
Sec.
sSB705 / File No.
659 6 sSB705 File No.
659 Sec.
Section 4-5 of the generalstatutes is repealed and the following LCO No.
Section 4-5 of the generalstatutes isrepealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
5699 6 of 9 Committee Bill No.705 is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" meansSecretaryoftheOffice ofPolicy andManagement, Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, State Board LCO No.
As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" meansSecretaryoftheOffice ofPolicy andManagement, Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, State Board sSB705 / File No.
5699 7 of 9 Committee Bill No.
659 7 sSB705 File No.
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705 of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of MentalHealth andAddictionServices,Commissioner ofSocialServices, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, the Commissioner of Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs, the executive director of the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness and the executive director of the Technical Education and Career System.
659 of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of MentalHealth andAddictionServices,Commissioner ofSocialServices, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, the Commissioner of Early Childhood, the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs, the executive director of the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness and the executive director of the Technical Education and Career System.
Section 1 July 1, 2021 New section Sec.
July 1, 2021 Section 1 New section Sec.
7 July 1, 2021 4-5 Sec.
7 July 1, 2021 4-5 July 1, 2022 Sec.
8 July 1, 2022 4-5 Statement of Purpose:
8 4-5 APP Joint Favorable Subst.
To establish an Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness.
sSB705 / File No.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
659 8 sSB705 File No.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] Co-Sponsors:
659 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.
SEN.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
OSTEN, 19th Dist.;
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
REP.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
RYAN, 139th Dist.
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $ State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Cost 120,000 125,000 Benefits1 Public Health, Dept.
REP.
GF - Cost 690,000 652,000 Note:
CONLEY, 40th Dist.;
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
REP.
None Explanation The bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish an Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness (OPPHP) and to hire an executive director.
FOSTER, 57th Dist.
Under the bill, the OPPHP is responsible for the state’s pandemic preparedness, including establishing and maintaining an inventory of necessary medical equipment and medical supplies.
SEN.
DPH would need to hire three positions to fulfil these requirements.
FLEXER, 29th Dist.;
The Executive Director position, with a salary of $106,000 in FY 22 and $110,000 in FY 23 would be responsible for conducting an annual inventory of the state’s medical stockpile of medical equipment and supplies, and provide updates to the members of the general assembly during declared public healthemergencies,aswellaspreparing areport annually for joint standing committee of the General Assembly.
REP.
The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.
RILEY, 46th Dist.
The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.3% of payroll in FY 22 and FY 23.
REP.
sSB705 / File No.
DE LA CRUZ, 41st Dist.;
659 9 sSB705 File No.
SEN.
659 The other two positions would be filled by full-time Nurse Consultants, with combined salary of $184,000 in FY 22 and $192,000 in FY 23.
NEEDLEMAN, 33rd Dist.
These two positions would be responsible for assisting the executive director in developing the state's public health emergency plan, developing policies to support and secure the state's medical supply chain, and build infection control capacity and procedures in the areas of infection control staffing and training, use of PPE and outbreak response.
REP.
Additionally, DPH needs $400,000 in FY 22 and $350,000 in FY 23 for the storage, maintenance and management of medical equipment and supplies.
SMITH, 48th Dist.;
This would cover storage, maintenance and management of ventilators/aspirators, the state's mobile field hospital, and a 250-bed medical station of supplies.
REP.
This equipment and supplies require temperature and humidity-controlled storage space and annual maintenance.
NOLAN, 39th Dist.
Also, an inventory management system will be required to track the PPE inventory.
REP.
The bill establishes an eleven-member committee on Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness to review and advise on thestate's planning for and response to pandemics, epidemics and other public health emergencies.
JOHNSON, 49th Dist.;
The administrative staff of the Public Health and Appropriations committees shall serve as the administrative staff of the task force.
SEN.
This provision has no fiscal impact.
ANWAR, 3rd Dist.
Under the bill OPPHP must develop a proposal for a program to support essential workers in certain industries during and after a pandemic or other public health emergency.
REP.
This provision has no fiscal impact.
HAMPTON, 16th Dist.
Lastly, the bill results in no fiscal impact to the University of Connecticut, which operates the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, as the laboratory currently carries out most of the responsibilities in the bill with assistance from the Department of Public Health.
LCO No.
The laboratory has sufficient resources to notify the new office and committee created by the bill, when necessary.
5699 8 of 9 Committee Bill No.
sSB705 / File No.
705 S.B.
659 10 sSB705 File No.
705 LCO No.
659 The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
5699 9 of 9
sSB705 / File No.
659 11 sSB705 File No.
659 OFA Bill Analysis SB 705 AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS.
SUMMARY:
The bill requires the Department of Public Health to establish an Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness (OPPHP) and to hire an executive director.
Under the bill, the OPPHP is responsible for the state’s pandemic preparedness, including establishing and maintaining an inventory of necessary medical equipment and medical supplies.
The bill also establishes an eleven-member committee on Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness to review and advise on the state's planning for and response to pandemics, epidemics and other public health emergencies.
The administrative staff of the Public Health and Appropriations committees shall serve as the administrative staff of the task force.
Please see the fiscal note for more details.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2021 COMMITTEE ACTION Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 34 Nay 16 sSB705 / File No.
659 12
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Action History

  1. FILE NO. 659

  2. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 390

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

  4. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  5. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 05/10/21

  6. FILED WITH LCO

  7. Joint Favorable Substitute

  8. PUBLIC HEARING 0326

  9. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Appropriations

  10. DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

  11. Vote to Draft

  12. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Appropriations

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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14 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 173 not signed on

Sponsors (14)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (173)

173 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 173 →

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

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 705?
SB 705 is sponsored by Currey, Jeff, Hampton, John K., Susan M. Johnson (Democratic), Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic), Smith, Brian T., Riley, Emmett D., Catherine A. Osten (Democratic), Conley, Christine, Saud Anwar (Democratic), De La Cruz, Joe, Jaime S. Foster (Democratic), Mae Flexer (Democratic), Norman Needleman (Democratic), and Ryan, Kevin.
What is the current status of SB 705?
This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
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