Connecticut 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee 6 D cosponsors

HB 5296 — AN ACT EXPANDING THE CONNECTICUT HOME-CARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY.

Last action — REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

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

This bill died with 2024 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

411 added · 337 removed

411 line(s) added, 337 removed.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
House of Representatives General Assembly File No.
5296 February Session, 2024 LCO No.
128 February Session, 2024 Substitute House Bill No.
1858 Referred to Committee on AGING Introduced by:
5296 House of Representatives, March 26, 2024 The Committee on Aging reported through REP.
(AGE) AN ACT CONCERNING FAMILY HOME CARE OVERSIGHT AND EXPANDING THE CONNECTICUT HOME-CARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY.
GARIBAY of the 60th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT EXPANDING THE CONNECTICUT HOME-CARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY.
(Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Social Services shall conduct a study on home care services provided by family members in the state.
Such study shall (1) examine the department's procedures for overseeing such services, (2) identify the number of complaints received by the department concerning such services and the resolution of such complaints, and (3) develop recommendations for increasing accountability and oversight of home care services.
Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner shall report on such study, 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 human services and aging.
For the purposes of this section, "home care" means long-term services and supports provided to adults in a home or community-based program administered by the Department of Social Services.
LCO No.
1858 1 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 Sec.
2.
The commissioner shall make any revisions in the state Medicaid plan required by Title XIX of theSocialSecurityActpriortoimplementing theprogram.Theprogram shall be structured so that the net cost to the state for long-term facility care in combination with the services under the program shall not exceed the net cost the state would have incurred without the program.
The commissioner shall make any revisions in the state Medicaid plan required by Title XIX of theSocialSecurityActpriortoimplementing theprogram.Theprogram shall be structured so that the net cost to the state for long-term facility sHB5296 / File No.
128 1 sHB5296 File No.
128 care in combination with the services under the program shall not exceed the net cost the state would have incurred without the program.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any LCO No.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any qualified alien or other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerlyheldthestatusofpermanentlyresidingundercoloroflawwho is a victim of domestic violence or who has intellectual disability shall be eligible for assistance pursuant to this section.
1858 2 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 qualified alien or other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerlyheldthestatusofpermanentlyresidingundercoloroflawwho is a victim of domestic violence or who has intellectual disability shall be eligible for assistance pursuant to this section.
In addition to such contracts, the commissioner may use department staff to provide screening, coordination, assessment and monitoring functions for the program.
In addition to such contracts, the commissioner may use department staff sHB5296 / File No.
128 2 sHB5296 File No.
128 to provide screening, coordination, assessment and monitoring functions for the program.
Recipients of state-funded services and LCO No.
Recipients of state-funded services and persons who are determined to be functionally eligible for community- based services who have an application for medical assistance pending shall have the cost of home health and community-based services covered by the program, provided they comply with all medical assistance application requirements.
1858 3 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 persons who are determined to be functionally eligible for community- based services who have an application for medical assistance pending shall have the cost of home health and community-based services covered by the program, provided they comply with all medical assistance application requirements.
Long-term care facilities shall supply the Department of Social Services with the names and addresses of all applicants for admission.
Long-term care facilities shall supply the Department of Social Services with the names sHB5296 / File No.
128 3 sHB5296 File No.
128 and addresses of all applicants for admission.
(g) The commissioner shall report annually, by June first, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services on the program in such detail, depth and scope as said committee requires to evaluate the effect of the LCO No.
(g) The commissioner shall report annually, by June first, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services on the program in such detail, depth and scope as said committee requires to evaluate the effect of the program on the state and program participants.
1858 4 of 10 Raised Bill No.
5296 program on the state and program participants.
(h) An individual who is otherwise eligible for services pursuant to this section shall, as a condition of participation in the program, apply for medical assistance benefits pursuant to section 17b-260 when requested to do so by the department and shall accept such benefits if determined eligible.
(h) An individual who is otherwise eligible for services pursuant to this section shall, as a condition of participation in the program, apply for medical assistance benefits pursuant to section 17b-260 when sHB5296 / File No.
128 4 sHB5296 File No.
128 requested to do so by the department and shall accept such benefits if determined eligible.
For program applications received by the Department of Social Services for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, only persons who require the level of care provided in a nursing home shall be eligible for the state-funded portion of the program, except for persons residing in affordable housing under the assisted living demonstration project established pursuant to section 17b-347e who are otherwise LCO No.
For program applications received by the Department of Social Services for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, only persons who require the level of care provided in a nursing home shall be eligible for the state-funded portion of the program, except for persons residing in affordable housing under the assisted living demonstration project established pursuant to section 17b-347e who are otherwise eligible in accordance with this section.
1858 5 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 eligible in accordance with this section.
Notwithstanding any provision of sections 17b-60 and 17b- 61, the department shall not be required to provide an administrative hearing to a person found ineligible for services under this subsection because of a failure to contribute to the cost of care.
Notwithstanding any provision of sections 17b-60 and 17b- 61, the department shall not be required to provide an administrative hearing to a person found ineligible for services under this subsection sHB5296 / File No.
128 5 sHB5296 File No.
128 because of a failure to contribute to the cost of care.
LCO No.
(4) The annualized cost of services provided to an individual under the state-funded portion of the program shall not exceed fifty per cent oftheweightedaveragecostofcareinnursing homesinthestate,except an individual who received services costing in excess of such amount under the Department of Social Services in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, may continuetoreceive suchservices,providedtheannualized cost of such services does not exceed eighty per cent of the weighted average cost of such nursing home care.
1858 6 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 (4) The annualized cost of services provided to an individual under the state-funded portion of the program shall not exceed fifty per cent oftheweightedaveragecostofcareinnursing homesinthestate,except an individual who received services costing in excess of such amount under the Department of Social Services in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, may continuetoreceive suchservices,providedtheannualized cost of such services does not exceed eighty per cent of the weighted average cost of such nursing home care.
(j) The Commissioner of Social Services shall collect data on services provided under the program, including, but not limited to, the:
sHB5296 / File No.
128 6 sHB5296 File No.
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128 (j) The Commissioner of Social Services shall collect data on services provided under the program, including, but not limited to, the:
(k) The commissioner shall notify any access agency or area agency LCO No.
(k) The commissioner shall notify any access agency or area agency on aging that administers the program when the department sends a redetermination of eligibility form to an individual who is a client of such agency.
1858 7 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 on aging that administers the program when the department sends a redetermination of eligibility form to an individual who is a client of such agency.
Any materials developed for the public awareness campaign shall be translated into the fifteen most commonly spoken languages in the state, as determined by the commissioner.
Any materials developed for the public awareness campaign sHB5296 / File No.
128 7 sHB5296 File No.
128 shall be translated into the fifteen most commonly spoken languages in the state, as determined by the commissioner.
3.
2.
LCO No.
The maximum allowable rates established by the Commissioner of Social Services for the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly established under section 17b-342, as amended by this act, shall constitute the rates required under this section until revised in accordance with this section.
1858 8 of 10 Raised Bill No.5296 The maximum allowable rates established by the Commissioner of Social Services for the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly established under section 17b-342 shall constitute the rates required under this section until revised in accordance with this section.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a fee schedule, to be effective on and after July 1, 1994, for homemaker services, chore person services, companion services, respite care, meals on wheels, adult day care services, case management and assessment services, transportation, mental health counseling and [elderlyfostercare]adultfamilyliving.Thecommissionermayannually increase thefee schedulebasedonanincrease inthecost of services.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a fee schedule, to be effective on and after July 1, 1994, for homemaker services, chore person services, companion services, respite care, meals on wheels, adult day careservices,casemanagementandassessmentservices,transportation, mental health counseling and [elderly foster care] adult family living.
The commissioner may annually increase the fee schedule based on an increase in the cost of services.
The commissioner shall increase the fee schedule effective July 1, 2019, for meals on wheels by ten per cent over the fee schedule for meals on wheels for the previous fiscal year.
The commissioner shall increase the fee schedule effective July 1, 2019, for meals on wheels by ten per cent over the fee schedule for meals on wheels for the previous sHB5296 / File No.
128 8 sHB5296 File No.
128 fiscal year.
4.
3.
The plan shall LCO No.
The plan shall include a timetable for implementation of the demonstration project on or after July 1, 2009.
1858 9 of 10 Raised Bill No.
5296 include a timetable for implementation of the demonstration project on or after July 1, 2009.
from passage Section 1 New section Sec.
Section 1 July 1, 2024 17b-342 sHB5296 / File No.
2 July 1, 2024 17b-342 Sec.
128 9 sHB5296 File No.
3 July 1, 2024 17b-343 Sec.
128 Sec.
4 July 1, 2024 17b-370(b) Statement of Purpose:
2 July 1, 2024 17b-343 Sec.
To require the Commissioner of Social Services to (1) study family home care oversight in the state, (2) compensate family caregivers, including spouses, who provide personal care assistance services in the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly, (3) collect data regarding adult family living services in the state and report on such data, and (4) develop and implement a marketing campaign to promote adult family living services.
3 July 1, 2024 17b-370(b) AGE Joint Favorable Subst.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
sHB5296 / 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.] LCO No.
128 10 sHB5296 File No.
1858 10 of 10
128 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 25 $ FY 26 $ Social Services, Dept.
GF - Cost See Below See Below Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation Section 1 of the bill results in a cost to the Department of Social Services (DSS) due to requiring that family caregivers, including spouses, be compensated for personal care assistance (PCA) services to the extent permissible under federal law.
This increases costs to DSS associated with clients who would not otherwise access PCA services but will do so if provided by their spouse.
The extent of the cost is unknown and is based on the number of home care clients who would utilize PCA services through a family member not currently eligible for such reimbursement.
For context, there are approximately 13,215 clients on the Home Care Waiver program and 2,060 on the state-funded program.
Section 1 of the bill may also result in a cost to DSS to the extent that additional staff and resources are needed to develop and implement a multilingual public awareness campaign to promote adult family living services.
The bill also makes technical changes that do not result in a fiscal impact.
sHB5296 / File No.
128 11 sHB5296 File No.
128 The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to service utilization.
Sources:
Department of Social Services Caseload Information sHB5296 / File No.
128 12 sHB5296 File No.
128 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5296 AN ACT EXPANDING THE CONNECTICUT HOME-CARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY.
SUMMARY This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to compensatefamilycaregivers,includingspouses,whoprovide personal care assistance services to enrollees of the Connecticut Home-Care Program for the Elderly (CHCPE) (see BACKGROUND).
The bill generally limits the requirement to compensate family caregivers to the extent it is allowed under federal law, but this limit does not apply to the state-funded portion of the program.
The bill expands the information that the DSS commissioner must include in her annual CHCPE report to the Human Services Committee.
It requires her to report certain data on adult family living services provided under the program, including the estimated savings to the state by offering those services.
The bill also requires the commissioner to develop and implement a multilingual public awareness campaign by January 1, 2025, to promote adult family living services under CHCPE.
Lastly, the bill makes a technical change to reference “adult family living” instead of “elderly foster care” services.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2024 CONNECTICUT HOME-CARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY Annual Report The bill requires the DSS commissioner to include the following information about adult family living services under the program in her sHB5296 / File No.
128 13 sHB5296 File No.
128 report to the Human Services Committee, which is due by June 1 annually:
1.
the participation rate of people receiving adult living services, 2.
the number of home care agencies administering those services, 3.
the primary languages spoken by those receiving the services, and 4.
the estimated savings to the state for not institutionalizing the people receiving those services.
Public Awareness Campaign The bill requires the DSS commissioner to develop and implement a multilingual public awareness campaign by January 1, 2025, to promote adult family living services under CHCPE.
Materials developed for the campaign must be translated into the 15 most common languages spoken in the state.
The commissioner must make copies of these materials publicly available at various times and locations in the state, as she determines, and post them on the DSS website.
BACKGROUND Connecticut Home-Care Program for the Elderly CHCPE is a Medicaid-waiver and state-funded program that provides a range of home- and community-based services for eligible individuals 65 years or older who are at risk of inappropriate institutionalization (e.g., nursing home placement).
In comparison to the Medicaid-waiver component, the program’s state-funded portion has no income limit and has higher asset limits.
The state has authority to limit program enrollment or make wait lists based on available resources.
COMMITTEE ACTION Aging Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 14 Nay 1 (03/12/2024) sHB5296 / File No.
128 14
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Action History

  1. REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

  2. FILE NO. 128

  3. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 114

  4. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  5. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  6. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/25/24

  7. FILED WITH LCO

  8. Joint Favorable Substitute

  9. PUBLIC HEARING 0305

  10. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Aging

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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6 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 181 not signed on

Sponsors (6)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (181)

181 members have not signed on to this bill.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5296?
HB 5296 is sponsored by Saud Anwar (Democratic), Jan Hochadel (Democratic), Jane M. Garibay (Democratic), Kara Rochelle (Democratic), Geraldo C. Reyes (Democratic), and James Sanchez (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 5296?
This bill died with 2024 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.
Where can I track HB 5296?
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