HB 7107 — AN ACT CONCERNING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY EXPANDING GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, UPDATES TO ABLE ACCOUNT STATUTES AND OVERSIGHT OF DRIVING PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

(f) The requirement established in subsection (e) of this section to fill not less than one-third of the jobs from a successful bid for a janitorial or service contract with persons with disabilities and one-third with persons with a disadvantage shall be met whenever such contractor employs the requisite number of persons with disabilities and persons witha disadvantage throughouttheentirety ofitsoperationsinthestate provided any persons with disabilities employed by such contractor prior to the commencement date of any such contract shall not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of persons with disabilities employed by such contractor.

(g) The number of persons with disabilities and the number of persons with a disadvantage that such contractor is required to employ pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall be employed not later than six months after the commencement of janitorialworkor thecontractualservice under thetermsofany contract awarded pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section, provided such contractor shall fill any vacancy for janitorial work or contractual service that arises during the first six months of any such contract with persons with disabilities and persons with disadvantages.

(h) The [Connecticut Community Providers Association] CT Community Nonprofit Alliance shall develop an application process and submit a list of employees who have applied to participate in a partnership to the Department of Aging and Disability Services for certification.

Such [association] alliance shall maintain a list of certified employees who are persons with disabilities and community rehabilitation programs.

(i) Any qualified partnership awarded a janitorial or service contract sHB7107 / File No.

469 5 sHB7107 File No.

469 pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section shall provide to the [Connecticut Community Providers Association] CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, not later than six months after the commencement date of such contract and annually thereafter, a list of the persons with disabilities and persons with a disadvantage employed by such contractor that includes the date ofhire and employment location for each such person.

Such association shall certify annually to the Department of Administrative Services, the Judicial Branch or the Board of Regents for Higher Education, as applicable, insuchmanner andformasprescribedby theCommissioner of Administrative Services, Chief Court Administrator or the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, that the requisite number of persons with disabilities for such contract continue to be employed by such contractor in positions equivalent to those created under such contract and have been integrated into the general workforce of such contractor.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the responsibilities of the Department of Aging and Disability Services, as established in subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section, may not be delegated to an outside vendor.

(k) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to undertake the certification requirements established pursuant to subsections (e) to (l), inclusive, of this section.

(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, [the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall authorize certified small and minority businesses to participate in such program] any commercial contractor who is certified as a small or minority business within the Department of Administrative Services' supplier diversity program may participate in the program established under subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section.

Small and minority businesses shall meet the criteria provided in subsection (e) of this section except for subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, which shall be waived.

sHB7107 / File No.

469 6 sHB7107 File No.

469 (m) The joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizanceofmattersrelatingtogovernmentadministrationshallstudy the effectiveness of such program, including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of such program to create integrated work settings for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, said committee shall study ways to provide incentives for municipalities and businesses to utilize such programifsuchprogramisdeterminedby thecommittee to beeffective.

(n) Each exclusive contract awarded prior to October 1, 2013, pursuant to section 17a-796, as amended by this act, shall remain in effect until such time as either party terminates the contract in such party's own best interest, with not less than sixty days written notice.

Each such contract may be amended to include updated terms and conditions, but shall not allow for any price increases except statutory or mandated increases to the minimum wage and standard wage.

If either party exercises his or her right to terminate any such contract, the next contract solicitation may be awarded pursuant to this section or sections 4a-59 and 17a-796, as amended by this act.

Additionally, any new janitorial contract awarded pursuant to section 17a-796, as amended by this act, shall be limited to not more than four full-time employees per contract.

(o) Any person employed under a janitorial contract let:

(1) On or before October 1, 2006, or thereafter if such contract constitutes a successor contract to such janitorial contract let on or before October 1, 2006, and (2) pursuant to section 4a-57 or 10a-151b or by the judicial or legislative departments or pursuant to subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section shall have the same rights conferred upon an employee by section 31-57g for the duration of the program described in subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any new janitorial contract with not more than four full-time employees per contract, as described in subsection (n) of this section.

(p) If a position is not available at a job site for a janitorial or service contract awarded pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and a person sHB7107 / File No.

469 7 sHB7107 File No.

469 withadisabilityorapersonwithadisadvantageisplacedatanalternate job site in the operations of the contractor pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, such person with a disability or person with a disadvantage shall be paid the wage applicable at such alternate site, provided when a position at the job site for a janitorial or service contract awarded pursuant to subsection (c) of this section becomes available, such person with a disability or person with a disadvantage shall be transferred to the job site for a janitorial or service contract awarded pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and shall be paid the applicable standard wage for such site.

(q) If a person with a disability or a person with a disadvantage is transferred pursuant to subsection (p) of this section and such person subsequently leaves such position, the position shall be filled with another person with a disability or person with a disadvantage.

Sec.

2.

Section 17a-796 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

Whenever any products made or manufactured by or services providedbypersonswithdisabilitiesthroughcommunity rehabilitation programs or in any workshop established, operated or funded by nonprofit and nonsectarian organizations for the purpose of providing persons with disabilities training and employment suited to their abilities meet the requirements of any department, institution or agency supported in whole or in part by the state as to quantity, quality and pricesuchproductsshallhavepreferenceoverproductsorservicesfrom other providers, except (1) articles produced or manufactured by Department of Correction industries as provided in section 18-88, (2) emergency purchases made under section 4-98, and (3) janitorial or contractual services provided by a qualified partnership, pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of section 4a-82, as amended by this act.

A list describing styles, designs, sizes and varieties of all such articles made by persons with disabilities and describing all available services provided by such persons shall be prepared by the [Connecticut Community Providers Association] CT Community sHB7107 / File No.

469 8 sHB7107 File No.

469 Nonprofit Alliance.

Sec.

3.

Subsection (a) of section 19a-6h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) There is established a State-wide Primary Care Access Authority.

The authority shall consist of the Commissioners of Public Health and Social Services, the Comptroller and the following members:

One each appointed by the Connecticut Primary Care Association, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Connecticut Nurses Association, the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers, the Connecticut State Dental Association, the [Connecticut Community Providers Association] CT Community Nonprofit Alliance and the Weitzman Center for Innovation In Community Health and Primary Care and two appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health.

Members shall serve for a term of four years commencing on August 1, 2007.

All initial appointments to the committee shall be made by July 15, 2007.

Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

Sec.

4.

(1) TwoOne appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, onewho of whom has expertise in employment programs for persons with disabilitiesdisabilities; and one of whom has expertise in challenges facing persons with disabilities in gaining access to employment;

(2) TwoOne appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, onewho ofhas whomexpertise isin achallenges representativefacing ofpersons thewith CTdisabilities Communityin Nonprofitgaining Alliance;access to employment;

(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of sHB7107Representatives, /who Fileisa representativeofanorganizationrepresenting Substitute House Bill No.

4697107 9community sHB7107nonprofit Filecontractorswho No.employ personswithdisabilities;

469(4) Representatives;One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is a current or past participant in the janitorial work program administered by the Commissioner of Administrative Services pursuant to section 4a- of the general statutes;

(4)(5) One appointed by the majorityminority leader of the Senate;House of Representatives, who is a representative of an advocacy organization serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(8) The Commissionerchairperson of Agingthe andConnecticut DisabilitiesCouncil Services,on Developmental Disabilities, or the commissioner'schairperson's designee;

(9) The ChiefCommissioner Court Administrator of theDevelopmental JudicialServices, Branch, or the Chiefcommissioner's Court Administrator's designee;

and (10) The chancellorSecretary of the ConnecticutOffice Stateof CollegesPolicy and Universities,Management, or the chancellor'ssecretary's designee.designee;

(c)(11) AnyThe memberCommissioner of theAging taskand forceDisabilities appointedServices, under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the Generalcommissioner's Assembly.designee;

(12) The Chief Court Administrator of the Judicial Branch, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee;

and (13) The chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the chancellor's designee.

(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member Public Act No.

25-148 2 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 of the General Assembly.

sHB7107(g) /Not Filelater No.than January 1, 2027, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to government administration and elections, higher education, human services, the judiciary, labor and public health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

469The 10task sHB7107force Fileshall No.terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2027, whichever is later.

469Sec. (g) Not later than January 1, 2026, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to government administrationandelections,humanservicesandplanning and development, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2026, whichever is later.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 from passage 4a-82 Sec.

2 from passage 17a-796 from passage Sec.

3 19a-6h(a) Sec.

4 from passage New section HS Joint Favorable Subst.

sHB7107 / File No.

469 11 sHB7107 File No.

469 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:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill, which makes changes to the qualification requirements for the janitorial work program, results in no fiscal impact to the state.

In the past, program rates have been similar to prices from nonprogram janitorial contracts.

Section 4 creates a task force to study expanding governmental job opportunities for people with disabilities resulting in no fiscal impact to the state because the task force has the expertise needed to meet the requirements of the bill.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None sHB7107 / File No.

469 12 sHB7107 File No.

469 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 7107 AN ACT CONCERNING A JANITORIAL WORK PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY OR DISADVANTAGE AND A TASK FORCE TO STUDY EXPANDING GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SUMMARY This bill explicitly requires small and minority businesses that participate in the Department of Administrative Services’s (DAS) janitorial work program to meet the program’s employment and wage criteria, except for the minimum number of employees.

Under existing law, commercial contractors participating in the program generally must (1) fill at least one-third of jobs of a specific janitorial services contract with people with disabilities and an additional one-third with people with a disadvantage (i.e.

a person eligible for employment services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or whose income is less than two hundred percent of the federal poverty level), (2) employ at least 200 people who perform janitorial work, and (3) pay these employees a standard wage.

Current law requires DAS to authorize certified small and minority businesses to participate in the program notwithstanding these requirements.

The bill explicitly requires these businesses to meet these requirements but waives the 200-employee threshold, conforming to current DAS practice.

The bill also updates the name of the organization responsible for determining if employers meet program participation criteria to the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance (formerly the Connecticut Community Providers Association).

Lastly, the bill establishes a 12-member task force to study expanding sHB7107 / File No.

469 13 sHB7107 File No.

469 governmental job opportunities for people with disabilities.

The study must include best practicesfor governmentalemployment programsfor people with disabilities across the country and the costs and benefits of adopting these programs in Connecticut.

Under the bill, the task force must report its findings and recommendations to the Government Administration and Elections, Human Services, and Planning and Development committees by January 1, 2026.

The task force terminates on this date or on the date it submits the report, whichever is later.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TASK FORCE Membership Under the bill, task force members include the following four state officials or their designees:

the DAS and aging and disability services commissioners, judicial branch chief court administrator, and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities chancellor.

An additional eight members are appointed as follows:

1.

two membersappointedby theHouse speaker:

onemember with expertise in employment programs for people with disabilities and one member with expertise in challenges people with disabilities face in accessing employment;

twoSection members3-39j appointedof by the Senategeneral presidentstatutes prois tempore,repealed oneand ofthe whomfollowing mustis representsubstituted thein CTlieu Communitythereof Nonprofit(Effective Alliance;from passage):

As used in this section and 3.sections 3-39k to 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act:

one(1) member"Achieving eacha appointedbetter life experience account" or "ABLE account" means an account established and maintained pursuant to sections 3- 39k to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act, for the Housepurposes andof Senatepaying majoritythe andqualified minoritydisability leaders.expenses [related to the blindness or Public Act No.

The25-148 bill3 requiresof appointing13 authoritiesSubstitute toHouse makeBill theirNo. initial appointments within 30 days after the bill’s passage and fill any vacancies.

Appointed7107 membersdisability] mayof bea legislators.designated beneficiary.

Leadership(2) "Authorized individual" means an individual or entity who (A) meetstherequirementsof26CFR1.529A-2toestablishanABLEaccount on behalf of an eligible individual, and Meetings(B) sHB7107is /authorized Fileby No.the state's qualified ABLE program to establish or act on behalf of the designated beneficiary with respect to an ABLE account.

469[(2)] 14(3) sHB7107"Deposit" Filemeans No.a deposit, payment, contribution, gift or other transfer of funds.

469[(3) Under"Depositor" themeans bill,any theperson Housemaking speakera anddeposit Senateinto presidentan proABLE temporeaccount mustpursuant selectto thea taskparticipation forceagreement.] chairpersons(4)"Designatedbeneficiary"[meansanyeligibleindividualwhoisthe fromowner amongof itsan members,ABLE whoaccount mustestablished scheduleunder anda holdqualified theABLE taskprogram] force’shas firstthe meetingsame withinmeaning 60as daysprovided afterin theSection bill’s529A. passage.

The[(5) bill"Disability requirescertification" means, with respect to an individual, a certification to the Humansatisfaction Servicesof Committee’sthe administrativeSecretary staffof the Treasury of the United States by the individual or the parent or guardian of the individual or an individual establishing an ABLE account pursuant to servesubsection(g)ofsection3-39k that (A)certifiesthat (i)theindividualhas a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, that results in thismarked capacityand severe functional limitations, and that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, or is blind within the taskmeaning force.of Section 1614(a)(2) of the Social Security Act, and (ii) such impairment or blindness occurred before the date on which the individual attained the age of twenty-six, and (B) includes a copy of the individual's diagnosis relating to the individual's relevant impairment or blindness that is signed by a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or, to the extent permitted by federal law, (i) an advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed pursuant to chapter 378, (ii) a Public Act No.

COMMITTEE25-148 ACTION4 Humanof Services13 Committee Joint Favorable Substitute YeaHouse 17Bill Nay 5 (03/18/2025) sHB7107 / File No.

4697107 15physician assistant who is licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or (iii) if the individual's impairment is blindness, an optometrist licensed pursuant to chapter 380.] [(6)] (5) "Eligible individual" [means an individual who is entitled to benefits during a taxable year based on blindness or disability under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, and such blindness or disability occurred before the date on which the individual attained the age of twenty-six, provided a disability certification or self-certification with respect to such individual is filed with the State Treasurer for such taxable year] has the same meaning as provided in Section 529A.

[(7)"FederalABLEAct" meansthefederalABLEAct of2014, P.L.113- 295, as amended from time to time.] [(8)] (6) "Participation agreement" means an agreement between the trust established pursuant to section 3-39k, as amended by this act, and [depositors] a designated beneficiary or authorized individual that provides for participation in an ABLE account for the benefit of a designated beneficiary.

(7) "Qualified ABLE program" means any program established and maintained pursuant to Section 529A.

[(9)] (8) "Qualified disability expenses" [means any expenses related to an eligible individual's blindness or disability that are made for the benefit of an eligible individual who is the designated beneficiary, including the following expenses:

Education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services, health, prevention and wellness, financial management and administrative services, legal fees, expenses for oversight and monitoring, funeral and burial expenses, and other expenses that are approved by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States under regulations adopted by the Secretary pursuant to Public Act No.

25-148 5 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 the federal ABLE Act] has the same meaning as provided in Section 529A.

[(10) "Self-certification" means a certification, under penalty of perjury, to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States by an individual establishing an ABLE account that (A) certifies that (i) the individual has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that resultsin markedand severefunctionallimitations and that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, or is blind within themeaning of Section 1614(a)(2) of the Social Security Act,(ii)suchimpairmentorblindnessoccurredbeforethedateonwhich the individual attained the age of twenty-six, and (iii) the person establishing the account is the individual who will be the designated beneficiary of the account or is a person authorized to establish such account under the provisions of subsection (g) of section 3-39k, and (B) includes the applicable diagnostic code from those listed on Internal Revenue Service Form 5498-QA identifying the individual's impairment.] (9) "Section 529A" means Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and the regulations adopted thereunder by the United States Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, as amended from time to time.

Sec.

3.

Section 3-39k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The State Treasurer (1) shall establish a qualified ABLE program pursuant to [the federal ABLE Act] Section 529A and sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act, and (2) may contract with any state with a qualified ABLE program [established pursuant to the federal ABLE Act] to provide residents of this state with access to Public Act No.

25-148 6 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 such state's program.

(b) (1) Under the program established pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section:

(A) The State Treasurer shall administer individual ABLE accounts to encourage and assist eligible individuals and their families in saving [private] funds to provide support for eligible individuals, (B) a person may make contributions to an individualABLEaccount to meet thequalified disability expensesofthe designated beneficiary of the account, and (C) the State Treasurer shall designate a director of outreach for the ABLE program from among the existing employees of the office of the State Treasurer, who shall coordinate outreach and marketing efforts concerning ABLE accounts.

(2) For the purposes of such program, there is established within the Office of the State Treasurer the Connecticut Achieving A Better Life Experience Trust.

The trust shall constitute an instrumentality of the state and shall perform essential governmental functions, as provided in sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act.

The trust shall receive and hold all payments and deposits intended for ABLE accounts as well as gifts, bequests, endowments or federal, state or local grants and any other funds from public or private sources and all earnings, until disbursed in accordance with sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act.

(c) (1) The amounts on deposit in the trust shall not constitute property of the state and the trust shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state.

Amounts on deposit in the trust shall not be commingled with state funds and the state shall have no claim to or against, or interest in, such amounts, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection.

Any contract entered into by, or any obligation of, the trust shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the state and the state shall have no obligation to any designated beneficiary or any other person on account of the trust and all amounts obligated to be paid from the trust shall be limited to amounts available Public Act No.

25-148 7 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 for such obligation on deposit in the trust.

The amounts on deposit in the trust may only be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act.

(2) The trust shall continue in existence as long as it holds any deposits or other funds or has any obligations and until its existence is terminated by law, and upon termination of the trust, any unclaimed assets of the trust shall [return to the state.

Property of the trust shall] be governed by section 3-61a.

(d) The State Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt, maintenance, administration, investment and disbursements of amounts from the trust.

The trust shall not receive deposits in any form other than cash.

No [depositor] authorized individual or designated beneficiary may direct the investment of any contributions or amounts held in the trust other than in the specific fund options provided for by the trust and shall not direct investments in such specific fund options more than two times in any calendar year.

No interest, or portion of any interest, in the program shall be used as security for a loan.

(e) A person may make deposits to an ABLE account to meet the qualified disability expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account, provided the trust and deposits meet the other requirements of this section [, the federal ABLE Act and any regulations adopted pursuant to the federal ABLE Act by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States] and Section 529A.

(f) On or before December 31, 2017, and annually thereafter, the State Treasurer shall submit (1) in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 3-37, a report to the Governor on the operations of the trust, including the receipts, disbursements, assets, investments and liabilities and administrative costs of the trust for the prior fiscal year, and (2) in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, a report on the trust and any contract entered into pursuant to subdivision (2) of Public Act No.

25-148 8 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance and public health, and shall make such report available to each [depositor] authorized individual and designated beneficiary.

The report required under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall include, but need not be limited to:

(A) The number of ABLE accounts;

(B) the total amount of contributions to such accounts;

(C) the total amount and nature of distributionsfromsuchaccounts;and(D)adescriptionofissuesrelating to the abuse of such accounts, if any.

(g) An ABLE account may be established (1) by the eligible individual, (2) by a person selected by the eligible individual, or (3) if theeligibleindividualisunableto establishan ABLEaccount, [onbehalf of such individual by, in the following order:

Such individual's agent under a power of attorney, a conservator or legal guardian, spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent,or arepresentative payeeappointedforthe eligible individual by the Social Security Administration] by an authorized individual.

Sec.

4.

Section 3-39l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The State Treasurer, on behalf of the trust and for purposes of the trust, may:

(1) Receive and invest moneys in the trust in any instruments, obligations, securities or property in accordance with section 3-39m;

(2) Establish [consistent] terms for [each] the participation agreement [,bulk deposit, coupon or installment payments]andthe administration of ABLE accounts, including, but not limited to, (A) the method of paymentintoanABLEaccountbypayrolldeduction,transferfrombank accounts or otherwise, (B) the termination, withdrawal or transfer of payments under an ABLE account, including transfers to or from a Public Act No.

25-148 9 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 qualified ABLE program established by another state, [pursuant to the federal ABLE Act,] (C) penalties for distributions not used [or made in accordance with the federal ABLE Act] for qualified disability expenses, and (D) the amount of any charges or fees to be assessed in connection with the administration of the trust;

(3) Enter into one or more contractual agreements, including, but not limited to, contracts for legal, actuarial, accounting, custodial, advisory, management, administrative, advertising, marketing and consulting services for the trust and pay for such services from the gains and earnings of the trust;

(4) Procure insurance in connection with the trust's property, assets, activities or deposits or contributions to the trust;

(5) Apply for, accept and expend gifts, grants or donations from public or private sources to enable the Connecticut Achieving A Better Life Experience Trust to carry out its objectives;

(6) Sue and be sued;

(7) Establish one or more funds within the trust and maintain separate ABLE accounts for each designated beneficiary;

[and] (8) Pay for any fees associated with the administration of individual ABLE accounts;

and [(8)] (9) Take any other action necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act, and incidental to the duties imposed on the State Treasurer pursuant to said sections.

Sec.

5.

Section 3-39p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The state pledges to [depositors] authorized individuals, designated Public Act No.

25-148 10 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 beneficiaries and any party who enters into contracts with the trust, pursuant to the provisions of sections 3-39j to [3-39q] 3-39r, inclusive, as amended by this act, that the state will not limit or alter the rights under said sections vested in the trust or contract with the trust until such obligations are fully met and discharged and such contracts are fully performed on the part of the trust, provided nothing in this section shall preclude such limitation or alteration if adequate provision is made by law for the protection of such [depositors] authorized individuals and designated beneficiaries pursuant to the obligations of the trust or parties who entered into such contracts with the trust.

The trust, on behalf of the state, may include a description of such pledge and undertaking for the state in participation agreements and such other obligations or contracts.

Sec.

6.

Section 3-39q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The State Treasurer shall take any action necessary to ensure that the trustcomplieswithallapplicablerequirementsofstateandfederallaws, rules and regulations to the extent necessary for the trust to constitute a qualified ABLE program and be exempt from taxation under [the federal ABLE Act, and any regulations adopted pursuant to the federal ABLE Act by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States] Section 529A.

Sec.

7.

Section 3-39r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, to the extent permissible under federal law, moneys invested in an individual ABLE account, contributions to an individual ABLE account and distributions for qualified disability expenses pursuant to sections 3-39j to 3-39q, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be disregarded for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for assistance under Public Act No.

25-148 11 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 [the (1) temporary family assistance program, as described in section 17b-112, (2) programs funded under the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant, (3) the state-administered general assistance program, as described in section 17b-191, (4) the optional state supplementation program, as described in section 17b- 600, to the extent such invested moneys, contributions and distributions may be disregarded under the federal Supplemental Security Income Program, and (5) any other federally funded assistance or benefit program, including, but not limited to, the state's medical assistance program, whenever such program requires consideration of one or more financial circumstances of an individual for the purpose of determining the individual's eligibility to receive any assistance or benefit or the amount of any assistance or benefit] any means-tested public assistance program administered by the state or any political subdivision of the state.

(b)Notwithstanding any provisionofthegeneralstatutes,no moneys invested in the ABLE accounts shall be considered to be an asset for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for need-based, institutional aid grants offered to an individual at the public eligible educational institutions in the state.

Sec.

8.

Section 14-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):

(a) There shall be within the Department of [Aging and Disability Services] Motor Vehicles a unit for the purpose of evaluating and training persons with disabilities in the operation of motor vehicles.

There shall be assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities such staff as is necessary for the orderly administration of the driver training program for persons with disabilities.

The personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities shall, while engaged in the evaluation, [or] instruction or examination of a person with disabilities, have theauthority and immunities with respect Public Act No.

25-148 12 of 13 Substitute House Bill No.

7107 to such activities as are granted under the general statutes to motor vehicle inspectors.

[The] Said Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit a person whose license has been withdrawn as a result of a condition that makes such person eligible for evaluation and training under this section to operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities.

[When a person with disabilities has successfully completed the driver training program for persons with disabilities, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall certify such completion in writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall recommend any license restrictions or limitations to be placed on the license of such person.

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may accept such certification in lieu of the driving skills portion of the examination prescribed under subsection (e) of section 14-36.

If such person with disabilities has met all other requirements for obtaining a license, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue a license with such restrictions recommended by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.] (b) Any resident of this state who has a serious physical or mental disability which does not render the resident incapable of operating a motor vehicle and who must utilize special equipment in order to operate a motor vehicle and who cannot obtain instruction in the operation of a motor vehicle through any alternate program, including, but not limited to, other state, federal or privately operated drivers' schools shall be eligible for instruction under the Department of [Aging and Disability Services] Motor Vehicles driver training program for persons with disabilities.

Governor's Action:

Approved July 1, 2025 Public Act No.

25-148 13 of 13