All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 055142026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH STATUTES.
Sponsored By: Public Health Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To make various revisions to the public health statutes.
public health
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
18 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
More emergency opioid treatment options
Starting January 1, 2027, hospitals can give clinically appropriate buprenorphine or methadone to consenting emergency patients with opioid use disorder, as federal law allows. Hospitals can offer an opioid-reversal medicine and refer patients for follow-up care. When a hospital gives buprenorphine, it must provide a bridging prescription when federal law allows. Methadone treatment requires a last-dose letter.
More access to private well results
Starting October 1, 2026, local health authorities and the state health department can share private or semipublic well test results with property owners, nearby owners, and people whose homes use the well. A prospective buyer must have signed a purchase contract. Some other sharing is allowed when needed for official duties.
Free glasses can reach a representative
Starting July 1, 2026, a nonprofit can deliver free glasses to a wearer’s authorized representative when the wearer cannot receive them in person. The glasses must be made by a licensed optician and remain free to the wearer.
More infirmary care for enrolled dependents
Starting October 1, 2026, an educational institution’s infirmary can provide care to dependent family members enrolled in the institution’s health plan. Dependents who are not enrolled in that plan are not covered by this change.
Patients get medical record notices
Starting October 1, 2026, health care providers must give patients a written notice at their first intake. It explains how long medical records are kept and how patients can request copies.
Safer school sharing of care plans
Starting April 1, 2027, providers must ask about sharing safety plans for minors treated as inpatients for at least 12 days in a row. Sharing needs written consent; a minor who is at least 16 can consent. Schools must keep plans separate from school records and give selected staff access. The state provides free secure accounts within available funding, and schools must train new staff starting July 1, 2027.
More courses count for care licensees
Practice-related courses offered or approved by LeadingAge Connecticut and Rhode Island, Inc. count toward the continuing education required of certain licensees. The existing requirement is at least 40 hours every two years.
No-fee permits for vet graduates
Starting October 1, 2026, eligible graduates of veterinary programs outside the United States, its territories, or Canada can receive a no-fee temporary permit while pursuing specified certification. The permit lasts up to two years and can be renewed once for up to two more years. Holders must work under the direct supervision of a qualifying licensed veterinarian.
New standards for sewage technology
By July 1, 2028, state health and environmental officials must set nitrogen-removal standards and review procedures for covered sewage systems. New technology standards must rely on independent tests and climate-relevant field data. Systems regulated under a separate state law are excluded.
Plans for extreme heat and cold
By January 1, 2027, Connecticut must prepare guidance for extreme heat and cold. It must address possible triggers for opening cooling and warming centers and ways to improve public messages. The housing department must also plan better outreach to people without homes, based on work with service providers.
Hospitals consider nutrition needs
Starting October 1, 2026, hospitals must consider nutrition needs in community health assessments when available data support it. The assessments must address people with diabetes or congestive heart failure to the extent federal law permits. This rule does not guarantee a specific service.
New provider guidance for menopause care
Starting October 1, 2026, the University of Connecticut Health Center must develop a practical toolkit for providers treating menopause symptoms. The toolkit is due by June 1, 2028, within available funding. The institute must review provider feedback and revise the toolkit as needed by January 1, 2029.
Free health checks for eligible pupils
Starting July 1, 2026, eligible pupils receive covered school health assessments at no charge. A parent or guardian must qualify for free or reduced-price meals or free milk. Starting with the school year that begins July 1, 2027, public-school athletes in grades 9 through 12 need an assessment each school year, including a heart screening, before they play.
Rural health funds bring new rules
Starting October 1, 2026, state health authorities can discipline practitioners who fail to meet material obligations tied to Rural Health Transformation Program funds. A separate rule makes a state requirement inapplicable to funds provided to a tribe through the program. The law gives no funding amounts or details about the practical effect of that exception.
Two public health statutes repealed
Starting October 1, 2026, Connecticut repeals two statutory sections. The provided information does not explain what those sections cover, so their effects on people, services, or obligations are unclear.
New rules for dental teams
Starting October 1, 2026, dentists can assign qualified assistants more procedures, and trained dentists can provide some cosmetic injections. Assistants must carry at least $500,000 in coverage per person per event and $1.5 million total. Dentists can supervise two expanded-function assistants, or four in an orthodontics-only practice. Dentists still need 25 continuing-education hours every 24 months; the state lists 12 required topics instead of 10. Cosmetic injections have location limits and cannot be delegated to staff.
Stronger oversight of nurse aides
Starting October 1, 2027, more aides working in covered institutions fall under Connecticut’s nurse aide rules. The state can investigate and discipline aides for misconduct, including abuse, neglect, or fraud. Aides can request a hearing within 30 days after complaint notice is mailed. Registration confirms required training and testing but no longer says an aide is qualified to work in certain nursing homes.
More license mobility for emergency responders
Starting October 1, 2026, Connecticut joins an interstate system that recognizes qualifying emergency medical services licenses. Covered veterans, service members, and spouses get faster license review when they have a current, unrestricted national certification at the level sought. Applicants must complete state and national criminal history checks when the compact’s timing rules apply. The shared commission sets rules, keeps license and investigation data, and can assess member states for operating costs. State authorities can investigate and restrict practice; the compact also sets rules for state participation and withdrawal.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Public Health Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
Julie Kushner
Democratic • Senate
Karen Reddington-Hughes
Republican • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Laurie Sweet
Democratic • House
Lucy Dathan
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Patrick Biggins
Democratic • House
Roland J. Lemar
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/17/2026
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 232
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/23/2026
House Roll Call Vote 128 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/23/2026
PH Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
5/14/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/6/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/6/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-13
5/4/2026legislatureIn Concurrence
5/1/2026legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/1/2026SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
5/1/2026SenateFile Number 742
4/29/2026legislatureSenate Calendar Number 483
4/29/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/29/2026SenateImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
4/28/2026SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
4/28/2026HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 4844
4/28/2026HouseTabled for the Calendar, House
4/20/2026HouseNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
4/20/2026legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/20/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/20/2026legislatureJoint Favorable
4/17/2026legislatureReferred by House to Committee on Appropriations
4/14/2026HouseFile Number 540
4/9/2026legislatureHouse Calendar Number 359
4/9/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/9/2026HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/9/2026legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26 5:00 PM
4/2/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/24/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-13
5/4/2026
File No. 742
4/29/2026
File No. 540
4/9/2026
APP Joint Favorable
3/23/2026
PH Joint Favorable Substitute
3/23/2026
Raised Bill
3/5/2026
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 540
Bill Analysis For File Copy 742
Bill Analysis for HB-5514, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 540
Fiscal Note For File Copy 742
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4812 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4844 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-5514, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 4844)
House LCO Amendment #4812 (D)
House Roll Call Vote 128 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 4844 (D)
PH Joint Fav. Rpt
PH Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 232
Summary for Public Act No. 26-13
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