All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 055672026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FACILITIES.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) establish medical professional positions within the Office of the Correction Ombuds, (2) develop processes to ensure medications are administered as directed in Department of Correction facilities and other safeguards concerning health care provided to persons who are incarcerated, (3) reimburse student loans of persons working with the Department of Correction as nurses, (4) direct an audit of the nutrition and food services of the department, (5) require medical history be transmitted to the department as part of a presentencing report, (6) enhance training for correction officers, (7) establish the Correction Medical and Health Oversight Board, and (8) enact various other proposals supporting the health and well-being of incarcerated persons.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
No more health care charges in custody
No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Correction must stop charging people in its custody for health care. This includes medical, dental, mental health, emergency, and other care. The department must also cancel unpaid charges for care from before it stops billing.
Loan help for correctional health workers
Licensed nurses and clinical social workers in qualifying Department of Correction jobs can get up to $5,000 a year toward documented student loan payments. Total reimbursement cannot exceed $20,000 per person. Applicants must hold a qualifying job when they apply, and payments already reimbursed elsewhere do not qualify. Funding depends on available bond authorizations; up to 5% of allocated funds can support administration and recruitment.
Backup plans for health staff shortages
When health services vacancies reach 20% at a correctional facility, the Department of Correction must put a backup staffing plan in place. It must consult health workers and their bargaining representatives. The plan cannot reduce staffing below levels needed for safe, adequate care or replace efforts to hire and keep staff.
Medication and reentry care pilots
By October 1, 2026, the Department of Correction must start a pilot at a minimum-security facility for eligible people with chronic diseases to keep and take certain medicines themselves. Participation is voluntary, and medical staff decide who and which medicines qualify. By October 1, 2027, state agencies must start a York Correctional Institution pilot, within available appropriations, to plan community care and specialty referrals for people with chronic or behavioral health needs. An in-state health center must provide community care for at least two years.
Stronger medical care in custody
Beginning October 1, 2026, people in custody must receive medically needed procedures in a timely, appropriate way. The department must check medicines at intake, accept prescription medicines for storage and use as prescribed, and offer a chance to approve sharing records with the Ombuds within five days. By January 1, 2027, its health care plan must prevent gaps in needed medicine and make same-day delivery available. People can also make secure digital care requests and check medication records; the department must post plain-language care and rights notices in English and Spanish.
Reviews of prison meals and commissaries
State auditors must review correctional food and commissary programs by July 1, 2027. The review must cover meal quality, special diets, costs, commissary problems, and complaints. By January 11, 2028, the Commissioner must submit a plan to address concerns and decide whether the Department should hire a nutritionist and dietician.
Medical history collected before sentencing
Beginning October 1, 2026, a probation officer must ask about a defendant’s medical and prescription history from the past five years in specified cases involving possible incarceration. The officer must send the information to the Department of Correction and the Correction Ombuds at least five days before sentencing. If the defendant refuses, the officer must document the attempts and provide a sworn statement.
More oversight of correctional conditions
The Correction Ombuds can consider broader sources when reviewing incidents, and state-issued phones and electronic devices are allowed during official facility work. Complaints the Ombuds declines to investigate stay private unless the complainant agrees to disclosure. Before issuing a decision that criticizes the Department or an employee, the Ombuds must consult them or a union representative at least three business days ahead. The law also sets rules for subpoena costs and requires public information about fatality and permanent-injury investigations.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Amy Morrin Bello
Democratic • House
Anne M. Hughes
Democratic • House
Antonio Felipe
Democratic • House
Aundre Bumgardner
Democratic • House
Christopher Rosario
Democratic • House
Heather S. Somers
Republican • Senate
Hubert D. Delany
Democratic • House
Jillian Gilchrest
Democratic • House
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
Julie Kushner
Democratic • Senate
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Laurie Sweet
Democratic • House
Marcus Brown
Democratic • House
Maryam Khan
Democratic • House
Matt Blumenthal
Democratic • House
Nick Gauthier
Democratic • House
Patricia A. Dillon
Democratic • House
Patricia Billie Miller
Democratic • Senate
Paul Cicarella
Republican • Senate
Renee LaMark Muir
Democratic • House
Robin E. Comey
Democratic • House
Roland J. Lemar
Democratic • House
Saud Anwar
Democratic • Senate
Stephen G. Harding
Republican • Senate
Steven J. Stafstrom
Democratic • House
Steven Winter
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Travis Simms
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/24/2026
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 250
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
House Roll Call Vote 133 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet-A (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-40
5/14/2026
File No. 750
4/30/2026
File No. 602
4/13/2026
APP Joint Favorable
3/24/2026
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/24/2026
Raised Bill
3/12/2026
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 602
Bill Analysis For File Copy 750
Bill Analysis for HB-5567, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 602
Fiscal Note For File Copy 750
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5000 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-5567, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5000)
House LCO Amendment #4952 (J)
House Roll Call Vote 133 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 5000 (J)
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
JUD Vote Tally Sheet-A (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 250
Summary for Public Act No. 26-40
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