On May 14, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act No. 26-13, “An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes” into law. The legislation contains numerous revisions to state public health and healthcare laws affecting hospitals, health systems, behavioral health providers, campus clinics, and other licensed healthcare organizations.
Campus Clinic and Medical Records Changes
Effective October 1, infirmaries operated by educational institutions may now provide care to dependent family members of enrolled students, faculty, and employees when those family members are enrolled in the institution’s health plan. Beginning January 1, healthcare providers must notify each patient in writing at initial intake about laws governing medical records retention and how patients may request copies of those records.
Opioid Treatment and Emergency Response
Beginning January 1, hospitals may administer buprenorphine or methadone to patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms of opioid use disorder without admitting them solely for that purpose, provided the administration is clinically indicated and the patient consents. At discharge, hospitals may offer patients a prescription for or supply of an opioid antagonist such as naloxone hydrochloride. Hospitals must also provide a bridging prescription for buprenorphine or a last-dose letter for methadone to facilitate continuity of care.
Student Safety Plans and Behavioral Health
Beginning April 1, health care providers that prepare a safety plan for a minor following at least 12 consecutive days of inpatient behavioral health treatment must review the plan with the patient if medically appropriate. Providers must obtain written consent before transmitting the safety plan to the minor’s school district or school using a secure, HIPAA-compliant method. The legislation explicitly protects certain sensitive health information regarding minors, including information about pregnancy, abortion, contraceptives, sexually transmitted disease testing or treatment, and mental health treatment when a provider has promised to keep it confidential.
Expanded Nurse’s Aide Oversight
Effective October 1, the Act expands the definition of nurse’s aide to include those providing nursing services through employment with any DPH-licensed health care institution, not only nursing homes. The Department of Public Health may now summarily suspend a nurse’s aide’s ability to practice if there is clear and immediate danger to public health and safety, and may impose disciplinary actions including revocation, suspension, censure, reprimand, probationary status, or civil penalties of up to $25,000.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://natlawreview.com/article/connecticut-governor-signs-public-health-bill-what-health-care-organizations-need