Table of Contents
Sec. 17b-1. Department of Social Services. Commissioner. Successor department to Departments of Income Maintenance, Human Resources and Aging.
Sec. 17b-2. Programs administered by the Department of Social Services.
Sec. 17b-3. Commissioner of Social Services: Powers and duties.
Sec. 17b-4. Department of Social Services: Duties and services provided. Elderly and
aging persons.
Sec. 17b-5. Implementation plan.
Sec. 17b-6. Department of Social Services: Regional administrators. Agency goals.
Sec. 17b-7. (Formerly Sec. 17-3i). General assistance training programs.
Sec. 17b-7a. State-wide fraud early detection system. Regulations.
Sec. 17b-8. (Formerly Sec. 17-2k). Federal waiver of assistance program requirements. Notice and summary of waiver application.
Sec. 17b-9. (Formerly Sec. 17-2l). Annual report to the General Assembly.
Sec. 17b-10. (Formerly Sec. 17-3f). Department of Social Services policy manuals. Distribution. Regulations.
Sec. 17b-11. (Formerly Sec. 17-11). Acceptance of federal funds and commodities. Disregard of certain federal increases for recipients of state supplement program. Increase in
income disregarded for unrelated recipients who share living arrangements. Annual report.
Sec. 17b-11a. Adult family living classification in rated housing.
Sec. 17b-12. (Formerly Sec. 17-11b). Acceptance of gifts for social services beneficiaries.
Sec. 17b-13. (Formerly Sec. 17-12). Federal aid for emergency relief purposes.
Sec. 17b-14. (Formerly Sec. 17-12j). Notification of federal sanctions and fines. Report.
Sec. 17b-15. (Formerly Sec. 17-12p). Implementation of the Family Support Act of 1988.
Day care provisions of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990.
Sec. 17b-16. (Formerly Sec. 17-12t). Information to be provided re earned income credit
program.
Sec. 17b-16a. Disclosure of current address of applicants or recipients of benefits under
programs administered by the department.
Sec. 17b-16b. Ineligibility for benefits under programs administered by department due to
outstanding felony arrest warrants.
Sec. 17b-17. (Formerly Sec. 17-12aa). Assistance dependency report.
Sec. 17b-18. (Formerly Sec. 17-12kk). Reports to the appropriations committee.
Sec. 17b-19. (Formerly Sec. 17-291). Annual general assistance report. Records and reports by selectmen. Penalty.
Sec. 17b-20. (Formerly Sec. 17-574). Grants for pilot projects or demonstrations.
Sec. 17b-21. (Formerly Sec. 17-583). Civil legal services programs for indigent persons.
Funding.
Sec. 17b-22. (Formerly Sec. 17-106). Agreements with other states.
Sec. 17b-23. (Formerly Sec. 17-572). Commissioner may contract with Commissioner of Children and Families re delivery of services to children.
Sec. 17b-24. (Formerly Sec. 17-573). Contracts for comprehensive health care.
Sec. 17b-25. (Formerly Sec. 17-576). Purchase or lease and management of property.
Sec. 17b-25a. Toll-free vendor fraud telephone line.
Sec. 17b-25b. Program for persons suffering from Huntington's disease.
Sec. 17b-26. (Formerly Sec. 17-577). Department designated as state agency responsible
for implementation of social services block grants and community services block grants.
Development of outreach program. Report.
Sec. 17b-27. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity program. Regulations. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity system established by Department of Public Health.
Sec. 17b-28. Advisory council re Medicaid managed care. Appointments. Reports.
Sec. 17b-28a. Waiver Application Development Council. Medicaid waiver unit.
Sec. 17b-28b. Competitive bidding for Medicaid managed care plans.
Sec. 17b-28c. Application for a federal waiver for pilot program based on principles of
national Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Sec. 17b-28d. Amendment to state Medicaid plan to increase federal matching funds for
Medicaid services provided to children requiring special education.
Sec. 17b-29. Council to monitor implementation of temporary family assistance program and
the employment services program. Appointments. Reports.
Sec. 17b-30. Biometric identifier system.
Sec. 17b-31. Parent's Fair Share Program.
Secs. 17b-32 to 17b-54.
Sec. 17b-55. Regulations re welfare reform.
Sec. 17b-56. (Formerly Sec. 17-21a). Compact.
Sec. 17b-57. (Formerly Sec. 17-21b). Administrator.
Sec. 17b-58. (Formerly Sec. 17-21c). Administrator to coordinate activities.
Sec. 17b-59. (Formerly Sec. 17-21d). Notice to other states of repeal of part.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 17b-1. Department of Social Services. Commissioner. Successor department to Departments of Income Maintenance, Human Resources and Aging. (a)
There is established a Department of Social Services. The department head shall be the
Commissioner of Social Services, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance
with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, with the powers and duties therein
prescribed. Sec. 17b-2. Programs administered by the Department of Social Services. The
Department of Social Services is designated as the state agency for the administration
of (1) the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (2) the Connecticut energy assistance program pursuant
to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; (3) programs for the elderly
pursuant to the Older Americans Act; (4) the state plan for vocational rehabilitation
services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994; (5) the refugee assistance program
pursuant to the Refugee Act of 1980; (6) the legalization impact assistance grant program
pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; (7) the temporary assistance for needy families program pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; (8) the Medicaid program pursuant to Title
XIX of the Social Security Act; (9) the food stamp program pursuant to the Food Stamp
Act of 1977; (10) the state supplement to the Supplemental Security Income Program
pursuant to the Social Security Act; (11) the state child support enforcement plan pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act; and (12) the state social services plan for
the implementation of the social services block grants and community services block
grants pursuant to the Social Security Act. The Department of Social Services is designated a public housing agency for the purpose of administering the Section 8 existing
certificate program and the housing voucher program pursuant to the Housing Act of
1937. Sec. 17b-3. Commissioner of Social Services: Powers and duties. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall administer all law under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Services. The commissioner shall have the power and duty to do the
following: (1) Administer, coordinate and direct the operation of the department; (2)
adopt and enforce regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as are necessary to implement the purposes of the department as established by statute; (3) establish rules for
the internal operation and administration of the department; (4) establish and develop
programs and administer services to achieve the purposes of the department as established by statute; (5) contract for facilities, services and programs to implement the
purposes of the department as established by statute; (6) process applications and requests for services promptly; (7) make no duplicate awards for items of assistance once
granted, except for replacement of lost or stolen checks on which payment has been
stopped; (8) promote economic self-sufficiency where appropriate in the department's
programs, policies, practices and staff interactions with recipients; (9) act as advocate
for the need of more comprehensive and coordinated programs for persons served by
the department; (10) plan services and programs for persons served by the department;
(11) coordinate outreach activities by public and private agencies assisting persons
served by the department; (12) consult and cooperate with area and private planning
agencies; (13) advise and inform municipal officials and officials of social service agencies about social service programs and collect and disseminate information pertaining
thereto, including information about federal, state, municipal and private assistance
programs and services; (14) encourage and facilitate effective communication and coordination among federal, state, municipal and private agencies; (15) inquire into the
utilization of state and federal government resources which offer solutions to problems
of the delivery of social services; (16) conduct, encourage and maintain research and
studies relating to social services development; (17) prepare, review and encourage
model comprehensive social service programs; (18) maintain an inventory of data and
information and act as a clearing house and referral agency for information on state and
federal programs and services; and (19) conduct, encourage and maintain research and
studies and advise municipal officials and officials of social service agencies about
forms of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination between public and private
agencies designed to advance social service programs. The commissioner may require
notice of the submission of all applications by municipalities, any agency thereof, and
social service agencies, for federal and state financial assistance to carry out social
services. The commissioner shall establish state-wide and regional advisory councils. Sec. 17b-4. Department of Social Services: Duties and services provided. Elderly and aging persons. (a) The Department of Social Services shall plan, develop,
administer, operate, evaluate and provide funding for services for individuals and families served by the department who are in need of personal or economic development. In
cooperation with other social service agencies and organizations, including community-
based agencies, the department shall work to develop and fund prevention, intervention
and treatment services for individuals and families. The department shall: (1) Provide
appropriate services to individuals and families as needed through direct social work
services rendered by the department and contracted services from community-based
organizations funded by the department; (2) collect, interpret and publish statistics relating to individuals and families serviced by the department; (3) monitor, evaluate and
review any program or service which is developed, operated or funded by the department; (4) supervise the establishment of pilot programs funded by the department in
local communities which assist and support individuals and families in personal and
economic development; (5) improve the quality of services provided, operated and
funded by the department and increase the competency of its staff relative to the provision of effective social services by establishing and supporting ongoing staff development and training; and (6) encourage citizen participation in the development of social
service priorities and programs. Sec. 17b-5. Implementation plan. Section 17b-5 is repealed, effective July 1,
1995. Sec. 17b-6. Department of Social Services: Regional administrators. Agency
goals. (a) There shall be a regional administrator who shall be in unclassified service
for each of the regions established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, to oversee
and coordinate programs and services within the region. Sec. 17b-7. (Formerly Sec. 17-3i). General assistance training programs. The
Department of Social Services shall develop formal general assistance training programs
and shall require town general assistance administrators and staff to attend such programs. The programs shall consist of: (1) Training for new administrators and appropriate new staff as selected by administrators, which shall be provided within the first
six months of employment in the position; (2) training for existing administrators and
appropriate staff selected by administrators, which shall include a review of current and
new state policies, and (3) specific sessions for existing administrators and appropriate
staff selected by administrators on the implementation of major policy changes. Sec. 17b-7a. State-wide fraud early detection system. Regulations. The Commissioner of Social Services shall develop a state-wide fraud early detection system. The
purpose of such system shall be to identify, investigate and determine if an application for
assistance under (1) the temporary family assistance program, (2) the food stamp program or (3) the Medicaid program pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act is
fraudulent prior to granting assistance. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in
accordance with chapter 54, for the purpose of developing and implementing said
system. Sec. 17b-8. (Formerly Sec. 17-2k). Federal waiver of assistance program requirements. Notice and summary of waiver application. (a) The Commissioner of
Social Services shall submit an application for a federal waiver of any assistance program
requirements, except such application pertaining to routine operational issues, to the
joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating
to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and to the joint standing committee
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services prior
to the submission of such application to the federal government. Within thirty days of
their receipt of such application, the joint standing committees may advise the commissioner of their approval, denial or modifications, if any, of his application. Sec. 17b-9. (Formerly Sec. 17-2l). Annual report to the General Assembly. The
Commissioner of Social Services shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly
no later than January first. The report shall: (1) Outline the department's goals and
objectives; (2) include information indicating the department's degree of compliance
with all legislative mandates imposed during the previous year, a timetable for implementation and compliance with those legislative mandates which were partially implemented or not implemented in the previous year and information on the status of legislative mandates until the year succeeding that in which they are fully implemented; (3)
include financial information on all cost disallowances, financial penalty disallowances,
sanctions and fines actually paid during the previous fiscal year and identify for each
such disallowance, sanction and fine the circumstances leading to its imposition, and
(4) identify all recoveries occurring during the fiscal year for previous years. Sec. 17b-10. (Formerly Sec. 17-3f). Department of Social Services policy manuals. Distribution. Regulations. (a) The Department of Social Services shall prepare
and routinely update state medical services and public assistance manuals and general
assistance policy manuals. The pages of such manuals shall be consecutively numbered
and indexed, containing all departmental policy regulations and substantive procedure.
Said manuals shall be published by the department and distributed so that they are
available to (1) all district, subdistrict and field offices of the Department of Social
Services; (2) each town hall in the state; (3) all legal assistance programs in the state;
and (4) any interested member of the public who requests a copy. All policy manuals
of the department, as they exist on May 23, 1984, including the supporting bulletins but
not including statements concerning only the internal management of the department
and not affecting private rights or procedures available to the public, shall be construed
to have been adopted as regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
After May 23, 1984, any policy issued by the department, except a policy necessary to
conform to a requirement of a federal or joint federal and state program administered
by the department, including, but not limited to, the state supplement program to the
Supplemental Security Income Program, shall be adopted in regulation form in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. After May 23, 1984, the department shall adopt
in regulation form in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, any new policy
necessary to conform to a requirement of a federal or joint state and federal program
administered by the department, including, but not limited to, the state supplement program to the Supplemental Security Income Program, but the department may operate
under such policy while it is in the process of adopting the policy in regulation form,
provided the Department of Social Services prints notice of intent to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days after adopting the policy. Such
policy shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective. Sec. 17b-11. (Formerly Sec. 17-11). Acceptance of federal funds and commodities. Disregard of certain federal increases for recipients of state supplement program. Increase in income disregarded for unrelated recipients who share living
arrangements. Annual report. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services is authorized
and empowered to accept any and all allotments of federal funds, federal funds to match
private contributions and commodities, and to manage and dispose of the same in whatever manner is required by federal law, and to take advantage of any amendments and
supplements to the federal Social Security Act and of any other federal act relating to
public welfare, and to conform to such federal requirements as are conditions precedent
to the receipt of federal matching grants and are not prohibited by the general statutes.
The commissioner shall submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the
budgets of state agencies which sets forth the amount of any federal funds accepted to
match private contributions and the purpose for which such funds are accepted and used. Sec. 17b-11a. Adult family living classification in rated housing. The Commissioner of Social Services, within available appropriations, shall include an adult family
living classification in the rated housing category under the state supplement to the
federal Supplemental Security Income Program. The commissioner shall also adopt
regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, defining "adult family living" for the purpose
of creating such classification. Sec. 17b-12. (Formerly Sec. 17-11b). Acceptance of gifts for social services
beneficiaries. The Commissioner of Social Services may accept and receive, on behalf
of the Department of Social Services, any bequest or gift of personal property for services
for a person who is, or members of whose immediate family are, receiving assistance
or services from the Department of Social Services, or both, or for services for a former
or potential recipient of assistance from the Department of Social Services. Any federal
funds generated by virtue of any such bequest or gift may be used for the extension of
services to such person or family members. Sec. 17b-13. (Formerly Sec. 17-12). Federal aid for emergency relief purposes.
The Commissioner of Social Services is designated as the agency of the state to administer or supervise the administration of financial aid for emergency relief purposes which
the United States government has authorized or may authorize to be given to the several
states. The State Treasurer is directed to receive all money granted by the United States
or by any agency thereof and to hold the same separate from all other funds of the
state. Funds granted to the state for emergency relief purposes shall be disbursed by
the Treasurer, upon voucher of the Comptroller, under direction of and subject to the
regulations of said commissioner. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the federal
authorization, such money shall be distributed by said commissioner to the several towns
of this state for emergency relief in the state and shall be used by such towns in accordance with, and shall be subject to, the provisions of sections 17b-19, 17b-63 to 17b-65,
inclusive, 17b-116 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-220 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-256, 17b-
259, 17b-263, 17b-287, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689, 17b-689b and 17b-
743 to 17b-747, inclusive. The remaining cost of providing such relief, after deduction
of the federal contribution thereto, shall be borne by the state and the towns in accordance
with the provisions of section 17b-134; but such cost shall not include administrative
expense unless included in the federal authorization. Sec. 17b-14. (Formerly Sec. 17-12j). Notification of federal sanctions and
fines. Report. The Commissioner of Social Services shall report in writing within five
days to the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and the minority
leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, whenever the federal government
notifies the commissioner that sanctions or fines or both are likely to be imposed, or
have been imposed, against any program under the jurisdiction of the commissioner.
Any such report shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the circumstances
which resulted in such sanction or fine or both and shall set forth the course of action
the commissioner proposes to mitigate or to eliminate the circumstances which resulted
in such sanction or fine or both. Sec. 17b-15. (Formerly Sec. 17-12p). Implementation of the Family Support
Act of 1988. Day care provisions of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990. (a)
The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement Titles II, III, IV, V, VI and VII
of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law No. 100-485. The commissioner shall
maximize available federal funding by providing services to the following target populations: (1) AFDC recipients who have received aid for any thirty-six of the preceding
sixty months; (2) custodial parents under the age of twenty-four who have not completed
high school or have limited or no work experience in the previous year; and (3) individuals who are members of an AFDC family in which the youngest child is within two
years of being ineligible for AFDC due to age. Within the target populations, first consideration shall be given to those who volunteer to participate. The commissioner shall
submit the plan for implementing the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS), required by Title II of said act, to the federal government no later than
July 1, 1989, and shall implement such plan upon approval of the federal government.
Upon submittal of the program implementation plan to the Employment and Training
Commission, the commissioner shall also submit such plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services.
The commissioner shall submit any subsequent significant changes to such plan to such
committee. Sec. 17b-16. (Formerly Sec. 17-12t). Information to be provided re earned income credit program. The Labor Department, in cooperation with the Department of
Social Services, shall provide information and assistance in obtaining, within available
appropriations, the federal earned income credit established pursuant to 26 USC 32, to
each applicant for or recipient of assistance from the department. The Labor Department,
in cooperation with the Department of Revenue Services, shall promote the earned income credit program to recipients of benefits pursuant to section 17b-112. Sec. 17b-16a. Disclosure of current address of applicants or recipients of benefits under programs administered by the department. The Department of Social
Services shall disclose the current address of an applicant or recipient of benefits under
any program administered by the department, unless prohibited by federal law, upon
the request of a federal, state or local law enforcement officer if the following conditions
are met: Sec. 17b-16b. Ineligibility for benefits under programs administered by department due to outstanding felony arrest warrants. To the extent permitted by
federal law, any person for whom there is an outstanding arrest warrant for any offense
that is classified as a felony under state or federal law may be determined ineligible for
benefits under any program administered by the Department of Social Services, after
due notice and hearing in accordance with hearing procedures adopted by the Commissioner of Social Services. Sec. 17b-17. (Formerly Sec. 17-12aa). Assistance dependency report. On or
before July 1, 1994, the Commissioner of Social Services shall develop a series of
indicators to measure the degree of welfare dependency in Connecticut and the success
in reducing reliance on public assistance programs. By such date, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall report the results of said measurements and identify objectives to reduce such dependency to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
having cognizance of matters relating to human services. Sec. 17b-18. (Formerly Sec. 17-12kk). Reports to the appropriations committee. The Department of Social Services shall report the following to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations: (1) Monthly disproportionate share and emergency assistance to families expenditures and reimbursements by claimable funding source; (2) a quarterly reconciliation
of federal reimbursement awards, state reimbursement requests and actual claimable
revenue due the state; (3) notice of any state plan amendments submitted to the federal
government and the estimated fiscal impact within twenty working days of the submission; (4) notice of any state plan amendment approved by the federal government and
the estimated fiscal impact within twenty working days of the approval; (5) notice of any
fiscal reimbursement initiatives which the department is implementing and the estimated
fiscal impact of such initiative; and (6) a monthly report of state expenditures for services
for which the state receives federal financial participation pursuant to programs under
the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Sec. 17b-19. (Formerly Sec. 17-291). Annual general assistance report. Records and reports by selectmen. Penalty. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services
shall prepare an annual general assistance report and shall issue it to the General Assembly, each town in the state and each person who requests it. The report shall be issued
each April for the prior fiscal year and shall contain staff and budget information, a
summary of the activities of the department for such year, the goals and objectives of
the department for the next year, general assistance data, an analysis of trends in the
general assistance program, and information on supported work, education and training
programs. Sec. 17b-20. (Formerly Sec. 17-574). Grants for pilot projects or demonstrations. The Commissioner of Social Services may provide grants to public or private
agencies for pilot projects or demonstrations, or both, where the commissioner believes
such projects or demonstrations may be of value to the Department of Social Services,
under criteria established by regulations of said commissioner. Sec. 17b-21. (Formerly Sec. 17-583). Civil legal services programs for indigent
persons. Funding. The Commissioner of Social Services shall, upon application of any
private, nonprofit organization or agency which provides legal services, make grants,
within available appropriations, to such organizations or agencies for the purpose of
providing civil legal services to indigent persons in the areas of housing and domestic
relations. Sec. 17b-22. (Formerly Sec. 17-106). Agreements with other states. The commissioner is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states relative to
provision of social services and aid to residents and nonresidents. Sec. 17b-23. (Formerly Sec. 17-572). Commissioner may contract with Commissioner of Children and Families re delivery of services to children. The Commissioner of Social Services may contract with the Commissioner of Children and Families
for the performance and discharge of such duties and functions, including the registration
of family day care homes, imposed on the Commissioner of Social Services by titles 4,
10, 12, 14, 17a, 17b, 18, 45a and 54, and for the exercise of such power and authority
by the Commissioner of Children and Families which the Commissioner of Social Services may have thereunder, as those commissioners may deem necessary to provide the
most efficient and effective delivery of services to children. Sec. 17b-24. (Formerly Sec. 17-573). Contracts for comprehensive health care.
The Commissioner of Social Services may enter into contracts with an organized group
which provides comprehensive health care on a prepayment or per capita basis. Sec. 17b-25. (Formerly Sec. 17-576). Purchase or lease and management of
property. The Commissioner of Social Services may obtain real and personal property
with the approval of the Attorney General, by purchase or lease. The expense of obtaining
and maintaining such property shall be paid out of appropriations for the Department
of Social Services. Said commissioner may, subject to the provisions of chapter 67,
appoint such supervisory and other personnel as may be necessary for the management
of such property. Sec. 17b-25a. Toll-free vendor fraud telephone line. (a) The Commissioner of
Social Services shall provide toll-free telephone access for a person to report vendor
fraud in any program operated by the Department of Social Services. Sec. 17b-25b. Program for persons suffering from Huntington's disease. The
Department of Social Services shall establish and administer a program of services
for persons suffering from Huntington's disease. A clinic for such persons shall be
geographically located so as to conveniently serve the population of the state. The clinic
shall (1) provide genetic testing for persons who are at risk of acquiring Huntington's
disease, (2) offer counseling to such persons who have tested positive for Huntington's
disease and their families, and (3) offer medical care to such persons who are in the
early phases of the disease. The clinic shall provide consulting services and continuing
education for any health care provider providing services to persons suffering from
Huntington's disease. Sec. 17b-26. (Formerly Sec. 17-577). Department designated as state agency
responsible for implementation of social services block grants and community services block grants. Development of outreach program. Report. (a) The Department
of Social Services shall act as the single state agency to coordinate, plan and publish
annually the state social services plan for the implementation of social services block
grants and community services block grants as required by federal law and regulation.
Said department shall furnish copies of said plan to the joint standing committees of
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the
budgets of state agencies and human services, at least sixty days prior to publication,
for their review and recommendations, and shall consult with and furnish to said committees any additional information on such plan which they may request. Sec. 17b-27. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity program. Regulations.
Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity system established by Department of Public Health. (a) Each hospital or other institution where births occur shall develop a
protocol for a hospital-based voluntary acknowledgment of paternity program as provided in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, which shall be
consistent with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 46b-172. Such protocol shall
assure that the participants are informed, are competent to understand and agree to an
affirmation or acknowledgment of paternity, and that any such affirmation or acknowledgment is voluntary and free from coercion. Sec. 17b-28. Advisory council re Medicaid managed care. Appointments. Reports. (a) There is established a council which shall advise the Commissioner of Social
Services on the planning and implementation of a system of Medicaid managed care and
shall monitor such planning and implementation and shall advise the Waiver Application
Development Council, established pursuant to section 17b-28a, on matters including,
but not limited to, eligibility standards, benefits, access and quality assurance. The council shall be composed of the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing
committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human
services and public health, or their designees; two members of the General Assembly,
one to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one to be appointed
by the speaker of the House of Representatives; the director of the Commission on
Aging, or a designee; the director of the Commission on Children, or a designee; two
community providers of health care, to be appointed by the president pro tempore of
the Senate; two representatives of the insurance industry, to be appointed by the speaker
of the House of Representatives; two advocates for persons receiving Medicaid, one to
be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate and one to be appointed by the minority
leader of the Senate; one advocate for persons with substance abuse disabilities, to be
appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; one advocate for
persons with psychiatric disabilities, to be appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives; two advocates for the Department of Children and Families foster
families, one to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one to be
appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; two members of the public
who are currently recipients of Medicaid, one to be appointed by the majority leader of
the House of Representatives and one to be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives; two representatives of the Department of Social Services,
to be appointed by the Commissioner of Social Services; two representatives of the
Department of Public Health, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health;
two representatives of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, to be
appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services; two representatives of the Department of Children and Families, to be appointed by the Commissioner
of Children and Families; two representatives of the Office of Policy and Management,
to be appointed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management; one representative of the office of the State Comptroller, to be appointed by the State Comptroller and
the members of the Health Care Access Board who shall be ex-officio members and
who may not designate persons to serve in their place. The council shall choose a chair
from among its members. The joint committee on Legislative Management shall provide
administrative support to such chair. The council shall convene its first meeting no later
than June 1, 1994. Sec. 17b-28a. Waiver Application Development Council. Medicaid waiver
unit. (a) There is established a Waiver Application Development Council that shall be
composed of the following members: The chairpersons and ranking members of the
joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating
to appropriations, or their designees; the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
human services, or their designees; the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
public health, or their designees; the Commissioner of Social Services, or his designee;
the Commissioner of Public Health, or his designee; the Commissioner of Mental Health
and Addiction Services, or his designee; the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, or
his designee; the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his designee; the
State Comptroller, or his designee; a representative of advocacy for mental retardation to
be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; a representative of advocacy
for the elderly to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; a representative
of the nursing home industry to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; a
representative of the home health care industry, independent of the nursing home industry, to be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; a representative of
the mental health profession to be appointed by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives; a representative of the substance abuse profession to be appointed by
the minority leader of the House of Representatives; a health care provider to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; two elderly consumers of Medicaid
services who are also eligible for Medicare, to be appointed by the speaker of the House
of Representatives; a representative of the managed care industry, to be appointed by
the president pro tempore of the Senate; a social services care provider, to be appointed
by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; a family support care provider,
to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; two persons with disabilities who
are consumers of Medicaid services, one to be appointed by the president pro tempore
of the Senate and one to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; a representative of legal advocacy for Medicaid clients, to be appointed by the
minority leader of the Senate; and six members of the General Assembly, one member
appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; one member appointed by the
majority leader of the Senate; one member appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate; one member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; one
member appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; and one
member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. The council
shall be responsible for advising the Department of Social Services, which shall be the
lead agency in the development of a Medicaid Research and Demonstration Waiver
under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act for application to the Office of State
Health Reform of the United States Department of Health and Human Services by May
1, 1996. The council shall advise the department with respect to specific provisions
within the waiver application, including but not limited to, the identification of populations to be included in a managed care program, a timetable for inclusion of distinct
populations, expansion of access to care, quality assurance and grievance procedures
for consumers and providers. The council shall also advise the department with respect
to the goals of the waiver, including but not limited to, the expansion of access and
coverage, making state health spending more efficient and to the reduction of uncompensated care. Sec. 17b-28b. Competitive bidding for Medicaid managed care plans. On and
after January 1, 1997, the Department of Social Services may award, on the basis of a
competitive bidding procedure, contracts for Medicaid managed care health plans. Sec. 17b-28c. Application for a federal waiver for pilot program based on
principles of national Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The
Commissioner of Social Services may submit an application for a federal waiver for
the purpose of conducting a pilot program based on the principles of the national Program
of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): (1) To provide comprehensive health care
and care management services for elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients who may
also be eligible for Medicare; and (2) to simplify eligibility for Medicaid. The program
shall be designed to reduce costs and increase efficiency in the operation of the Medicaid
program and to improve the coordination of health care benefits with the Medicare
program. Under said program, the Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation
with the Insurance Commissioner, may initially enter into contracts with integrated
service networks which have successfully completed a feasibility study, in conjunction
with a PACE technical assistance center, for the provision of comprehensive long-term
health care and care management for participating Medicaid recipients on a prepayment
or per capita basis. The Commissioner of Social Services may make payments on such
basis to designated PACE sites from funds appropriated to the Medicaid account. The
Commissioner of Social Services, in such contracts, may establish conditions necessary
to operate such pilot program within available appropriations, including, but not limited
to, requiring a nursing facility to reduce its number of beds in a certificate of networks
shall emphasize the utilization of primary and community-based services to avoid utilization of institutional care. Eligible Medicaid recipients shall have a choice of enrolling
in an integrated service network or receiving Medicaid covered services in a fee-for-
service program, and no copays or a lower level of optional Medicaid state plan services
than currently covered under fee-for-service Medicaid, shall be used to induce individuals to transfer into the networks. Sec. 17b-28d. Amendment to state Medicaid plan to increase federal matching
funds for Medicaid services provided to children requiring special education. The
Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education,
shall submit to the Health Care Financing Administration an amendment to the state
Medicaid plan required by Title XIX of the Social Security Act to enhance federal
financial participation for Medicaid services provided to Medicaid enrolled children
requiring special education pursuant to an individualized education plan. The amendment shall propose (1) the establishment of either a simplified cost-based or fixed fee
method of determining state expenditures for eligible Medicaid services provided to
such children and (2) the replacement of the annual activity cost reports for all school-
based child health services provided to such children. Any fixed fee established by the
Department of Social Services shall be a per diem or monthly rate per child and shall
reflect reimbursable administrative expenses. Sec. 17b-29. Council to monitor implementation of temporary family assistance program and the employment services program. Appointments. Reports. (a)
There is established a council to monitor the implementation of the temporary family
assistance program and the employment services program. The council shall be composed of the chairmen and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, or their
designees, the chairmen and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor, or their designees,
one child care provider and one expert on child support enforcement, to be appointed
by the president pro tempore of the Senate; one representative of advocacy groups, to
be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; two education and training specialists,
one experienced in job training and one experienced in basic adult education, one to be
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and one to be appointed by the minority
leader of the House of Representatives; one member of the public who is a current
recipient of benefits under the temporary family assistance program, to be appointed
by speaker of the House of Representatives; and two members, one experienced in higher
education programs and one experienced in teenage pregnancy issues, to be appointed by
the majority leader of the House of Representatives. The council shall elect a chairperson
from among its members. The council shall convene its first meeting not later than
September 1, 1997. Sec. 17b-30. Biometric identifier system. (a) For purposes of this section, "biometric identifier system" means a system which allows for the recognition of an individual through retinal scanning, finger-imaging, hand geometry or facial recognition. The
Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall examine available biometric identifier systems and to the greatest extent possible, select a
system which is compatible with the systems of surrounding states. The Commissioner
of Social Services may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide the hardware,
software, equipment maintenance, technical training and other resources deemed necessary by the commissioner to establish said system. Sec. 17b-31. Parent's Fair Share Program. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek a waiver from federal law to participate in the federal Parent's Fair
Share Program, Section 482(d)(3) of the Social Security Act. Such program shall assist
noncustodial parents in becoming current in delinquent child support payments. Secs. 17b-32 to 17b-54. Reserved for future use. The policy of the states party to this compact is to make welfare services available
on a reciprocal basis under this compact and to eliminate barriers caused by restrictive
residence or settlement requirements of the several states. However, it is recognized
that law and policy relating generally to the provision of welfare services by a particular
state should not be determined by interstate compact and will remain a matter for determination by that party state and its subdivisions. This compact shall be open for joinder
by any state of the United States and the District of Columbia. As used in this compact, the phrase "welfare service" shall mean and include: (1)
Old age assistance; (2) aid to the blind; (3) temporary family assistance; (4) aid to the
permanently and totally disabled; (5) general assistance or home relief, by whatever
name known, for persons not eligible under other assistance categories; (6) child welfare
services; (7) care of unwed mothers; (8) welfare medical services for those in need;
provided that no party state shall be obligated to provide a welfare service which is not
made available generally by its laws. (a) No person who has removed himself from one party state to another party state
shall be ineligible for a welfare service in such other party state because of failure to meet
that state's residence or settlement requirements for eligibility. The cost of providing a
welfare service to any person made eligible therefor by reason of this compact shall be
charged within the state in accordance with the laws of such state. (a) The duly constituted administrative authorities of any two or more party states
may enter into supplementary agreements for the provision of any service or facility in
the field of social welfare which may be in addition to those denominated as welfare
services in this compact whenever the states concerned shall find that such agreements
will improve social welfare, its services or facilities. No such supplementary agreement
shall be construed so as to relieve any party state of any obligation which it otherwise
would have under other provisions of this compact; nor shall it authorize or require any
party state to assume any obligation not otherwise authorized by law. Each party state shall appoint a compact administrator who shall act as general coordinator of activities under the compact in his state, and whose duty it shall be to cooperate
with the compact administrators of other party states. The compact administrators of
the respective party states shall have power to promulgate reasonable regulations to
carry out the terms and provisions of this compact. (a) This compact shall enter into full force and effect as to any state when enacted
by it into law and such state shall thereafter be a party thereto with any and all states
legally joining therein. This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The
provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or
provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state
or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person
or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the
applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be
affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state
party thereto, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states
and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters. Sec. 17b-57. (Formerly Sec. 17-21b). Administrator. The Governor shall appoint an administrator of the Interstate Compact on Welfare Services in accordance
with Article V thereof, and such administrator shall serve subject to the pleasure of the
Governor. Sec. 17b-58. (Formerly Sec. 17-21c). Administrator to coordinate activities.
Nothing in this part or in the compact enacted thereby shall be construed to transfer
operation of or responsibility for performance of any function or service from or to any
officer, agency or subdivision of or within this state, but the administrator of the compact
shall serve as general coordinator of activities under the compact in this state and shall
have all other powers conferred upon him by Article V of the compact to the end that
this state may discharge effectively its obligations thereunder.
(b) The Department of Social Services shall constitute a successor department to
the Department of Income Maintenance, the Department of Human Resources and the
Department on Aging in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39.
(c) Wherever the words "Commissioner of Income Maintenance", "Commissioner
of Human Resources" or "Commissioner on Aging" are used in the general statutes, the
words "Commissioner of Social Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Wherever
the words "Department of Income Maintenance", "Department of Human Resources" or
"Department on Aging" are used in the general statutes, "Department of Social Services"
shall be substituted in lieu thereof.
(d) Any order or regulation of the Department of Income Maintenance, the Department of Human Resources or the Department on Aging which is in force on July 1,
1993, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation of the Department of
Social Services until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law. Where any order
or regulation of said departments conflict, the Commissioner of Social Services may
implement policies and procedures consistent with the provisions of public act 93-262*
while in the process of adopting the policy or procedure in regulation form, provided
notice of intention to adopt the regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law Journal
within twenty days of implementation. The policy or procedure shall be valid until the
time final regulations are effective.
(P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
*An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Department of Social Services.
History: P.A. 93-262 effective July 1, 1993.
Cited. 39 CA 216, 217.
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(P.A. 93-262, S. 2, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 19, 165.)
History: P.A. 93-262 effective July 1, 1993; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 deleted a reference to the JOBS program,
replaced a reference to the aid to families with dependent children program pursuant to Title IV-A of Social Security Act
with temporary assistance for needy families program pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997.
See Secs. 17a-453a, 17a-453b re inclusion of certain clients of department in behavioral health managed care program
operated by Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Cited. 44 CA 143.
Subdiv. (10):
Cited. 233 C. 557, 565.
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(b) The Commissioner of Social Services is authorized to do all things necessary
to apply for, qualify for and accept any federal funds made available or allotted under
any federal act for social service development, or any other projects, programs or activities which may be established by federal law, for any of the purposes or activities related
thereto, and said commissioner shall administer any such funds allotted to the department
in accordance with federal law. The commissioner may enter into contracts with the
federal government concerning the use and repayment of such funds under any such
federal act, the prosecution of the work under any such contract and the establishment
of and disbursement from a separate account in which federal and state funds estimated
to be required for plan preparation or other eligible activities under such federal act shall
be kept. Said account shall not be a part of the General Fund of the state or any subdivision
of the state.
(c) The powers and duties enumerated in this section shall be in addition to and
shall not limit any other powers or duties of the commissioner contained in any other law.
(P.A. 93-262, S. 3, 87.)
History: P.A. 93-262 effective July 1, 1993.
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(b) The Department of Social Services shall study continuously the conditions and
needs of elderly and aging persons in this state in relation to nutrition, transportation,
home-care, housing, income, employment, health, recreation and other matters. It shall
be responsible in cooperation with federal, state, local and area planning agencies on
aging for the overall planning, development and administration of a comprehensive
and integrated social service delivery system for elderly persons and the aged. The
department shall: (1) Measure the need for services; (2) survey methods of administration of programs for service delivery; (3) provide for periodic evaluations of social
services; (4) maintain technical, information, consultation and referral services in cooperation with other state agencies to local and area public and private agencies to the
fullest extent possible; (5) develop and coordinate educational outreach programs for
the purposes of informing the public and elderly persons of available programs; (6)
cooperate in the development of performance standards for licensing of residential and
medical facilities with appropriate state agencies; (7) supervise the establishment, in
selected areas and local communities of the state, of pilot programs for elderly persons;
(8) coordinate with the state Department of Transportation to provide adequate transportation services related to the needs of elderly persons; and (9) cooperate with other
state agencies to provide adequate and alternate housing for elderly persons, including
congregate housing as defined in section 8-119e.
(c) The Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the Department of Public
Health, may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish requirements with respect to the submission of reports concerning financial solvency
and quality of care by nursing homes for the purpose of determining the financial viability of such homes, identifying homes that appear to be experiencing financial distress
and examining the underlying reasons for such distress. Such reports shall be submitted
to the Nursing Home Financial Advisory Committee established under section 17b-339.
(P.A. 93-262, S. 4, 87; P.A. 98-239, S. 24, 35.)
History: P.A. 93-262 effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: In 1997 a reference in Subsec. (b) to "Transportation
Department" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Department of Transportation" for consistency with customary
statutory usage); P.A. 98-239 added Subsec. (c) to allow Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the Department
of Public Health, to adopt regulations to establish requirements re submission of reports concerning financial solvency
and quality of care by nursing homes and to require that such reports be submitted to the Nursing Home Financial Advisory
Committee, effective July 1, 1998.
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(S.A. 92-20, S. 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 6, 87; P.A. 94-181, S. 6, 7; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-3, S. 2, 28; P.A. 95-257, S. 57, 58.)
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(b) The Commissioners of Social Services and Public Health, and the Secretary of
the Office of Policy and Management, on behalf of other state agencies, shall ensure
that the following intra-agency and interagency goals are addressed and met: (1) The
establishment by the Office of Policy and Management pursuant to section 16a-4a of not
more than six uniform regional service delivery areas to be developed in consideration of
(A) geographical size; (B) general population distribution; (C) agency target population
and caseload; (D) location of department facilities; (E) the accessibility of transportation
for clients to service delivery offices and for workers to clients and (F) any federal
requirements; (2) the coordination by the Office of Policy and Management pursuant
to section 16a-4a of the regional service delivery areas of other state agencies which
provide services closely linked with health and human services programs with the regional service delivery areas developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection;
(3) the decentralization of the service delivery operations of each agency to provide
as much autonomy as possible to each regional office enabling the office to respond
effectively to the particular service needs of the region; (4) coordinated control and
direction for programs to ensure consistency and uniformity among the regions in the
development and provision of services; (5) the development of a strategic planning unit
in the office of each commissioner to centralize policy development and planning within
the agency and promote interagency coordination of health and human services planning
and policy development; (6) development of a common intake process for entry into
the health and human services system for information and referral, screening, eligibility
determinations and service delivery; (7) the creation of a single application form for
client intake and eligibility determinations with a common client identifier; (8) development of a commonly-linked computerized management information system with the
capacity to track clients and determine eligibility across programs; (9) the coordination
of current advisory boards and councils to provide input and expertise from consumers,
advocates and other interested parties to the commissioners; and (10) the encouragement
of collaborations that will foster the development and maintain the client-focused structure of the health and human services system, as well as involve partnerships between
clients and their service providers.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any agency participating
in the commonly-linked computerized management information system developed pursuant to subdivision (8) of subsection (b) of this section shall provide the name, address,
date of birth and Social Security account numbers of the agency's clients to any agency
using said system. Such information shall only be utilized by agencies participating in
the system for accomplishing the goals set forth in subdivisions (6) and (8) of subsection
(b) of this section. The information supplied by the agencies under this subsection shall
not be subject to disclosure under sections 1-200 and 1-210 to 1-212, inclusive.
(S.A. 92-20, S. 3 (a), (d); P.A. 93-262, S. 7, 87; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-293, S. 1, 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-
11, S. 1, 65.)
History: P.A. 93-262 added a health care financing unit to the list of department of social services units, specified the
divisions within each unit, deleting prior provisions naming divisions, provided that the office of policy and management
shall establish the six uniform regional service delivery areas and required that there be a regional administrator for each
area, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services
with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-293 deleted provisions establishing
units within the department and added requirement that regional administrators be in unclassified service, effective July
1, 1995 (Revisor's note: A reference in Subsec. (b) to proposed "Commissioner of Developmental and Rehabilitative
Services" was deleted editorially by the Revisors pursuant to Sec. 1 of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-3); June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A.
97-11 amended Subsec. (b) to extend duty of addressing goals to Secretary of Office of Policy and Management, on
behalf of other state agencies, and added Subsec. (c) re shared information access among agencies participating in linked
computerized information system, effective July 1, 1997.
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(P.A. 85-564, S. 3, 12; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and
department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-3i transferred to Sec. 17b-7 in 1995.
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(P.A. 95-194, S. 25, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 20, 165.)
History: P.A. 95-194, S. 25 effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families
with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997.
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(b) If in developing the budget for the department for the next fiscal year, the commissioner contemplates applying for a federal waiver, he shall notify the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services of the possibility of
such application.
(c) Prior to submission of an application for a waiver from federal law to the General
Assembly under subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Social Services
shall publish a notice that the commissioner intends to seek such a waiver in the Connecticut Law Journal, along with a summary of the provisions of the waiver application and
the manner in which individuals may submit comments. The commissioner shall allow
fifteen days for written comments on the waiver application prior to submission of the
application for a waiver to the General Assembly under subsection (a) of this section
and shall include all written comments with the waiver application in the submission
to the General Assembly.
(P.A. 85-505, S. 1, 21; P.A. 93-221, S. 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-435, S. 59, 95; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 13, 53.)
History: P.A. 93-221 amended Subsec. (a) by reducing the amount of time the appropriations and human services
committees have to advise the commissioner from thirty to fifteen days and made such advice voluntary, and deleting
provisions re decisions by conference committee and added Subsec. (c) requiring the commissioner of income maintenance
to publish notice of the waiver along with a summary of its provisions and to seek public written comments prior to its
submission to the general assembly; P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of
social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-2k transferred
to Sec. 17b-8 in 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the amount of time the appropriations and
human services committees have to advise the commissioner from fifteen to thirty days, effective July 1, 2000.
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(P.A. 85-564, S. 8, 12; P.A. 86-403, S. 35, 132; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 86-403 made technical changes; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department
of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-2l transferred
to Sec. 17b-9 in 1995.
See Sec. 17b-17 re report of client and fiscal data on department programs.
See Sec. 17b-18 re quarterly reports to the appropriations committee.
See Sec. 17b-19 re annual general assistance report.
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(b) By July 1, 1986, the Department of Social Services shall rewrite the general
assistance policy manual using plain language as described in section 42-152 and sections 38a-295 to 38a-300, inclusive. The manual shall include an index for frequent
referencing and a separate section or manual which specifies procedures to follow to
clarify policy. The department shall keep records of policy and procedural questions
raised by town welfare officials and staff during telephone conversations and office
visits.
(c) By January 1, 1987, the Department of Social Services shall replace its state
public assistance policy manual with a new manual which is adopted in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54 and which sets forth in clear and concise language the
policies and procedures to be used by the department in implementing and enforcing
federal and state laws. The department may operate under a policy in the new recipient
eligibility and benefit policy manual while it is in the process of adopting the manual
in regulation form, provided the department shall print a notice of intent to adopt regulations relating to recipient eligibility and benefits in the Connecticut Law Journal within
twenty days of issuing the policy.
(P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-610, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 84-150, S. 1, 2; P.A.
85-564, S. 1, 12; P.A. 86-415, S. 1, 10; P.A. 88-156, S. 9; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 75-420 allowed substitution of commissioner and department of social services for welfare commissioner
and department in P.A. 75-610 which created section; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced social services commissioner
and department with commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-150 deleted
obsolete provision setting deadline for development of policy manual and changed the requirement concerning the adoption
of policy manuals in regulation form; P.A. 85-564 made the existing section Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re
replacement of general assistance policy manual and state social services policy manual; P.A. 86-415 allowed the department to operate under new policy while manual is in the process of being adopted in regulation form; P.A. 88-156 replaced
language re social services policy manual with references to medical services and public assistance manuals in Subsecs.
(a), (b) and (c); P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner
and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-3f transferred to Sec. 17b-10 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 17-3f:
Cited. 214 C. 601, 604, 605, 606, 608. P.A. 86-415 cited. Id.
Cited. 6 CA 47, 55.
Cited. 40 CS 394, 400, 401.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 214 C. 601, 604, 609.
Cited. 21 CA 678, 679.
Cited. 43 CS 175, 177.
Annotations to present section:
Cited. 43 CA 39.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 43 CA 39.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 43 CA 39.
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(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall determine that portion of social
security increases approved by the federal government or other unearned income which
shall be disregarded by the Department of Social Services in the payment of benefits to
recipients of, and in the determination of eligibility of applicants for the state supplement
program to the Supplemental Security Income Program. The Commissioner of Social
Services, upon application, shall increase the amount disregarded for unrelated recipients in the state supplement program to the Supplemental Security Income Program
who share living arrangements. The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-166 to 4-176, inclusive, to establish
specific dollar amounts to be disregarded. Such dollar amounts shall be no less than the
amount of income from the Supplemental Security Income Program disregarded by the
Department of Social Services pursuant to the provisions of this section in effect on
June 30, 1976.
(1949 Rev., S. 2628; 1949, 1953, S. 1459d; 1967, P.A. 490; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-522, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-200, S. 1, 2;
P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 84-337; P.A. 88-317, S. 69, 107; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 3, 41.)
History: 1967 act added authorization to conform to federal requirements as conditions precedent to receipt of grants;
P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social services; P.A.
75-522 added Subsec. (b) re disregard of social security increases; P.A. 76-200 rephrased Subsec. (b) to allow commissioner
discretion as to how much of increase is to be disregarded within certain limits as set forth, previously increases were
disregarded altogether; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of social services with commissioner and
department of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-337 amended Subsec. (b) by providing, upon
application, an increase in the amount disregarded for unrelated recipients who share living arrangements; P.A. 88-317
amended reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-176 in Subsec. (b) to include new sections added to Ch. 54, effective July 1,
1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of
commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July
1, 1993; P.A. 93-418 allowed the commissioner to accept federal funds to match private contributions and required commissioner to submit annual report to appropriations committee re amount and use of such funds, effective July 1, 1993; Sec.
17-11 transferred to Sec. 17b-11 in 1995.
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(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 126, 165.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997.
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(1972, P.A. 274, S. 1; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social
services; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services commissioner and department with commissioner and department of income
maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social
services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-11b transferred to Sec.
17b-12 in 1995.
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(1949 Rev., S. 2629; March, 1958, P.A. 22, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 574, S. 24; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614,
S. 608, 610; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: 1965 act deleted reference to repealed Sec. 17-285; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance,
effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for
commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12 transferred to Sec. 17b-13 in 1995;
(Revisor's note: The references to "17b-115 to 17b-138" and "17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive," were changed editorially by
the Revisors to "17b-116 to 17b-138" and "17b-689, 17b-689b", respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by
section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2).
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(P.A. 83-354, S. 2, 4; P.A. 84-59, S. 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 84-59 substituted "within five days" for "forthwith", changed provisions re report to committees to
report to legislative leaders, and added provisions re report of fines and requirement that report include description of
circumstances and course of action of commissioner; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department
of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12j transferred
to Sec. 17b-14 in 1995.
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(b) The commissioner shall administer Section 5081 of the Omnibus Reconciliation
Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508, subject to available funding.
(P.A. 89-280, S. 1, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 3, 63; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 added Subsec. (b) requiring the administration of day care provisions of OBRA; P.A.
93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of
income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12p transferred to Sec. 17b-15 in 1995.
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(P.A. 90-92, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-194, S. 5, 33; P.A. 99-203, S. 2, 3.)
History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and
department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12t transferred to Sec. 17b-16 in 1995; P.A. 95-194
added a provision requiring the Department of Social Services, in cooperation with the Department of Revenue Services,
to promote the earned income credit program to recipients of time-limited benefits received pursuant to Sec. 17b-112,
effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 99-203 required the Labor Department in cooperation with the Department of Social Services
to provide information and assistance in obtaining the federal earned income credit, and required the Labor Department
instead of the Department of Social Services in cooperation with the Department of Revenue Services to promote the
earned income credit program to recipients of benefits pursuant to Sec. 17b-112, effective July 1, 1999, and applicable to
income years commencing on or after January 1, 1999.
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(1) Such officer provides said department with the name of the recipient;
(2) (A) Such officer notifies said department that the recipient is fleeing to avoid
prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place
from which the individual flees, for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, which is
a felony or high misdemeanor under the laws of the place from which the individual
flees, or violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state law
as a result of the commission of such a felony or high misdemeanor, or (B) the recipient
has information necessary for such officer to conduct official duties in relation to a crime
committed or an attempt to commit a crime which is a felony or high misdemeanor in
the state in which the crime is committed or attempted; and
(3) The location or apprehension of the recipient is within official duties of such
officer.
(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 125, 165; P.A. 98-239, S. 31, 35.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-239 extended requirement to disclose current
address of recipients to applicants for "benefits under any program administered by the department, unless prohibited by
federal law," deleting reference to Temporary Assistance For Needy Families and food stamp program; amended Subpara.
(A) of Subdiv. (2) to clarify that the officer notifies the department that the individual is violating a condition of probation
or parole "as a result of the commission of such a felony or high misdemeanor" and amended Subpara. (B) of said Subdiv.
to clarify that the officer notifies the department that the individual has information necessary for such officer to conduct
official duties "in relation to a crime committed or an attempt to commit a crime which is a felony or high misdemeanor
in the state in which the crime is committed or attempted", effective June 8, 1998.
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(P.A. 98-239, S. 13, 35.)
History: P.A. 98-239 effective June 8, 1998.
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(P.A. 89-296, S. 4, 9; P.A. 90-182, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-221, S. 4; 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-194, S. 4, 33;
95-351, S. 2, 30.)
History: P.A. 90-182 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), required report of client and fiscal data to be
submitted to office of policy and management and office of fiscal analysis, rather than to appropriations committee, and
added Subsec. (b) requiring said offices to report to appropriations committee re adequacy of such report; P.A. 93-221
added Subsec. (c) requiring the commissioner of income maintenance to develop indicators to measure state assistance
dependency and to report these findings annually to the human services committee; P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized
substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance,
effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12aa transferred to Sec. 17b-17 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 deleted former Subsec. (a) requiring
the Department of Social Services, in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management and the legislative Office
of Fiscal Analysis, to develop a system for compiling a report of client and fiscal data on department programs, relettering
remaining Subsecs. accordingly, effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 95-351 deleted former Subsec. (b), which had been relettered
as Subsec. (a) by P.A. 95-194, re obsolete report deadline, effective June 29, 1995.
See Sec. 17b-9 re annual report outlining department's goals and objectives.
See Sec. 17b-18 re quarterly reports to the appropriations committee.
See Sec. 17b-19 re annual general assistance report.
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(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 73, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-306, S. 6, 7.)
History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and
department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12kk transferred to Sec. 17b-18 in 1995; P.A. 95-306
deleted the requirement of quarterly reports and replaced prior provisions detailing report contents with new provisions,
effective July 6, 1995.
See Sec. 17b-9 re annual report outlining department's goals and objectives.
See Sec. 17b-17 re report of client and fiscal data on department programs.
See Sec. 17b-19 re annual general assistance report.
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(b) The selectmen shall keep full and accurate records of the persons relieved and
supported in whole or in part, at the expense of their respective towns, together with
the amount paid by them for such support and relief, and monthly, or at such other
periods not less than monthly, as may be designated by the Commissioner of Social
Services, shall make reports to said commissioner of the number of such persons supported, together with the cost, in the manner and on forms approved by said commissioner. The commissioner may also require reports containing other information which
he deems necessary for the proper administration and oversight of the general assistance
program. The commissioner may withhold reimbursement due under sections 17b-78
and 17b-134 from any town which fails to submit the reports required under this section.
Such reports shall be public records and may be published periodically by said commissioner in such form as he directs.
(c) Records kept by the selectmen pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, shall
be retained for the length of time necessary to pursue any possible recovery of the cost
of assistance provided to a recipient.
(1949 Rev., S. 2602; 1953, S. 1433d; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 85-564, S. 4, 12; P.A. 89-
239, S. 4; P.A. 91-45; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 94-192, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 85-564 made the
existing section Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (a) on an annual general assistance report; P.A. 89-239 allows the commissioner to require other information he deems necessary for the administration of the program and permits the commissioner
to withhold reimbursement to any town that fails to submit a report in Subsec. (b); P.A. 91-45 added Subsec. (c) re retention
of general assistance records; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for
commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-192 changed the date the report is
issued from December to April; Sec. 17-291 transferred to Sec. 17b-19 in 1995.
See Sec. 17b-9 re annual report outlining department's goals and objectives.
See Sec. 17b-17 re report of client and fiscal data on department programs.
See Sec. 17b-18 re quarterly reports to the appropriations committee.
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(1971, P.A. 374, S. 2; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 86-279, S. 1; P.A. 91-401, S. 17, 20; P.A.
93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social
services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of social services with commissioner and department of
human resources, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 17-3e transferred to Sec. 17-31e in 1979; P.A. 86-279 required commissioner to adopt regulations to insure audits of grants, to conduct inquiry into status and fiscal stability of unaudited grant
programs and to order audits and seek court enforcement in cases of noncompliance and divided section into Subsecs.;
Sec. 17-31e transferred to Sec. 17-574 in 1991; P.A. 91-401 repealed former Subsec. (a) re regulations to ensure grants
by department are audited as required under Sec. 7-396a, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of
commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1,
1993; Sec. 17-574 transferred to Sec. 17b-20 in 1995.
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(P.A. 82-468, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: Sec. 17-31o transferred to Sec. 17-583 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and
department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-583
transferred to Sec. 17b-21 in 1995.
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(1949 Rev., S. 2914.)
History: Sec. 17-106 transferred to Sec. 17b-22 in 1995.
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(1971, P.A. 374, S. 1; P.A. 74-251, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 520, 521, 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 88-
156, S. 1; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: Subsec. (b) of Sec. 17-3c transferred to Sec. 17-31c in 1979; P.A. 88-156 substituted registration of family
day care homes for reference to licensing; Sec. 17-31c transferred to Sec. 17-572 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective
July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner
and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-572 transferred to Sec. 17b-23 in 1995.
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(1971, P.A. 421; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 17-3d transferred to
Sec. 17-31d in 1979; Sec. 17-31d transferred to Sec. 17-573 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner
and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-
573 transferred to Sec. 17b-24 in 1995.
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(1971, P.A. 814, S. 2; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 88-156, S. 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social
services; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services commissioner and department with commissioner and department of human
resources, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 17-2h transferred to Sec. 17-31g in 1979; P.A. 88-156 deleted reference to Sec.
17-2g, repealed by the same act; Sec. 17-31g transferred to Sec. 17-576 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of
commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1,
1993; Sec. 17-576 transferred to Sec. 17b-25 in 1995.
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(b) The commissioner shall include a reference to its toll-free vendor fraud telephone line established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in any advertisement
of its programs or services.
(c) The commissioner shall establish a public relations campaign, within available
appropriations, to announce the creation of the toll-free telephone line established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(P.A. 96-169, S. 15.)
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(P.A. 97-264.)
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(b) The Department of Social Services shall provide for the development of all
mandated outreach programs in accordance with any mandate of the federal government
as required by federal law and regulation for the implementation of social services block
grants and community services block grants.
(c) The Department of Social Services shall, on or before December fifteenth, annually, report to the Governor and said joint standing committees with regard to the activity
of the department in the implementation of social services block grants and community
services block grants, including but not limited to, fiscal data on expenditures of state
and federal funds thereunder, and any recommendations for needed program legislation
to insure the receipt of all federal funds available to the state from such grants.
(d) Any organization receiving block grants pursuant to this section shall be subject
to the provisions of section 17b-99.
(P.A. 75-420, S. 1−4, 6; P.A. 77-555; 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 78-265, S. 1, 3; P.A. 82-314, S. 37, 63; P.A. 87-216,
S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 96-169, S. 16.)
History: P.A. 77-555 required annual publication of plan, added provisions re consultation with human services and
appropriations committees, clarified Subsec. (c) and made its provisions generally applicable; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of social services with department of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-265 added Subsec. (d);
Sec. 17-2i transferred to Sec. 17-31h in 1979; P.A. 82-314 changed official names of human services and appropriations
committees; P.A. 87-216 changed "Title XX of the Social Security Act" to "social services block grants and community
services block grants" and deleted Subsec. (d) re designation of matching sum; Sec. 17-31h transferred to Sec. 17-577
in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and
department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-577 transferred to Sec. 17b-26 in 1995; P.A. 96-169 added
Subsec. (d) making organizations receiving block grants subject to the provisions of Sec. 17b-99.
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(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt regulations in accordance with
chapter 54 to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Such regulations
shall include, but not be limited to, provisions (1) to assure that affirmations of paternity
by the mother and acknowledgments of paternity by the putative father are voluntary
and free from coercion and (2) to establish the contents of notices which shall be provided
to the mother and to the putative father before affirmation or acknowledgment. The
notice to the mother shall include, but not be limited to, notice that the affirmation of
paternity may result in rights of custody and visitation, as well as a duty of support, in
the person named as the father. The notice to the putative father shall include, but not
be limited to, notice that he has the right to contest paternity, including the right to
appointment of counsel, a genetic test to determine paternity, and a trial by the Superior
Court or a family support magistrate, and that acknowledgment of paternity will make
him liable for the financial support of the child until the child's eighteenth birthday. In
no event shall the mother's failure to sign an affirmation of paternity in the hospital be
considered failure to cooperate with the establishment of support for the purposes of
eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families.
(c) The Department of Public Health shall establish a voluntary acknowledgment
of paternity system consistent with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 46b-172.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 3, 30; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 21, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 7, 38.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5 effective July 1, 1994; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (b) to replace
a reference to "noncooperation" with "failure to cooperate" and a reference to "aid to families with dependent children"
with "the temporary family assistance program", effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 amended Subsec. (b)
by replacing a reference to "trial by jury" with "a trial by the Superior Court or a family support magistrate" and by
replacing "aid to families with dependent children" with "temporary assistance for needy families" and added Subsec. (c)
re establishment of acknowledgment of paternity system by Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1997 (Revisor's
note: The reference in Subsec. (b) to "temporary assistance for needy families" added by this act repealed by implication
the conflicting reference to "temporary family assistance program" added earlier by June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, and was
codified accordingly by the Revisors).
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(b) The council shall make recommendations concerning (1) guaranteed access to
enrollees and effective outreach and client education; (2) available services comparable
to those already in the Medicaid state plan, including those guaranteed under the federal
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services Program under 42
USC 1396d; (3) the sufficiency of provider networks; (4) the sufficiency of capitated
rates provider payments, financing and staff resources to guarantee timely access to
services; (5) participation in managed care by existing community Medicaid providers;
(6) the linguistic and cultural competency of providers and other program facilitators;
(7) quality assurance; (8) timely, accessible and effective client grievance procedures;
(9) coordination of the Medicaid managed care plan with state and federal health care
reforms; (10) eligibility levels for inclusion in the program; (11) cost-sharing provisions;
(12) a benefit package; (13) coordination with coverage under the HUSKY Plan, Part
B; (14) the need for program quality studies within the areas identified in this section
and the department's application for available grant funds for such studies; and (15)
other issues pertaining to the development of a Medicaid Research and Demonstration
Waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek a federal waiver for the Medicaid managed care plan. Implementation of the Medicaid managed care plan shall not
occur before July 1, 1995.
(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall provide monthly reports on the plans
and implementation of the Medicaid managed care system to the council.
(e) The council shall report its activities and progress once each quarter to the General Assembly.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 26, 30; P.A. 95-257, S. 56, 58; Oct. 29 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1, S. 18, 23; P.A. 99-167; 99-
230, S. 5, 10.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5 effective June 16, 1994; P.A. 95-257 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the council
to advise the Waiver Application Development Council on certain matters, increased membership by adding two members
of the General Assembly, one advocate for persons with substance abuse disabilities and one for psychiatric disabilities,
requiring the council to choose a chair and requiring the public health committee staff to provide administrative support,
amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdivs. (10) to (12) and replacing reference to Department of Public Health and Addiction
Services with Department of Public Health and reference to Department of Mental Health with Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; Oct. 29 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing
membership by adding two advocates for foster families, two representatives of the Department of Children and Families,
two representatives of the Office of Policy and Management and one representative of the Comptroller, amended Subsec.
(b) by adding new Subdiv. (13) re coordination with coverage under the HUSKY Plan and made technical changes, effective
October 30, 1997; P.A. 99-167 added new Subdiv. (14) re program quality studies, relettered the remaining subdivision
and made technical changes; P.A. 99-230 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 1999.
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(b) There is established a Medicaid waiver unit within the Department of Social
Services for the purposes of developing the waiver under subsection (a) of this section.
The Medicaid waiver unit's responsibilities shall include but not be limited to the following: (1) Administrating the Medicaid managed care program, established pursuant to
section 17b-28; (2) contracting with and evaluating prepaid health plans providing Medicaid services, including negotiation and establishment of capitated rates; (3) assessing
quality assurance information compiled by the federally required independent quality
assurance contractor; (4) monitoring contractual compliance; (5) evaluating enrollment
broker performance; (6) providing assistance to the Insurance Department for the regulation of Medicaid managed care health plans; and (7) developing a system to compare
performance levels among prepaid health plans providing Medicaid services.
(P.A. 95-257, S. 7, 58; P.A. 96-268, S. 30, 34; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 114, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8,
S. 29, 88.)
History: P.A. 95-257, S. 7 effective July 1, 1995 (Revisor's note: A reference in Subsec. (b)(7) to "Department of
Insurance" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Insurance Department" for consistency with customary statutory
usage); P.A. 96-268 added the chairpersons and ranking members of the committee having cognizance of matters relating
to human services, or their designees, to the Waiver Application Development Council, effective July 1, 1996; June 18
Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, or their designees, the Commissioner of
Social Services, or his designee, the Commissioner of Public Health, or his designee, the Commissioner of Mental Health
and Addiction Services, or his designee, the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, or his designee, the Secretary of the
Office of Policy and Management, or his designee, the State Comptroller, or his designee, a representative of advocacy
for mental retardation to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, a representative of advocacy for the
elderly to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, a representative of the nursing home industry to be appointed
by the minority leader of the Senate, a representative of the home health care industry, independent of the nursing home
industry, to be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, a representative of the mental health profession
to be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, a representative of the substance abuse profession
to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, a health care provider to be appointed by the
president pro tempore of the Senate, two elderly consumers of Medicaid services who are also eligible for Medicare, to
be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, a representative of the managed care industry, to be appointed
by the president pro tempore of the Senate, a social services care provider, to be appointed by the majority leader of the
House of Representatives, a family support care provider to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, two person
with disabilities who are consumers of Medicaid services, one to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate
and one to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and a representative of legal advocacy for
Medicaid clients, to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate to the Waiver Application Development Council
and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 deleted Subdiv. (6) in Subsec. (b) re
provision of data to Connecticut Health Care Data Institute, renumbering remaining Subdivs. accordingly, effective July
1, 1997.
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(P.A. 96-268, S. 29, 34.)
History: P.A. 96-268 effective July 1, 1996.
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(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 113, 165; P.A. 98-198, S. 2, 4.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-198 amended Subsec. (a) to (1) allow the commissioner to submit an application for a federal waiver for purpose of conducting a pilot program based on the principles of
the national Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), in lieu of requiring commissioner to submit an application for a federal waiver for an 1115 research and demonstration program; (2) authorize commissioner to "initially" enter
into contracts with integrated service networks which have successfully completed a feasibility study, in conjunction with
a PACE technical assistance center, for provision of health care for Medicaid recipients; (3) authorize commissioner to
make payments to designated PACE sites from funds appropriated to Medicaid account; (4) allow commissioner to establish
conditions in such contracts necessary to operate such pilot program within available appropriations; and (5) eliminate
provisions which specify what the program may include; and eliminated Subsecs. (b) and (c) in their entirety, effective
June 8, 1998.
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(P.A. 98-239, S. 8, 35.)
History: P.A. 98-239 effective July 1, 1998.
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(b) Beginning September 1, 1997, and monthly thereafter, the Commissioner of
Social Services and the Labor Commissioner shall update the council on the implementation of the temporary family assistance program and the employment services program.
The council shall submit recommendations to the department regarding, but not limited
to, the availability of quality child care and the provision of seamless child care services,
procedures for informing parents and teenagers about family planning and pregnancy
prevention, client education regarding their rights and responsibilities, the effectiveness
of child support enforcement, the effect of reduced exemptions, time limits and increased
sanctions, the coordination with Medicaid managed care and health care reform measures and the fiscal impact of these program changes.
(c) On January 1, 1998, and quarterly thereafter, the council shall submit a report
to the General Assembly on the implementation of the temporary family assistance
program and the employment services program.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5, S. 23, 30; P.A. 95-194, S. 6, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 22, 165.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-5 effective June 16, 1994; P.A. 95-194 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the council
to monitor the federal waiver for the AFDC program in Sec. 17b-112, effective June 29, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-
2 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the council to monitor the TFA program and the employment services program instead
of the federal waiver for the aid to families with dependent children program and the operation of the job opportunities
and basic skills program, by adding the chairman and ranking members, or their designees, of the Labor Department to
the council, replacing a member of the public who is a current recipient of benefits under the aid to families with dependent
children program with a member of the public who is a current recipient of benefits under the TFA program, extended the
convening date of the council from July 1, 1994, to September 1, 1997, amended Subsec. (b) by requiring the Labor
Commissioner, in addition to the Commissioner of Social Services to update the council monthly, beginning on September
1, 1997, on the implementation of the TFA program and the employment services program, eliminated obsolete recommendation requirements, amended Subsec. (c) by changing the date the council shall submit quarterly reports to the General
Assembly on the implementation of the TFA program and the employment services program from October 1, 1994, to
January 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1997.
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(b) At the conclusion or cancellation of the contract entered into pursuant to the
memorandum of understanding in subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of
Social Services may extend the contract for not more than one year, provided, no later
than one year after such conclusion or cancellation, the commissioner shall issue a
request for proposals for providing the hardware, software, equipment maintenance,
technical training and other resources deemed necessary by the commissioner to maintain or improve said system. The subsequent contract for providing the resources for
said system shall be awarded pursuant to section 4a-59 and shall begin no later than one
year after such conclusion or cancellation.
(c) Said system shall be utilized for office use only in the following programs: (1)
General assistance; (2) temporary family assistance; and (3) any other program to be
determined at the discretion of the Commissioner of Social Services.
(d) A recipient of a program utilizing said system pursuant to subsection (b) of
this section shall participate in said system or be subject to disqualification from such
program. The commissioner shall have the authority to exempt a recipient from participation in said system.
(e) The implementation of said system shall begin on or before January 1, 1996.
The schedule of such implementation shall be determined by the Commissioner of Social
Services.
(f) Biometric identifier information obtained pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be the proprietary information of the Department of Social Services and shall
not be released or made available to any agency or organization and shall not be used
for any purpose other than identification or fraud prevention in this or any other state,
except that such information may be made available to the office of the Chief State's
Attorney if necessary for the prosecution of fraud discovered pursuant to the biometric
identifier system established in subsection (a) of this section or in accordance with
section 17b-90. The penalty for a violation of this subsection shall be up to a five-
thousand-dollar fine or five years' imprisonment or both and the cost of prosecution.
(g) The Commissioner of Social Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services,
in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on or before January 1, 1997, and
annually thereafter, the following information: (1) The number of recipients participating in said system; (2) the number of recipients whose benefits have been discontinued
due to their failure to participate in said system; (3) the cost of implementation and
operation of said system; (4) the amount of savings attributed to the establishment and
operation of said system; and (5) the compatibility of said system with biometric systems
being utilized in surrounding states.
(P.A. 95-194, S. 28, 33; 95-351, S. 27, 30; P.A. 96-176, S. 4; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 23, 165.)
History: P.A. 95-194, S. 28 effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-351 amended Subsec. (b) by providing that the biometric
identifier system shall be utilized for office use only, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-176 inserted new Subsec. (b) authorizing
one-year contract extension and requiring commissioner thereafter to issue request for proposals for maintenance or improvement of biometric identifier system, relettered former Subsecs. (b) to (e), inclusive, as Subsecs. (c) to (f), inclusive,
respectively, and added Subsec. (g) re annual report by Commissioner of Social Services; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2
amended Subsec. (c) to replace a reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance,
effective July 1, 1997.
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(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may accept private foundation grants and
may use such grants to carry out the purposes of this section.
(P.A. 95-266, S. 1.)
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(b) The appropriate official, department or agency of the state where application
for a welfare service is made pursuant to this compact shall be entitled to request and
receive any pertinent information available from any other party state with respect to
such applicant.
(b) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to invalidate any reciprocal
agreement between a party state and a nonparty state relating to the reciprocal provision
of welfare services nor to invalidate any statutory authority for such agreements.
(b) A state party to this compact may withdraw therefrom by enacting a statute
repealing the same. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after notice thereof
has been communicated officially and in writing to the governors and compact administrators of all other party states. However, the withdrawal of any state shall not affect the
rights of any person who is receiving a welfare service pursuant to the provisions of
this compact.
(c) Withdrawal from any supplementary agreement made pursuant to Article IV
shall be in accordance with the terms of such agreement.
(1961, P.A. 372, S. 1; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 24, 165.)
History: Sec. 17-21a transferred to Sec. 17b-56 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Article II to replace a
reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997.
Annotations to former section 17-21a:
Cited. 149 C. 223.
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(1961, P.A. 372, S. 2.)
History: Sec. 17-21b transferred to Sec. 17b-57 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 17-21b:
Cited. 149 C. 223.
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(1961, P.A. 372, S. 3.)
History: Sec. 17-21c transferred to Sec. 17b-58 in 1995.
Annotations to former section 17-21c:
Cited. 149 C. 223.
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