CHAPTER 319c
COUNCIL ON MENTAL RETARDATION.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Sec. 17a-270. (Formerly Sec. 19a-445). Council on Mental Retardation. (a) There is established a Council on Mental Retardation which shall consist of thirteen members appointed as follows: Eight shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a doctor of medicine, one of whom shall be a person with mental retardation who is receiving services from the Department of Mental Retardation and at least two of whom shall be parents or guardians of persons with mental retardation, to serve for terms of two years each; four shall be appointed by members of the General Assembly for two-year terms, one who shall be a parent or guardian of a person with mental retardation, appointed by the speaker of the House, one appointed by the minority leader of the House, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one who shall be a parent or guardian of a person with mental retardation, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and one who shall be a member of the board of trustees of the Southbury Training School, appointed by said board for a term of one year. No member may serve more than six consecutive years. The members of the council shall serve without compensation except for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall be an ex-officio member of the Council on Mental Retardation without vote and shall attend its meetings. No employee of any state agency or institution engaged in the care or training of persons with mental retardation shall be eligible for appointment to the council. The council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairman, vice chairman and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The council shall meet at least bimonthly and at other times upon the call of the chair or the written request of any two members.

      (b) The council shall consider and advise on such matters as its members, the board of trustees of the training school and the Commissioner of Mental Retardation may request. The council shall consult with the Commissioner of Mental Retardation on the administration of the state program for the mentally retarded. The council shall recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly such legislation as will in its judgment improve the care and training of mentally retarded persons.

      (1959, P.A. 148, S. 23, 24; 1967, P.A. 118, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 43, S. 1; P.A. 75-638, S. 3, 23; P.A. 85-363, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-99; P.A. 90-59; P.A. 91-278, S. 1.)

      History: 1967 act changed name of Mansfield State Training School and Hospital; 1969 act increased council membership from seven to eleven and provided for appointment of additional members; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner on mental retardation in health department with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation agency and deleted reference to council's consultation with commissioner of health; Sec. 17-172a transferred to Sec. 19-569a in 1977; Sec. 19-569a transferred to Sec. 19a-445 in 1983; P.A. 85-363 reduced the number of appointments made by the governor from nine to five, required two of such five to be parents or guardians of mentally retarded persons, provided for four members to be appointed by members of the general assembly and precluded any member from serving more than six consecutive years; P.A. 89-99 increased number of council members from eleven to thirteen, and increased number appointed by governor from five to seven; P.A. 90-59 removed a requirement that the doctor of medicine be a pediatrician and added a person with mental retardation as a member; Sec. 19a-445 transferred to Sec. 17a-270 in 1991; P.A. 91-278 amended section to change council membership from fourteen to thirteen eliminating member representing Mansfield Training School and removing all other references to Mansfield Training School.

      See Sec. 17a-210 re Department and Commissioner of Mental Retardation.

      See Sec. 19a-24 re liability of council members for damages.

      Sec. 17a-271. (Formerly Sec. 19a-446). Trustees. (a) The board of trustees of the training school shall consist of seven members, who shall serve without compensation except for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. On the expiration of the term of each member, the Governor shall appoint a member for a term of four years. The board of trustees shall establish rules of procedure for the conduct of its business.

      (b) The board of trustees shall recommend to the council such matters as it deems necessary; shall advise the director of the institution on general policies concerning the operation and administration of the institution; shall inspect such institution annually; shall review the annual report of the director of the training school and in cooperation with the director prepare annually a report on the status, operation and administration of the institution and shall transmit the same to the Council on Mental Retardation for inclusion in a report to the Governor.

      (1959, P.A. 148, S. 25, 26; P.A. 75-638, S. 4, 23; P.A. 86-41, S. 2, 11; P.A. 91-278, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 75-638 deleted reference to department of health as agency for transmission of report to governor under Subsec. (a); Sec. 17-172b transferred to Sec. 19-569b in 1977; Sec. 19-569b transferred to Sec. 19a-446 in 1983; P.A. 86-41 substituted "director" for "superintendent" where appearing; Sec. 19a-446 transferred to Sec. 17a-271 in 1991; P.A. 91-278 made technical changes to remove references to Mansfield Training School.

      See Sec. 19a-24 re liability of members for damages.

      Sec. 17a-272. (Formerly Sec. 19a-447). Directors. Assistant directors. (a) The director of each training school or state mental retardation region shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, and shall be removable in the same manner. The director shall be a trained administrator of services and facilities engaged in the care, custody, treatment and training of mentally retarded persons. Each director shall be subject to the direction of the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and shall be responsible for the operation and the administration of the training school or state mental retardation region.

      (b) Each director may with the approval of the Commissioner of Mental Retardation appoint four assistant directors for the efficient conduct of the business of each training school or state mental retardation region. Each director shall designate an assistant director who shall in the absence or disqualification of the director or on his death, exercise the powers and duties of the director until he resumes his duties or the vacancy is filled. Assistant directors shall be removable by the director.

      (1959, P.A. 148, S. 27; P.A. 75-638, S. 5, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 2; P.A. 86-246, S. 1, 3.)

      History: P.A. 75-638 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of mental retardation and deleted reference to deputy commissioner on mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation department; P.A. 76-153 included regional centers and deleted references to advice of council on mental retardation re appointment and supervision of superintendents; Sec. 17-172c transferred to Sec. 19-569c in 1977; Sec. 19-569c transferred to Sec. 19a-447 in 1983; P.A. 86-246 substituted "director" for "superintendent" and "state mental retardation region" for "regional center" where appearing and added Subsec. (b) re assistant directors; Sec. 19a-447 transferred to Sec. 17a-272 in 1991.

      See Sec. 19a-24 re liability of directors for damages.

      Annotation to former section 19-569c:

      Exempt from classified service by section 5-198(g) (formerly section 5-3(j)). 12 CS 378.

      Sec. 17a-273. (Formerly Sec. 19a-468). Advisory and planning councils for state mental retardation regions. (a) The Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall appoint at least one advisory and planning council for each state mental retardation region operated by the Department of Mental Retardation, which council shall have the responsibility of consulting with and advising the director of the region on the needs of mentally retarded persons in the region, the annual plan and budget of the region and other matters deemed appropriate by the council.

      (b) Each such council shall consist of at least ten members appointed from the state mental retardation region. No employee of any state agency or institution engaged in the care or training of mentally retarded persons shall be eligible for appointment. At least one member shall be designated by the incorporated local association for retarded citizens in the region. In cases where a state mental retardation region serves an area with more than one such association, at least two members of the council shall be designated by such associations. At least one member of each council shall be an attorney practicing law in the state of Connecticut who is familiar with issues in the field of mental retardation. At least two members shall be parents of persons who are mentally retarded. Members shall be appointed for terms of three years. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms. Each council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The director of the region shall be an ex-officio member of the council without vote and shall attend its meetings.

      (c) The council shall meet at least six times a year and at other times upon the call of the chair or the director of the state mental retardation region or on the written request of any two members. A majority of the council members in office shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office.

      (P.A. 73-207, S. 1-3; P.A. 75-638, S. 19, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 11; P.A. 84-256, S. 14, 17; P.A. 85-373; P.A. 86-246, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 75-638 replaced office of mental retardation in health department with independent department of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of mental retardation as appointing authority for advisory and planning councils in Subsec. (a), reflecting creation of independent department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-4h transferred to Sec. 19-575 in 1977; Sec. 19-575 transferred to Sec. 19a-468 in 1983; P.A. 84-256 amended section to establish quorum and attendance requirements for members; P.A. 85-373 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to give the council responsibility for the annual plan and budget of the regional center, increased the membership from nine to ten members, required at least two members to be parents of mentally retarded persons and precluded any member from serving more than two consecutive terms; P.A. 86-246 substituted "director" for "superintendent" and mental retardation "regions" for "regional centers" and made other technical changes; Sec. 19a-468 transferred to Sec. 17a-273 in 1991.

      See title 2c re termination under "Sunset Law".

      See Sec. 19a-24 re liability of council members for damages.

      Sec. 17a-274. (Formerly Sec. 19a-448). Involuntary placements with the Department of Mental Retardation. Application. Notice and hearing. Rights of respondent. Examination by psychologist. Temporary placement. Evaluation of needs. Fraudulent or malicious applications. (a) Any court of probate shall have the power to place any person residing in its district whom it finds to be a mentally retarded person with the Department of Mental Retardation for placement in any appropriate setting which meets his individual habilitative needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department, in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 17a-276. No person shall be so placed unless the court has found the person is mentally retarded and (1) is unable to provide for himself at least one of the following: Education, habilitation, care for personal health and mental health needs, meals, clothing, safe shelter or protection from harm; (2) has no family or guardian to care for him or his family or guardian can no longer provide adequate care for him; (3) is unable to obtain adequate, appropriate services which would enable him to receive care, treatment and education or habilitation without placement by a court of probate; and (4) is not willing to be placed under the custody and control of the Department of Mental Retardation or its agents or voluntary admission has been sought by the guardian or limited guardian of such person appointed pursuant to chapter 779a or the provisions of sections 45a-711 to 45a-725, inclusive, and such voluntary admission has been opposed by the ward or his next of kin.

      (b) Application to the Probate Court for placement under this section may be made by any interested party. The application and all records of Probate Court proceedings held as a result of the filing of such application, except for the name of any guardian of the respondent, shall be sealed and shall be made available only to the respondent or the respondent's counsel or guardian, and to the Commissioner of Mental Retardation or the commissioner's designee, unless the Probate Court, after hearing held with notice to the respondent or the respondent's counsel or guardian, and to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, determines that such application and records should be disclosed for cause shown. The application shall allege that the respondent is a person with mental retardation and (1) is unable to provide for himself at least one of the following: Education, habilitation, care for personal health and mental health needs, meals, clothing, safe shelter or protection from harm; (2) has no family or guardian to care for the respondent or the respondent's family or guardian can no longer provide adequate care for the respondent; (3) is unable to obtain adequate, appropriate services which would enable the respondent to receive care, treatment and education or habilitation without placement by a court of probate; and (4) is not willing to be placed under the custody and control of the Department of Mental Retardation or its agents or voluntary admission has been sought by the guardian or limited guardian of the respondent appointed pursuant to chapter 779a or the provisions of sections 45a-711 to 45a-725, inclusive, and such voluntary admission has been opposed by the ward or the ward's next of kin.

      (c) Immediately upon the filing of the application, the Probate Court shall assign a time, date and place for a hearing, such hearing to be held not later than thirty business days from the date of receipt of the application. The court shall give notice of the hearing to the respondent, the respondent's guardian or conservator, the respondent's spouse or, if none, the respondent's children or, if none, the respondent's parents or, if none, the respondent's siblings, the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and any other person who has shown an interest in the respondent.

      (d) Notice to the respondent and Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall include: The names of all persons filing the application, the allegations made in the application, the time, date and place of the hearing, and the name, address and telephone number of the attorney who will represent the respondent. The notice shall state the right of the respondent to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses who testify at the hearing, and to an independent diagnostic and evaluative examination by a licensed psychologist of his own choice, who may testify on his behalf. If the court finds the respondent is indigent, the notice shall further state the respondent may be represented by counsel of his own choosing, and, if the court finds the respondent is indigent, that counsel shall be provided without cost. The reasonable compensation for counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established by, and paid from funds appropriated to, the Judicial Department, however, if funds have not been included in the budget of the Judicial Department for such purposes, such compensation shall be established by the Probate Court Administrator and paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund.

      (e) Unless the respondent is represented by counsel, the court shall immediately appoint an attorney to represent the respondent from a list of attorneys admitted to practice in this state provided by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with regulations adopted by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with section 45a-77. Such attorney may, unless replaced, attend all examinations preceding the hearing and may copy or inspect any and all reports concerning the respondent.

      (f) The court shall appoint a licensed psychologist from a panel of psychologists provided by the Office of the Probate Court Administrator to examine the respondent. The psychologist shall prepare a report on a form provided by the Probate Court. Such report shall include a statement as to whether the respondent is mentally retarded and an explanation of how the determination was reached. The explanation shall include the results of a psychological assessment within the past year, an interview or observation of the respondent, and an evaluation of adaptive behavior. Such report shall include a statement of the respondent's needs. Duplicate copies of the report shall be filed with the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and all attorneys of record at least five days prior to the hearing. The court shall order the psychologist to appear for cross-examination at the request of the respondent if the respondent makes such request at least three days before the hearing.

      (g) If the court, after hearing, finds there is clear and convincing evidence that the respondent is mentally retarded and meets the criteria set out in subsection (a) of this section, it shall order the respondent placed with the Department of Mental Retardation for placement in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department.

      (h) If, after hearing, the court determines that the respondent's need for placement is so critical as to require immediate placement, the court shall order the respondent to be temporarily placed in the most appropriate available placement. The Department of Mental Retardation upon receipt of such order shall place the respondent in such setting and shall proceed according to subsection (i) of this section.

      (i) The Department of Mental Retardation, upon receipt of an order pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, shall arrange for an interdisciplinary team to evaluate the respondent, determine the respondent's priority needs for programming and determine the least restrictive environments in which those needs could be met. The Department of Mental Retardation shall place the respondent on the waiting list for all facilities which have been identified. If no placement has become available within sixty days, the Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall so advise the court and shall continue to report to the court every thirty days thereafter until an appropriate placement is available.

      (j) Upon receipt of a report under subsection (i) of this section, the Court of Probate, if it determines that the respondent's need is so critical as to require immediate placement, shall order the respondent to be temporarily placed in the most appropriate available placement.

      (k) Any person or agency having reasonable cause to believe that a person is mentally retarded and in need of immediate care and treatment for his safety and welfare, which care and treatment is not being provided by his family or guardian, shall make a written report to the Commissioner of Mental Retardation. The report shall contain the name and address of the person believed to be mentally retarded and in need of immediate care and treatment, and his parent or other person responsible for his care, and all evidence forming the basis for such belief and shall be signed and dated by the person making such report. The Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall promptly determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the person named in the report is mentally retarded and in need of immediate care and treatment, which care and treatment is not being provided by such person's family or guardian, and if the commissioner so determines, shall assume the care and custody of such person. The commissioner or his designee shall, within twenty-four hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after assuming the care and custody of such person, (1) notify the office of protection and advocacy and (2) file an application pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in the court of probate for the district in which such person resided prior to emergency placement. The court of probate in which such application is filed shall assign a time and place for a hearing pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

      (l) In the event that any person placed under the provisions of this section is recommended for transfer by the Department of Mental Retardation, the department shall proceed as required by subsection (c) of section 17a-210 and shall in addition notify the probate court which made the placement.

      (m) Any person who wilfully files or attempts to file, or conspires with any person to file a fraudulent or malicious application for the placement of any person pursuant to this section, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.

      (n) For the purposes of this section, (1) "interdisciplinary team" means a group of persons appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, including a social worker, psychologist, nurse, residential programmer, educational or vocational programmer and such other persons as may be appropriate; (2) "mentally retarded person" means a person who has mental retardation as defined in section 1-1g; (3) "respondent" means a person alleged to be a mentally retarded person for whom an application for placement has been filed; (4) "placement" means placement in a community training home, group home, regional facility or other residential facility for mentally retarded persons.

      (1961, P.A. 489, S. 2; P.A. 75-5, S. 1; 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-638, S. 6, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 79-583, S. 1; P.A. 80-311, S. 2, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 84, 186; P.A. 82-363, S. 1; P.A. 83-295, S. 23; 83-420, S. 4; P.A. 86-41, S. 3, 11; P.A. 88-28, S. 1, 8; P.A. 89-326, S. 6, 7; P.A. 96-170, S. 4, 23; P.A. 97-90, S. 5, 6; P.A. 00-22, S. 1; P.A. 03-278, S. 122.)

      History: P.A. 75-5 removed references to commitment of epileptic persons and deleted two-year residency requirement for commitment eligibility; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-638 replaced mental retardation office and deputy commissioner with department and commissioner of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 replaced "certified" psychologist with "licensed" psychologist; Sec. 17-172d transferred to Sec. 19-569d in 1977; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-583 essentially rewrote provisions in greater detail, dividing section into Subsecs., referring to placement rather than commitment, broadening eligibility for placement, stating application contents, providing for legal counsel, detailing notice contents, and setting forth respondent's right to relevant information; P.A. 80-311 allowed mental retardation commissioner to make application in Subsec. (a), required commissioner to be notified of application and hearing, placed deadline for holding hearing, required judicial department to compensate counsel of indigent respondent in Subsec. (b) and otherwise merged Subsec. (c) into Subsec. (b), inserted new Subsecs. (c) and (d) re hearing to determine whether person is mentally retarded and in need of care, redesignating former Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e), deleted former Subsec. (e) re placements and added Subsecs. (f) to (i) re hearing to determine proper placement and other matters regarding placement; P.A. 80-476 repealed amendments enacted in P.A. 80-311; P.A. 80-483 confirmed repeal of amendments enacted in P.A. 80-311; P.A. 82-363 revised criteria and procedures for involuntary placement of mentally retarded persons and provided for placement of such persons with the department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-569d transferred to Sec. 19a-448 in 1983; P.A. 83-295 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that the reasonable compensation for counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established and paid by the judicial department; P.A. 83-420 amended Subdiv. (4) of Subsec. (a) and Subdiv. (4) of Subsec. (b) by adding language re voluntary admission and opposition to such admission by ward or next of kin, deleting references to placement "being sought or contested"; P.A. 86-41 made technical change in Subsec. (n); P.A. 88-28 made a technical change by relettering the subsection reference to Sec. 19a-460 found in Subsec. (l); P.A. 89-326 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that a psychologist who testifies on behalf of the respondent shall be compensated from the probate court administration fund, rather than by funds appropriated to the judicial department, and that the compensation of counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established by the probate court administrator, rather than by the judicial department, and be paid from the probate court administration fund, rather than from funds appropriated the judicial department; Sec. 19a-448 transferred to Sec. 17a-274 in 1991; P.A. 96-170 amended Subsec. (d) by changing funding of compensation of counsel from Probate Court Administration Fund to funds appropriated to Judicial Department, unless funds are not included in budget of Judicial Department for such purpose, effective July 1, 1998; (Revisor's note: In codifying Subsec. (d) the Revisors editorially inserted the word "and" in the phrase "... who testify at the hearing, and to an independent diagnostic ..."); P.A. 97-90 revised effective date of P.A. 96-170 but without affecting this section; P.A. 00-22 amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes and adding provisions re disclosure of the application and records of Probate Court proceedings; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective July 9, 2003.

      See Secs. 17a-280 and 17a-282 re recommitment and transfers of committed mentally retarded persons.

      See Sec. 17a-474 re release and transfer of inmates of humane institutions.

      See Sec. 17b-732 re uniform forms for commitment of minors.

      See Secs. 53a-168, 53a-171 and 53a-171a re penalties for offenses of escape from custody and assisting escape.

      Sec. 17a-275. (Formerly Sec. 19a-449). Expense of commitment proceeding. When any person is found to be mentally retarded upon proceedings had under sections 17a-210 to 17a-247, inclusive, and 17a-274, all fees and expenses incurred upon such proceedings shall be paid by the state; and, if such person is found not to be mentally retarded, such fees and expenses shall be paid by the petitioner.

      (1957, P.A. 134, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 3; P.A. 76-153, S. 4; P.A. 80-311, S. 4, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 180, 186; P.A. 92-118, S. 1.)

      History: 1961 act substituted "mentally retarded" for "mentally deficient"; P.A. 76-153 excluded epileptic persons from purview of section; Sec. 17-173 transferred to Sec. 19-569e in 1977; P.A. 80-311 added exception; P.A. 80-476 repealed exception added by P.A. 80-311 and P.A. 80-483 confirmed its repeal; Sec. 19-569e transferred to Sec. 19a-449 in 1983; Sec. 19a-449 transferred to Sec. 17a-275 in 1991; P.A. 92-118 changed reference to "17a-273" to "17a-274" and changed "complainant" to "petitioner".

      Sec. 17a-276. (Formerly Sec. 19a-450). Director to have custody and control of patients. Review of placement. Notice of right to annual review hearing. (a) All persons admitted to a state training school, regional facility or other facility provided for the care and training of the mentally retarded shall, until discharged therefrom either by the commissioner or by operation of law, be under the custody and control of the director of such facility. All costs of care and training shall be provided pursuant to section 17b-223. Notice of discharge shall be sent by the Department of Mental Retardation to such person, his parent or guardian and the Probate Court.

      (b) Any person placed with the Department of Mental Retardation pursuant to section 17a-274 may request a review of his placement by the Probate Court at any time after issuance of the original order of placement and once a year thereafter. Such request shall be in writing, shall state the reasons for review and shall be made by the patient or any other person acting on his behalf. Such request shall be filed with the Probate Court, one copy shall be served on the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and one copy shall be served on the person in charge of the facility in which the patient is placed. The hearing on such request shall be held within ten days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the filing of such request.

      (c) At such hearing the patient shall have the same rights as provided under subsections (c), (d), (e) and (f) of section 17a-274. The Department of Mental Retardation shall notify each person placed pursuant to section 17a-274 at least annually that such person has the right to a hearing to review the appropriateness and adequacy of his placement. At such hearing, if the court finds that the person is no longer in need of placement, it shall order the placement terminated. If the court finds that the person's placement does not adequately meet his needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department, it shall order the department to place such person in such least restrictive environment as the court deems available.

      (d) If within five years from the date of placement, any person placed on or after October 1, 1982, has not requested a hearing to review his placement, the Department of Mental Retardation shall notify the court of probate which placed such person. The court of probate, upon such notice, shall proceed in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section to schedule a hearing to determine if the placement should be continued and whether such placement adequately meets his habilitative needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department.

      (1961, P.A. 489, S. 1; P.A. 76-153, S. 5; P.A. 79-583, S. 2; P.A. 80-311, S. 3, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 85, 143, 186; P.A. 82-363, S. 2; P.A. 83-567; P.A. 86-41, S. 4, 11; P.A. 87-421, S. 11, 13.)

      History: P.A. 76-153 included admissions to regional centers and removed epileptic persons from purview of section; Sec. 17-173a transferred to Sec. 19-569f in 1977; P.A. 79-583 deleted provision re conditions under which retarded resident committed by court may be discharged and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re placement review; P.A. 80-311 substituted "community training home" for "foster home" and made minor language changes; P.A. 80-476 repealed amendments enacted by P.A. 80-311 and P.A. 80-483 confirmed the repeal; P.A. 82-363 added provisions re costs of care and training, notice of discharge, review of appropriateness and adequacy of placement and development of plan by department to ensure such review not later than October 1, 1986; Sec. 19-569f transferred to Sec. 19a-450 in 1983; P.A. 83-567 deleted former Subsec. (e) which had required development of plan by department to insure review of placement of persons committed prior to October 1, 1982; P.A. 86-41 substituted references to regional facilities for references to regional centers and "director" for "superintendent" in Subsec. (a); P.A. 87-421 substituted the reference to Sec. 17-295 for a reference to Sec. 17-295a which was repealed by the same act; Sec. 19a-450 transferred to Sec. 17a-276 in 1991.

      See Sec. 53-164 re penalties for aiding or abetting escape from Mansfield Training School or Southbury Training School.

      Sec. 17a-277. (Formerly Sec. 19a-451). Placement in boarding homes, group homes or other residential facilities of mentally retarded persons. The director of any state training school, regional facility or other facility for the care and training of persons with mental retardation may place any resident with mental retardation committed or admitted to such training school, regional facility or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with mental retardation, under the provisions of sections 17a-210 to 17a-247, inclusive, and 17a-273, in a private boarding home, group home or other residential facility to be cared for in accordance with the following conditions:

      (1) Such resident shall, despite such transfer, remain subject to the control of the director of such training school, regional facility or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with mental retardation and the director may, at any time, order and provide for the return of any such resident to such training school, regional facility or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with mental retardation, subject to any limitations of the term of commitment contained in the order of commitment under which such resident was committed;

      (2) When the transfer of any such resident has been authorized or when, having been transferred to a private boarding home, group home or other residential facility for persons with mental retardation, such resident has been returned to the training school, regional facility or other facility, the director of such training school, regional facility or other facility shall forthwith so notify the Commissioner of Mental Retardation;

      (3) Such private boarding home, group home or other residential facility shall be licensed by the Department of Mental Retardation, the Department of Children and Families or the Department of Public Health under such regulations as the departments adopt, in accordance with chapter 54; and

      (4) The Commissioner of Mental Retardation shall, upon request, be given access to the complete record of any resident placed in a private boarding home, group home or other residential facility pursuant to this section.

      (1949 Rev., S. 2684; 1955, S. 1511d; 1959, P.A. 183; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 4; 517, S. 17; P.A. 76-153, S. 6; P.A. 82-10; P.A. 83-59; P.A. 86-41, S. 5, 11; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 134, 181.)

      History: 1959 act deleted former Subsec. (b) which required notice to welfare commissioner of transfer or return; 1961 acts substituted the mentally retarded or epileptic for mental deficients, added requirement for notice to deputy commissioner on mental retardation and substituted council on mental retardation for joint committee of state training schools in Subdiv. (c); P.A. 76-153 included references to regional centers, group homes and other facilities "provided for the care and training of the mentally retarded", removed epileptic persons from purview of section, replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent department and transferred regulation power from public health council and council on mental retardation to department of mental retardation; Sec. 17-174 transferred to Sec. 19-569h in 1977; P.A. 82-10 amended Subsec. (c) to clarify that residential facilities for the mentally retarded may be licensed by the departments of children and youth services or health services, as well as the department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-569h transferred to Sec. 19a-451 in 1983; P.A. 83-59 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators and added Subdiv. (4) to give the commissioner access to the records of persons placed in private residential facilities for the mentally retarded; P.A. 86-41 substituted "director" for "superintendent" and regional "facility" for regional "center" where appearing; Sec. 19a-451 transferred to Sec. 17a-277 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. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, 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. 01-195 made technical changes, effective July 11, 2001.

      Annotation to former section 19-569h:

      Cited. 31 CS 197.

      Sec. 17a-278. (Formerly Sec. 19a-452). Recall for examination. Any resident placed in a private boarding home who is recalled for the purpose of a physical and mental examination shall be exempt from any payment required by section 17b-223 during such recall period, provided it shall not exceed ten days. Current or accumulated earnings of any resident so placed, accruing by reason of personal services rendered by him, shall not be applied to the payment of his maintenance charges unpaid by other sources while he was in residence at the institution.

      (1961, P.A. 489, S. 5.)

      History: Sec. 17-174a transferred to Sec. 19-569i in 1977; Sec. 19-569i transferred to Sec. 19a-452 in 1983; Sec. 19a-452 transferred to Sec. 17a-278 in 1991.

      Sec. 17a-279. (Formerly Sec. 19a-453). Return of placed-out or escaped persons. The written request of the superintendent shall be sufficient warrant to authorize any officer of a training school or other facility or any officer authorized to serve criminal process to return to the institution any resident placed out or who has escaped from the institution, and such officer shall hold such person when so requested and shall be paid for such service such fees as are provided for arresting and holding persons under criminal process.

      (1961, P.A. 489, S. 6.)

      History: Sec. 17-174b transferred to Sec. 19-569j in 1977; Sec. 19-569j transferred to Sec. 19a-453 in 1983; Sec. 19a-453 transferred to Sec. 17a-279 in 1991.

      See Sec. 53-164 re penalties for aiding or abetting escape from Mansfield Training School or Southbury Training School.

      Sec. 17a-280. (Formerly Sec. 19a-454). Recommitment and transfers of committed persons. (a) Mentally retarded persons. Mentally retarded persons, not serious discipline problems, may be recommitted by a regular probate court commitment from any institution in the state to the Southbury Training School, a state mental retardation region or any state facility provided for the care and training of the mentally retarded. The court of probate situated in the town wherein the institution from which such mentally retarded person is recommitted shall have jurisdiction.

      (b) Interinstitution transfers. Any mentally retarded resident of any such institution may be transferred from the institution to which he is committed or admitted to any of the other institutions upon the agreement of the superintendents or directors.

      (c) Mentally ill persons. Mentally ill persons may be transferred from any such institution to any state hospital for the mentally ill upon agreement of the superintendents of the respective institutions from and to which it is desired to make such a transfer. The state hospitals for the mentally ill may transfer any mentally retarded person, not psychotic, to the Southbury Training School, a state mental retardation region or any state facility provided for the care and training of the mentally retarded upon agreement of the superintendents or directors of the respective institutions from and to which it is desired to make such a transfer.

      (d) Costs. Order of commitment. The cost of any transfer or recommitment shall be paid by the institution from which the transfer is made. When a patient or resident of any institution is transferred, the order of commitment shall be retained in the original institution to which the patient or resident was committed and a certified copy of such commitment, with the agreement of transfer, shall accompany him to the institution to which he is transferred.

      (1949 Rev., S. 2847; 1955, S. 1589d, 1590d; March, 1958, P.A. 27, S. 42; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 8; 1967, P.A. 118, S. 4, 5; 249; P.A. 76-153, S. 7; P.A. 86-41, S. 6, 11; P.A. 91-278, S. 3.)

      History: 1961 act substituted "mentally retarded" for "mentally deficient" persons, added references in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) to any other state facility, etc. and substituted patient or resident for inmate in Subsec. (d); 1967 acts changed name of Mansfield State Training School and Hospital and added other state facilities to Subsec. (c); P.A. 76-153 included regional centers, removed epileptic persons from purview of section and made minor language changes, replacing "inmate", etc.; Sec. 17-175 transferred to Sec. 19-569k in 1977; Sec. 19-569k transferred to Sec. 19a-454 in 1983; P.A. 86-41 added references to institution directors and substituted references to mental retardation regions for references to regional centers; Sec. 19a-454 transferred to Sec. 17a-280 in 1991; P.A. 91-278 made technical changes to remove references to Mansfield Training School.

      See Sec. 17a-474 re release and transfer of inmates of humane institutions.

      Sec. 17a-281. (Formerly Sec. 19a-455). Voluntary admission to facility for persons with mental retardation. Termination of admission. Any person who is a resident of Connecticut at the time an application is made by him or on his behalf under the provisions of this section, and who is, or appears to be, or believes himself to be a person with mental retardation, may apply, in writing, to the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, on a form prescribed by said commissioner, for admission to any facility for persons with mental retardation. Such application shall be accompanied by a medical history of the applicant, including any medical or physical condition requiring special attention, treatment or precautions, a written psychological report provided by a psychologist either licensed under the provisions of chapter 383 or employed by the Department of Mental Retardation, who has personally examined the applicant prior to the filing of application for residential placement or a copy of the determination of eligibility made in accordance with section 17a-212 and the regulations adopted thereunder. The written psychological report shall include (1) a statement that the psychologist has personally examined the applicant not more than ninety days prior to the filing of the application, (2) the results of a psychometric assessment conducted not more than one year prior to the filing of the application and (3) an evaluation of the applicant's current level of adaptive functioning, including self-care, mental health, social, academic and vocational needs. In the event of an emergency, admission to a residential facility may be made and the required medical history and psychologist's report may be submitted within thirty days after such admission. The application for such person, if such person is a minor, may be made by a parent, guardian of the person of, or person having custody of, such minor. If such person is an adult who has had a guardian appointed pursuant to sections 45a-669 to 45a-684, inclusive, his guardian may apply for admission and the commissioner may admit such person, provided said commissioner is satisfied that there is no conflict concerning the admission between the guardian and his ward or the ward's next of kin. If such conflict exists, the applicant may only be admitted under the provisions of section 17a-274. The commissioner may approve any such application for admission if the person on whose behalf application is made is suitable for admission and if space is available and may terminate such admission at any time when he feels such person will not profit from continued placement. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who apply to the commissioner for respite care services for a period not to exceed thirty days.

      (1961, P.A. 260, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 377, S. 1; P.A. 75-5, S. 2; 75-638, S. 9, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 8; P.A. 82-82; P.A. 83-31; 83-420, S. 3; P.A. 86-41, S. 7, 11; P.A. 87-152, S. 1, 4; P.A. 95-109.)

      History: 1963 act included epileptic persons and stipulated psychological diagnostic evaluation be made only when applicant has physical and mental capacity for evaluation; P.A. 75-5 removed two-year residency requirement for eligibility and removed epileptic persons from purview of section; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation reflecting creation of independent department of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 specified "facility for the mentally retarded" where previous wording referred generally to schools, centers, institutions, etc. and replaced "certified" psychologists with "licensed" psychologists; Sec. 17-175a transferred to Sec. 19-569l in 1977; P.A. 82-82 eliminated the requirement that the commissioner of mental retardation approve an application for admission to a residential facility for the mentally retarded if the person is suitable for admission, requiring instead that person be free from communicable disease, allowed the commissioner to approve the application if space is available, specified contents of psychological report, added provision re delayed submission of required documents in emergency admissions and required commissioner to adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54; Sec. 19-569l transferred to Sec. 19a-455 in 1983; P.A. 83-31 excluded applications for respite care services for thirty days or less from provisions re voluntary admission to facilities for the mentally retarded; P.A. 83-420 added language re admission of adult adjudicated incompetent by his guardian, deleting prior provision which had allowed conservator or person having custody of an adult incompetent to make application for admission; P.A. 86-41 substituted "regional facility" for "regional center" where appearing; P.A. 87-152 substituted "person with mental retardation" for "mentally retarded" throughout section and deleted reference to mentally ill; Sec. 19a-455 transferred to Sec. 17a-281 in 1991; P.A. 95-109 replaced the requirement for a certificate on communicable diseases with a requirement that the medical history include any condition requiring special attention, treatment or precautions or that the application be accompanied by a copy of the determination of eligibility under Sec. 17a-212, deleted reference to training schools, replaced "been adjudicated incompetent" with "had a guardian appointed" and eliminated a requirement that the commissioner adopt regulations; (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference to Sec. 45a-668 was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 45a-669 to reflect the repeal of Sec. 45a-668 by P.A. 04-54).

      Sec. 17a-282. (Formerly Sec. 19a-456). Involuntary placement. No person admitted to a facility for persons with mental retardation under the provisions of section 17a-281, shall be detained in such facility for more than seven days after he has given notice in writing, or, if such person is a minor or adult incompetent, after such notice has been given on his behalf by his parent, guardian, conservator or person having custody, to the Commissioner of Mental Retardation, of his intention or desire to leave such facility. If said commissioner is of the opinion that such person is in need of further treatment or observation, he may make and file, in the probate court for the district within which such person resides, application for the involuntary placement of such person to such facility and the probate court shall proceed thereon in the same manner as is provided in section 17a-274.

      (1961, P.A. 260, S. 2; 1963, P.A. 377, S. 2; P.A. 75-638, S. 10, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 9; P.A. 87-152, S. 2, 4.)

      History: 1963 act deleted obsolete references to Secs. 17-160 and 17-165, substituting Sec. 17-172d; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation department; P.A. 76-153 replaced references to state schools, diagnostic centers or institutions with references to facilities for the mentally retarded; Sec. 17-175b transferred to Sec. 19-569m in 1977; Sec. 19-569m transferred to Sec. 19a-456 in 1983; P.A. 87-152 substituted "persons with mental retardation" for "the mentally retarded" and substituted "involuntary placement" for "commitment"; Sec. 19a-456 transferred to Sec. 17a-282 in 1991.

      Sec. 17a-283. (Formerly Sec. 19a-457). Clinics. Section 17a-283 is repealed, effective May 4, 2004.

      (1961, P.A. 489, S. 7; P.A. 76-153, S. 10; P.A. 04-54, S. 8.)

      Sec. 17a-283a. Moratorium on sale, lease or transfer of state property used for residential purposes by persons with mental retardation or psychiatric disabilities. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes concerning the sale, lease or transfer of real property by or on behalf of the state, during the period commencing on July 1, 2005, and ending on June 30, 2007, no state-owned real property that is being used for residential purposes by persons with mental retardation may be sold, leased or transferred by or on behalf of the state. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any agreement for the sale, lease or transfer of any state-owned property entered into before June 2, 2005.

      (b) Subsection (a) of this section shall only apply to any state-operated community-based residential facility, boarding house, group home or halfway house meeting the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this section and occupied by persons with mental retardation, persons with psychiatric disabilities, alcohol-dependent persons or drug-dependent persons.

      (P.A. 01-154, S. 1, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 52, 58; P.A. 05-70, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 01-154 effective July 6, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (a) by adding exception for transfers to the Department of Mental Retardation or the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for purposes of section, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 05-70 amended Subsec. (a) to extend prohibition on sale, lease or transfer of state-owned property used for residential purposes for persons with mental retardation to June 30, 2007, to eliminate same prohibition for residences for persons with psychiatric disabilities, to eliminate prior exceptions to prohibition and to exclude agreements entered into before June 2, 2005, from provisions of subsection, effective June 2, 2005.

      Secs. 17a-284 to 17a-299. Reserved for future use.