CHAPTER 368a
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

      Sec. 19a-4l. Office of Oral Public Health. There is established, within the Department of Public Health, an Office of Oral Public Health. The director of the Office of Oral Public Health shall be an experienced public health dentist licensed to practice under chapter 379 and shall:

      (1) Coordinate and direct state activities with respect to state and national dental public health programs;

      (2) Serve as the department's chief advisor on matters involving oral health; and

      (3) Plan, implement and evaluate all oral health programs within the department.

      (P.A. 07-252, S. 46.)

      History: P.A. 07-252 effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-6c. Assisted living services in state-funded congregate housing facilities. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall allow state-funded congregate housing facilities to provide assisted living services through licensed assisted living services agencies, as defined in section 19a-490.

      (b) In order to facilitate the development of assisted living services in state-funded congregate housing facilities, the Commissioner of Public Health may waive any provision of the regulations for assisted living services agencies, as defined in section 19a-490, which provide services in state-funded congregate housing facilities. No waiver of such regulations shall be made if the commissioner determines that the waiver would: (1) Endanger the life, safety or health of any resident receiving assisted living services in a state-funded congregate housing facility; (2) impact the quality or provision of services provided to a resident in a state-funded congregate housing facility; (3) revise or eliminate the requirements for an assisted living services agency's quality assurance program; (4) revise or eliminate the requirements for an assisted living services agency's grievance and appeals process; or (5) revise or eliminate the assisted living services agency's requirements relative to a client's bill of rights and responsibilities. The commissioner, upon the granting of a waiver of any provision of such regulations, may impose conditions which assure the health, safety and welfare of residents receiving assisted living services in a state-funded congregate housing facility. The commissioner may revoke such a waiver upon a finding (A) that the health, safety or welfare of any such resident is jeopardized, or (B) that such facility has failed to comply with such conditions as the commissioner may impose pursuant to this subsection.

      (c) The provisions of sections 19a-693 to 19a-701, inclusive, shall not apply to any state-funded congregate housing facility.

      (d) The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Said commissioner may implement the waiver of provisions as specified in subsection (b) of this section until January 1, 2002, while in the process of adopting criteria for the waiver process in regulation form, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days after implementation.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 43.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 added new Subsec. (c) specifying that provisions of Secs. 19a-693 to 19a-701, inclusive, shall not apply to any state-funded congregate housing facility, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d).

      Sec. 19a-6g. HealthFirst Connecticut Authority. Members. Duties. Report. Application for financial assistance. (a) There is established a HealthFirst Connecticut Authority composed of the following members: Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a health care provider and one of whom represents businesses with fifty or more employees; two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom has experience in community-based health care and one of whom represents businesses with fewer than fifty employees; one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who represents consumers; one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who represents the interests of labor; one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who represents health insurance companies; one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who represents hospitals; and two appointed by the Governor, one of whom advocates for health care quality or patient safety and one with experience in information technology. The Insurance Commissioner and the Commissioners of Public Health and Social Services or their designees, the Healthcare Advocate or the Healthcare Advocate's designee and the Comptroller or Comptroller's designee shall be ex-officio, nonvoting members.

      (b) All appointments to the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority shall be made not later than thirty days after July 10, 2007, and any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority not later than thirty days after the vacancy. If an appointing authority fails to make an appointment within any such thirty-day period, the chairpersons of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority shall make such appointment.

      (c) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall each select a chairperson of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority from among the members of the authority. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority, which shall be held not later than sixty days after July 10, 2007.

      (d) All members appointed to the authority shall be familiar with the criteria of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies Principles for Healthcare Reform and shall be committed to making recommendations about health care reform for the state of Connecticut that are consistent with said criteria.

      (e) The HealthFirst Connecticut Authority shall:

      (1) Examine and evaluate policy alternatives for providing quality, affordable and sustainable health care for all individuals residing in this state, including, but not limited to, a state-wide single payer health care system and employer-sponsored health plans.

      (2) Make recommendations for mechanisms to contain the cost and improve the quality of health care in this state, including, but not limited to: Health information technology; disease management and other initiatives to coordinate and improve the quality of care for people with chronic diseases; monitoring and reporting about the costs, quality and utilization of care, including assessment of consumer and provider satisfaction; and measures to encourage or require the provision of health care coverage to certain groups through participation in an insurance pool.

      (3) Make recommendations regarding the financing of quality, affordable health care coverage for individuals residing in this state, including the maximization of federal funds to provide subsidies for health care, contributions from employers, employees and individuals and methods for financing the state's share of the cost of such coverage.

      (4) Not later than December 1, 2008, report on its findings and recommendations with respect to such policy alternatives to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, social services and insurance, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall include recommended strategies for increasing access to health care for all of Connecticut's residents.

      (f) The HealthFirst Connecticut Authority may apply for grants or financial assistance from any person, group of persons or corporation or from any agency of the state or of the United States.

      (P.A. 07-185, S. 30; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 67.)

      History: P.A. 07-185 effective July 10, 2007 (Revisor's note: A reference in Subsec. (d) to "Principals for Healthcare Reform" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Principles for Healthcare Reform" for consistency with Sec. 19a-6h(d)); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) to add Insurance Commissioner and Healthcare Advocate, or their designees, as ex-officio, nonvoting members of HealthFirst Connecticut Authority, effective June 26, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-6h. State-wide Primary Care Access Authority. Members. Duties. Consultants and assistants. Report. (a) There is established a State-wide Primary Care Access Authority. The authority shall consist of the Commissioners of Public Health and Social Services, the Comptroller, the chairpersons of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority established under section 19a-6g and the following members: One each appointed by the Connecticut Primary Care Association, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Connecticut Nurses Association, the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers and the Weitzman Center for Innovation In Community Health and Primary Care. Members shall serve for a term of four years commencing on August 1, 2007. All initial appointments to the committee shall be made by July 15, 2007. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

      (b) The chairpersons of the HealthFirst Connecticut Authority established under section 19a-6g shall serve as cochairpersons of the State-wide Primary Care Access Authority. Members shall serve without compensation but shall, within available appropriations, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

      (c) The chairpersons shall convene the first meeting of the State-wide Primary Care Access Authority not later than October 1, 2007. 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 the committee.

      (d) All members appointed to the authority shall be familiar with the criteria of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies Principles for Healthcare Reform and shall be committed to making recommendations about health care reform for the state of Connecticut that are consistent with said criteria.

      (e) The State-wide Primary Care Access Authority shall:

      (1) Determine what constitutes primary care services for purposes of subdivisions (2) to (4), inclusive, of this section;

      (2) Inventory the state's existing primary care infrastructure, including, but not limited to, (A) the number of primary care providers practicing in the state, (B) the total amount of money expended on public and private primary care services during the last fiscal year, (C) the number of public and private buildings or offices used primarily for the rendering of primary care services, including, but not limited to, hospitals, mental health facilities, dental offices, school-based health clinics, community-based health centers and academic health centers. For the purposes of this subdivision, "primary care provider" means any physician, dentist, nurse, provider of services for the mentally ill or persons with mental retardation, or other person involved in providing primary medical, nursing, counseling, or other health care, substance abuse or mental health service, including such services associated with, or under contract to, a health maintenance organization or medical services plan.

      (3) Not later than December 31, 2008, develop a universal system for providing primary care services, including prescription drugs, to all residents of the state that maximizes federal financial participation in Medicaid and Medicare. The committee shall (A) estimate the cost of fully implementing such universal system, (B) identify any additional infrastructure or personnel that would be necessary in order to fully implement such universal system, (C) determine the state's role and the role of third party entities in administering such universal system, (D) identify funding sources for such universal system, and (E) determine the role of private health insurance in such universal system.

      (4) Develop a plan for implementing by July 1, 2010, the universal primary care system developed pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section. Such plan shall (A) include a timetable for implementation of the universal primary care system, (B) establish benchmarks to assess the state's progress in implementing the system, and (C) establish mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the primary care system, once implemented.

      (f) The State-wide Primary Care Access Authority may (1) retain and employ consultants or assistants on a contract or other basis for rendering professional, legal, financial, technical or other assistance or advice as may be required to carry out its duties or responsibilities, and (2) apply for grants or financial assistance from any person, group of persons or corporation or from any agency of the state or of the United States.

      (g) On or before February 1, 2008, and annually thereafter on or before January first, the State-wide Primary Care Access Authority shall report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, insurance and human services, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, concerning its progress in developing the universal primary care services system and the implementation plan for such system.

      (P.A. 07-185, S. 31.)

      History: P.A. 07-185 effective July 10, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-6i. Committee on school-based health clinics. Report. The committee established under section 51 of public act 06-195* shall meet at least once every calendar quarter and report annually to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on recommended statutory and regulatory changes to improve health care through access to school-based health clinics.

      (P.A. 07-185, S. 32.)

      *Note: Section 51 of public act 06-195 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

      History: P.A. 07-185 effective July 10, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-7d. Primary care direct services program. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health may establish, within available appropriations, a program to provide three-year grants to community-based providers of primary care services in order to expand access to health care for the uninsured. The grants may be awarded to community-based providers of primary care for (1) funding for direct services, (2) recruitment and retention of primary care clinicians and registered nurses through subsidizing of salaries or through a loan repayment program, and (3) capital expenditures. The community-based providers of primary care under the direct service program shall provide, or arrange access to, primary and preventive services, referrals to specialty services, including rehabilitative and mental health services, inpatient care, prescription drugs, basic diagnostic laboratory services, health education and outreach to alert people to the availability of services. Primary care clinicians and registered nurses participating in the state loan repayment program or receiving subsidies shall provide services to the uninsured based on a sliding fee schedule, provide free care if necessary, accept Medicare assignment and participate as Medicaid providers, or provide nursing services in school-based health centers. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish eligibility criteria, services to be provided by participants, the sliding fee schedule, reporting requirements and the loan repayment program. For the purposes of this section, "primary care clinicians" includes family practice physicians, general practice osteopaths, obstetricians and gynecologists, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, dentists, certified nurse midwives, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants and dental hygienists.

      (b) Funds appropriated for the state loan repayment program shall not lapse until fifteen months following the end of the fiscal year for which such funds were appropriated.

      (P.A. 90-134, S. 10, 28; P.A. 91-274; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-203, S. 1, 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 46; P.A. 06-195, S. 84; P.A. 07-252, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 91-274 clarified that grants may be used for direct services, recruitment and retention of primary care clinicians and capital expenditures, defined "primary care clinician" and imposed specific requirements on participants to provide free care if necessary, accept Medicare assignment and participate as a Medicaid provider; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-203 added Subsec. (b) re nonlapse of funds, effective July 1, 1995; 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; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re registered nurses and dental hygienists and changing "nurse practitioners" to "advanced practice registered nurses"; P.A. 06-195 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re nursing services in school-based health centers, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 07-252 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 19a-12a. Professional assistance program for regulated professions. Definitions. Program requirements. Referrals to Department of Public Health. Notification of disciplinary action against program participants. Annual reporting requirements. Confidentiality. Annual audit. (a) As used in this section and section 19a-12b:

      (1) "Chemical dependency" means abusive or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals, that results in physical or psychological dependence;

      (2) "Department" means the Department of Public Health;

      (3) "Health care professionals" includes any person licensed or who holds a permit pursuant to chapter 370, 372, 373, 375, 375a, 376, 376a, 376b, 376c, 377, 378, 379, 379a, 380, 381, 381a, 383, 383a, 383b, 383c, 384, 384a, 384b, 384c, 384d, 385, 398 or 399;

      (4) "Medical review committee" means any committee that reviews and monitors participation by health care professionals in the assistance program, including a medical review committee described in section 19a-17b; and

      (5) "Assistance program" means the program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to provide education, prevention, intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services to health care professionals who have a chemical dependency, emotional or behavioral disorder or physical or mental illness.

      (b) State or local professional societies or membership organizations of health care professionals or any combination thereof, may establish a single assistance program to serve all health care professionals, provided the assistance program (1) operates in compliance with the provisions of this section, and (2) includes one or more medical review committees that comply with the applicable provisions of subsections (c) to (f), inclusive, of this section. The program shall (A) be an alternative, voluntary and confidential opportunity for the rehabilitation of health care professionals and persons who have applied to become health care professionals, and (B) include mandatory, periodic evaluations of each participant's ability to practice with skill and safety and without posing a threat to the health and safety of any person or patient in the health care setting.

      (c) Prior to admitting a health care professional into the assistance program, a medical review committee shall (1) determine if the health care professional is an appropriate candidate for rehabilitation and participation in the program, and (2) establish the participant's terms and conditions for participating in the program. No action taken by the medical review committee pursuant to this subsection shall be construed as the practice of medicine or mental health care.

      (d) A medical review committee shall not admit into the assistance program any health care professional who has pending disciplinary charges, prior history of disciplinary action or a consent order by any professional licensing or disciplinary body or has been charged with or convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, or of an offense that, if committed within this state, would constitute a felony. A medical review committee shall refer such health care professional to the department and shall submit to the department all records and files maintained by the assistance program concerning such health care professional. Upon such referral, the department shall determine if the health care professional is eligible to participate in the assistance program and whether such participation should be treated as confidential pursuant to subsection (h) of this section. The department may seek the advice of professional health care societies or organizations and the assistance program in determining what intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services are appropriate for such health care professional. If the department determines that the health care professional is an appropriate candidate for confidential participation in the assistance program, the entire record of the referral and investigation of the health care professional shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except at the request of the health care professional, for the duration of the health care professional's participation in and upon successful completion of the program, provided such participation is in accordance with terms agreed upon by the department, the health care professional and the assistance program.

      (e) Any health care professional participating in the assistance program shall immediately notify the assistance program upon (1) being made aware of the filing of any disciplinary charges or the taking of any disciplinary action against such health care professional by a professional licensing or disciplinary body, or (2) being charged with or convicted of a felony under the laws of this state, or of an offense that, if committed within this state, would constitute a felony. The assistance program shall regularly review available sources to determine if disciplinary charges have been filed, or disciplinary action has been taken, or felony charges have been filed or substantiated against any health care professional who has been admitted to the assistance program. Upon such notification, the assistance program shall refer such health care professional to the department and shall submit to the department all records and files maintained by the assistance program concerning such health care professional. Upon such referral, the department shall determine if the health care professional is eligible to continue participating in the assistance program and whether such participation should be treated as confidential in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. The department may seek the advice of professional health care societies or organizations and assistance program in determining what intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services are appropriate for such health care professional. If the department determines that the health care professional is an appropriate candidate for confidential participation in the assistance program, the entire record of the referral and investigation of the health care professional shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except at the request of the health care professional, for the duration of the health care professional's participation in and upon successful completion of the program, provided such participation is in accordance with terms agreed upon by the department, the health care professional and the assistance program.

      (f) A medical review committee shall not admit into the assistance program any health care professional who is alleged to have harmed a patient. Upon being made aware of such allegation of harm a medical review committee and the assistance program shall refer such health care professional to the department and shall submit to the department all records and files maintained by the assistance program concerning such health care professional. Such referral may include recommendations as to what intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services are appropriate for such health care professional. Upon such referral, the department shall determine if the health care professional is eligible to participate in the assistance program and whether such participation should be provided in a confidential manner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of this section. The department may seek the advice of professional health care societies or organizations and the assistance program in determining what intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services are appropriate for such health care professional. If the department determines that the health care professional is an appropriate candidate for confidential participation in the assistance program, the entire record of the referral and investigation of the health care professional shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except at the request of the health care professional, for the duration of the health care professional's participation in and upon successful completion of the program, provided such participation is in accordance with terms agreed upon by the department, the health care professional and the assistance program.

      (g) The assistance program shall report annually to the appropriate professional licensing board or commission or, in the absence of such board or commission, to the Department of Public Health on the number of health care professionals participating in the assistance program who are under the jurisdiction of such board or commission or in the absence of such board or commission, the department, the purposes for participating in the assistance program and whether participants are practicing health care with skill and safety and without posing a threat to the health and safety of any person or patient in the health care setting. Annually, on or before December thirty-first, the assistance program shall report such information to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

      (h) (1) All information given or received in connection with any intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services provided by the assistance program pursuant to this section, including the identity of any health care professional seeking or receiving such intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed (A) to any third person or entity, unless disclosure is reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of such intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services or for the accomplishment of an audit in accordance with subsection (l) of this section, or (B) in any civil or criminal case or proceeding or in any legal or administrative proceeding, unless the health care professional seeking or obtaining intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services waives the confidentiality privilege under this subsection or unless disclosure is otherwise required by law. Unless a health care professional waives the confidentiality privilege under this subsection or disclosure is otherwise required by law, no person in any civil or criminal case or proceeding or in any legal or administrative proceeding may request or require any information given or received in connection with the intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services provided pursuant to this section.

      (2) The proceedings of a medical review committee shall not be subject to discovery or introduced into evidence in any civil action for or against a health care professional arising out of matters that are subject to evaluation and review by such committee, and no person who was in attendance at such proceedings shall be permitted or required to testify in any such civil action as to the content of such proceedings. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to preclude (A) in any civil action, the use of any writing recorded independently of such proceedings; (B) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning such person's knowledge, acquired independently of such proceedings, about the facts that form the basis for the instituting of such civil action; (C) in any civil action arising out of allegations of patient harm caused by health care services rendered by a health care professional who, at the time such services were rendered, had been requested to refrain from practicing or whose practice of medicine or health care was restricted, the disclosure of such request to refrain from practicing or such restriction; or (D) in any civil action against a health care professional, disclosure of the fact that a health care professional participated in the assistance program, the dates of participation, the reason for participation and confirmation of successful completion of the program, provided a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that good cause exists for such disclosure after (i) notification to the health care professional of the request for such disclosure, and (ii) a hearing concerning such disclosure at the request of any party, and provided further, the court imposes appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure or publication of such information.

      (3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the assistance program from disclosing information in connection with administrative proceedings related to the imposition of disciplinary action against any health care professional referred to the department by the assistance program pursuant to subsection (d), (e), (f) or (i) of this section or by the Professional Assistance Oversight Committee pursuant to subsection (e) of section 19a-12b.

      (i) If at any time, (1) the assistance program determines that a health care professional is not able to practice with skill and safety or poses a threat to the health and safety of any person or patient in the health care setting and the health care professional does not refrain from practicing health care or fails to participate in a recommended program of rehabilitation, or (2) a health care professional who has been referred to the assistance program fails to comply with terms or conditions of the program or refuses to participate in the program, the assistance program shall refer the health care professional to the department and shall submit to the department all records and files maintained by the assistance program concerning such health care professional. Upon such referral, the department shall determine if the health care professional is eligible to participate in the assistance program and whether such participation should be provided in a confidential manner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of this section. The department may seek the advice of professional health care societies or organizations and the assistance program in determining what intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services are appropriate for such health care professional. If the department determines that the health care professional is an appropriate candidate for confidential participation in the assistance program, the entire record of the referral and investigation of the health care professional shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except at the request of the health care professional, for the duration of the health care professional's participation in and upon successful completion of the program, provided such participation is in accordance with terms agreed upon by the department, the health care professional and the assistance program.

      (j) (1) Any physician, hospital or state or local professional society or organization of health care professionals that refers a physician for intervention to the assistance program shall be deemed to have satisfied the obligations imposed on the person or organization pursuant to subsection (a) of section 20-13d, with respect to a physician's inability to practice medicine with reasonable skill or safety due to chemical dependency, emotional or behavioral disorder or physical or mental illness.

      (2) Any physician, physician assistant, hospital or state or local professional society or organization of health care professionals that refers a physician assistant for intervention to the assistance program shall be deemed to have satisfied the obligations imposed on the person or organization pursuant to subsection (a) of section 20-12e, with respect to a physician assistant's inability to practice with reasonable skill or safety due to chemical dependency, emotional or behavioral disorder or physical or mental illness.

      (k) The assistance program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall meet with the Professional Assistance Oversight Committee established under section 19a-12b on a regular basis, but not less than four times each year.

      (l) On or before November 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the assistance program shall select a person determined to be qualified by the assistance program and the department to conduct an audit on the premises of the assistance program for the purpose of examining quality control of the program and compliance with all requirements of this section. On or after November 1, 2011, the department, with the agreement of the Professional Assistance Oversight Committee established under section 19a-12b, may waive the audit requirement, in writing. Any audit conducted pursuant to this subsection shall consist of a random sampling of at least twenty per cent of the assistance program's files or ten files, whichever is greater. Prior to conducting the audit, the auditor shall agree in writing (1) not to copy any program files or records, (2) not to remove any program files or records from the premises, (3) to destroy all personally identifying information about health care professionals participating in the assistance program upon the completion of the audit, (4) not to disclose personally identifying information about health care professionals participating in the program to any person or entity other than a person employed by the assistance program who is authorized by such program to receive such disclosure, and (5) not to disclose in any audit report any personally identifying information about health care professionals participating in the assistance program. Upon completion of the audit, the auditor shall submit a written audit report to the assistance program, the department, the Professional Assistance Oversight Committee established under section 19a-12b and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

      (P.A. 07-103, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 07-103 effective June 11, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-12b. Professional Assistance Oversight Committee. Duties. Access to professional assistance program records. Corrective action plans. Confidentiality of records and proceedings. (a) The Department of Public Health shall establish a Professional Assistance Oversight Committee for the assistance program. Such committee's duties shall include, but not be limited to, overseeing quality assurance. The oversight committee shall consist of the following members: (1) Three members selected by the department, who are health care professionals with training and experience in mental health or addiction services, (2) three members selected by the assistance program, who are not employees, board or committee members of the assistance program and who are health care professionals with training and experience in mental health or addiction services, and (3) one member selected by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services who is a health care professional.

      (b) The assistance program shall provide administrative support to the oversight committee.

      (c) Beginning January 1, 2008, the oversight committee shall meet with the assistance program on a regular basis, but not fewer than four times each year.

      (d) The oversight committee may request and shall be entitled to receive copies of files or such other assistance program records it deems necessary, provided all information pertaining to the identity of any health care professional shall first be redacted by the assistance program. No member of the oversight committee may copy, retain or maintain any such redacted records. If the oversight committee determines that a health care professional is not able to practice with skill and safety or poses a threat to the health and safety of any person or patient in the health care setting, and the health care professional has not refrained from practicing health care or has failed to comply with terms or conditions of participation in the assistance program, the oversight committee shall notify the assistance program to refer the health care professional to the department. Upon such notification, the assistance program shall refer the health care professional to the department, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 19a-12a.

      (e) (1) If, at any time, the oversight committee determines that the assistance program (A) has not acted in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 19a-12a, or (B) requires remedial action based upon the audit performed under subsection (l) of section 19a-12a, the oversight committee shall notify the assistance program of such determination, in writing, not later than thirty days after such determination.

      (2) The assistance program shall develop and submit to the oversight committee a corrective action plan addressing such determination not later than thirty days after the date of such notification. The assistance program may seek the advice and assistance of the oversight committee in developing the corrective action plan. Upon approval of the corrective action plan by the oversight committee, the oversight committee shall provide a copy of the approved plan to the assistance program and the department.

      (3) If the assistance program fails to comply with the corrective action plan, the oversight committee may amend the plan or direct the assistance program to refer some or all of the records of the health care professionals in the assistance program to the department. Upon such referral, the department shall determine if each referred health care professional is eligible for continued intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services and whether participation in such intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services should be treated as confidential in accordance with subsection (h) of section 19a-12a. If the department determines that a health care professional is an appropriate candidate for confidential participation in continued intervention, referral assistance, rehabilitation or support services, the entire record of the referral and investigation of the health care professional shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except at the request of the health care professional, for the duration of the health care professional's participation in and upon successful completion of the program, provided such participation is in accordance with terms agreed upon by the department and the health care professional.

      (4) Upon written notice to the department by the oversight committee that the assistance program is in compliance with a corrective action plan developed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the department may refer health care professionals to the assistance program for continued intervention, rehabilitation, referral assistance or support services and shall submit to the assistance program all records and files concerning such health care professionals.

      (f) Records created for, by or on behalf of the oversight committee shall not be deemed public records and shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210. Such records shall be treated as confidential in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of section 19a-12a.

      (g) The proceedings of the oversight committee shall not be subject to discovery or introduced into evidence in any civil action for or against a health care professional arising out of matters that are subject to evaluation and review by such committee, and no person who was in attendance at such proceedings shall be permitted or required to testify in any such civil action as to the content of such proceedings. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to preclude (1) in any civil action, the use of any writing recorded independently of such proceedings; (2) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning such person's knowledge, acquired independently of such proceedings, about the facts that form the basis for the instituting of such civil action; (3) in any civil action arising out of allegations of patient harm caused by health care services rendered by a health care professional who, at the time such services were rendered, had been requested to refrain from practicing or whose practice of medicine or health care was restricted, the disclosure of such request to refrain from practicing or such restriction; or (4) in any civil action against a health care professional, disclosure of the fact that a health care professional participated in the assistance program, the dates of participation, the reason for participation and confirmation of successful completion of the program, provided a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that good cause exists for such disclosure after (A) notification to the health care professional of the request for such disclosure, and (B) a hearing concerning such disclosure at the request of any party, and provided further, the court imposes appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure or publication of such information.

      (P.A. 07-103, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 07-103 effective June 11, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-17. (Formerly Sec. 19-4s). Disciplinary action by department, boards and commissions. (a) Each board or commission established under chapters 369 to 376, inclusive, 378 to 381, inclusive, and 383 to 388, inclusive, and the Department of Public Health with respect to professions under its jurisdiction that have no board or commission may take any of the following actions, singly or in combination, based on conduct that occurred prior or subsequent to the issuance of a permit or a license upon finding the existence of good cause:

      (1) Revoke a practitioner's license or permit;

      (2) Suspend a practitioner's license or permit;

      (3) Censure a practitioner or permittee;

      (4) Issue a letter of reprimand to a practitioner or permittee;

      (5) Place a practitioner or permittee on probationary status and require the practitioner or permittee to:

      (A) Report regularly to such board, commission or department upon the matters which are the basis of probation;

      (B) Limit practice to those areas prescribed by such board, commission or department;

      (C) Continue or renew professional education until a satisfactory degree of skill has been attained in those areas which are the basis for the probation;

      (6) Assess a civil penalty of up to twenty-five thousand dollars; or

      (7) Summarily take any action specified in this subsection against a practitioner's license or permit upon receipt of proof that such practitioner has been:

      (A) Found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes a felony under (i) the laws of this state, (ii) federal law or (iii) the laws of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a felony under the laws of this state; or

      (B) Subject to disciplinary action similar to that specified in this subsection by a duly authorized professional agency of any state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory or a foreign jurisdiction. The applicable board or commission, or the department shall promptly notify the practitioner or permittee that his license or permit has been summarily acted upon pursuant to this subsection and shall institute formal proceedings for revocation within ninety days after such notification.

      (b) Such board or commission or the department may withdraw the probation if it finds that the circumstances that required action have been remedied.

      (c) Such board or commission or the department where appropriate may summarily suspend a practitioner's license or permit in advance of a final adjudication or during the appeals process if such board or commission or the department finds that a practitioner or permittee represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety if he is allowed to continue to practice.

      (d) In addition to the authority provided to the Department of Public Health in subsection (a) of this section, the department may resolve any disciplinary action with respect to a practitioner's license or permit in any profession by voluntary surrender or agreement not to renew or reinstate.

      (e) Such board or commission or the department may reinstate a license that has been suspended or revoked if, after a hearing, such board or commission or the department is satisfied that the practitioner or permittee is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients, customers or the public in general. As a condition of reinstatement, the board or commission or the department may impose disciplinary or corrective measures authorized under this section.

      (f) As used in this section, the term "license" shall be deemed to include the following authorizations relative to the practice of any profession listed in subsection (a) of this section: (1) Licensure by the Department of Public Health; (2) certification by the Department of Public Health; and (3) certification by a national certification body.

      (g) As used in this chapter, the term "permit" includes any authorization issued by the department to allow the practice, limited or otherwise, of a profession which would otherwise require a license; and the term "permittee" means any person who practices pursuant to a permit.

      (P.A. 80-484, S. 137, 176; P.A. 81-473, S. 12, 43; P.A. 82-179; P.A. 83-261; P.A. 86-365, S. 2, 5; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 94-174, S. 1, 12; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 5, 39.)

      History: P.A. 81-473 added a reference to safety of "customers or the public in general"; P.A. 82-179 allowed boards or commissions under the jurisdiction of the department of health services, and the department of health services with respect to professions under its jurisdiction which have no board or commission, to assess civil penalties of up to $1,000; Sec. 19-4s transferred to Sec. 19a-17 in 1983; P.A. 83-261 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize summary revocation of a practitioner's license for conviction of a felony or of improper professional practice in another state and added Subsec. (e) to include certain certifications in the definition of a license; P.A. 86-365 provided for disciplinary action "based on conduct which occurred prior or subsequent to the issuance of a permit or a license", added references to "permits" and "permittees", and changed wording of Subsec. (a)(7) and added Subsec. (f) defining "permit" and "permittee"; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-174 amended Subsec. (a)(6) to increase civil penalty from $1,000 to $10,000, effective June 6, 1994; 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. 07-252 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), added new Subsec. (d) authorizing department to resolve any disciplinary action with respect to a practitioner's license or permit by voluntary surrender or agreement not to renew or reinstate, redesignated existing Subsecs. (d), (e) and (f) as Subsecs. (e), (f) and (g), respectively, and made a technical change in redesignated Subsec. (e), effective July 12, 2007, and amended Subsec. (a)(6) to increase maximum civil penalty that boards, commissions and department may assess from $10,000 to $25,000.

      Sec. 19a-24. (Formerly Sec. 19-5a). Claims for damages against Commissioners of Public Health and Developmental Services and certain officials, employees, council members and trustees. Immunity. Indemnification. (a) Any claim for damages in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars on account of any official act or omission of the Commissioner of Public Health or the Commissioner of Developmental Services or any member of their staffs, any member of the Council on Tuberculosis Control, Hospital Care and Rehabilitation, the Council on Mental Retardation or either of the boards of trustees of the state training schools or any member of any regional advisory and planning council or any superintendent, director, employee or staff member of any chronic disease hospital or state training school or state mental retardation region shall be brought as a civil action against the commissioners in their official capacities and said commissioners shall be represented therein by the Attorney General in the manner provided in chapter 35. Damages recovered in such action shall be a proper charge against the General Fund of the state and shall be paid in the manner provided in section 3-117. Any such claim for damages not in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars shall be presented to the Claims Commissioner in accordance with chapter 53 if such claim is otherwise cognizable by the Claims Commissioner.

      (b) Neither the Commissioner of Public Health nor the Commissioner of Developmental Services nor any member of their staffs, shall be held personally liable in any civil action for damages on account of any official act or omission of any superintendent, director, employee or staff member of any chronic disease hospital or state training school or state mental retardation region nor on account of any official act or omission of such commissioners or member of their staffs or any member of the councils or boards of trustees created by sections 17a-270 and 17a-271.

      (c) No employee or staff member of said commissioners or any superintendent, director, employee or staff member of any chronic disease hospital or state training school or state mental retardation region shall be held personally liable in any civil action for damages on account of any official act or omission not wanton or wilful of such superintendent, director, employee or staff member.

      (d) The state of Connecticut shall indemnify and save harmless each member of the councils or boards of trustees established by sections 17a-270, 17a-271 and 17a-273 from all claims and demands that may accrue or be asserted by reason of any act of such councils or boards of trustees or any failure to act by such councils or boards of trustees where no malice, fraud or conflict of interest is found to exist. The provisions of this section shall be deemed to apply individually to each member of such councils or boards of trustees.

      (e) Any person to whom the provisions of subsection (b), (c) or (d) hereof are applicable and against whom any action shall be brought on account of any act alleged to be an official act or omission as aforesaid or any other act as to which protection is afforded by the provisions of this section shall be represented therein by the Attorney General in the manner provided in chapter 35.

      (1957, P.A. 244, S. 1; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 31; 1959, P.A. 148, S. 18; P.A. 73-643, S. 1; P.A. 75-567, S. 74, 80; 75-638, S. 11, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 12; 76-371, S. 3, 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 59, 93, 136; P.A. 83-587, S. 71, 96; P.A. 86-41, S. 1, 11; P.A. 88-111; P.A. 90-230, S. 28, 101; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 99-60; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b).)

      History: 1959 act extended application of statute, adding members of councils and boards of trustees created by Secs. 17-172a, 17-172b, 19-3 and 19-113 and superintendent, etc., of state training school, substituted commissioner of health for directors and chairman of commission, deleted reference to employees or staff member of central office of commission and added provision to Subsec. (a) re damages recovered; Sec. 19-118 transferred to Sec. 19-5a in 1968; P.A. 73-643 deleted reference in Subsec. (b) to members of councils or boards of trustees created by Secs. 17-172a, 17-172b, 19-3 and 19-113 and added Subsecs. (d) and (e) re protection of members of councils and boards and re representation of persons protected under section by attorney general; P.A. 75-567 restored reference to Secs. 17-172a 17-172b, 19-3 and 19-113 in Subsec. (b) for clarity; P.A. 75-638 included commissioner of mental retardation in protection provisions; P.A. 76-153 protected members of regional center advisory and planning councils and persons associated with regional centers and added reference to Sec. 19-4h in Subsec. (d) but Sec. 19-4h was not, in fact, added; P.A. 76-371 required that for protection to be in force in Subsec. (c), act or omission must not be "wanton or wilful" rather than that it must be performed "in good faith, without malice, with reasonable care and upon probable cause"; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-303 deleted reference to public health council in Subsec. (a) and references to Secs. 19-3 and 19-113 in Subsecs. (b) and (d); Sec. 19-5a transferred to Sec. 19a-24 in 1983; P.A. 83-587 made a technical amendment to Subsec. (a); P.A. 86-41 made numerous technical changes; P.A. 88-111 amended Subsec. (a) to apply the requirement that any claim for damages be brought as a civil action against the commissioners to claims in excess of $1,500 and to add the requirement that any claim for damages not in excess of $1,500 be presented to the claims commissioner; P.A. 90-230 corrected internal references in Subsec. (d); P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 99-60 amended Subsec. (a) to increase amount of claim for damages from $1,500 to $7,500; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-25d. State-wide health information technology plan. Designation of lead health information exchange organization. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Electronic health information system" means an information processing system, involving both computer hardware and software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing and use of health care information, data and knowledge for communication and decision making, and includes: (A) An electronic health record that provides access in real-time to a patient's complete medical record; (B) a personal health record through which an individual, and anyone authorized by such individual, can maintain and manage such individual's health information; (C) computerized order entry technology that permits a health care provider to order diagnostic and treatment services, including prescription drugs electronically; (D) electronic alerts and reminders to health care providers to improve compliance with best practices, promote regular screenings and other preventive practices, and facilitate diagnoses and treatments; (E) error notification procedures that generate a warning if an order is entered that is likely to lead to a significant adverse outcome for a patient; and (F) tools to allow for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on adverse events, near misses, the quality and efficiency of care, patient satisfaction and other healthcare-related performance measures.

      (2) "Interoperability" means the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged and includes: (A) The capacity to physically connect to a network for the purpose of exchanging data with other users; (B) the ability of a connected user to demonstrate appropriate permissions to participate in the instant transaction over the network; and (C) the capacity of a connected user with such permissions to access, transmit, receive and exchange usable information with other users.

      (3) "Standard electronic format" means a format using open electronic standards that: (A) Enable health information technology to be used for the collection of clinically specific data; (B) promote the interoperability of health care information across health care settings, including reporting to local, state and federal agencies; and (C) facilitate clinical decision support.

      (b) On or before November 30, 2007, the Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Office of Health Care Access and within available appropriations, shall contract, through a competitive bidding process, for the development of a state-wide health information technology plan. The entity awarded such contract shall be designated the lead health information exchange organization for the state of Connecticut for the period commencing December 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2009. The state-wide health information technology plan shall include, but not be limited to:

      (1) General standards and protocols for health information exchange.

      (2) Electronic data standards to facilitate the development of a state-wide, integrated electronic health information system for use by health care providers and institutions that are funded by the state. Such electronic data standards shall (A) include provisions relating to security, privacy, data content, structures and format, vocabulary and transmission protocols, (B) be compatible with any national data standards in order to allow for interstate interoperability, (C) permit the collection of health information in a standard electronic format, and (D) be compatible with the requirements for an electronic health information system.

      (3) Pilot programs for health information exchange, and projected costs and sources of funding for such pilot programs.

      (c) Not later than December 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Department of Public Health, in consultation with Office of Health Care Access, shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, human services, government administration and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies on the status of the state-wide health information technology plan.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 68.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-25e. Connecticut Health Information Network plan. (a) The Department of Public Health and The University of Connecticut Health Center may, within available appropriations, develop a Connecticut Health Information Network plan to securely integrate state health and social services data, consistent with state and federal privacy laws, within and across The University of Connecticut Health Center, the Office of Health Care Access and the Departments of Public Health, Developmental Services and Children and Families. Data from other state agencies may be integrated into the network as funding permits and as permissible under federal law.

      (b) The Department of Public Health and The Center for Public Health and Health Policy at The University of Connecticut Health Center shall collaborate with the Departments of Information Technology, Developmental Services, Children and Families and the Office of Health Care Access to develop the Connecticut Health Information Network plan.

      (c) The plan shall: (1) Include research in and describe existing health and human services data; (2) inventory the various health and human services data aggregation initiatives currently underway; (3) include a framework and options for the implementation of a Connecticut Health Information Network, including query functionality to obtain aggregate data on key health indicators within the state; (4) identify and comply with confidentiality, security and privacy standards; and (5) include a detailed cost estimate for implementation and potential sources of funding.

      (P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 66.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 effective July 1, 2007; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Department of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-26. (Formerly Sec. 19-7). State laboratories. Services provided to whom. Regulations. Schedule of fees. The Department of Public Health may establish, maintain and control state laboratories to perform examinations of supposed morbid tissues, other laboratory tests for the diagnosis and control of preventable diseases, and laboratory work in the field of sanitation, environmental and occupational testing and research studies for the protection and preservation of the public health. Such laboratory services shall be performed upon the application of licensed physicians, other laboratories, licensed dentists, licensed podiatrists, local directors of health, public utilities or state departments or institutions, subject to regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health, and upon payment of any applicable fee as provided in this section. For such purposes the department may provide necessary buildings and apparatus, employ, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, administrative and scientific personnel and assistants and do all things necessary for the conduct of such laboratories. The Commissioner of Public Health may establish a schedule of fees, provided the commissioner waives the fees for local directors of health and local law enforcement agencies. If the commissioner establishes a schedule of fees, the commissioner may waive (1) the fees, in full or in part, for others if the commissioner determines that the public health requires a waiver, and (2) fees for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for nonprofit organizations if the organization provides combination chlamydia and gonorrhea test kits. The commissioner shall also establish a fair handling fee which a client of a state laboratory may charge a person or third party payer for arranging for the services of the laboratory. Such client shall not charge an amount in excess of such handling fee.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3807; 1949, S. 2037d; P.A. 76-396, S. 1, 3; P.A. 77-496; 77-614, S. 19, 323, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 84-77; P.A. 90-13, S. 1; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 24, 88; P.A. 98-250, S. 12, 39; P.A. 99-125, S. 1, 6; P.A. 07-252, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 76-396 replaced "examinations" with "laboratory services", required adherence to regulations of health commissioner and added provision re imposition of schedule of fees, replacing previous requirement that services be performed free of charge; P.A. 77-496 added Subdiv. (3) allowing no charge for services where public health requires that no charge be made; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner and department of health with commissioner and department of health services; Sec. 19-7 transferred to Sec. 19a-26 in 1983; P.A. 84-77 deleted the authority of the secretary of the office of policy and management to establish a schedule of fees for laboratory services performed by state laboratories and deleted obsolete provision which had allowed performance of lab services without charge for state agencies until July 1, 1977; P.A. 90-13 added language on environmental and occupational testing, other laboratories, public utilities, fair market value and the handling fee; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner 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; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 exempted local law enforcement agencies from charge for laboratory services, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-250 authorized commissioner to waive fees for chlamydia and gonorrhea for nonprofit organizations providing kits, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 99-125 changed fees from "directly related to operating costs or fair market value" to "based upon nationally recognized standards and performance measures for analytic work effort", and changed provision allowing services "without charge" to required waiver of charges in Subdiv. (1) and permissive waiver in full or in part in Subdiv. (2), effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 07-252 made establishment of a fee schedule for state laboratory services discretionary rather than mandatory, eliminated requirement that fees be based upon nationally recognized standards and performance measures and made technical changes.

      Sec. 19a-32g. Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee established. Additional members. Members deemed public officials. Duties. (a)(1) There is established a Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee. The committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health. All members appointed to the committee shall (A) have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the ethical and medical implications of embryonic and human adult stem cell research or related research fields, including, but not limited to, embryology, genetics or cellular biology, (B) have practical research experience in human adult or embryonic stem cell research or related research fields, including, but not limited to, embryology, genetics or cellular biology, and (C) work to advance embryonic and human adult stem cell research. Members shall serve for a term of four years commencing on October first, except that three members first appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health shall serve for a term of two years. No member may serve for more than two consecutive four-year terms and no member may serve concurrently on the Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 19a-32f. All initial appointments to the committee shall be made by October 1, 2005. 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 the committee.

      (2) On and after July 1, 2007, the Commissioner of Public Health may appoint such additional members to the Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee as the commissioner deems necessary for the review of applications for grants-in-aid, provided the total number of Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee members does not exceed fifteen. Such additional members shall be appointed as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, except that such additional members shall serve for a term of two years from the date of appointment.

      (b) All members shall be deemed public officials and shall adhere to the code of ethics for public officials set forth in chapter 10. No member shall participate in the affairs of the committee with respect to the review or consideration of any grant-in-aid application filed by such member or by any eligible institution in which such member has a financial interest, or with which such member engages in any business, employment, transaction or professional activity.

      (c) Prior to the awarding of any grants-in-aid for embryonic or human adult stem cell research pursuant to section 19a-32e, the Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee shall review all applications submitted by eligible institutions for such grants-in-aid and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Health and the Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 19a-32f with respect to the ethical and scientific merit of each application.

      (d) The Peer Review Committee shall establish guidelines for the rating and scoring of such applications by the Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee.

      (e) All members of the committee shall become and remain fully cognizant of the National Academies Guidelines For Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, as from time to time amended, and the committee may make recommendations to the Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee and the Commissioner of Public Health concerning the adoption of said guidelines, in whole or in part, in the form of regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 54.

      (P.A. 05-149, S. 4; P.A. 06-196, S. 209; P.A. 07-252, S. 40.)

      History: P.A. 05-149 effective June 15, 2005; P.A. 06-196, made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-252 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), redesignating existing Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3) as Subparas. (A), (B) and (C), respectively, and adding new Subdiv. (2) authorizing Commissioner of Public Health to appoint additional members to Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee, provided total membership does not exceed 15, effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-32m. Information request concerning establishment of public cord blood collection operation. (a) On or before October 1, 2007, the Commissioner of Public Health shall request information from one or more umbilical cord blood banks concerning the establishment of a public cord blood collection operation within this state to collect, transport, process and store cord blood units from Connecticut residents for therapeutic and research purposes. Any such request for information shall contain provisions inquiring about the ability of the umbilical cord blood bank to: (1) Establish and operate one or more collection sites within the state to collect a targeted number of cord blood units; (2) implement collection procedures designed to collect cord blood units that reflect the state's racial and ethnic diversity; (3) set up public cord blood collection operations not later than six months after execution of a contract with the state, provided the umbilical cord blood bank is able to negotiate any necessary contracts related to the collection sites within that time frame; (4) participate in the National Cord Blood Coordinating Center or similar national cord blood inventory center by listing cord blood units in a manner that assures maximum opportunity for use; (5) have a program that provides cord blood units for research and agree to provide cord blood units that are unsuitable for therapeutic use to researchers located within the state at no charge; and (6) maintain national accreditation by an accrediting organization recognized by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

      (b) On or before January 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Public Health shall submit, in accordance with section 11-4a, a summary of the responses to the request for information, along with any recommendations, to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health.

      (P.A. 07-252, S. 77.)

      History: P.A. 07-252 effective July 12, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-35a. Alternative on-site sewage treatment systems with capacities of five thousand gallons or less per day. Jurisdiction. Establishment and definition of categories. Minimum requirements. Permits and approvals. Appeals. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 439 and sections 22a-430 and 22a-430b, the Commissioner of Public Health shall, not later than December 31, 2008, and within available appropriations, pursuant to section 19a-36, establish and define categories of discharge that constitute alternative on-site sewage treatment systems with capacities of five thousand gallons or less per day. After the establishment of such categories, said commissioner shall have jurisdiction, within available appropriations, to issue or deny permits and approvals for such systems and for all discharges of domestic sewage to the groundwaters of the state from such systems. Said commissioner shall, pursuant to section 19a-36, and within available appropriations, establish minimum requirements for alternative on-site sewage treatment systems under said commissioner's jurisdiction, including, but not limited to: (1) Requirements related to activities that may occur on the property; (2) changes that may occur to the property or to buildings on the property that may affect the installation or operation of such systems; and (3) procedures for the issuance of permits or approvals by said commissioner, a local director of health, or a sanitarian licensed pursuant to chapter 395. A permit or approval granted by said commissioner, such local director of health or such sanitarian for an alternative on-site sewage treatment system pursuant to this section shall: (A) Not be inconsistent with the requirements of the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC. section 1251 et seq., the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC. section 300f et seq., and the standards of water quality adopted pursuant to section 22a-426, as such laws and standards may be amended from time to time, (B) not be construed or deemed to be an approval for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, any planning and zoning or municipal inland wetlands and watercourses requirement, and (C) be in lieu of a permit issued under sections 22a-430 or 22a-430b. For purposes of this section, "alternative on-site sewage treatment system" means a sewage treatment system serving one or more buildings on a single parcel of property that utilizes a method of treatment other than a subsurface sewage disposal system and that involves a discharge of domestic sewage to the groundwaters of the state.

      (b) In establishing and defining categories of discharge that constitute alternative on-site sewage treatment systems pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and in establishing minimum requirements for such systems pursuant to section 19a-36, said commissioner shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (1) The impact that such systems or discharges may have individually or cumulatively on public health and the environment, (2) the impact that such systems and discharges may have individually or cumulatively on land use patterns, and (3) recommendations regarding responsible growth made to said commissioner by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management through the Office of Responsible Growth established by Executive Order No. 15 of Governor M. Jodi Rell.

      (c) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall retain jurisdiction over any alternative on-site sewage treatment system not under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Public Health. The provisions of title 22a shall apply to any such system not under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Public Health. The provisions of this section shall not affect any permit issued by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection prior to July 1, 2007, and the provisions of title 22a shall continue to apply to any such permit until such permit expires.

      (d) A permit or approval denied by the Commissioner of Public Health, a local director of health or a sanitarian pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to an appeal in the manner provided in section 19a-229.

      (P.A. 07-231, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 155.)

      History: P.A. 07-231 effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 amended Subsec. (a) to add "within available appropriations", effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-36. (Formerly Sec. 19-13). Public Health Code. Fees. Swimming pools. Wells: Use, replacement and mitigation. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall establish a Public Health Code and, from time to time, amend the same. The Public Health Code may provide for the preservation and improvement of the public health.

      (1) Said code may include regulations pertaining to retail food establishments, including, but not limited to, food service establishments, catering food service establishments and itinerant food vending establishments.

      (2) Drainage and toilet systems to be installed in any house or building arranged or designed for human habitation, or field sanitation provided for agricultural workers or migratory farm laborers, shall conform to minimum requirements prescribed in said code.

      (3) Said code may include regulations requiring toilets and handwashing facilities in large stores, as defined in such regulations, in shopping centers and in places dispensing food or drink for consumption on the premises, for the use of patrons of such establishments, except that the provisions of such regulations shall not apply to such establishments constructed or altered pursuant to plans and specifications approved or building permits issued prior to October 1, 1977.

      (4) The provisions of such regulations (A) with respect to the requirement of employing a qualified food operator and any reporting requirements relative to such operator, shall not apply to an owner or operator of a soup kitchen who relies exclusively on services provided by volunteers, and (B) shall not prohibit the sale of food at a noncommercial function such as an educational, religious, political or charitable organization's bake sale or pot luck supper provided the seller maintains such food under the temperature, pH level and water activity level conditions that will inhibit the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms. For the purposes of this section, a "noncommercial function" means a function where food is sold by a person not regularly engaged in the business of selling such food.

      (5) The provisions of such regulations with respect to qualified food operators shall require that the contents of the test administered to qualified food operators include elements testing the qualified food operator's knowledge of food allergies.

      (6) Each regulation adopted by the Commissioner of Public Health shall state the date on which it shall take effect, and a copy of the regulation, signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State and a copy sent by said commissioner to each director of health, and such regulation shall be published in such manner as the Commissioner of Public Health may determine.

      (7) Any person who violates any provision of the Public Health Code shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three months or both.

      (b) Notwithstanding any regulations to the contrary, the Commissioner of Public Health shall charge the following fees for the following services: (1) Review of plans for each public swimming pool, six hundred dollars; (2) review of each resubmitted plan for each public swimming pool, two hundred dollars; (3) inspection of each public swimming pool, one hundred dollars; (4) reinspection of each public swimming pool, seventy-five dollars; (5) review of each small flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal, one hundred dollars; and (6) review of each large flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal, five hundred dollars.

      (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, regulations governing the safety of swimming pools shall not require fences around naturally formed ponds subsequently converted to swimming pool use, provided the converted ponds (1) retain sloping sides common to natural ponds and (2) are on property surrounded by a fence.

      (d) The local director of health may authorize the use of an existing private well, consistent with all applicable sections of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, the installation of a replacement well at a single-family residential premises on property whose boundary is located within two hundred feet of an approved community water supply system, measured along a street, alley or easement, where (1) a premises that is not connected to the public water supply may replace a well used for domestic purposes if water quality testing is performed at the time of the installation, and for at least every ten years thereafter, or for such time as requested by the local director of health, that demonstrates that the replacement well meets the water quality standards for private wells established in the Public Health Code, and provided there is no service to the premises by a public water supply, or (2) a premises served by a public water supply may utilize or replace an existing well or install a new well solely for irrigation purposes or other outdoor water uses provided such well is permanently and physically separated from the internal plumbing system of the premises and a reduced pressure device is installed to protect against a cross connection with the public water supply. Upon a determination by the local director of health that an irrigation well creates an unacceptable risk of injury to the health or safety of persons using the water, to the general public, or to any public water supply, the local director of health may issue an order requiring the immediate implementation of mitigation measures, up to and including permanent abandonment of the well, in accordance with the provisions of the Connecticut Well Drilling Code adopted pursuant to section 25-128. In the event a cross connection with the public water system is found, the owner of the system may terminate service to the premises.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3800; 1959, P.A. 628, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 140; P.A. 77-282; 77-614, S. 345, 610; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 6, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-44, S. 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 97-278; P.A. 98-75, S. 2; P.A. 02-102, S. 2; P.A. 03-252, S. 3; P.A. 05-122, S. 1; P.A. 07-244, S. 2.)

      History: 1959 act added provision re field sanitation; 1961 act substituted public health code for sanitary code; P.A. 77-282 provided that code may include regulations requiring restroom facilities in large stores, shopping centers etc.; P.A. 77-614 replaced public health council with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-13 transferred to Sec. 19a-36 in 1983; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 added new Subsec. (b) to establish fees for public swimming pool plan review and resubmitted plan review, public swimming pool inspection and reinspection and review of small and large flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-44 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit the regulations from prohibiting the sale of food at noncommercial functions and to define "noncommercial function"; 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. 97-278 added Subsec. (c) re naturally formed ponds converted to swimming pool use; P.A. 98-75 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that provisions of regulations with respect to requirement of employing a qualified food operator and any reporting requirements re such operator shall not apply to soup kitchens that rely exclusively on volunteer services; P.A. 02-102 added Subsec. (d) to permit a local director of health to authorize the use of an existing private well or the installation of a replacement well at a single-family residential premises located within 200 feet of an approved community water supply system, subject to certain safeguards; P.A. 03-252 amended Subsec. (a) by allowing code to regulate retail food establishments; P.A. 05-122 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision requiring testing of qualified food operator's knowledge of food allergies, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subparas. (A) and (B), adding new Subdiv. designators and making technical changes; P.A. 07-244 amended Subsec. (d) to subject local health directors' decisions re use of existing private wells to applicable state regulations, to add provisions re mitigation or abandonment of irrigation wells that create an unacceptable risk of injury to health or safety and to make technical changes.

      Sec. 19a-37. (Formerly Sec. 19-13a). Regulation of water supply wells and springs. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations in the Public Health Code for the preservation of the public health pertaining to (1) protection and location of new water supply wells or springs for residential construction or for public or semipublic use, and (2) inspection for compliance with the provisions of municipal regulations adopted pursuant to section 22a-354p.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, for the testing of water quality in private residential wells. Any laboratory or firm which conducts a water quality test on a private well serving a residential property, within thirty days of the completion of such test, shall report the results of such test to the public health authority of the municipality where the property is located provided such report shall not be required if the party for whom the laboratory or firm conducted such test informs the laboratory or firm that the test was not conducted within six months of the sale of such property. No regulation may require such a test to be conducted as a consequence or a condition of the sale, exchange, transfer, purchase or rental of the real property on which the private residential well is located.

      (c) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to clarify the criteria under which a well permit exception may be granted and describe the terms and conditions that shall be imposed when a well is allowed at a premise (1) that is connected to a public water supply system, or (2) whose boundary is located within two hundred feet of an approved community water supply system, measured along a street, alley or easement. Such regulations shall (A) provide for notification of the permit to the public water supplier, (B) address the quality of the water supplied from the well, the means and extent to which the well shall not be interconnected with the public water supply, the need for a physical separation, and the installation of a reduced pressure device for backflow prevention, the inspection and testing requirements of any such reduced pressure device, and (C) identify the extent and frequency of water quality testing required for the well supply.

      (d) No regulation may require that a certificate of occupancy for a dwelling unit on such residential property be withheld or revoked on the basis of a water quality test performed on a private residential well pursuant to this section, unless such test results indicate that any maximum contaminant level applicable to public water supply systems for any contaminant listed in the public health code has been exceeded. No administrative agency, health district or municipal health officer may withhold or cause to be withheld such a certificate of occupancy except as provided in this section.

      (e) No regulation may require the water in private residential wells to be tested for alachlor, atrazine, dicamba, ethylene dibromide (EDB), metolachlor, simazine or 2,4-D or any other herbicide or insecticide unless (1) results from a prior water test indicate a nitrate concentration at or greater than ten milligrams per liter and (2) the local director of health has reasonable grounds to suspect such chemical or chemicals are present in said residential well. For the purposes of this subsection, "reasonable grounds" includes, but is not limited to, the proximity of the particular water supply system to past or present agricultural uses of land.

      (f) Any owner of a residential construction on which a private residential well is located or any general contractor of a new residential construction on which a private residential well is located may collect samples of well water for submission to a laboratory or firm for the purposes of testing water quality pursuant to this section, provided such laboratory or firm finds said owner or general contractor to be qualified to collect such sample. No regulation may prohibit or impede such collection or analysis.

      (g) No regulation may require the water in private residential wells to be tested for organic chemicals unless the local director of health has reasonable grounds to suspect such organic chemicals are present in said residential well. For purposes of this subsection, "reasonable grounds" means any indication, derived from a phase I environmental site assessment or otherwise, that the particular water supply system that is to be tested exists on land or in proximity to land associated with the past or present production, storage, use or disposal of organic chemicals.

      (h) The amendments to sections 19-13-B51l and 19-13-B101 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies that became effective December 30, 1996, shall be waived for those residential wells which were not tested in accordance with said amendments between December 30, 1996, and July 8, 1997.

      (1959, P.A. 30; P.A. 77-614, S. 475, 610; P.A. 89-305, S. 26, 32; P.A. 92-251; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 94-85, S. 3; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 97-296, S. 1, 4; P.A. 02-102, S. 4; P.A. 07-244, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced public health council with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-13a transferred to Sec. 19a-37 in 1983; P.A. 89-305 added provision concerning inspection for compliance with municipal aquifer protection regulations; P.A. 92-251 added Subsec. (b) re testing of private residential wells; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-85 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that a laboratory or firm which conducts a water quality test of a private well shall report the results of such test to the local health authority if the test was conducted within six months, rather than three months, of a sale of the property served by such well and specified that results be reported within 30 days after test made; 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. 97-296 amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit regulations from requiring the testing of well water as a consequence or a condition of the sale, exchange, transfer, purchase or rental of real property, and added new Subsecs. (c) to (g) re regulations, effective July 8, 1997; P.A. 02-102 added new Subsec. (c) requiring the adoption of regulations to clarify the criteria under which a well permit exception may be granted and to describe the terms and conditions to be imposed when a well is allowed at a premises that is connected to a public water supply, and relettered existing Subsecs. (c) to (g) as Subsecs. (d) to (h); P.A. 07-244 amended Subsec. (c) by designating as Subdiv. (1) existing provision re wells at premises connected to a public water supply system, adding Subdiv. (2) re wells located within 200 feet of approved community water supply system and redesignating existing Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3) as Subparas. (A), (B) and (C).

      Sec. 19a-40a. Criminal history records checks required for applicants for employment in the vital records unit. The Commissioner of Public Health shall require each applicant for employment in, and each employee applying for transfer to, the vital records unit of the Department of Public Health to (1) state whether such applicant or employee has ever been convicted of a crime or whether criminal charges are pending against such applicant or employee at the time of application for employment or transfer, and (2) submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a.

      (P.A. 07-79, S. 1.)

      Sec. 19a-59c. Administration of federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children in the state. Advisory Council. (a) The Department of Public Health is authorized to administer the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children in the state, in accordance with federal law and regulations. The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, necessary to administer the program.

      (b) There is established a Women, Infants and Children Advisory Council consisting of the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health; the Commissioner of Public Health or a designee; the executive director of the Commission on Children or a designee; a nutrition educator, appointed by the Governor; two local directors of the Women, Infants and Children program, one each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives; two recipients of assistance under the Women, Infants and Children program, one each appointed by the majority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and two representatives of an anti-hunger organization, one each appointed by the minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Council members shall serve for a term of two years. The chairperson and the vice-chairperson of the council shall be elected by the full membership of the council. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. The council shall meet at least twice a year. Council members shall serve without compensation. The council shall advise the Department of Public Health on issues pertaining to increased participation and access to services under the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children.

      (P.A. 88-172, S. 5; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 84.)

      History: P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner 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. 07-252 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) establishing a Women, Infants and Children Advisory Council.

      Sec. 19a-77. (Formerly Sec. 19-43b). "Child day care services" defined. Additional license. (a) As used in sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, "child day care services" shall include:

      (1) A "child day care center" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care to more than twelve related or unrelated children outside their own homes on a regular basis;

      (2) A "group day care home" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care (A) to not less than seven nor more than twelve related or unrelated children on a regular basis, or (B) that meets the definition of a family day care home except that it operates in a facility other than a private family home;

      (3) A "family day care home" which consists of a private family home caring for not more than six children, including the provider's own children not in school full time, where the children are cared for not less than three nor more than twelve hours during a twenty-four-hour period and where care is given on a regularly recurring basis except that care may be provided in excess of twelve hours but not more than seventy-two consecutive hours to accommodate a need for extended care or intermittent short-term overnight care. During the regular school year, a maximum of three additional children who are in school full time, including the provider's own children, shall be permitted, except that if the provider has more than three children who are in school full time, all of the provider's children shall be permitted;

      (4) "Night care" means the care provided for one or more hours between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.;

      (5) "Year-round" program means a program open at least fifty weeks per year.

      (b) For licensing requirement purposes, child day care services shall not include such services which are:

      (1) (A) Administered by a public school system, or (B) administered by a municipal agency or department and located in a public school building;

      (2) Administered by a private school which is in compliance with section 10-188 and is approved by the State Board of Education or is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education;

      (3) Classes in music, dance, drama and art that are no longer than two hours in length; classes that teach a single skill that are no longer than two hours in length; library programs that are no longer than two hours in length; scouting; programs that offer exclusively sports activities; rehearsals; academic tutoring programs; or programs exclusively for children thirteen years of age or older;

      (4) Informal arrangements among neighbors or relatives in their own homes, provided the relative is limited to any of the following degrees of kinship by blood or marriage to the child being cared for or to the child's parent: Child, grandchild, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or child of one's aunt or uncle;

      (5) Drop-in supplementary child care operations for educational or recreational purposes and the child receives such care infrequently where the parents are on the premises;

      (6) Drop-in supplementary child care operations in retail establishments where the parents are on the premises for retail shopping, in accordance with section 19a-77a, provided that the drop-in supplementary child-care operation does not charge a fee and does not refer to itself as a child day care center;

      (7) Drop-in programs administered by a nationally chartered boys' and girls' club; or

      (8) Religious educational activities administered by a religious institution exclusively for children whose parents or legal guardians are members of such religious institution.

      (c) No registrant or licensee of any child day care services as defined in subsection (a) of this section shall be issued an additional registration or license to provide any such services at the same facility.

      (1967, P.A. 696, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 276, S. 1; P.A. 77-157, S. 1, 11; P.A. 82-35, S. 1, 2; P.A. 83-56; P.A. 85-613, S. 39, 154; P.A. 86-417, S. 10, 15; P.A. 87-131; P.A. 90-298, S. 1; P.A. 93-20, S. 1; 93-175; P.A. 95-360, S. 21, 30, 32; P.A. 97-259, S. 32, 41; P.A. 98-71, S. 1, 3; 98-252, S. 56; P.A. 00-135, S. 2, 21; P.A. 03-252, S. 22; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 29; P.A. 05-272, S. 40; P.A. 07-129, S. 1; 07-252, S. 87.)

      History: 1971 act excluded from consideration as child day care center, facilities which are an integral part of a public or private school in compliance with Sec. 10-188, previously exclusion was for facilities forming an integral part of "the school system"; P.A. 77-157 redefined "child day care center" to remove reference to excluded facilities and to require enrollment of "more than twelve" children rather than of "five or more", defined "group day care home" and "family day care home" in new Subsecs. (b) and (c) and grouped all definitions as "child day care services" and added Subsec. (d) re services not considered child day care services; P.A. 82-35 amended Subsec. (a) to include "related" children in the description of a child day care center, amended Subsec. (b) to change the number of children cared for in a group day care home from not less than five to not less than seven, amended Subsec. (c) to allow "six children including the provider's own children not in school full time" to be cared for in a family day care home where previously the limit had been "four children not related to the provider", and added Subdiv. (4) on drop in supplementary child care operations to Subsec. (d); Sec. 19-43b transferred to Sec. 19a-77 in 1983; P.A. 83-56 added Subsec. (e) prohibiting the issuance of an additional license to provide services at the same facility; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes; P.A. 86-417 added references to registration in Subsecs. (d) and (e); P.A. 87-131 reordered the subsections, combining Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) as Subsec. (a) and relettering Subsecs. (d) and (e) accordingly and added language in Subsec. (a) on the maximum number of children in school full time allowed during the school year; P.A. 90-298 excluded library programs from registration and licensing requirements in Subsec. (b); P.A. 93-20 amended definition of "family day care home" in Subsec. (a) to allow extended care or intermittent short-term overnight care; P.A. 93-175 amended Subsec. (b) by removing reference to private schools in Subdiv. (1) and inserting as new Subdiv. (2) a provision requiring private schools to be approved or accredited to remain exempt from licensing and registration requirements and renumbered remaining Subdivs. accordingly; P.A. 95-360 substituted Sec. 19a-82 for Sec. 19a-81 in Subsec. (a), effective July 13, 1995, and amended Subsec. (b) by providing the definition of "relative" for purposes of Subdiv. (4); P.A. 97-259 added definitions of "night care" and "year-round" in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-71 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (6) re retail establishments and made technical changes by moving definition of "relative" to Subdiv. (4), effective May 19, 1998; P.A. 98-252 amended Subsec. (b) to add creative art studios in Subdiv. (3); P.A. 00-135 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by designating existing provisions as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re services administered by a municipal agency or department and located in a public school building, effective May 26, 2000; P.A. 03-252 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (7) re activities administered by religious institution, effective July 9, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to "registration" requirement purposes and deleting requirement in Subdiv. (1) that children be "students enrolled in that school", effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-272 amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes and removing reference to "boys' and girls' clubs" in Subdiv. (3), adding new Subdiv. (7) to exempt drop-in programs administered by a nationally chartered boys' and girls' club from day care licensing requirements and redesignating existing Subdiv. (7) as Subdiv. (8), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by redefining "group day care home" to include programs of supplementary care that meet definition of a family day care home except that they operate in a facility other than a private family home, amended Subsec. (b)(3) by modifying list of services exempted from child day care licensing requirements and made technical changes; P.A. 07-252 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to delete 4-H from list of exempted activities and to revise exemption re sports activities.

      Sec. 19a-79. (Formerly Sec. 19-43d). Regulations. Exemptions. Variance. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, and to assure that child day care centers and group day care homes shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such child day care centers and group day care homes. Such regulations shall (1) specify that before being permitted to attend any child day care center or group day care home, each child shall be protected as age-appropriate by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule of active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f, including appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds, (2) specify conditions under which child day care center directors and teachers and group day care home providers may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations by the commissioner, to a child receiving child day care services at such child day care center or group day care home pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child, (3) specify that an operator of a child day care center or group day care home, licensed before January 1, 1986, or an operator who receives a license after January 1, 1986, for a facility licensed prior to January 1, 1986, shall provide a minimum of thirty square feet per child of total indoor usable space, free of furniture except that needed for the children's purposes, exclusive of toilet rooms, bathrooms, coatrooms, kitchens, halls, isolation room or other rooms used for purposes other than the activities of the children, (4) specify that a child day care center or group day care home licensed after January 1, 1986, shall provide thirty-five square feet per child of total indoor usable space, (5) establish appropriate child day care center staffing requirements for employees certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute or Medic First Aid International, Inc., (6) specify that on and after January 1, 2003, a child day care center or group day care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's known or suspected allergy or because a child has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an allergic reaction, or for injectable equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the use of such equipment on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site, (C) shall require such child's parent or guardian to provide the injector or injectable equipment and a copy of the prescription for such medication and injector or injectable equipment upon enrollment of such child, and (D) shall require a parent or guardian enrolling such a child to replace such medication and equipment prior to its expiration date, and (7) specify that on and after January 1, 2005, a child day care center or group day care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's diagnosis of asthma or because a child has a prescription for an inhalant medication to treat asthma, and (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the administration of such medication on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, to establish civil penalties of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day of violation and other disciplinary remedies that may be imposed, following a contested-case hearing, upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-80 to operate a child day care center or group day care home or upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-87b to operate a family day care home.

      (c) The Commissioner of Public Health shall exempt Montessori schools accredited by the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori Internationale from any provision in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section which sets requirements on group size or child to staff ratios or the provision of cots.

      (d) Any child day care center or group day care home that operates in a public school building and serves exclusively school-age children may apply for a variance to the physical plant requirements adopted as regulations pursuant to subsection (a) of this section on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health. The commissioner may not grant a variance under this subsection unless (1) the operator of a child day care center or group day care home provides documentation to the commissioner that the intent of the specific requirement or requirements affected by the variance will be satisfactorily achieved in a manner other than that prescribed by the regulations, and (2) the child day care center or group day care home and the Department of Public Health enter into a written agreement specifying the physical plant requirement or requirements affected by the variance, the duration of the variance and the terms under which the variance is granted. If a child day care center or group day care home fails to comply with the terms of such written agreement, the agreement and the variance shall be subject to immediate cancellation. Any operator of a child day care center or group day care home who is granted a variance under this section shall post such variance in close proximity to the operator's license and, at the time of enrollment of any child in the child day care center or group day care home, and annually thereafter, notify the child's parents or guardians of such variance. Such notification shall include the specific physical plant requirement or requirements for which the variance has been granted and an explanation of how the child day care center or group day care home will achieve the intent of the specific requirement or requirements affected by the variance in a manner that protects the health and safety of the children enrolled in the child day care center or group day care home.

      (1967, P.A. 696, S. 5; P.A. 75-527, S. 4, 5; P.A. 76-38, S. 2, 3; P.A. 77-157, S. 3, 11; P.A. 78-303, S. 60, 136; P.A. 85-59, S. 1, 2; 85-495, S. 2, 7; 85-613, S. 41, 154; P.A. 88-182, S. 2, 3; P.A. 90-97; P.A. 91-327, S. 4, 8; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 94-38; 94-213, S. 2; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 129, 130; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-360, S. 16, 22, 32; P.A. 97-14, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 48, 58; P.A. 02-84, S. 1; P.A. 04-221, S. 24, 32; P.A. 07-252, S. 83.)

      History: P.A. 75-527 required consultation with office of child day care; P.A. 76-38 changed placement of phrase re consultation with office of child day care; P.A. 77-157 included regulations re group day care homes; P.A. 78-303 replaced public health council with commissioner of health services; Sec. 19-43d transferred to Sec. 19a-79 in 1983; P.A. 85-59 made the existing section Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re exemptions for certain Montessori schools; P.A. 85-495 removed a reference to the office of child day care as consulting authority re regulatory power; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes; P.A. 88-182 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions requiring consultation with the child day care council; P.A. 90-97 added language in Subsec. (a) on the administration of medication; P.A. 91-327 directed the department to establish regulations to require immunization according to the schedule established by the department before attending a child day care center or group day care home; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-38 added Subsec. (a) (3) and (4) re minimum square footage requirements; P.A. 94-213 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to prescriptions by advanced practice registered nurses and physicians assistants; May 25 Sp. Sess. 94-1 amended Subsec. (a) to add the word "total" before indoor usable space; 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. 95-360 substituted Sec. 19a-82 for Sec. 19a-81 in Subsec. (a) and inserted new Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations on civil penalties and disciplinary remedies, relettering the former Subsec., effective July 13, 1995; P.A. 97-14 added provision re diabetes monitoring in Subsec. (a)(2); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes and adding Subdiv. (5) re staffing requirements for employees certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; P.A. 02-84 added Subsec. (a)(6) providing for regulations prohibiting a child day care center or group day care home from denying services to a child based on the child's known or suspected allergy or because the child has a prescription for certain automatic injectable medication equipment, requiring the training of staff in the use of such equipment, and requiring the child's parent or guardian to provide the equipment and a copy of the prescription and to replace the medication or equipment prior to its expiration date; P.A. 04-221 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by allowing certification by the National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute and Medic First Aid International, Inc., effective June 8, 2004, and amended Subsec. (a)(6) by adding provision re use of injectable equipment to administer glucagon in Subpara. (A) and making technical changes in Subpara. (B), and added Subsec. (a)(7) re services for children with asthma; P.A. 07-252 added Subsec. (d) establishing process for certain child day care centers and group day care homes to obtain a variance to physical plant requirements adopted as regulations pursuant to Subsec. (a), effective July 12, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-80. (Formerly Sec. 19-43e). License required for child day care centers and group day care homes. Fees. Criminal history records checks. Notification of changes in regulations. (a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a child day care center or group day care home without a license issued in accordance with sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive. Applications for such license shall be made to the Commissioner of Public Health on forms provided by the commissioner and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under said sections. The forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b.

      (b) (1) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the Commissioner of Public Health shall issue such license if, upon inspection and investigation, said commissioner finds that the applicant, the facilities and the program meet the health, educational and social needs of children likely to attend the child day care center or group day care home and comply with requirements established by regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive. Each license shall be for a term of two years, provided on and after October 1, 2008, each license shall be for a term of four years, shall be transferable, may be renewed upon payment of the licensure fee and may be suspended or revoked after notice and an opportunity for a hearing as provided in section 19a-84 for violation of the regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive.

      (2) Prior to October 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Public Health shall collect from the licensee of a day care center a fee of two hundred dollars for each license issued or renewed for a term of two years. Prior to October 1, 2008, said commissioner shall collect from the licensee of a group day care home a fee of one hundred dollars for each license issued or renewed for a term of two years.

      (3) On and after October 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Public Health shall collect from the licensee of a day care center a fee of four hundred dollars for each license issued or renewed for a term of four years. On and after October 1, 2008, said commissioner shall collect from the licensee of a group day care home a fee of two hundred dollars for each license issued or renewed for a term of four years. The Commissioner of Public Health shall require only one license for a child day care center operated in two or more buildings, provided the same licensee provides child day care services in each building and the buildings are joined together by a contiguous playground that is part of the licensed space.

      (c) The Commissioner of Public Health, within available appropriations, shall require each prospective employee of a child day care center or group day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. Pursuant to the interagency agreement provided for in section 10-16s, the Department of Social Services may agree to transfer funds appropriated for criminal history records checks to the Department of Public Health. The commissioner shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.

      (d) The commissioner shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of new or changed regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, or sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, with which a licensee must comply.

      (1967, P.A. 696, S. 2, 3; P.A. 77-157, S. 4, 11; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 82-256, S. 2; P.A. 85-613, S. 42, 154; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 7, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-360, S. 9, 32; P.A. 97-259, S. 33, 41; P.A. 98-250, S. 14, 39; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2, S. 69; P.A. 01-175, S. 15, 32; P.A. 03-243, S. 11; P.A. 05-207, S. 9; P.A. 07-22, S. 1; 07-129, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 77-157 added references to group day care homes; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 82-256 required that application forms contain a notice that false statements are punishable in accordance with Sec. 53a-157 and increased the license fee for day care centers from $25 to $100 and the fee for group day care homes from $25 to $50; Sec. 19-43e transferred to Sec. 19a-80 in 1983; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 amended Subsec. (b) to raise fee for day care center two-year term license or renewal from $100 to $200, six-month license or renewal from $15 to $50, and for group day care home two-year term license or renewal from $50 to $100 and a six-month license or renewal from $15 to $30; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 95-360 allowed license revocation or suspension after "an opportunity for" a hearing rather than requiring a hearing and substituted Sec. 19a-82 for Sec. 19a-81, effective July 13, 1995; P.A. 97-259 added Subsec. (c) re criminal records checks and state child abuse registry checks, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-250 added new Subsec. (d) re plain language summary, effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2 amended Subsec. (c) by changing "criminal records check" and "criminal history records check" to "fingerprint criminal records check" and "fingerprint criminal history records check"; P.A. 01-175 amended Subsec. (c) by replacing language re fingerprint criminal records checks as a permissive request with language re mandatory state and national criminal history records checks pursuant to Sec. 29-17a, deleted language re fee and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-243 added "for perpetrator information" in Subsec. (c); P.A. 05-207 amended Subsec. (c) to delete requirement that commissioner check state child abuse registry for perpetrator information; P.A. 07-22 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and added provision in Subsec. (b) specifying licensing requirements for child day care centers operated by the same licensee in 2 or more buildings joined together by a contiguous playground, effective May 9, 2007; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. designators (1) to (3), disallowing issuance of temporary licenses, extending license term from 2 to 4 years on and after October 1, 2008, increasing licensing fee from $200 to $400 on and after October 1, 2008, and making technical changes.

      Sec. 19a-84. (Formerly Sec. 19-43i). Suspension or revocation of license. Denial of initial license application. (a) When the Commissioner of Public Health has reason to believe any person licensed under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, has failed substantially to comply with the regulations adopted under said sections, the commissioner may notify the licensee in writing of the commissioner's intention to suspend or revoke the license or to impose a licensure action. Such notice shall be served by certified mail stating the particular reasons for the proposed action. The licensee may, if aggrieved by such intended action, make application for a hearing in writing over the licensee's signature to the commissioner. The licensee shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the licensee claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the commissioner within thirty days of the licensee's receipt of notification of the intended action. The commissioner shall thereupon hold a hearing within sixty days from receipt of such application and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, giving the time and place of the hearing, to the licensee. The hearing may be conducted by the commissioner or by a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner in writing. The licensee and the commissioner or hearing officer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses. The licensee shall be entitled to be represented by counsel and a transcript of the hearing shall be made. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall state the hearing officer's findings and make a recommendation to the commissioner on the issue of revocation or suspension or the intended licensure action. The commissioner, based upon the findings and recommendation of the hearing officer, or after a hearing conducted by the commissioner, shall render the commissioner's decision in writing suspending, revoking or continuing the license or regarding the intended licensure action. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail to the licensee. The decision revoking or suspending the license or a decision imposing a licensure action shall become effective thirty days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail to the licensee. A licensee aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal as provided in section 19a-85. Any licensee whose license has been revoked pursuant to this subsection shall be ineligible to apply for a license for a period of one year from the effective date of revocation.

      (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for a license under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, provided the commissioner shall notify the applicant of any such denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant's address shown on the license application.

      (1967, P.A. 696, S. 9; P.A. 77-157, S. 7, 11; 77-603, S. 46, 125; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 85-613, S. 47, 154; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-360, S. 10, 25, 32; P.A. 00-135, S. 3, 21; P.A. 07-129, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 77-157 substituted "certified" for "registered" mail; P.A. 77-603 deleted references to superior court in appeals provisions; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-43i transferred to Sec. 19a-84 in 1983; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 95-360 eliminated the requirement that the notice automatically set a date for a hearing, requiring instead that the aggrieved person request a hearing, established procedures for such a request, eliminated a stay of the decision when appealed, expanded reference to licenses to include license applicants and expanded reference to revocation or suspension to include "intended licensure denial or licensure action" and substituted reference to Sec. 19a-82 for reference to repealed Sec. 19a-81, effective July 13, 1995; P.A. 00-135 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), deleting language re license applicant and licensure denial and making technical changes therein, and added new Subsec. (b) re denial of initial license application, effective May 26, 2000; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (a) by making a technical change and adding one-year ineligibility provision for any licensee whose license is revoked pursuant to subsection.

      Sec. 19a-87b. (Formerly Sec. 17-585(b)-(d)). License required for family day care homes. Criminal history records checks. Regulations. Fees. Notification of changes in regulations. (a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, without a license issued by the Commissioner of Public Health. Licensure forms shall be obtained from the Department of Public Health. Applications for licensure shall be made to the commissioner on forms provided by the department and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under this section. The licensure and application forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b. Applicants shall state, in writing, that they are in compliance with the regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Before a family day care home license is granted, the department shall make an inquiry and investigation which shall include a visit and inspection of the premises for which the license is requested. Any inspection conducted by the department shall include an inspection for evident sources of lead poisoning. The department shall provide for a chemical analysis of any paint chips found on such premises. Neither the commissioner nor the commissioner's designee shall require an annual inspection for homes seeking license renewal or for licensed homes, except that the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall make unannounced visits, during customary business hours, to at least thirty-three and one-third per cent of the licensed family day care homes each year. A licensed family day care home shall not be subject to any conditions on the operation of such home by local officials, other than those imposed by the department pursuant to this subsection, if the home complies with all local codes and ordinances applicable to single and multifamily dwellings.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Health, within available appropriations, shall require each initial applicant or prospective employee of a family day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. The commissioner shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.

      (c) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to assure that family day care homes, as defined in section 19a-77, shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such homes. Such regulations shall ensure that the family day care home is treated as a residence, and not an institutional facility. Such regulations shall specify that each child be protected as age-appropriate by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule of active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f. Such regulations shall provide appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds. Such regulations shall also specify conditions under which family day care home providers may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations by the commissioner, to a child receiving day care services at a family day care home pursuant to a written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. Such regulations shall specify appropriate standards for extended care and intermittent short-term overnight care. The commissioner shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of any new or changed regulations adopted under this subsection with which a licensee must comply.

      (d) Applications for initial licensure under this section submitted prior to October 1, 2008, shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars and such licenses shall be issued for a term of two years. Applications for renewal of licenses granted under this section submitted prior to October 1, 2008, shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars and such licenses shall be renewed for a term of two years. No such license shall be renewed unless the licensee certifies that the children enrolled in the family day care home have received age-appropriate immunization in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

      (e) Each license issued on or after October 1, 2008, shall be for a term of four years, shall be nontransferable and may be renewed upon payment of the licensure fee and a signed statement from the licensee certifying that the children enrolled in the family day care home have received age-appropriate immunization in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The Commissioner of Public Health shall collect from the licensee of a family day care home a fee of forty dollars for each license issued or renewed for a term of four years.

      (P.A. 94-181, S. 1, 7; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-360, S. 13, 32; P.A. 96-19, S. 1; 96-180, S. 55, 166; P.A. 97-14, S. 2; 97-259, S. 36, 41; P.A. 98-250, S. 15, 39; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 79, 121; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2, S. 70; P.A. 00-27, S. 11, 12, 24; P.A. 01-175, S. 16, 32; P.A. 03-243, S. 12; P.A. 05-207, S. 10; P.A. 07-129, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 94-181 transferred responsibility for licensing family day care homes from social services department to public health and addiction services department, as a result of which Subsecs. (b) to (d), inclusive, were transferred editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 19a-87a in 1995; P.A. 94-181 also added provision in Subsec. (c) requiring regulations to ensure family day care homes are treated as residences rather than as institutional facilities, effective July 1, 1994; 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. 95-360 deleted department's authority to purchase services in Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (c) to establish increase in fees after 1995, effective July 13, 1995; P.A. 96-19 expanded written orders by physicians in Subsec. (b) to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants; P.A. 96-180 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), substituting reference to Sec. 53a-157b for Sec. 53a-157, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 97-14 added provision re diabetes monitoring in former Subsec. (b); P.A. 97-259 added new Subsec. (b) re criminal records checks and child abuse registry checks and redesignated for Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-250 amended Subsec. (c) to require plain language summary of regulations, effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective June 24, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2 amended Subsec. (b) by changing "criminal records check" and "criminal history records checks" to "fingerprint criminal records check" and "fingerprint criminal history records checks"; P.A. 00-27 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective May 1, 2000; P.A. 01-175 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing language re fingerprint criminal records checks as a permissive request with language re mandatory state and national criminal history records checks pursuant to Sec. 29-17a, deleted language re fee and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-243 added "for perpetrator information" in Subsec. (b); P.A. 05-207 amended Subsec. (b) to delete requirement that commissioner request check of state child abuse registry for perpetrator information; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit commissioner's designee from requiring annual inspection and to allow commissioner's designee to make unannounced visits during customary business hours, amended Subsec. (d) to limit $20 fee for initial licensure and license renewals to applications submitted prior to October 1, 2008, and added Subsec. (e) to extend the license term from 2 to 4 years and increase license fee from $20 to $40 for licenses issued on and after October 1, 2008.

      Sec. 19a-88. (Formerly Sec. 19-45). License renewal by certain healthcare providers. On-line license renewal system. (a) Each person holding a license to practice dentistry, optometry, midwifery or dental hygiene shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of the professional services fee for class I, as defined in section 33-182l in the case of a dentist, except as provided in sections 19a-88b and 20-113b, the professional services fee for class H, as defined in section 33-182l in the case of an optometrist, five dollars in the case of a midwife, and fifty dollars in the case of a dental hygienist, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. Each person holding a license to practice dentistry who has retired from the profession may renew such license, but the fee shall be ten per cent of the professional services fee for class I, as defined in section 33-182l. Any license provided by the department at a reduced fee pursuant to this subsection shall indicate that the dentist is retired.

      (b) Each person holding a license to practice medicine, surgery, podiatry, chiropractic or natureopathy shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of the professional services fee for class I, as defined in section 33-182l, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (c) (1) Each person holding a license to practice as a registered nurse, shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of one hundred dollars, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. Each person holding a license to practice as a registered nurse who has retired from the profession may renew such license, but the fee shall be ten per cent of the professional services fee for class B, as defined in section 33-182l. Any license provided by the department at a reduced fee shall indicate that the registered nurse is retired.

      (2) Each person holding a license as an advanced practice registered nurse shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of one hundred twenty dollars, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. No such license shall be renewed unless the department is satisfied that the person maintains current certification as either a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist or a nurse anesthetist from one of the following national certifying bodies which certify nurses in advanced practice: The American Nurses' Association, the Nurses' Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Certification Corporation, the National Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Associates or the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Each person holding a license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse who has retired from the profession may renew such license, but the fee shall be ten per cent of the professional services fee for class C, as defined in section 33-182l. Any license provided by the department at a reduced fee shall indicate that the advanced practice registered nurse is retired.

      (3) Each person holding a license as a licensed practical nurse shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of the professional services fee for class C, as defined in section 33-182l, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. Each person holding a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse who has retired from the profession may renew such license, but the fee shall be ten per cent of the professional services fee for class A, as defined in section 33-182l. Any license provided by the department at a reduced fee shall indicate that the licensed practical nurse is retired.

      (4) Each person holding a license as a nurse-midwife shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of one hundred twenty dollars, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. No such license shall be renewed unless the department is satisfied that the person maintains current certification from the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

      (5) (A) Each person holding a license to practice physical therapy shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of the professional services fee for class B, as defined in section 33-182l, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (B) Each person holding a physical therapist assistant license shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of the professional services fee for class A, as defined in section 33-182l, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (6) Each person holding a license as a physician assistant shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, register with the Department of Public Health, upon payment of a fee of seventy-five dollars, on blanks to be furnished by the department for such purpose, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests. No such license shall be renewed unless the department is satisfied that the practitioner has met the mandatory continuing medical education requirements of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or a successor organization for the certification or recertification of physician assistants that may be approved by the department and has passed any examination or continued competency assessment the passage of which may be required by said commission for maintenance of current certification by said commission.

      (d) No provision of this section shall be construed to apply to any person practicing Christian Science.

      (e) (1) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, 20-65k, 20-74s, 20-195cc or 20-206ll and chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, 375, 378 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 383c, inclusive, 384, 384b, 384d, 385, 393a, 395, 399 or 400a and section 20-206n or 20-206o shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the Department of Public Health, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (2) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514 and chapters 384a, 384c, 386, 387, 388 and 398 shall apply for renewal of such license or certificate once every two years, during the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (3) Each person holding a license or certificate issued pursuant to section 20-475 or 20-476 shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.

      (4) Each entity holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-475 shall, annually, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.

      (5) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-162bb shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license to the Department of Public Health, upon payment of a fee of two hundred fifty dollars, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.

      (f) Any person or entity which fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be notified by the department that such person's or entity's license or certificate shall become void ninety days after the time for its renewal under this section unless it is so renewed. Any such license shall become void upon the expiration of such ninety-day period.

      (g) On or before July 1, 2008, the Department of Public Health shall establish and implement a secure on-line license renewal system for persons holding a license to practice medicine or surgery under chapter 370, dentistry under chapter 379 or nursing under chapter 378. The department shall allow any such person who renews his or her license using the on-line license renewal system to pay his or her professional service fees on-line by means of a credit card or electronic transfer of funds from a bank or credit union account and may charge such person a service fee not to exceed five dollars for any such on-line payment made by credit card or electronic funds transfer.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3821; 1953, S. 2041d; 1959, P.A. 616, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 501; 1963, P.A. 143; 1969, P.A. 410, S. 1; June, 1971, P.A. 8, S. 38, 39; 1972, P.A. 223, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-276, S. 12, 22; P.A. 77-467; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 80-484, S. 3, 176; P.A. 81-471, S. 3, 71; 81-472, S. 44, 159; 81-473, S. 13, 43; P.A. 88-357, S. 2; P.A. 89-251, S. 69, 203; 89-389, S. 17, 22; P.A. 90-40, S. 3, 4; 90-211, S. 17, 23; P.A. 92-89, S. 19, 20; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 46, 89; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 94-210, S. 2, 30; 94-220, S. 2, 12; P.A. 95-196, S. 14; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 97-186, S. 10; 97-311, S. 8, 16; P.A. 98-247, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 17, 121; P.A. 99-102, S. 17; 99-249, S. 4, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2, S. 61; P.A. 00-27, S. 14, 24; 00-226, S. 9, 18, 20; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 4, 5, 58; P.A. 03-124, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 18, 19; P.A. 05-213, S. 12; 05-280, S. 74, 75; P.A. 07-82, S. 1; 07-185, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 139.)

      History: 1959 act required that persons holding license to practice dentistry or optometry be registered, raised fee to $5, provided for $4 fee for certain persons and that no fee be charged for initial registration within one year from license date; 1961 act rearranged times for payment and amounts of fees, adding Subsecs. (b) and (c), deleted exception from payment for initial registration and provision for reporting unregistered practitioners to department and raised ceiling on fine from $5 to $100; 1963 act added provision re obtaining copy of list by other interested persons in Subsec. (d); 1969 act established different registration procedures for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and physical therapists in Subsec. (c), previously procedure was same for all, i.e. biennial registration in January of even-numbered years; 1971 act increased fees: For dentists from $5 to $150, for optometrists from $5 to $100, for dental hygienists from $4 to $25, for practitioners of medicine, surgery, osteopathy, chiropractic or natureopathy from $10 to $150, for podiatrists from $10 to $100 and for licensed practical or registered nurses and physical therapists from $8 to $10 and deleted provisions in Subsec. (c) re transition period for changed registration dates; 1972 act reduced registration fee for dental hygienists to $5, required annual, rather than biennial, registration in Subsec. (b) reducing fees of podiatrists to $50 and of osteopaths, chiropractors and natureopaths to $75, required annual, rather than biennial, registration of nurses and physical therapists and reduced fees from $10 to $5 for licensed practical nurses and physical therapists; P.A. 76-276 established registration fee for physicians licensed under chapter 370, except homeopathic physicians, at $160; P.A. 77-467 changed registration month in Subsec. (a) from January to April and in Subsec. (c) for physical therapists from January to September, deleted reference to licensed person living outside state in Subsec. (c), imposed $20 fee for registration of nonresidents in Subsec. (b) and in (a) with respect to dentists and optometrists only (previously registration of nonresidents in Subsecs. (a) to (c) had been free), removed specific date for mailing list in Subsec. (d), i.e. June first, requiring that list be mailed annually and replaced $100 maximum fine in Subsec. (f) with late registration fee of $50; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-484 required registration in month of birth in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c)(2) as of January 1, 1981, deleted proviso re registration of those retired from active practice in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c)(1) and (2), deleted provision re fee for nonresidents in Subsecs. (a) and (b), deleted Subsec. (d) re mailing of lists of registered persons in its entirety, relettered Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (d), deleted Subsec. (f) re late registration fee and added new Subsecs. (e) and (f); P.A. 81-471 and 81-473 provided for renewal of licenses and certificates for physical therapists, sanitarians and subsurface sewage system installers and cleaners during the month of the holder's birth; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; Sec. 19-45 transferred to Sec. 19a-88 in 1983; P.A. 88-357 removed obsolete provisions in Subsec. (c) and (e); P.A. 89-251 increased the fee for dentists from $150 to $450, increased the fee for optometrists from $100 to $300, increased the fee for midwives from $5 to $6, increased the fee for dental hygienists from $5 to $15, increased the fee for surgeons from $150 to $450, increased the fee for podiatrists from $50 to $150, increased the fee for osteopaths, chiropractors and natureopaths from $75 to $225, increased the fee for physicians licensed under chapter 370, except homeopathic physicians from $160 to $450, increased the fee for registered nurses from $10 to $30, increased the fee for licensed practical nurses from $5 to $15, and increased the fee for physical therapists from $5 to $50; P.A. 89-389 inserted language on advanced practice registered nurses and nurse-midwives, deleting prior provision re midwives, and made technical changes, relettering Subsecs as necessary; P.A. 90-40 added midwifery in Subsec. (a) and imposed $5 registration fee; P.A. 90-211 added Subsec. (c)(6) pertaining to physician assistants; P.A. 92-89 amended Subsec. (a) to require an optometrist license fee of $375 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the annual license renewal fee for dental hygienists to $50, and amended Subsecs. (a) to (c) to replace specified dollar amounts of license fees with references to professional service fee classes established under Sec. 33-182l; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-210 amended Subsec. (e) to add name, residence and business address and other requested information to renewal application, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 94-220 amended Subsec. (e) by adding provisions re renewal of licenses and certificates issued under Secs. 20-475 and 20-476 and amended Subsec. (f) to apply to entities, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-196 added reference to licenses or certificates issued under chapter 400a; 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. 97-186 added reference to licensure or certification under Sec. 20-74s in Subsec. (e); P.A. 97-311 added reference to licensure or certification under Secs. 20-195cc and 20-206ll in Subsec. (e); P.A. 98-247 made a technical change re reference to other statutes; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subsec. (c)(6) to add department-approved successor certification organizations, effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 99-102 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting obsolete reference to osteopathy and making a technical change; P.A. 99-249 amended Subsec. (c) by adding reduced fee for retired nurses in Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3) and making technical changes, effective January 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2 amended Subsec. (e) by adding reference to Sec. 20-266c and making technical changes; P.A. 00-27 made technical changes, effective May 1, 2000; P.A. 00-226 amended Subsec. (c)(5) by designating existing provisions as Subpara. (A), making a technical change therein, and adding new Subpara. (B) re physical therapist assistant licenses and amended Subsec. (e) by making technical changes and adding reference to Sec. 20-65k, effective the later of October 1, 2000, or the date notice is published by the Commissioner of Public Health in the Connecticut Law Journal indicating that the licensing of athletic trainers and physical therapist assistants is being implemented by the commissioner, i.e. April 11, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting reference to Sec. 20-266c, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-124 amended Subsec. (a) by adding exception to renewal fee for certain dentists as provided in Sec. 20-113b; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (e) by adding new Subdiv. (2) providing for biennial licensure for certain persons, and dividing existing provisions into Subdivs. (1), (3) and (4), effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 05-213 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to Sec. 19a-88b; P.A. 05-280 added Subsec. (e)(5) providing for annual licensure of perfusionists; P.A. 07-82 amended Subsec. (a) to allow retired dentists to renew their licenses at a reduced fee; P.A. 07-185 added Subsec. (g) to require department to establish and implement by July 1, 2008, a secure on-line license renewal system for physicians, surgeons, dentists and nurses, effective July 10, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 amended Subsec. (c) to increase annual license renewal fees for registered nurses to $100, for advanced practice registered nurses and nurse-midwives to $120 and for licensed practical nurses to class C professional services fee, effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-88b. Renewal of license, certificate, permit or registration that becomes void while holder is on active duty with armed forces of the United States or ordered out with the National Guard. Exceptions. (a)(1) Notwithstanding section 19a-14 or any other provision of the general statutes relating to continuing education or refresher training, the Department of Public Health shall renew a license, certificate, permit or registration issued to an individual pursuant to chapters 368d, 368v, 371 to 378, inclusive, 379a to 388, inclusive, 393a, 395, 398, 399, 400a and 400c that becomes void pursuant to section 19a-88 or 19a-195b while the holder of the license, certificate, permit or registration is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, or such holder is a member of the National Guard ordered out by the Governor for military service, not later than one year from the date of discharge from active duty or ordered military service, upon completion of any continuing education or refresher training required to renew a license, certificate, registration or permit that has not become void pursuant to section 19a-88 or 19a-195b. A licensee applying for license renewal pursuant to this subdivision shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the department and other such documentation as may be required by the department.

      (2) Notwithstanding section 19a-14 or any other provisions of the general statutes relating to continuing education, the Department of Public Health shall renew a license issued to an individual pursuant to chapter 370 that becomes void pursuant to section 19a-88 while the holder of the license is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, not later than one year from the date of discharge from active duty, upon completion of twenty-five contact hours of continuing education that meet the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of section 20-10b. A licensee applying for license renewal pursuant to this subdivision shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the department and other such documentation as may be required by the department.

      (3) Notwithstanding section 19a-14 or any other provision of the general statutes relating to continuing education, the Department of Public Health shall renew a license issued to an individual pursuant to chapter 379 that becomes void pursuant to section 19a-88 while the holder of the license is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, not later than one year from the date of discharge from active duty, upon completion of twelve contact hours of continuing education that meet the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of section 20-126c. A licensee applying for license renewal pursuant to this subdivision shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the department and other such documentation as may be required by the department.

      (4) Notwithstanding section 19a-14 or any other provision of the general statutes relating to continuing education, the Department of Public Health shall renew a license issued to an individual pursuant to chapter 381a that becomes void pursuant to section 19a-88 while the holder of the license is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, not later than one year from the date of discharge from active duty, upon completion of six contact hours of continuing education that meet the criteria set forth in section 20-162r. A licensee applying for license renewal pursuant to this subdivision shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the department and other such documentation as may be required by the department.

      (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to reservists or National Guard members on active duty for annual training that is a regularly scheduled obligation for reservists or members of the National Guard for training that is not a part of mobilization.

      (c) No license shall be issued under this section to any applicant (1) against whom professional disciplinary action is pending, or (2) who is the subject of an unresolved complaint.

      (May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 73; P.A. 05-213, S. 1; 05-275, S. 25; P.A. 06-195, S. 3; P.A. 07-157, S. 1.)

      History: May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 effective August 15, 2002; P.A. 05-213 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing language as Subdiv. (1), making technical changes therein and adding Subdiv. (3) requiring renewal of dental license that becomes void while holder is on active duty in the armed forces, upon the holder's completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education, and made technical changes in Subsec. (b); P.A. 05-275 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing language as Subdiv. (1), amending said Subdiv. (1) to remove reference to chapter 370 and making technical changes and adding Subdiv. (2) requiring renewal of physician license that becomes void while holder is on active duty in the armed forces, upon the holder's completion of 25 contact hours of continuing education, and made technical changes in Subsec. (b); P.A. 06-195 added Subsec. (a)(4) re renewal of voided respiratory care practitioner licenses; P.A. 07-157 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add member of National Guard ordered out by the Governor for military service, change not later than 6 months to not later than 1 year from date of discharge from active duty or ordered military service and substitute "subdivision" for "section", and made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) and (c), effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-88c. Regulations re retired dentists. For purposes of subsection (a) of section 19a-88, the Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, not later than January 1, 2008. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, (1) a definition of "retired from the profession" as that term applies to dentists, (2) procedures for the return to active employment of such dentists who have retired from the profession, and (3) appropriate restrictions upon the scope of practice for such dentists who are retired from the profession, including restricting the license of such dentists to the provision of volunteer services without monetary compensation.

      (P.A. 07-82, S. 2.)

      Sec. 19a-91. (Formerly Sec. 19-49). Preparation and transportation of deceased persons. Definitions. Requirements. Death resulting from reportable disease. Disposition of burial or cremation materials. Regulations. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Wash" means to bathe or treat the entire surface of a dead human body with a disinfecting and deodorizing solution or to treat the entire surface of the dead human body with embalming powder.

      (2) "Embalm" means to inject the circulatory system of a dead human body with embalming fluid in an amount not less than five per cent of the body weight, or to inject the body cavity of a dead human body with embalming fluid in an amount necessary to properly preserve the body and render it sanitary.

      (3) "Wrap" means to place a dead human body in a burial or cremation pouch made of not less than four millimeters of plastic.

      (4) "Embalming fluid" means a fluid containing not less than four per cent formaldehyde gas by weight.

      (5) "Disinfecting solution" means an aqueous solution or spray containing not less than five per cent phenol by weight, or an equivalent in germicidal action.

      (b) No licensed embalmer or funeral director shall remove a dead human body from the place of death to another location for preparation until the body has been temporarily wrapped. If the body is to be transported by common carrier, the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the body shall have the body washed or embalmed and then enclosed in a casket and outside box or, in lieu of such double container, by being wrapped.

      (c) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this section, in the case of death resulting from a disease on the current list of reportable diseases developed pursuant to section 19a-36-A2 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the dead human body shall prepare such body for burial or cremation by having the body washed, embalmed or wrapped as soon as practicable after the body arrives at the licensed embalmer's or licensed funeral director's place of business. The provisions of this subsection do not apply if death is not the result of a disease on the current list of reportable diseases developed pursuant to section 19a-36-A2 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, provided the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the body takes appropriate measures to ensure that the body does not pose a threat to the public health.

      (d) A licensed embalmer or funeral director shall dispose of any burial or cremation pouch used to wrap a dead human body after each use or clean and wash such pouch with a disinfecting solution after each use. No licensed embalmer or funeral director may use a solution for disinfecting that does not meet the standard specified in the definition under subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of this section unless such solution is approved, in writing, by the Department of Public Health.

      (e) The Department of Public Health may adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the preparation and transportation of the bodies of deceased persons to be removed from or into the limits of any town or into any adjoining state, as the public health and welfare may require. Such regulations shall be signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, and a copy thereof shall be mailed to each town clerk, licensed embalmer and funeral director at least fifteen days before such regulations take effect. Any person who violates any regulation of the department adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3838; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 00-27, S. 15, 24; P.A. 07-104, S. 5; 07-252, S. 85.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of health with department and commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-49 transferred to Sec. 19a-91 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner 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. 00-27 made technical changes, effective May 1, 2000; P.A. 07-104 redesignated existing provisions as Subsec. (e) and added new Subsecs. (a) to (d) establishing definitions and requirements for preparing and transporting dead human bodies and disinfecting burial and cremation materials, effective June 11, 2007; P.A. 07-252 amended Subsec. (a)(5) to redefine "disinfecting solution" to include an equivalent in germicidal action, effective July 12, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-110. (Formerly Sec. 19-65e). *(See end of section for amended version of subsection (d) and effective date.) Report of lead poisoning. Parental notification. Availability of information regarding lead poisoning. (a) Not later than forty-eight hours after receiving or completing a report of a person found to have a level of lead in the blood equal to or greater than ten micrograms per deciliter of blood or any other abnormal body burden of lead, each institution licensed under sections 19a-490 to 19a-503, inclusive, and each clinical laboratory licensed under section 19a-30 shall report to (1) the Commissioner of Public Health, and to the director of health of the town, city or borough in which the person resides: (A) The name, full residence address, date of birth, gender, race and ethnicity of each person found to have a level of lead in the blood equal to or greater than ten micrograms per deciliter of blood or any other abnormal body burden of lead; (B) the name, address and telephone number of the health care provider who ordered the test; (C) the sample collection date, analysis date, type and blood lead analysis result; and (D) such other information as the commissioner may require, and (2) the health care provider who ordered the test, the results of the test. With respect to a child under three years of age, not later than seventy-two hours after the provider receives such results, the provider shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parent or guardian of the child of the blood lead analysis results. Any institution or laboratory making an accurate report in good faith shall not be liable for the act of disclosing said report to the commissioner or to the director of health. The commissioner, after consultation with the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information Technology, shall determine the method and format of transmission of data contained in said report.

      (b) Each institution or laboratory that conducts lead testing pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall, at least monthly, submit to the Commissioner of Public Health a comprehensive report that includes: (1) The name, full residence address, date of birth, gender, race and ethnicity of each person tested pursuant to subsection (a) of this section regardless of the level of lead in the blood; (2) the name, address and telephone number of the health care provider who ordered the test; (3) the sample collection date, analysis date, type and blood lead analysis result; (4) laboratory identifiers; and (5) such other information as the commissioner may require. Any institution or laboratory making an accurate report in good faith shall not be liable for the act of disclosing said report to the commissioner. The commissioner, after consultation with the Chief Information Officer, shall determine the method and format of transmission of data contained in said report.

      (c) Whenever an institutional laboratory or private clinical laboratory conducting blood lead tests pursuant to this section refers a blood lead sample to another laboratory for analysis, the laboratories may agree on which laboratory will report in compliance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section, but both laboratories shall be accountable to insure that reports are made. The referring laboratory shall insure that the requisition slip includes all of the information that is required in subsections (a) and (b) of this section and that this information is transmitted with the blood specimen to the laboratory performing the analysis.

      *(d) The director of health of the town, city or borough shall provide or cause to be provided, to the parent or guardian of a child reported, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, with information describing the dangers of lead poisoning, precautions to reduce the risk of lead poisoning and laws and regulations concerning lead abatement. Said information shall be developed by the Department of Public Health and provided to each local and district director of health.

      (1971, P.A. 22, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 87-394, S. 1, 7; P.A. 92-192, S. 1, 5; P.A. 93-321, S. 1, 6; 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-9, S. 23, 50; P.A. 98-66; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 49.)

      *Note: On and after January 1, 2009, subsection (d) of this section, as amended by section 50 of public act 07-2 of the June special session, is to read as follows:

      "(d) The director of health of the town, city or borough shall provide or cause to be provided, to the parent or guardian of a child reported, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, with information describing the dangers of lead poisoning, precautions to reduce the risk of lead poisoning, information about potential eligibility for services for children from birth to three years of age pursuant to sections 17a-248 to 17a-248g, inclusive, and laws and regulations concerning lead abatement. Said information shall be developed by the Department of Public Health and provided to each local and district director of health. With respect to the child reported, the director shall conduct an on-site inspection to identify the source of the lead causing a confirmed venous blood lead level equal to or greater than fifteen micrograms per deciliter but less than twenty micrograms per deciliter in two tests taken at least three months apart and order remediation of such sources by the appropriate persons responsible for the conditions at such source. On and after January 1, 2012, if one per cent or more of children in this state under the age of six report blood lead levels equal to or greater than ten micrograms per deciliter, the director shall conduct such on-site inspection and order such remediation for any child having a confirmed venous blood lead level equal to or greater than ten micrograms per deciliter in two tests taken at least three months apart."

      (1971, P.A. 22, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 87-394, S. 1, 7; P.A. 92-192, S. 1, 5; P.A. 93-321, S. 1, 6; 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-9, S. 23, 50; P.A. 98-66; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 49, 50.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-65e transferred to Sec. 19a-110 in 1983; P.A. 87-394 substituted ".025" for ".04" milligrams in lead level measurement; P.A. 92-192 deleted requirement that practitioners of the healing arts report increased blood lead levels, deleted requirement of reports for suspected increase in blood lead level, changed reportable lead level from .025 milligrams per one hundred grams to ten micrograms per deciliter and added the requirement that the commissioner shall determine the method of transmission of data after consultation with the executive director of the office of information and technology; P.A. 93-321 added new Subsec. (b) requiring health directors to provide information to parents and guardians of children reported; P.A. 93-381 and P.A. 93-435 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-9 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting "Chief Information Officer" for "executive director of the Office of Information and Technology", effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-66 amended Subsec. (a) by changing "registered" laboratories to "licensed" laboratories, changing "address" to "full residence address", replacing "such other relevant information as said commissioner may require" with "gender, race and ethnicity", adding Subdivs. (2), (3) and (4), replacing "such a report" with "an accurate report", deleting immunity from civil or criminal liability and adding "not liable for the act of disclosing said report to the commissioner or to the director of health", made a technical change re title of Chief Information Officer and required commissioner to determine "format" as well as method, added new Subsecs. (b) and (c) and relettered Subsec. (b) as (d); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) to extend applicability to all clinical laboratories, not just private clinical laboratories, to trigger reporting requirements when blood lead analysis results equal or exceed 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood, to redesignate existing Subdivs. (1) to (4) as Subparas. (A) to (D), to designate as Subdiv. (1) existing provisions re reports to Commissioner of Public Health and local directors of health and to add new Subdiv. (2) re reports to health care providers and notice to parents and guardians, effective October 1, 2007, and amended Subsec. (d) to require local directors of health to provide parents and guardians with information about potential eligibility for birth-to-three services and to add provisions requiring such directors to conduct inspections and order remediation whenever a confirmed venous blood lead level equals or exceeds 15 micrograms per deciliter but is less than 20 micrograms per deciliter or, on and after January 1, 2012, equals or exceeds 10 micrograms per deciliter, effective January 1, 2009.

      Sec. 19a-111a. Lead poisoning prevention program. Lead state agency. (a) The Department of Public Health shall be the lead state agency for lead poisoning prevention in this state. The Commissioner of Public Health shall (1) identify the state and local agencies in this state with responsibilities related to lead poisoning prevention, and (2) schedule a meeting of such state agencies and representative local agencies at least once annually in order to coordinate lead poisoning prevention efforts in this state.

      (b) The commissioner shall establish a lead poisoning prevention program to provide screening, diagnosis, consultation, inspection and treatment services, including, but not limited to, the prevention and elimination of lead poisoning through research, abatement, education and epidemiological and clinical activities. Such program shall include, but need not be limited to, the screening services provided pursuant to section 19a-111g.

      (c) Within available appropriations, the commissioner may contract with individuals, groups or agencies for the provision of necessary services and enter into assistance agreements with municipalities, cities, boroughs or district departments of health or special service districts for the development and implementation of comprehensive lead poisoning prevention programs consistent with the provisions of sections 19a-110 to 19a-111c, inclusive.

      (P.A. 87-394, S. 3, 7; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 03-252, S. 18; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 47.)

      History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 03-252 made a technical change in Subsec. (b); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) to designate Department of Public Health as lead state agency for lead poisoning prevention and establish duties as lead state agency, designated existing provisions re lead poisoning prevention program as new Subsec. (b) and expanded program to include lead screening services provided pursuant to Sec. 19a-111g and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c).

      Sec. 19a-111c. Abatement of lead in dwellings. List of encapsulant products. Regulations. (a) The owner of any dwelling in which the paint, plaster or other material is found to contain toxic levels of lead and in which children under the age of six reside, shall abate, remediate or manage such dangerous materials consistent with regulations adopted pursuant to this section. The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to establish requirements and procedures for testing, remediation, abatement and management of materials containing toxic levels of lead. For the purposes of this section, "remediation" means the use of interim controls, including, but not limited to, paint stabilization, spot point repair, dust control, specialized cleaning and covering of soil with mulch.

      (b) The commissioner shall authorize the use of any liquid, cementitious or flexible lead encapsulant product which complies with an appropriate standard for such products developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials or similar testing organization acceptable to the commissioner for the abatement and remediation of lead hazards. The commissioner shall maintain a list of all such approved lead encapsulant products that may be used in this state for the abatement and remediation of lead hazards.

      (c) (1) The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to regulate paint removal from the exterior of any building or structure where the paint removal project may present a health hazard to neighboring premises. The regulations may establish: (A) Definitions, (B) applicability and exemption criteria, (C) procedures for submission of notifications, (D) appropriate work practices, and (E) penalties for noncompliance.

      (2) The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to regulate the standards and procedures for testing, remediation, as defined in this section, abatement and management of materials containing toxic levels of lead in any premises.

      (P.A. 87-394, S. 5, 7; P.A. 93-321, S. 3, 6; P.A. 95-204, S. 1, 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 54.)

      History: P.A. 93-321 replaced requirement that dangerous materials be removed or covered with requirement that building owner "abate or manage" such materials "consistent with regulations adopted pursuant to this section"; P.A. 95-204 required the commissioner to authorize use of and keep a list of lead encapsulant products, effective June 28, 1995; 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; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 designated provisions re owner's duty to abate and corresponding regulations as Subsec. (a) and expanded owner's duty to include remediation of dangerous materials, expanded scope of regulations to include requirements and procedures for testing, remediation and management of dangerous materials and defined "remediation", designated provisions re approved lead encapsulant products as Subsec. (b) and added references to remediation of lead hazards therein and added Subsec. (c) authorizing Commissioner of Public Health to adopt regulations re paint removal from building exteriors and standards and procedures for testing, remediation, abatement and management of materials containing toxic levels of lead in any premises.

      Sec. 19a-111g*. Pediatric screening and risk assessment for lead poisoning. Duties of primary care provider. Exemption. (a) Each primary care provider giving pediatric care in this state, excluding a hospital emergency department and its staff: (1) Shall conduct lead screening at least annually for each child nine to thirty-five months of age, inclusive, in accordance with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Screening Advisory Committee recommendations for childhood lead screening in Connecticut; (2) shall conduct lead screening for any child thirty-six to seventy-two months of age, inclusive, who has not been previously screened or for any child under seventy-two months of age, if clinically indicated as determined by the primary care provider in accordance with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Screening Advisory Committee recommendations for childhood lead screening in Connecticut; (3) shall conduct a medical risk assessment at least annually for each child thirty-six to seventy-one months of age, inclusive, in accordance with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Screening Advisory Committee recommendations for childhood lead screening in Connecticut; (4) may conduct a medical risk assessment at any time for any child thirty-six months of age or younger who is determined by the primary care provider to be in need of such risk assessment in accordance with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Screening Advisory Committee recommendations for childhood lead screening in Connecticut.

      (b) The requirements of this section do not apply to any child whose parents or guardians object to blood testing as being in conflict with their religious tenets and practice.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 48.)

      *Note: This section is effective January 1, 2009.

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 effective January 1, 2009.

      Sec. 19a-111h. Review of lead poisoning data. Regulations. Not later than January 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Public Health shall review the data collected by the Department of Public Health regarding lead poisoning to determine if the data is recorded in a format that is compatible with the information reported by institutions and laboratories pursuant to section 19a-110. If the commissioner finds that such data should be reported in a different manner, the commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to establish the manner for reporting such data.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 53.)

      Sec. 19a-111i. Report re lead poisoning prevention efforts. (a) On or before January 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Public Health shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and human services on the status of lead poisoning prevention efforts in the state. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the number of children screened for lead poisoning during the preceding calendar year, (2) the number of children diagnosed with elevated blood levels during the preceding calendar year, and (3) the amount of testing, remediation, abatement and management of materials containing toxic levels of lead in all premises during the preceding calendar year.

      (b) On or before January 1, 2011, the Commissioner of Public Health shall (1) evaluate the lead screening and risk assessment conducted pursuant to sections 19a-110 and 19a-111g, and (2) report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and human services on the effectiveness of such screening and assessment, including a recommendation as to whether such screening and assessment should be continued as specified in said sections 19a-110 and 19a-111g.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 58.)

      Sec. 19a-111j. Financial assistance to local health departments for lead poisoning prevention efforts. Regulations. The Department of Public Health shall, within available appropriations, establish and administer a program of financial assistance to local health departments for expenses incurred in complying with applicable provisions of sections 19a-110, 19a-111a, 19a-206, 47a-52 and 47a-54f. The Commissioner of Public Health may adopt, in accordance with chapter 54, such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 59.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 effective July 1, 2007.

      Sec. 19a-111k. Applicability of OSHA standards to abatement and remediation of lead hazards. All standards adopted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, including, but not limited to, standards listed in 29 CFR 1910.1025 and 1926.62, as adopted pursuant to chapter 571 or 29 USC 651 et seq., as from time to time amended, as appropriate, and only as those standards apply to employers and employees, shall apply to the provisions of sections 19a-111c, 19a-206, 47a-52 and 47a-54f.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 60.)

      Sec. 19a-112e. Provision of emergency treatment to a victim of sexual assault. Standard of care. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Emergency contraception" means one or more prescription drugs used separately or in combination administered to or self-administered by a patient to prevent pregnancy, within a medically recommended amount of time after sexual intercourse and provided for that purpose, in accordance with professional standards of practice, and determined to be safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

      (2) "Emergency treatment" means any medical examination or treatment provided in a licensed health care facility to a victim of sexual assault following an alleged sexual assault.

      (3) "Medically and factually accurate and objective" means verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals, where applicable.

      (4) "Victim of sexual assault" means any female person who alleges or is alleged to have suffered an injury as a result of a sexual offense.

      (5) "Sexual offense" means a violation of subsection (a) of section 53a-70, section 53a-70a or 53a-70b, subsection (a) of section 53a-71, section 53a-72a or 53a-72b, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-86, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-87 or section 53a-90a, 53a-196a or 53a-196b.

      (6) "Independent provider" means a physician licensed under chapter 370, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370, an advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, or a nurse-midwife licensed under chapter 377, all of whom are trained to conduct a forensic exam in accordance with the state of Connecticut Technical Guidelines for Health Care Response to Victims of Sexual Assault, published by the Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations pursuant to section 19a-112a.

      (b) The standard of care for each licensed health care facility that provides emergency treatment to a victim of sexual assault shall include promptly:

      (1) Providing each victim of sexual assault with medically and factually accurate and objective information relating to emergency contraception;

      (2) Informing such victim of sexual assault of the availability of emergency contraception, its use and efficacy; and

      (3) Providing emergency contraception to such victim of sexual assault at the facility upon the request of such victim, except that a licensed health care facility shall not be required to provide emergency contraception to a victim of sexual assault who has been determined to be pregnant through the administration of a pregnancy test approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

      (c) In order to comply with the standard of care requirements prescribed in subsection (b) of this section, a licensed health care facility may contract with one or more independent providers to: (1) Ensure compliance at the facility with the standard of care requirements prescribed in said subsection (b), and (2) conduct at the facility a forensic exam of the sexual assault victim in accordance with the state of Connecticut Technical Guidelines for Health Care Response to Victims of Sexual Assault, published by the Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations pursuant to section 19a-112a.

      (d) No licensed health care facility that provides emergency treatment to a victim of sexual assault shall determine such facility's protocol for complying with the standard of care requirements prescribed in subsection (b) of this section on any basis other than a pregnancy test approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

      (P.A. 07-24, S. 1.)

      Sec. 19a-115. (Formerly Sec. 19-66f). Regulation of medical test units. Section 19a-115 is repealed, effective October 1, 2007.

      (P.A. 77-500; 77-614, S. 323, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 79-68; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 90.)

      Sec. 19a-116a. Reports required re in-vitro fertilization, gamete intra-fallopian transfer or zygote intra-fallopian transfer procedures covered by insurance. Section 19a-116a is repealed, effective October 1, 2007.

      (P.A. 05-196, S. 3; P.A. 07-252, S. 90.)

      Sec. 19a-121. HIV and AIDS: Grant program. (a) The Department of Public Health shall establish a grant program to provide funds to qualifying individuals and organizations, including local health departments, that serve persons infected with and affected by human immunodeficiency virus ("HIV") or acquired immune deficiency syndrome ("AIDS"), the families of such persons and persons at risk of contracting HIV or AIDS, or both. The grants shall be used for services including, but not limited to, education, counseling and prevention.

      (b) Any agency that receives funds from the department to provide tests for HIV shall give priority to persons in high risk categories.

      (P.A. 87-389, S. 1, 6; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 7.)

      History: 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. 07-252 amended Subsec. (a) to expand participation in grant program to qualifying individuals and organizations, including local health departments, that serve persons infected with and affected by HIV and persons at risk of contracting HIV or AIDS, or both, and amended Subsec. (b) to replace reference to AIDS tests with reference to HIV tests and eliminate requirement that agencies establish a fee schedule for tests based on ability to pay.

      Sec. 19a-121c. HIV and AIDS: Public information program. The Department of Public Health shall establish a public information program for the distribution of materials, including but not limited to, pamphlets, films and public service announcements, on HIV and AIDS.

      (P.A. 87-389, S. 3, 6; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 8.)

      History: 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. 07-252 expanded public information program to include HIV.

      Sec. 19a-121d. Grants for mass mailing of report on AIDS. Section 19a-121d is repealed, effective October 1, 2007.

      (P.A. 87-527, S. 2, 7; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 90.)

      Sec. 19a-121f. Grants for programs established for the study or treatment of HIV or AIDS. Any qualifying individual or organization may apply to the Commissioner of Public Health for a grant-in-aid for a program established for the study or treatment of HIV or AIDS, or both. Any request for such grant shall be submitted in writing to the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.

      (P.A. 87-527, S. 3, 7; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 07-252, S. 9.)

      History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 07-252 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting subsection designator and replacing former provisions with provisions expanding eligibility for grants for programs established for the study or treatment of HIV or AIDS to any qualifying individual or organization and deleted former Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations establishing guidelines and procedures for administration of grant program.

      Sec. 19a-122b. Hospice care programs and services. Initial licensing requirements. Prohibited use of terms "hospice" and "hospice care program". (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapters 368v and 368z, an organization licensed as a hospice pursuant to the Public Health Code or certified as a hospice pursuant to 42 USC 1395x, shall be authorized to operate a residence for terminally ill persons, for the purpose of providing hospice home care arrangements including, but not limited to, hospice home care services and supplemental services. Such arrangements shall be provided to those patients who would otherwise receive such care from family members. The residence shall provide a homelike atmosphere for such patients for a time period deemed appropriate for home health care services under like circumstances. Any hospice that operates a residence pursuant to the provisions of this section shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Public Health to develop standards for the licensure and operation of such homes.

      (b) On and after January 1, 2008, any organization seeking initial licensure as a hospice by the Department of Public Health shall (1) agree to provide hospice care services for terminally ill persons on a twenty-four-hour basis in all settings including, but not limited to, a private home, nursing home, residential care home or specialized residence that provides supportive services, and (2) present to the department satisfactory evidence that such organization has the necessary qualified personnel to provide services in such settings.

      (c) No organization may use the title "hospice" or "hospice care program" or make use of any title, words, letters or abbreviations indicating or implying that such organization is licensed to provide hospice services unless such organization is licensed to provide such services by the Department of Public Health and certified as a hospice pursuant to 42 USC 1395x.

      (P.A. 92-33, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 57; 95-297; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 118, 165; P.A. 00-135, S. 5, 21; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 96; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 204; P.A. 07-23, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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. 95-297 extended the program's expiration date from 1995 to 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 extended the pilot program from 1997 to 2000, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 00-135 extended the pilot program from 2000 to 2001, effective May 26, 2000; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 extended the pilot program from 2001 to 2006, effective August 15, 2002; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 deleted references to operation of program "on a pilot basis" and expiration date of October 1, 2006, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 07-23 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and made technical changes therein, added Subsec. (b) re requirements for organizations seeking initial licensure as a hospice and added Subsec. (c) re use of the title "hospice" and "hospice care program".

      Sec. 19a-131k. Mandatory distribution of potassium iodide. (a) For purposes of this section:

      (1) "Child day care service" means a child day care center, group day care home or family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, and licensed pursuant to section 19a-80 or 19a-87b;

      (2) "Public health emergency" means a public health emergency, as defined in section 19a-131;

      (3) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health;

      (4) "Nursing home facility" means any nursing home, as defined in section 19a-521, but shall not include residential care homes; and

      (5) "Youth camp" means any facility licensed pursuant to chapter 368r.

      (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, each nursing home facility, child day care service or youth camp shall provide potassium iodide to residents, staff members, minors or other persons present in such facility, day care service or camp when directed by the commissioner during a public health emergency. Each nursing home facility, child day care service or youth camp shall (1) upon admitting a resident or minor to, or upon hiring a staff member for, such facility, notify each resident or representative of a resident, staff member or parent or guardian of a minor of the requirement for the provision of potassium iodide under this subsection and obtain prior written permission or written objection for such provision from each such person, and (2) prior to obtaining such written permission or written objection, advise each such person, in writing, (A) that the ingestion of potassium iodide is voluntary only, (B) about the contraindications of taking potassium iodide, and (C) about the potential side effects of taking potassium iodide.

      (c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish criteria and procedures for obtaining the required written permission, and for the storage and distribution of potassium iodide to residents, staff members, minors or other persons present in such facility, day care service or camp.

      (P.A. 03-236, S. 15; P.A. 07-129, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 03-236 effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 07-129 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for mandatory distribution of potassium iodide by nursing home facilities, child day care services or youth camps during public health emergencies.