Advocacy Center
State Advocacy
The Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program wants to make sure that as we enter the 2025 legislative session our legislators, public health officials and key decision makers across the state are able to hear from their constituents regarding issues that matter to them. We have created this web page as a central resource to help streamline that process. We encourage readers to check this page regularly for updates as we try to keep our finger on the pulse of the legislative session and will provide weekly tracking logs of long term care related bills, but also suggest to use the resources listed to make your voices heard. We recommend confirming committee public hearing schedules for key bills related to key topics and taking opportunities to let your legislators know how you think they should vote when it comes to issues that matter most. For a quick summary and overview of the legislative process click here, or find out how a bill becomes a law here in Connecticut. If you want to stay up to date and have updates sent right to your e-mail box, consider signing up for LTCOP Emails!
Connecticut General Assembly Resources
Connecticut General Assembly Main Page Link
Committee Assignments
A full and exhaustive list of all 2025 Legislative Committee Assignments can be found below as well as opportunities to testify based on Committee Public Hearing Agenda's. You also can follow the House/Senate Journals for updates related to bills as they come out.
Contact Info for Key Committees
Find Testimony Opportunities By Following Committee Public Hearing Agendas Page
House/Senate Journal
LTCOP Bill Tracker
- During each legislative session, The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program continues to track and highlight a selection of priority focus bills as they relate to individuals who receive their Long Term Services and Supports in settings such as Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Residential Care Homes. The Bill Tracker is Updated Weekly and can be Accessed Here.
CGA Website: How to Create Your Own Bill Tracker
Take Action - Speak Up! Contact Your Representative Today
My Representatives Contact Sheet
How to Write an Effective Letter - Template Format
2025 Legislative Session Overview:
LOOKING BACK - END OF CT LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY 2025
The 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session, which ran from January 8 to June 4, closed with notable progress for long-term care services and supports. The General Assembly advanced legislation that directly strengthens protections for individuals residing in nursing homes, residential care homes (RCHs), and assisted living facilities. This session underscored the legislature’s commitment to upholding dignity, safety, and quality of life for individuals receiving long-term care, while addressing longstanding systemic challenges and emerging needs.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program’s (LTCOP) legislative priorities centered on advancing resident rights, improving discharge and transfer protections, strengthening oversight and transparency, and ensuring fair treatment in care settings. In alignment with these goals, lawmakers enacted several measures that expand anti-discrimination protections, reinforce safeguards for residents during facility closures and discharges, and create new pathways for education, empowerment, and emergency preparedness.
Key Legislative Gains for Long-Term Care
This session produced several landmark laws that will have a lasting impact on long-term care in Connecticut. Public Act 25-17 prohibits discrimination in nursing homes and managed residential communities, protecting residents from differential treatment on the basis of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, and other characteristics. Facilities are now required to prominently post non-discrimination notices and ensure staff complete biennial cultural competency training, helping to foster more inclusive and respectful environments for all residents.
Public Act 25-154 extends similar anti-discrimination requirements to all licensed healthcare providers, including long-term care facilities, and establishes such conduct as a discriminatory practice under state law. These laws collectively signal a significant step forward in guaranteeing equitable care and affirming the rights of individuals in care settings.
Lawmakers also took action to enhance oversight, accountability, and emergency preparedness across the long-term care system. Public Act 25-96 strengthens the Department of Public Health’s regulatory authority over nursing homes, RCHs, and assisted living service agencies (ALSAs), increasing penalties for substantial violations and expanding licensing enforcement. At the same time, Public Act 25-16 establishes a residential care home evacuation working group and reinforces discharge protections in both nursing homes and RCHs, ensuring residents’ rights are respected during transfers and placements, and that proximity to family and support networks is prioritized.
Recognizing the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Public Act 25-16 also creates a statewide task force to develop and update a comprehensive Alzheimer’s Plan and requires insurance coverage for biomarker testing to support early diagnosis and treatment. These initiatives will improve care coordination and strengthen Connecticut’s ability to respond to the needs of residents living with cognitive impairments.
In addition, lawmakers expanded opportunities for empowerment and engagement. Residents of nursing homes who have lived in a facility for at least 30 days will now be eligible for tuition waivers at Connecticut’s community colleges under Public Act 25-16, offering pathways for personal growth and connection to the broader community.
Finally, measures like Public Act 25-15 ensure that veterans are given priority admission to federally contracted veterans’ homes, while Public Act 25-48 launches a study of conservatorship practices to identify improvements for individuals requiring representation in care settings.
Together, these legislative gains mark meaningful progress in advancing the rights, safety, and well-being of individuals receiving long-term care in Connecticut. They also reinforce the critical role of the Ombudsman Program in ensuring residents and families are informed and empowered to exercise their rights as these new protections take effect.
Detailed Summaries of Key 2025 Public Acts
PA 25-89 | HB 7108 – AN ACT CONVERNING AUTISM AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVIES AND ABUSE AND NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS
Public Act No. 25‑89 (formerly HB 7108), signed into law on June 23, 2025, significantly enhances oversight, transparency, and support for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Connecticut. The bill makes the following key changes:
- Section 1: Increased Transparency in Abuse, Neglect & Death Investigations
- Requires Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to promptly report and publicly disclose investigations involving allegations of abuse, neglect, or death within its programs. It introduces a mandatory annual public report detailing such investigations and outcomes, ensuring accountability and visibility into the system’s handling of serious incidents. The report shall include:
- The number of abuse and neglect complaints received by the Department of Developmental Services in the previous calendar year, including deaths of persons reported;
- The number and type of complaints that were investigated by the department and the percentage of such complaints investigated directly by the department or by private providers;
- The number and percentage of cases that were substantiated; and
- What, if any, administrative action was taken by the department regarding such substantiated complaints, including distribution of outcomes and recommendations
- Requires DDS to review and post the policies and procedures on the departments website
- Section 2: Stronger Oversight of State Funds: Mandates detailed tracking and public reporting of how state appropriations are spent on autism and IDD services, improving fiscal transparency.
- Section 3-4: Convene a Workgroup and Conduct a Study on the Future of Southbury Training School. Additionally, DSS/OPM shall apply for any available funding or private grant to conducta state-wide autism needs assessment. If funded the needs assessment shall:
- Collect data on people living with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers to inform policy and service delivery in the State of Connecticut
- And be posted on the internet website for DSS.
- Section 5:
- OPM and Governors Kid Cabinet shall establish a working group to examine the feasibility of an interagency complex case team for young adults age 17-22 with IDD or developmental disabilities, including AS with co-occurring mental or behavioral health needs, are in need of community placement or agency services, and qualify for support from more than one state agency. Then submit a report on the findings.
- Section 6: Annual Joint Informational Hearing
The committees on appropriations, human services, and public health to hold an annual joint informational hearing to review how the Departments of Developmental Services (DDS) and Social Services (DSS) are ensuring the safety and quality of care for individuals with disabilities receiving services through federal Medicaid waiver programs. These hearings may cover topics such as how the agencies are responding to audit findings and recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and the state Auditors of Public Accounts, the timeliness of abuse and neglect complaint reporting, and the implementation of corrective actions related to such complaints.
Overall, Public Act 25‑89 strengthens Connecticut’s commitment to the health, safety, and rights of individuals with autism and IDD by enhancing service access and ensuring transparent, accountable systems for protecting vulnerable populations.
PA 25-17 | HB 6913 - AN ACT PROHIBITING LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS. Effective October 1, 2025, this law prohibits long-term care facilities in Connecticut; including nursing homes and managed residential communities with assisted living services from discriminating against residents based on a wide range of protected characteristics. These include race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or intellectual disability, veteran status, HIV status, and status as a victim of domestic violence. Facilities must prominently display a notice of non-discrimination and inform residents of their right to file complaints with the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The law also mandates privacy protections during physical care and ensures residents can refuse non-therapeutic examinations. Additionally, facilities must provide biennial cultural competency training developed by the Department of Public Health (Developed by January 1, 2026) for staff working directly with residents, with a focus on the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV. This same training must be completed for all new hires within six months of their hire date. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action, and the statute does not preclude residents from pursuing additional legal remedies.
- Each long-term care facility shall post in a prominent place in such facility the following notice printed in at least fourteen-point boldface capital letters: "(NAME OF FACILITY) DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AND DOES NOT PERMIT DISCRIMINATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BULLYING, ABUSE, HARASSMENT OR DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGIOUS CREED, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, MENTAL DISABILITY, LEARNING DISABILITY, PHYSICAL DISABILITY, STATUS AS A VETERAN, STATUS AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS STATUS. YOU MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE LONGTERM CARE OMBUDSMAN (PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION) IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION."
- The State Ombudsman shall establish policies and procedures for recording complaints filed by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities pursuant to the provisions of this section.
PA 25-16 | HB 6771 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA TASK FORCE, REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIOMARKER TESTING AND CONCERNING TRANSFERS AND DISCHARGES IN RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, TUITION WAIVERS FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO TAKE COURSES AT REGIONAL COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES AND NURSING HOMES.
Section 1 – Expansion of Background Check Requirements
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
This section expands and updates the criminal history and patient abuse background search program for long-term care facility staff, including employees, contractors, and certain volunteers. It applies to facilities such as nursing homes, residential care homes (RCHs), Assisted Living Service Agencies, home health agencies, and hospice providers. It applies to individuals who have direct access to residents. "Direct access" means physical access to a patient or resident of a long-term care facility that affords an individual with the opportunity to commit abuse or neglect against or misappropriate the property of a patient or resident.It defines “disqualifying offenses” and outlines when background checks must be performed, including exceptions (e.g., recent prior checks or emergencies).
Section 2 – Establishment of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Task Force
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Creates a task force to develop a comprehensive State Alzheimer's Plan. The State Alzheimer’s Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to assess and address the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Connecticut, including service gaps, workforce capacity, caregiver support, public awareness, and long-term policy solutions. It aims to improve care, promote early diagnosis, and ensure the state is prepared to meet the growing demand for dementia-related services. The plan must be updated every four years, with an annual report due beginning January 1, 2027. Membership includes stakeholders from government, healthcare, advocacy organizations, and individuals with lived experience.
Section 3 – Strengthening Discharge Protections in Residential Care Homes
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Amends §19a-535a to reinforce resident rights during involuntary transfers or discharges from RCHs. Key updates:
- Require that discharge notices include an attestation of same-day submission to the Ombudsman’s portal.
- Mandate inclusion of the discharge location in the notice and require updates if it changes.
- Ensure facilities consider proximity to family and support networks when assisting with placement.
- New Appeal Rights:
- If the location changes after the original notice, the resident or their representative gets a new 10-day appeal window, during which discharge is automatically stayed.
Sections 4 & 5 – Health Insurance Coverage for Biomarker Testing
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Mandates individual (Section 4) and group (Section 5) health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing used to diagnose, treat, or monitor diseases—if clinically useful. Coverage must minimize care disruptions and allow exceptions and appeal processes. Prior authorization must be completed within 7 days (or 72 hours if urgent).
Section 6 – Tuition Waivers for Nursing Home Residents
Effective Date: Upon Passage (June 3, 2025)
Expands tuition waivers at Connecticut’s regional community-technical colleges to include residents of nursing homes who have lived there for at least 30 days. Enrollment is allowed only if space is available after standard registration.
Section 7 – Transfer Assistance Requirements
Effective Date: Upon Passage (June 3, 2025)
Amends §19a-535 to reinforce resident rights during involuntary transfers or discharges from nursing homes. Requires nursing homes to consider proximity to family and known support networks when assisting residents with transfers or alternative placements.
Section 8 – Residential Care Home Evacuation Working Group
Effective Date: Upon Passage (June 3, 2025)
Directs the State Ombudsman, with DPH and DSS, to convene a working group to:
- Review RCH evacuation procedures
- Consider requiring RCHs to join a mutual aid digital emergency management platform
A report with findings and recommendations is due to the legislature by January 1, 2026.
Section 9 – Nursing Home Admission Flexibility After Closures
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Modifies existing law to:
- Require nursing homes to admit applicants displaced by closures or anticipated closures, even if the receiving home has a waiting list (with some exceptions).
- Adds protections for residents affected by closures of homes in receivership or those that have submitted a Certificate of Need (CON) with five or fewer residents.
PA 25-154 | SB 1380 - AN ACT PROHIBITING HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE SERVICES. Effective Date: October 1, 2025, this law prohibits health care providers in Connecticut, including nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, from discriminating against individuals receiving care based on a wide range of protected characteristics. These include race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual, mental, learning, or physical disability (including blindness), veteran status, and status as a victim of domestic violence. The law applies to all officers, employees, and agents of licensed health care providers and establishes such discrimination as a “discriminatory practice” under Connecticut law. The statute clarifies that it does not require health care providers to administer care deemed medically inappropriate or futile, nor does it alter existing standards of professional care. Providers are encouraged to review their internal policies and staff training to ensure compliance with these new anti-discrimination requirements.
PA 25-48 | SB 1501 - AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS.
Effective Dates Vary, this law makes numerous changes to Probate Court procedures in Connecticut. It updates provisions regarding birth registrations outside institutions, reconsideration and modification of ex parte orders, and requirements for personal service in certain Probate matters. The act also expands protections and processes in adoption proceedings and mandates investigations into issues affecting conservators.
Notably, it directs the Probate Court Administrator to convene a working group (effective July 1, 2025) including Probate Court judges, the Department of Social Services (DSS), nursing home representatives, and conservator attorneys to study and recommend improvements to conservatorship practices. The group will focus on issues such as payment delays for court-appointed conservators, fee waiver requirements, and conservator compensation levels, and must submit recommendations by January 15, 2026.
PA 25-25 | SB 1367 – AN ACT PROHIBITING A BAIL BONDSMAN OR AGENT FROM APPREHENDING A PRINCIPAL ON THE PREMISES OF CERTAIN FACILITIES.
Effective October 1, 2025, this law prohibits professional bondsmen, surety bail bond agents, and bail enforcement agents in Connecticut from apprehending individuals on bond (“principals”) on the premises, grounds, or campus of certain sensitive locations. These include:
- Any health care facility or institution licensed under state law or operated by the state, and the offices of health care providers licensed by the Department of Public Health.
- Public or private schools and institutions of higher education.
- Houses of worship.
Before apprehending a principal, the agent must notify the appropriate law enforcement agency in the municipality where the individual is located.
PA 25-15 | HB 6442 - AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS MEASURES RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE MILITARY SERVICE OF VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN CONNECTICUT. Effective July 1, 2025, this law amends CGS § 19a-533 to strengthen protections and establish priority admissions for veterans in Connecticut nursing homes. Under the new provisions, veterans seeking placement in federally contracted veterans’ nursing homes contracted by the Department of Veterans Affairs are granted priority admission. This ensures that eligible veterans have access to the specialized care and service in their communities of origin, and aren’t left without appropriate placement. Facilities must give precedence to these veterans when filling available beds, and the Department of Social Services is authorized to monitor compliance with this requirement.
PA 25-96 | HB 6978 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH STATUTES. Effective July 1, 2025 (with some provisions effective from passage or October 1, 2025), this law makes numerous updates to Connecticut’s public health statutes, strengthening regulatory oversight and clarifying licensing requirements for health care facilities. Notably, nursing homes remain subject to full Department of Public Health (DPH) inspections for license renewals, while residential care homes and assisted living service agencies (ALSAs) that are Medicare or Medicaid certified may qualify for inspection waivers at renewal. The act expands DPH’s enforcement authority across all licensed facilities, including nursing homes, RCHs, and ALSAs, allowing civil penalties up to $25,000 for substantial violations, directed plans of correction, and restrictions on facility acquisitions after compliance failures. These measures aim to enhance accountability and streamline licensing processes, while also establishing stricter requirements for water and sewage systems that may affect facility expansions and new construction.
PA 25-121 | HB 1266 - AN ACT REQUIRING THE POSTING OF FAIR RENT COMMISSION BYLAWS AND THAT THE HEARINGS OF SUCH COMMISSIONS BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Effective July 1, 2025 ,Public Act No. 25-121 strengthens transparency and public access in the operations of municipal fair rent commissions in Connecticut. Under the law, any fair rent commission established by a municipality is now required to make its bylaws publicly available by posting them on a publicly accessible website. In addition, all hearings conducted by these commissions must be open to the public. These provisions are intended to promote greater accountability and ensure that tenants, landlords, and the broader community have clear access to the procedures and decisions made by fair rent commissions.
WANT A BIGGER LOOK BACK?
Explore Our Advocacy Over the Years Page
Discover the milestones of our ongoing commitment to long-term care residents by visiting our "Advocacy Over the Years" timeline. This resource provides a comprehensive overview of significant legislative agendas, key bills, and pivotal issues we've championed throughout various legislative sessions. Stay informed about our past achievements and future initiatives in enhancing the quality of long-term care across Connecticut.
Federal Advocacy
Essential Caregivers Act
H.R.4280: The Essential Caregivers Act of 2024
The Essential Caregivers Act of 2024 (S.4280) aims to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to mandate that skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities permit essential caregivers access during periods when regular visitation is restricted. Introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal and John Cornyn on May 8, 2024, the bill defines essential caregivers as individuals designated by or on behalf of a resident to provide assistance, including help with activities of daily living, emotional support, or companionship. The legislation seeks to ensure that residents maintain critical support from essential caregivers, even during emergencies that limit standard visitation rights.
Federal Call to Action (Milbank)
Issue Brief: A Call for Federal Action to Improve Nursing Facilities
Policy Points
- To address longstanding quality concerns and disparities in nursing facilities, CMS should link federal funding to quality improvement and promote value-based payment
- To spur improvement in nursing facilities, CMS should expand its nursing facility guidance and include structural measures like staff turnover in its Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements
Abstract
- Nursing facility (NF) residents’ high infection rates and poor overall care experiences during the COVID-19 public health emergency have reinforced and amplified long-standing concerns about the quality and cost-effectiveness of NF care. In light of documented disparities in access, experience of care, and outcomes, these concerns are especially urgent for residents of color. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken some actions to promote a focus on quality, much more should be done to articulate federal policy and to inspire and incentivize improvement. Specifically, CMS should:
- Endorse linkage of any further public health emergency—related funding or other federal financial reimbursement to quality improvement.
- Align Medicare and Medicaid efforts to promote payment policies that are based on risk adjustment for complex care and incorporate value-based payment principles, eliminate unintended consequences of federal policies such as routine approval of nursing home bed taxes, and adopt a common foundation of quality measures.
- Expand existing guidance on rebalancing long-term services and supports.
- Enhance conditions of participation for nursing homes and hospitals by including structural measures such as census and staff turnover.
- Build out existing mechanisms like Care Compare to enhance public transparency, availability, and usability of cost report and ownership information and to provide timely and complete information on NF citations.
Watch Public Hearing and Committee Meetings Live
CGA Training: How to View Meetings/Hearings Virtually
To watch any public hearing and committee meeting live, visit the main website www.cga.ct.gov and check out the schedule of events / calendar on the front page. Click on the one you'd like to watch as the event occurs.
The General Assembly has established a Youtube channel for each committee (also accessible at cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/broadcastmedia.asp under the "CGA Live Streaming Feeds" heading).
How to Testify Virtually Online
CGA Training: How to Testify Virtually Online
CGA Website: A Guide on How to Contact Legislators and Testify Remotely
What to Expect When Testifying Remotely
Joining the Meeting: When you request to testify on a particular bill, you will be sent a calendar invite with a zoom meeting for the date/time of the event. Then, on the day of the event you will log into and join the zoom meeting and be placed in a holding room, but should still be able to see the meeting taking place. While in this waiting room/holding room. You will be on mute and your camera will not show. As the meeting progresses they will ultimately start accepting testimony from those who are approved and call them name by name to speak. Eventually it will be your turn to testify and they will call your name. When they call your name you will see rotating circle that says "Re-entering the meeting". At that time you should unmute and turn your camera on. You will then be allowed to speak.
How to Start Your Testimony: At the beginning of your testimony you will address the committee. Your testimony should begin with:
"Good afternoon Senator (CHAIR last name) , Representative (CHAIR last name), and distinguished members of the (Name of the Committee) Committee. My name is (your name) and I am here today to testify regarding (BILL NUMBER X) or (BILL NUMBERS X, Y, Z)."
If only testifying on behalf of one bill, say the bill number and full title and then tell your story or why your are for or against the bill. If you are testifying for multiple Bills, you can go through them one at a time by stating the bill number and full title of the bill and then the reasons why you are testifying on behalf of each one individually.
How to End Your Testimony: End by thanking them for hearing you today and let them know you welcome any questions.
*NOTE: Keep in mind each speaker has a total of 3 min to testify, so it is helpful to time and practice your testimony ahead of time so you know you wont be rushed and can get to all of your points during your delivery.
Upcoming Public Hearings
Listed on CGA Calendar of Events Page
The Nursing Home and Assisted Living Oversight Working Group (NHALOWG)
The Nursing Home and Assisted Living Oversight Working Group (NHALOWG) was formed to make recommendations on proposed legislation for the 2021 session addressing lessons learned from COVID-19, based upon the Mathematica final report (A Study of the COVID-19 Outbreak and Response in Connecticut Long-Term Care Facilities) and other related information, concerning:
- Structural challenges in the operation and infrastructure of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; and
- Changes needed to meet the demands of any future pandemic
Connecticut CT-N Network
Election and Absentee Ballot Information
Further Information About the Legislative Process
Take Action - Speak Up! Contact Your Local Representative Today
My Representatives Contact Sheet
How to Write an Effective Letter - Template Format