Governor Signs Healthcare Bills Into Law

In the week following the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law multiple bills concerning hospitals and health systems, including:

• SB 395 (PA 24-6), An Act Concerning The Reporting Of Medical Debt, a bill supported by the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) that would prohibit Connecticut healthcare providers and hospitals or entities owned by or affiliated with hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit rating agencies for use in a credit report
• SB 181 (PA 24-4), An Act Concerning Emergency Department Crowding, a bill that would require hospitals to report certain data regarding emergency department crowding to the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee. The bill was amended to include language supported by CHA to advance collaboration on solutions to reduce emergency department
• SB 368 (PA 24-7), An Act Concerning Source Plasma Donation Centers, a bill supported by CHA that would make changes to Department of Public Health (DPH) oversight and the regulations governing plasma donation centers by allowing the designation of physicians as center directors and would clarify when apheresis is allowed for blood or blood component collection, provided the entity performing these activities complies with relevant federal laws and regulations

CHA applauds the collaborative work between lawmakers, state officials, the Governor, hospitals, and advocates to pass these important pieces of legislation. 

Additional legislation of importance to hospitals and health systems awaiting action by the Governor includes:

• HB 5058, An Act Adopting The Nurse Licensure Compact, a bill introduced by Governor Ned Lamont and supported by CHA that adopts the multi-state nursing license compact. The bill creates a process for qualified nurses to obtain a multi-state license, allowing them to practice and communicate with patients across state lines, both in-person and via telenursing.  The bill permits out-of-state nurses who have a multi-state license to practice in Connecticut
• HB 5198, An Act Concerning Telehealth, a bill supported by CHA that would permanently extend many of the telehealth provisions adopted in 2021 and 2022, including reimbursement parity.  Of note, the bill allows, for one year, out-of-state mental and behavioral health providers who are not licensed in Connecticut to provide telehealth services provided that they register with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and meet other requirements
• HB 5200, An Act Concerning Health Care Accessibility For Persons With A Disability, a bill that would require healthcare providers to ensure certain medical diagnostic equipment be accessible for persons with a disability.  Through CHA’s advocacy, to better serve patients, the bill was substantially adjusted to address concerns raised about the initial proposed language