HB 5168, An Act Concerning The Secure Transmission Of Minor Patient Safety Plans To Schools By Health Care Providers
TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning HB 5168, An Act Concerning The Secure Transmission Of Minor Patient Safety Plans To Schools By Health Care Providers.
Connecticut hospitals make our state stronger by delivering nationally recognized, world-class care, supporting jobs and economic growth, and serving communities across Connecticut. Every day, hospitals improve access, affordability, and health equity — providing care to all patients regardless of ability to pay. At the same time, hospitals invest in their workforce and local communities, even as they navigate significant financial and federal challenges.
Among other provisions, HB 5168 would, under certain conditions, require each healthcare provider that prepares a safety plan for a minor patient who received inpatient behavioral healthcare treatment for a period not less than 12 consecutive days to share such plan with a designated school employee from the patient’s school system.
CHA understands the goal of the bill is to create a process to bridge the gap between medical care and school oversight, and to support interventions for certain vulnerable patients. HB 5168 reflects language negotiated between the proponent of the bill, CHA, and other stakeholders during the 2025 Legislative Session. We appreciate and thank the committee for honoring last year’s discussions and for bringing this version of the bill forward for further consideration.
If there is an interest in advancing this bill, we urge the committee to make no changes and advance the bill as negotiated last year, which is the version currently before the committee.
Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.