House Bill 5053 (sHB5053 File No. 597) addresses several aspects of health and human services, including the employment status of regional emergency medical services coordinators and assistant coordinators, and the management of Medicaid waiver program waiting lists. The bill repeals and replaces sections of the general statutes to offer certain individuals employed as of June 30, 2010, unclassified durational positions within the Department of Public Health, with the possibility of extension and eventual transition into classified service. It exempts these positions from collective bargaining and specifies that service credit will not be given for time served prior to July 1, 2010. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Developmental Services and the Commissioner of Social Services to annually report on the waiting lists for Medicaid waiver programs, including detailed data on the number of individuals waiting for and receiving services, changes in waiting list numbers, and recommendations for improvements.

The bill also includes provisions for the Human Services Career Pipeline program, which is aimed at ensuring a sufficient number of trained providers for the elderly and individuals with various disabilities. It modifies the reporting requirements for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, consolidating them into annual reports to be submitted to legislative committees and posted on the department's websites. The bill allows the Chief Workforce Officer to establish the pipeline program and requires a report on its plan and funding by January 1, 2025. The bill also transitions certain EMS coordinator positions into classified service and repeals Section 17a-215e of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes. The fiscal impact statement indicates no fiscal impact, as the Office of Workforce Strategy is expected to develop the plan within existing resources. The bill has received joint favorable outcomes from the Human Services Committee and the Appropriations Committee.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill:
HS Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference:
APP Joint Favorable:
File No. 597: