The Substitute House Bill No. 6834 aims to enhance mental health and addiction services in Connecticut by revising existing statutes related to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Key provisions include the repeal of certain subparagraphs and the introduction of new measures that ensure financial support for indigent individuals seeking substance use treatment. Specifically, if a court determines a person is unable to pay for treatment, it can waive fees, and DMHAS will cover any costs not addressed by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. The bill also updates terminology by replacing "substance abuse" with "substance use," reflecting a more contemporary understanding of addiction, and outlines DMHAS's responsibilities as the lead agency for substance use prevention and treatment.

Additionally, the bill expands the membership of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Council and establishes an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to oversee the allocation of funds from opioid settlements. It allows telehealth providers to prescribe certain controlled substances for medication-assisted treatment and updates definitions related to opioid drugs to align with federal standards. The bill also mandates that insurance providers cover the costs of substance use treatment for individuals deemed indigent under specific pretrial programs, shifting financial responsibility from DMHAS to insurance providers. Overall, these changes aim to improve accessibility, coordination, and funding for mental health and substance use services in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-56q
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 54-56q
File No. 108: 54-56q