Substitute House Bill No. 6834 seeks to amend various statutes related to mental health and addiction services in Connecticut, as recommended by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Key provisions include the repeal and substitution of legal language concerning the waiver of program fees for indigent individuals seeking substance use treatment. The bill allows courts to waive fees for those unable to pay, with any eligible costs covered by health insurance. Additionally, it mandates that DMHAS will cover costs not covered by insurance, such as copays or deductibles. The bill also replaces the term "substance abuse" with "substance use" throughout the statutes, reflecting a more supportive approach to substance use issues. It designates DMHAS as the lead agency for substance use prevention and treatment and establishes the Ribicoff Research Center for statewide research.

Further amendments include the expansion of the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to include two municipal representatives, increasing its membership from 23 to 25. The bill allows telehealth providers to prescribe certain controlled substances, specifically schedule II or III drugs, for medication-assisted treatment, provided they comply with federal regulations. It also clarifies definitions and regulations surrounding opioid drugs and telehealth practices, including the ability for prescribing practitioners to dispense opioid antagonists to individuals at risk of overdose. The effective date for insurance coverage provisions is set for July 1, 2025, while terminology updates will take effect on October 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the accessibility and integrity of mental health and substance use services in Connecticut through coordinated efforts and updated regulatory frameworks.

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