Substitute House Bill No. 6771 establishes an Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Task Force to develop a comprehensive State Alzheimer's Plan, which will address the needs of individuals with these conditions, including long-term care and caregiver support. The task force will consist of eleven members appointed by the Governor and is required to meet quarterly, submit annual reports, and evaluate existing resources to improve public awareness and training for healthcare providers. The bill also mandates health insurance coverage for biomarker testing effective January 1, 2026, ensuring that such testing is covered when clinically useful for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring diseases. Key terms related to biomarker testing are defined, and insurance entities must provide a clear process for exceptions and disputes regarding coverage.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws concerning the transfer and discharge of residents from facilities, enhancing the appeal process for involuntary transfers or discharges and requiring written notice to residents and their families. It expands eligibility for tuition waivers at regional community-technical colleges to include residents aged sixty-two and older and those in nursing homes for at least thirty days. The bill also establishes a working group to evaluate evacuation procedures for residential care homes and modifies admission criteria for nursing homes to streamline the process for applicants transferring from closing facilities. Notably, it repeals certain subsections of section 19a-491c related to criminal history and patient abuse background checks, replacing them with new requirements for background checks for long-term care service employees and volunteers.

Statutes affected:
File No. 903:
Public Act No. 25-16: