House Bill No. 6910 seeks to improve access to long-term care facilities for service-connected veterans by establishing exceptions to the existing waiting list requirements for federally contracted veterans nursing homes. The bill modifies Section 19a-533 of the general statutes by replacing terms such as "nursing home" with "Nursing home" and "indigent person" with "Indigent person," while introducing new definitions for "Federally contracted veterans nursing home" and "Service-connected veteran." It mandates that nursing homes maintain an electronic waiting list, communicate timely with applicants, and ensure non-discriminatory treatment of indigent persons in the admission process. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of nursing homes, including posting non-discrimination policies and maintaining records for investigations, while granting the Department of Social Services the authority to impose financial penalties for violations.

A significant change introduced by HB 6910 is the exception that allows nursing homes contracted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (US DVA) to admit service-connected veterans regardless of their position on the waiting list, provided they meet the US DVA's eligibility criteria. The bill retains existing provisions that allow nursing homes to bypass waiting lists under certain conditions, such as facility closures or private room vacancies, and clarifies that nursing homes are not obligated to admit indigent individuals under specific circumstances, like Medicaid denial. With technical amendments included, the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline the admission process for veterans while ensuring compliance with established regulations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
VA Joint Favorable:
File No. 43: