General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1285 proposes the establishment of a pilot program for overdose prevention centers in Connecticut, aimed at providing community-based support for individuals with substance use disorders. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, to set up these centers in four municipalities by July 1, 2026. These centers will offer services such as counseling, drug testing, education on opioid antagonists, and referrals to treatment, with licensed health care providers on-site to monitor substance consumption and provide medical assistance during overdoses. An advisory committee will be formed to guide the program's implementation, consisting of stakeholders like health professionals and law enforcement, and will address issues such as drug paraphernalia disposal and liability protections.

The bill also amends existing laws related to health care facilities by introducing provisions for the pilot program and clarifying exemptions from the certificate of need requirement for harm reduction and overdose prevention centers. Key changes include the deletion of the phrase "at" in relation to harm reduction centers, replaced with "of," and the addition of "or overdose prevention centers" to expand the program's scope. Additionally, it allows for the establishment of birth centers enrolled in the Connecticut medical assistance program until June 30, 2028. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services is tasked with reporting on the pilot program's progress and any necessary legislative changes by January 1, 2027, thereby enhancing access to critical health services while ensuring regulatory compliance.