Substitute House Bill No. 6978, also known as Public Act No. 25-96, amends various public health statutes with a focus on enhancing the Department of Public Health's maternal mortality review program. The bill introduces a new subsection (h) to Section 19a-6t, allowing the council to apply for and accept funding, including grants and donations, to support its functions. It also modifies Sections 19a-59h and 19a-59i to ensure confidentiality of information collected for the maternal mortality review program, which can be utilized to improve vital statistics data. Additionally, the bill emphasizes hospitals' obligations to provide access to patient medical records while maintaining confidentiality. The act also repeals and substitutes certain subsections in Section 19a-25, clarifying the confidentiality of information collected by the Department and its committees, and streamlining licensing procedures for health institutions.

The bill further revises licensing and regulatory frameworks for health institutions and medical professionals. It establishes that licenses for Medicare-certified health institutions will be valid for a maximum of three years and clarifies that licenses are non-transferable. The Commissioner of Public Health is granted enhanced powers, including the ability to take action against non-compliant institutions, conduct hearings, and issue subpoenas. The bill also introduces provisions for retired medical professionals to renew their licenses at reduced fees and mandates that licensed professionals maintain professional liability insurance. Additionally, it addresses regulations for volunteer services at clinics, sewage treatment systems, and water supply systems, emphasizing compliance with health standards and the need for department approval for construction or expansion of water systems. Overall, the bill aims to improve public health administration, regulatory oversight, and patient safety.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-99
PH Joint Favorable: 20-99
File No. 149: 20-99
Public Act No. 25-96: 20-99