Senate Bill No. 1373 establishes a licensure requirement for lactation consultants in Connecticut, effective July 1, 2026. The bill defines a "lactation consultant" as an individual certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and licensed under the new provisions. It prohibits unlicensed individuals from practicing lactation consulting for compensation or using the title "lactation consultant," while allowing certain exceptions for licensed professionals, students in accredited programs, and public health workers who do not use the title. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is designated to oversee the licensure process, which includes a $200 application fee and a $100 biennial renewal fee, contingent upon maintaining certification and completing continuing education.

The bill also includes several insertions and deletions to current law, notably adding lactation consultants to the list of regulated professions and streamlining the regulatory framework by repealing a subsection related to the establishment of boards for certain professions. The DPH is granted authority to deny license applications or take disciplinary actions against licensed consultants for various reasons, including failure to meet professional standards and criminal convictions. Disciplinary actions may include license revocation, suspension, or civil penalties, and the commissioner can require examinations if a licensee's ability to practice safely is in question. The anticipated fiscal impact includes an initial revenue gain of approximately $57,200 in FY 27 from licensure fees, with ongoing revenue from renewal fees in subsequent years.