The proposed bill, Substitute Bill No. 7069, aims to enhance the behavioral health assessment requirements for police officers in Connecticut. It mandates that each law enforcement unit's administrative head require officers to undergo periodic behavioral health assessments conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker approved by the officers' union, with assessments occurring at least once every five years. The bill allows for the scheduling of these assessments to ensure that approximately 20% of officers are evaluated each year over a five-year period. Additionally, the administrative head can waive the assessment requirement for officers who have submitted retirement notifications within six months of the scheduled assessment.

The bill also stipulates that any psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker conducting these assessments cannot access a police officer's medical records through electronic health record systems. The results of the assessments will only be shared with the officer and the administrative head of the law enforcement unit, and they will not be included in the officer's medical record or disclosed under public records laws. The bill repeals the previous version of Section 7-291e and introduces new provisions to ensure the confidentiality and proper handling of assessment results, thereby reinforcing the mental health support framework for police officers while maintaining their privacy.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-291e
INS Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-291e
File No. 465: 7-291e
PS Joint Favorable: 7-291e