Substitute Senate Bill No. 1394 seeks to improve health care and mental health services for inmates in Connecticut's correctional institutions. It requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to conduct annual evaluations of these services in collaboration with the Department of Correction (DOC), ensuring that best practices from health care facilities and national standards are followed. The Commissioner of Public Health must report these evaluations to the General Assembly's public health committee starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the Correction Ombudsman is tasked with reporting on the adequacy of health care personnel and communication regarding inmate health services by the same deadline.

The bill also establishes a task force to explore barriers to recruiting and retaining health care personnel within DOC, with a report due by January 1, 2026. This task force will include appointed members from the General Assembly and relevant state departments. While the bill introduces new sections to the law, it does not impose a fiscal impact for the task force's activities, as the involved agencies have the necessary expertise. However, it anticipates costs for hiring new personnel for DPH and a consultant for the Correction Ombudsman, with projected expenses for FY 26 estimated between $550,700 and $900,700.