Substitute Senate Bill No. 1394 aims to improve health care and mental health services for inmates in Connecticut's correctional institutions. It mandates 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 national health care and correctional organizations are implemented. The Commissioner of Public Health is required to report these evaluations to the General Assembly's public health committee starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the Correction Ombudsman will report 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 investigate barriers to recruiting and retaining health care personnel within DOC, comprising appointed members from health care unions and state officials. This task force is tasked with submitting a report on its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Correction must report on policies related to inmate health care services and communication with external health providers. The bill introduces new sections to the law while making minor adjustments to existing language for clarity. The estimated fiscal impact for the General Fund is between $550,700 and $900,700 in FY 26 and $476,100 in FY 27, primarily due to the costs associated with DPH's evaluations and the Office of Governmental Accountability's needs.