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 the health care services provided to inmates, in collaboration with the Department of Correction (DOC). These evaluations will determine if best practices from health care facilities and national standards for correctional health care are being followed. The DPH Commissioner must report the findings to the General Assembly's public health committee starting January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter. Additionally, the Correction Ombudsman is tasked with reporting on the adequacy of health care personnel and communication regarding health services for inmates.

The bill also establishes a task force to study the challenges in recruiting and retaining health care personnel within the DOC, with a report due by January 1, 2026. The task force will include various appointed members, including representatives from health care unions and state officials. The DOC is required to report on its policies related to inmate health care services, including communication with external health providers and the transfer of medical records post-discharge. The bill introduces new sections to the law and incurs significant costs to the General Fund, estimated between $550,700 and $900,700 in FY 26, primarily for the DPH and related agencies.