Substitute House Bill No. 7188 seeks to improve the Connecticut Housing Engagement and Support Services (CHESS) initiative, which provides essential home and community-based services to individuals with complex health conditions who have faced homelessness. The bill introduces several key provisions, including the establishment of a minimum per person per month reimbursement rate for service providers, aligning eligibility criteria and payment rates with the supportive housing program managed by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and prioritizing housing assistance vouchers for newly enrolled unhoused participants. Importantly, the bill ensures that providers participating in the CHESS initiative will not experience a decrease in reimbursement rates compared to those in the supportive housing program.

To facilitate oversight of these initiatives, the bill creates an oversight committee comprising various legislative leaders, state commissioners, and representatives from nonprofit organizations serving the homeless. This committee is responsible for reviewing services related to homelessness, including those under the CHESS initiative, and must approve any changes to these services within 30 days of notification from the relevant commissioners. The bill emphasizes collaboration among the Department of Social Services, Department of Housing, and DMHAS to ensure effective implementation and oversight of the CHESS program, while also anticipating ongoing fiscal impacts due to increased provider rates.