Substitute House Bill No. 7188 seeks to enhance 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 experienced homelessness. The bill introduces several key provisions, including the establishment of a minimum per person per month rate for service providers and the alignment of eligibility criteria and payment rates with those of the supportive housing program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Additionally, it prioritizes housing assistance vouchers for newly enrolled unhoused participants and ensures that CHESS providers will not experience a decrease in reimbursement rates compared to those in the supportive housing program.

To ensure effective oversight and accountability, the bill establishes a committee tasked with reviewing services for homeless individuals, which will include representatives from various legislative and agency bodies, as well as nonprofit organizations focused on homelessness. This oversight committee is required to meet within 60 days of the bill's passage and must approve any changes to services before implementation by the Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Housing (DOH), or DMHAS. The bill mandates quarterly reports from the relevant commissioners on the state of services for homeless persons, thereby promoting transparency in the implementation of the CHESS initiative. The provisions of the bill are set to take effect upon passage, with the goal of improving housing stability and health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Connecticut.