The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1509, aims to enhance patient protections and standards of care at Connecticut Valley Hospital. It mandates the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop policies and set standards relating to clients residing on the hospital campus, their discharge into the community, and individuals undergoing psychiatric evaluations at the facility. Notably, the bill stipulates that no discharge of clients from Whiting Forensic Hospital can occur without full compliance with specified legal sections, and it requires that individuals undergoing psychiatric evaluations be separated according to their biological sex at all times.

Additionally, the bill establishes a Connecticut Valley Hospital Advisory Council to advise the Commissioner on various policies, including building use and client discharge. The council will consist of members appointed by local officials and will include individuals with lived experience of behavioral health disorders. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025, and the bill repeals and replaces the existing Section 17a-471a of the general statutes, reflecting these new requirements and standards.

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Raised Bill: