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 client admitted under court commitment or transferred from the Department of Correction can be discharged without adhering to specific legal compliance. Additionally, it requires that individuals undergoing psychiatric evaluations be separated according to their biological sex at all times.

The bill also establishes a Connecticut Valley Hospital Advisory Council to provide guidance on policies concerning building use, security, and client discharge. The council will consist of members appointed by the mayor of Middletown, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Governor, with a requirement that at least two members have lived experience with a behavioral health disorder. The current law's language regarding the development of policies is amended to replace "related" with "relating," and the bill introduces new provisions to ensure compliance with existing statutes and the separation of individuals based on biological sex during evaluations. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

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