House Bill No. 8001, known as the University of Connecticut Health Center Joint Venture Initiative, seeks to enhance health care, education, and economic development in Connecticut by amending existing laws related to the University of Connecticut (UConn) and its health center. The bill introduces significant changes, including the construction of a new bed tower at John Dempsey Hospital, renovations to academic and clinical spaces, and the establishment of a comprehensive cancer center. It also facilitates operational control of the neonatal intensive care unit by Connecticut Children's Medical Center and extends enterprise zone benefits to bioscience businesses in specific cities. Key insertions include provisions for creating subsidiaries or joint ventures to manage hospital systems and clarifications on financial terms related to project financing.

Additionally, the bill amends the UConn 2000 infrastructure improvement program, allowing the university to borrow up to $4.32 billion and manage its projects and finances more effectively. It introduces new legal language regarding the classification of securities and establishes a framework for the issuance of bonds, ensuring compliance with state regulations. The bill also streamlines administrative processes related to project oversight, requiring transparency and accountability while exempting certain initiatives from specific requirements. Overall, House Bill No. 8001 aims to modernize UConn's infrastructure, enhance its operational capacity, and support the state's health and bioscience sectors.

Statutes affected:
New Bill:
Public Act No. 25-2: