The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5447 aims to implement recommendations from the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee while also addressing temporary family assistance benefits. The bill mandates the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity to establish two working groups focused on eating disorders and food insecurity. These groups will compile information on treatment providers, develop survey questions for the Connecticut School Health Survey, and create best practice guidelines for treatment facilities. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on the progress of these working groups to relevant committees.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the Commissioner of Children and Families to study the feasibility of establishing an inpatient facility for children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who require psychiatric treatment. The study will assess various factors, including facility size, treatment practices, operational costs, and potential sites. The bill also amends Section 17b-112 of the general statutes to ensure that, starting July 1, 2026, the monthly cash benefit for families receiving temporary assistance will be no less than 55% of the federal poverty level, and it introduces a cost-of-living adjustment for these benefits based on the consumer price index.