The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5541, mandates that the Commissioner of Social Services submit a status report on community action agencies by October 1, 2026. This report will provide a comprehensive overview of community action agencies in the state, including the number of agencies currently operating compared to those in 2021, summaries of investigations conducted by the Department of Social Services over the past two years, and details on any agencies that have lost their designation to serve communities. Additionally, the report will identify regions that are underserved by these agencies, assess their overall health in terms of real property and finances, and outline challenges faced by the agencies along with potential state actions to support them.

The bill introduces new legal language that defines the term "community action agency" as per section 17b-885 of the general statutes and specifies the requirements for the status report. It also includes a statement of purpose emphasizing the need for this report to enhance understanding and support for community action agencies. The bill does not propose any deletions from existing law, focusing solely on the new requirements for reporting and assessment.