Substitute Senate Bill No. 495 seeks to enhance the Long-Term Care Planning Committee (LTCPC) by expanding its membership and study focus. The bill repeals the existing Section 17b-337 and introduces new provisions that emphasize the importance of providing individuals with long-term care needs the option to receive services in the least restrictive settings. It outlines a comprehensive long-term care plan that integrates home and community-based services, supportive housing, and nursing facilities, while also detailing necessary data and strategies to support this system. The bill also modifies the committee's study focus to include state financing models for long-term care, workforce retention practices, federal support projections, and access to geriatric psychiatric services.

In terms of membership, the bill specifies that agency heads or their designees must serve as members and designates the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary as the chairperson. It introduces three new members: the long-term care ombudsman or her designee, a representative from a labor organization for long-term care workers, and a representative from an organization for retirees, all appointed by the committee chairpersons. Additionally, the requirement to include the number of people served in studies related to Medicaid expenditures is removed to streamline the reporting process. The LTCPC is tasked with submitting annual reports and long-term care plans to the General Assembly, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable:
File No. 484: