Appropriations Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5742
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS FOR
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MENTAL HEALTH, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND
Title: SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
Vote Date: 4/21/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/26/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Appropriations Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill directs undisbursed federal COVID-19 relief funds to private providers in recognition
of increased demand for services during the pandemic in the areas of domestic violence,
mental health, suicide prevention and substance abuse services.
SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE: (LCO 7072) The substitute language specifies an amount of ten
million dollars to be granted to private providers by the Office of Policy and Management from
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Coronavirus Response and
Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act monies.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services,
outlined how DMHAS had supported, and continued to support, clients and providers using
relief funding in conjunction with the Office of Policy and Management to mitigate the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that the agency's needs would be reflected in the
Governor's spending plan and that additional funds were not necessary in light of current and
planned federal dollars.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Liza Andrews, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Director of Public Policy and
Communication supported the bill. She detailed the increased costs to the 18 state domestic
violence agencies due to the pandemic. She noted that, in addition to increased demand for
services, services such as housing in hotels and providing laptops for distance education
have compounded their costs. CCADV requested an additional $1.35 million for staffing and
services.
Cale Bradford, Elara Caring, Government Relations Officer, supported the bill. Elara Caring,
formerly known as New England Home Care, is a provider of home and community health
services. He highlighted the costs and the services these types of organizations realize and
the impact of the pandemic. He urged the legislators to consider opportunities in the
American Rescue Plan to expedite disbursement based on Medicaid claims.
Antonia Edwards supported the bill. She recounted her personal experiences as an
individual, mother and community activist as they related to issues of racial equity.
House Republican Caucus supported the bill and cited examples of the impact of the
pandemic in the areas cited in the bill. Further, they called for additional resources beyond
the two sources listed in the bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Elizabeth Gillette Date: April 27, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-5742