Human Services Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-955
AN ACT CONCERNING OUTDATED DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Title: STATUTES.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/4/2021
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:
Human Services Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
SB 955 corrects outdated or obsolete provisions of statutes concerning the Department of
Social Services. Over the years, statutes have been passed to address the concerns of
various stakeholders, thereby generating some conflict with existing statute. This bill is an
attempt to correct these conflicts and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the affected
agencies.
Substitute language removes Section 2 of the original raised bill, which would have repealed
Subsection c of Section 17a-485d of the general statutes. Section 2 addressed Medicaid
coverage of rehabilitation services for adults with significant mental health or substance use
disorders.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Deidre Gifford, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services
The language in this bill addresses many issues and the Department of Social Services
would like changes to, or removal of, multiple sections, specified in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
and 7. Some of the reasons are conflicts with current statute, definitions lacking clarity, lack
of recognition of changes in agency responsibility for certain programs, or simply language
that updates or eliminates provisions that are no longer relevant.
DSS is in general agreement with the recommendations of Section 9, which repeals General
Statutes 17b-184 (created a client advisory board to further the ability of recipients of
Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) to become self-sufficient), 17b-274a (requires a state
Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) list for multi-source drugs reimbursed under Medicaid),
and 17b-610 (requires that DSS and the Department of Labor provide an ongoing
assessment of the needs of the business community and the ways persons with disabilities
could fill such needs).
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: David Rackliffe Date: April 7, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-955


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 515:
Public Act No. 21-148: