Appropriations Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5431
AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING RECEIVED BY THE STATE UNDER THE
Title: FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.
Vote Date: 4/7/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/18/2022
File No.: LCO: 4356
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:
H.B. 5431 makes changes concerning the expenditure of funds received by the state under
Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Public Act 21-2 was a COVID-19 relief bill that
required the Department of Public Health to establish a community health worker grant
program to provide grants to community action agencies that employ community health
workers. H.B. 5431 clarifies, revises, and expands the language of Public ACT 21-2 so that
the language more closely mirrors the original intent of the legislation and properly aid
various health programs.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Connecticut Department of Social Services.
The CT Department of Social Services voiced support for H.B. 5431, as it revises sections 36
& 37 of Public Act 21-2, placing the community health worker grant program under the
purview of the Department of Social Services. According to DSS, this more closely mirrors
the intent of the original legislation of Public Act 21-2. DSS also supports section 5 of the bill,
as it clarifies that Public Act 21-2's rate increase for intermediate care facilities is for the
purpose of providing pandemic-related support. The Department further states support for
section 6 of the bill because it strikes a provision added to the statute governing DSS's
Temporary Family Assistance program. The DSS does however suggest minor revisions for
section 2 of H.B. 5431, which would clarify that all Community Action Agencies may have the
opportunity to apply for a grant to participate in the CHW program.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Mag Morelli, President, LeadingAge Connecticut.
Ms. Morelli voiced support for H.B. 5431, specifically section 4 of the bill, as it makes
modifications in last years legislation and allows the $10-million that was included in the
budget for nursing home facility grant support to be used instead to fund a 10% temporary
rate increase for the month of June, which is needed. Ms. Morelli further stated support for
the bill as the changes will also include $12.8 million in the DSS budget to support the first
year of rebasing in a new acuity-based rate system that is being addressed by the
administration.
Deb Polun, Executive Director, Connecticut Association for Community Action, Inc.
(CAFCA).
Ms. Polun, on behalf of CAFCA, voiced support for H.B. 5431, specifically sections 2 and 3,
as it provides a fix for a community Health Worker program the legislature created last year in
Public Act 21-2. Specifically, the language of the bill transfers jurisdiction of the program from
the Department of Public Health to the Department of Social Services; clarifies language to
allow for the full $6 million appropriated to be allocated to the Community Action Agencies;
and extends the end-date of the program by one year to June 30th, 2024. She stated that this
legislation will help the Community Action Agencies enhance their capacity with Community
Health Workers and meet the original intent of the legislature last year.
Ben Shaiken, Director of Government Relations, The Alliance.
Mr. Shaiken, commented on H.B. 5431, specifically section 1, which amends an existing
program at the Department of Public Health that provides student loan repayment funds to
behavioral health providers within the states human service system. H.B. 5431 aims to
expand this program created through legislation in 2021, and Mr. Shaiken urged the
committee to expand it further, and amend the term 'primary care' in lines 8 and 12 of the
current draft. Mr. Shaiken stated that this restricts eligibility for the program to only cover
behavioral health practitioners who are employed at a community-based organization that
provides primary care, which excludes other CT community-based nonprofit behavioral health
providers. He shared that this is an issue, as currently CT's nonprofits are facing a workforce
crisis, and workers with student loans are leaving to pursue jobs within the private sector that
offers better support. Mr. Shaiken stated a desire to engage further on the bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
David Godbout.
Mr. Godbout voiced opposition to H.B. 5431, as he believes that all bills made during the
2022 session are illegitimate, due to committees meeting via electronic means as opposed to
in-person.
Reported by: Ben McSheehy Date: 04/20/2022
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