Substitute House Bill No. 6914 makes changes to the disbursement of funds for substance use disorder abatement and the administration of the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund. It requires the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to distribute funds received from the stipulated judgment in State of Connecticut v. JUUL Labs, Inc. to regional behavioral health action organizations for programs that aim to reduce nicotine use by individuals under 21. The bill also establishes an Opioid Settlement Fund for funds received from judgments, consent decrees, or settlements related to opioids, which can only be used for substance use disorder abatement purposes. Municipalities that receive funds directly from an opioid settlement must submit an annual report on their expenditures.

The bill also updates the administration of the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund, expanding its purpose to include programs that reduce nicotine use and establishing a board of trustees to administer the fund. The board of trustees is responsible for recommending disbursements from the fund, with priority given to comprehensive tobacco and nicotine control programs. The bill also allows tobacco product manufacturers to assign their interest in funds in the qualified escrow fund to the state, and includes provisions regarding the appointment of an agent for nonparticipating manufacturers and the service of process on such manufacturers. Nonparticipating manufacturers of cigarettes must appoint an agent in the state and post a bond or other security to have their brand families listed or retained in the directory.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 4-28f
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 4-28f
File No. 546: 4-28f
File No. 796: 4-28f, 4-28n
Public Act No. 23-92: 4-28f, 4-28n