AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT FACILITIES.

2025 Regular Session

HB 6838 aims to improve patient access to substance use disorder treatment facilities by reducing barriers, expanding capacity, and coordinating state agencies.

FILE NO. 15

#alcoholism #alcoholismtreatment #drugabuse #drugabusetreatment #mentalhealthandaddictionservices #departmentof #rehabilitationfacilities

Summary — HB 6838: AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT FACILITIES

Status snapshot
- Bill number: HB 6838 (File No. 15)
- Title: An Act Concerning Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities
- Introduced: January 29, 2025
- Referred to: Joint Committee on Public Health (1/29/2025)
- Public hearing held: February 3, 2025
- Joint Favorable Substitute filed: February 10, 2025
- Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis: February 18, 2025
- Reported out of LCO; Favorable Report; Tabled for House Calendar: February 25, 2025 (House Calendar No. 27; File No. 15)

What is known
- The legislative document provided does not include the bill’s full text or detailed provisions. The bill title and subject areas indicate its focus is improving or clarifying access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities—covering topics such as alcoholism, drug abuse, treatment services, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Likely purpose and intent (based on title/subject)
- Improve patient access to SUD treatment services (e.g., reduce barriers to admission, expand capacity, streamline entry pathways).
- Clarify regulatory/operational requirements for treatment facilities.
- Address payor, licensing, referral, or privacy issues that affect timely access to treatment.
- Coordinate state agencies (notably the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) and providers to increase availability of care.

Potential key provisions (speculative — full text required for confirmation)
- Changes to facility licensing or siting rules to expand treatment slots.
- Requirements for insurers (private, Medicaid) to cover certain SUD services or reduce prior authorization hurdles.
- Standards for intake, triage, or expedited transfers/referrals to treatment.
- Data-sharing or reporting requirements between providers and state agencies.
- Protections for patients’ civil rights, confidentiality, or continuity of care.

Who would be affected
- Individuals with substance use disorders seeking treatment.
- Licensed SUD treatment providers and rehabilitation facilities.
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other state/regulatory bodies.
- Health insurers (including Medicaid) if coverage or payment rules are addressed.
- Local communities if changes affect facility siting or capacity.

Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill has passed through committee with a Joint Favorable Substitute and has been reported out of LCO; it is currently listed on the House Calendar (File No. 15, Calendar No. 27) as of 2/25/2025. Next steps would typically include House floor consideration and, if passed, Senate consideration and eventual enrollment and governor action.

Where to find the full bill text and track progress
- Connecticut General Assembly website (bill status and full text search by bill number HB 6838 or File No. 15).
- Office of Legislative Research (OLR) and Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) reports for fiscal and policy analyses once posted.

If you would like, I can:
- Retrieve and summarize the bill’s full text and fiscal note (if available).
- Provide a point-by-point analysis once the substitute or final text is posted.