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HB 5300

AN ACT CONCERNING COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS' PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mitch Bolinsky and 6 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill would link long-term care residents' personal spending allowances to automatic cost-of-living adjustments, preserving purchasing power for vulnerable populations on fixed incomes.

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Bill Summary · HB 5300

Legislative bill overview

HB 5300 would establish or modify cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to the personal needs allowance for residents in long-term care facilities in Connecticut. The bill addresses how much spending money residents—many of whom rely on Medicaid—can retain for personal expenses like clothing, toiletries, and entertainment. This adjustment would tie allowance increases to inflation rather than requiring separate legislative action each time.

Why is this important

Long-term care residents, particularly those on fixed incomes or Medicaid, depend on personal needs allowances for dignity and autonomy in facilities. Without COLA adjustments, the purchasing power of these allowances erodes over time, making it harder for residents to afford basic personal items. Automatic adjustments would ensure residents' standards of living don't deteriorate due to inflation.

Potential points of contention

  • Facility funding impact: Long-term care facilities may argue that higher resident allowances reduce what families/Medicaid must contribute to facility operations, potentially shifting costs
  • COLA mechanism details: Disagreement over which inflation index to use (CPI, regional variations) and adjustment frequency (annual vs. other intervals)
  • Adequacy of base amount: Whether the personal needs allowance—even with COLA—remains sufficient for actual resident expenses and quality of life

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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