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HB 7026

AN ACT CONCERNING EXCEPTIONS TO THE NURSING HOME BED MORATORIUM.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Gucker and 1 co-sponsor

Allows targeted exceptions to the nursing home bed moratorium, enabling new or substituted beds for unmet need or high-acuity care, impacting facilities, patients, and Medicaid.

SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 589
#medicaid #nursinghomebeds #socialservices #departmentof
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Bill Summary · HB 7026

Summary — HB 7026: "An Act Concerning Exceptions to the Nursing Home Bed Moratorium"

Overview

HB 7026 proposes changes related to the existing moratorium on the creation or expansion of nursing home beds. The bill would establish circumstances under which the moratorium does not apply, allowing specific exceptions to the statewide limit on new nursing facility beds. The intended purpose is to permit targeted additions or substitutions of bed capacity where state policy or public need justifies them while retaining overall moratorium controls.

Note: The full bill text was not provided. The description below summarizes the bill's purpose and likely types of provisions based on the bill title and usual legislative practice, and lists concrete legislative actions and status reported in the legislative record.

Key provisions (general description)

Because the bill text is not included in the materials provided, the exact statutory changes are not available. Bills of this nature typically include some or all of the following elements:

  • Definition of one or more specific exceptions to the nursing home bed moratorium (for example: replacement beds for closed facilities, beds for high-acuity or specialized services, beds in areas with demonstrated unmet need, or beds tied to capital projects).
  • Eligibility criteria for facilities or entities to receive an exception (licensure, certification, Medicaid participation, demonstration of community need).
  • Application and approval process administered by the relevant state agency (likely the Department of Social Services or another agency overseeing long‑term care and Medicaid).
  • Requirements for public notice, hearings, or local/municipal endorsement in areas seeking additional beds.
  • Limits or conditions attached to approvals (time-limited waivers, conversion restrictions, reporting/monitoring requirements).
  • Possible prioritization criteria (e.g., geographic areas underserved by long-term care, facilities offering specialized dementia or hospice care).

Who is affected

  • Nursing homes and long-term care facility operators (potentially able to add or reconfigure beds under exceptions).
  • Prospective patients and families (access to additional facility-based long-term care).
  • The Connecticut Department of Social Services (or designated agency) — responsible for administering exceptions.
  • Medicaid program and state budget — potential for increased expenditures if additional beds are Medicaid‑certified.

Fiscal and policy implications (potential)

  • May increase available nursing home capacity in targeted areas or for specialized services.
  • Could raise Medicaid spending if new or converted beds become Medicaid reimbursable; fiscal impact would depend on the number and type of exceptions granted.
  • Could affect long-term care policy balance between institutional and community‑based services.
  • Specific fiscal impacts are not provided in the materials; the bill was referred to the Office of Fiscal Analysis on 03/13/2025.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: February 20, 2025.
  • Referred to Joint Committee on Human Services; public hearing held 02/27/2025.
  • Committee actions: Joint Favorable reports and filing with LCO in March–April 2025.
  • House actions: House passed with Amendment Schedule A; House adopted House Amendment Sch. A and passed on 06/02/2025; transmitted pursuant to Joint Rule 17.
  • Senate actions: Favorable Report and placed on Senate Calendar (Senate Calendar No. 589) on 06/03/2025.
  • Additional procedural notes: Filed with both the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis (03/13/2025).

Next steps / Where to find the full text

To assess precise legal changes, specific eligibility criteria, and quantified fiscal impacts, obtain the bill text, House Amendment (Sch. A), and associated fiscal notes from the Connecticut General Assembly bill tracking page, the Legislative Commissioner’s Office (LCO) filing, or the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

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

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