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HB 7103

AN ACT CONCERNING THE KATIE BECKETT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Billy Buckbee and 7 co-sponsors

Implements Katie Beckett Working Group recommendations to simplify Medicaid eligibility for disabled children, boost interagency coordination, improve outreach, and publish data.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
#children #developmentaldisabilities #personswith #disabledpersons #electronicgovernmentinformation #healthcareadvocate #officeofthe #medicaid #reports #socialservices #departmentof #surveys
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Bill Summary · HB 7103

Summary — HB 7103: "An Act Concerning the Katie Beckett Working Group Recommendations"

Status: Signed by Governor (Public Act 25-42)
Introduced: February 27, 2025

Purpose and intent

HB 7103 implements recommendations developed by the state's Katie Beckett Working Group. The Katie Beckett policy (also called TEFRA/Katie Beckett eligibility) enables children with significant disabilities or medical needs to qualify for Medicaid for home- and community‑based services without counting parental income — facilitating care in the family home rather than in institutional settings. This Act is intended to improve access, administration, oversight, and coordination of services for eligible children and their families in line with the Working Group’s findings.

Key provisions and topics addressed

The Legislature’s public metadata and subject tags indicate the Act addresses multiple administrative and programmatic elements related to Katie Beckett eligibility and services. While the full statutory text contains the precise statutory changes, the Act (as reflected in the bill title and subjects) focuses on:

  • Implementing Working Group recommendations to modify or clarify Katie Beckett Medicaid eligibility and enrollment processes for children with developmental disabilities or complex medical needs.
  • Directing the Department of Social Services (DSS) to change administrative procedures (applications, eligibility determinations, renewals) to reduce barriers to access.
  • Requiring improved coordination between state agencies (DSS, Office of the Healthcare Advocate, developmental services providers) to streamline services and appeals.
  • Authorizing or directing collection and publication of data and reports (surveys, program performance, enrollment, waitlists) to assess outcomes and program integrity.
  • Enhancing electronic government information and outreach (online application tools, guidance) to increase family awareness and program accessibility.
  • Assigning responsibilities for oversight, reporting deadlines, or follow‑up evaluations to relevant offices or working groups.

Who is affected

  • Children with disabilities and complex medical needs who may qualify for Katie Beckett/TEFRA Medicaid eligibility and their families (reduced financial/administrative barriers).
  • Department of Social Services and other state agencies responsible for Medicaid eligibility, service coordination, and reporting.
  • Providers of pediatric home- and community‑based services and developmental disability supports.
  • The Office of the Healthcare Advocate and other oversight entities that may receive new reporting or advisory roles.

Procedural/timeline aspects and legislative history

  • Referred to the Joint Committee on Human Services: 02/27/2025; Public hearing: 03/06/2025.
  • Committee reports and House and Senate actions occurred April–May 2025 (House and Senate amendments adopted; House concurrence; Senate concurrence on May 29, 2025).
  • Transmitted to Secretary of the State: 06/05/2025; transmitted to Governor: 06/09/2025.
  • Signed by Governor and enacted as Public Act 25-42: 06/10/2025.

Fiscal and practical impacts

The Act likely affects Medicaid expenditures, administrative workload for DSS, and short‑term costs for outreach/IT changes; it also aims to reduce long‑term institutional care costs by enabling home‑based care. Exact fiscal impacts (savings or costs) would be detailed in the Office of Fiscal Analysis report and the enacted public act text.

Where to find the full text and fiscal analysis

For precise statutory language, reporting requirements, effective dates, and fiscal estimates, consult:
- Public Act 25-42 (enacted text) on the Connecticut General Assembly or Secretary of State website.
- Office of Fiscal Analysis and Office of Legislative Research reports associated with HB 7103.

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

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