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HB 6771

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA TASK FORCE, REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIOMARKER TESTING AND CONCERNING TRANSFERS AND DISCHARGES IN RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, TUITION WAIVERS FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO TAKE COURSES AT REGIONAL COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES AND NURSING HOMES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Ackert and 91 co-sponsors

Requires health insurers to cover biomarker testing for Alzheimer's and other dementias, enabling earlier diagnosis and better care access for patients and families.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 6771

Summary — HB 6771 (Public Act 25-16)

Status: Signed by Governor (June 3, 2025). Introduced January 29, 2025.

Purpose

HB 6771 is a multi-topic public act intended to strengthen Connecticut’s response to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, improve access to diagnostic biomarker testing, protect residents of residential care homes and nursing homes during transfers and facility closures/evacuations, and expand educational access for long‑term care residents through tuition waivers at regional community‑technical colleges.

Key provisions

  • Alzheimer’s disease and dementia task force

    • Establishes a state task force to study Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
    • Directs the task force to review care needs, workforce, long‑term care capacity, diagnostic access, and best practices and to report findings/recommendations to the legislature (membership to include state agencies, clinicians, long‑term care providers, advocates and researchers — exact composition and reporting deadline set in the act).

  • Health insurance coverage for biomarker testing

    • Requires health insurers to cover biomarker testing used to assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
    • Applies to clinically appropriate biomarker tests (for example, PET imaging, cerebrospinal fluid assays, and validated blood‑based biomarkers used in clinical practice), subject to medically necessary criteria and any limits set by the statute.

  • Transfers, discharges, closures and evacuations of residential care homes and nursing homes

    • Strengthens rules and processes governing transfers and discharges from residential care homes, including notice requirements, written transfer/discharge plans, and protections for residents with cognitive impairment.
    • Sets procedures and oversight for facility closures and mandatory evacuations to ensure resident safety — includes requirements for advance notification to residents/families, the long‑term care ombudsman, and relevant state agencies; coordination of relocations; and continuity-of-care responsibilities.
    • May include provisions related to staff background checks, placement oversight, and appeals/review mechanisms.

  • Tuition waivers for nursing home residents

    • Authorizes tuition waivers (or reduced tuition) for nursing home residents who enroll in courses at regional community‑technical colleges, expanding educational and social engagement opportunities for residents. Specific eligibility criteria and administrative mechanisms are established in the act.

Who is affected

  • People with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their families/caregivers (improved diagnostic access and protections).
  • Commercial and public health insurers (new coverage mandates for biomarker testing).
  • Residential care homes and nursing homes (new procedural and notification requirements around transfers, closures and evacuations).
  • Long‑term care residents who wish to take community‑college courses.
  • State agencies (Department of Public Health, Insurance Department, DSS/Medicaid), ombudsman, providers, and the higher education system.
  • Workforce and facility operators (operational and compliance impacts).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Referred to the Joint Committee on Aging; hearings and committee reports occurred in early 2025.
  • Passed both chambers with amendments; House adopted amended schedule A; enacted as Public Act 25-16 and signed by the Governor on June 3, 2025.
  • Implementation dates and certain operational details are set within the act — agencies will promulgate implementing guidance/regulations as required.

Potential impact

  • Increased early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through insurer‑covered biomarker testing.
  • Improved resident protections and continuity of care during transfers, closures and evacuations.
  • Expanded social and educational opportunities for nursing home residents.
  • Administrative and cost implications for insurers, long‑term care facilities, and state agencies responsible for oversight and implementation.

For exact statutory language, eligibility criteria, timelines, and reporting deadlines, consult the enacted Public Act 25-16 text or the Office of Legislative Research copy of HB 6771.

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

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