Connecticut Seal

Senate Bill No. 170

Public Act No. 18-39

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING STREAMLINING REPORTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 17a-710 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) It shall be the policy of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop and implement treatment programs for pregnant women of any age with substance use disorders and their children. The department shall seek private and public funds for such programs. Each program shall, to the extent possible and within available appropriations, offer comprehensive services, including (1) education and prevention programs in high schools and family planning clinics; (2) outreach services to identify pregnant women with substance use disorders early and enroll them in prenatal care and substance abuse treatment programs; (3) case management services; (4) hospital care with substance abuse treatment available in coordination with obstetric services; (5) pediatric care, including therapeutic care for neurologically, behaviorally or developmentally impaired infants; (6) child care for other siblings; (7) classes on parenting skills; (8) home visitation for those who need additional support or who are reluctant to enter a treatment program; (9) access to WIC and other entitlement programs; (10) vocational training for mothers seeking entry to the job market; and (11) a housing component. To the extent possible all services shall be coordinated to be delivered from a centralized location, utilizing medical vans where available and providing transportation assistance when needed.

(b) In addition to establishing new programs pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the department shall incorporate the comprehensive services set forth in subsection (a) of this section in existing treatment programs when feasible.

(c) The department shall include in the state substance abuse plan, developed in accordance with [section 19a-7] subsection (j) of section 17a-451, as amended by this act, goals to overcome barriers to treatment which are specific to pregnant women and women with children and to provide increased treatment services and programs to pregnant women. Such programs shall be developed in collaboration with other state agencies providing child care, family support, health services and early intervention services for parents and young children. Such collaboration shall not be limited to agencies providing substance abuse services.

[(d) On or before November thirtieth, annually, the department shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health regarding the status of treatment program availability for pregnant women, including statistical and demographic data concerning pregnant women and women with children in treatment and on waiting lists for treatment.]

Sec. 2. Subsection (j) of section 17a-451 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(j) The commissioner shall be responsible for developing and implementing the Connecticut comprehensive plan for prevention, treatment and reduction of alcohol and drug abuse problems to be known as the state substance abuse plan. Such plan shall include a mission statement, a vision statement and goals for providing treatment and recovery support services to adults with substance use disorders. The plan shall be developed by July 1, 2010, and thereafter shall be triennially updated by July first of the respective year. The commissioner shall develop such plan, mission statement, a vision statement and goals after consultation with: (1) The Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council established pursuant to section 17a-667; (2) the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission established pursuant to section 18-87j; (3) the subregional planning and action councils established pursuant to section 17a-671; (4) clients and their families, including those involved with the criminal justice system; (5) treatment providers; and (6) other interested stakeholders. The plan shall outline the action steps, time frames and resources needed to meet specified goals and shall, at a minimum, address: (A) Access to services, both prior to and following admission to treatment; (B) the provision of comprehensive assessments to those requesting treatment, including individuals with co-occurring conditions; (C) quality of treatment services and promotion of research-based and evidence-based best practices and models; (D) an appropriate array of prevention, treatment and recovery services along with a sustained continuum of care; (E) outcome measures of specific treatment and recovery services in the overall system of care; (F) information regarding the status of treatment program availability for pregnant women, including statistical and demographic data concerning pregnant women and women with children in treatment and on waiting lists for treatment; (G) department policies and guidelines concerning recovery-oriented care; [(G)] (H) provisions of the community reentry strategy concerning substance abuse treatment and recovery services needed by the offender population as developed by the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division within the Office of Policy and Management; [(H)] (I) an evaluation of the Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council's plan described in section 17a-667 and any recommendations for changes to such plan; and [(I)] (J) a summary of data maintained in the central repository, described in subsection (o) of this section. The plan shall define measures and set benchmarks for the overall treatment system and for each state-operated program. Measures and benchmarks specified in the plan shall include, but not be limited to, the time required to receive substance abuse assessments and treatment services either from state agencies directly or through the private provider network funded by state agencies, the percentage of clients who should receive a treatment episode of ninety days or greater, treatment provision rates with respect to those requesting treatment, connection to the appropriate level of care rates, treatment completion rates and treatment success rates as measured by improved client outcomes in the areas of substance use, employment, housing and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Approved May 29, 2018