Sec. 17a-270. (Formerly Sec. 19a-445). Council on Developmental Services.
Sec. 17a-271. (Formerly Sec. 19a-446). Trustees.
Sec. 17a-283. (Formerly Sec. 19a-457). Clinics.
Secs. 17a-284 to 17a-299. Reserved
Sec. 17a-270. (Formerly Sec. 19a-445). Council on Developmental Services. (a) There is established a Council on Developmental Services which shall consist of fifteen members appointed as follows: Eight shall be appointed by the Governor, for two-year terms, one of whom shall be a doctor of medicine licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or psychiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 370, one of whom shall be a person with intellectual disability who is receiving services from the Department of Developmental Services and at least two of whom shall be a relative or a guardian of a person with intellectual disability; six shall be appointed by members of the General Assembly for two-year terms, one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability, appointed by the speaker of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability appointed by the majority leader of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, and one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a member of the board of trustees of the Southbury Training School, appointed by said board for a term of one year. No member of the council may serve more than three consecutive terms, except that a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The members of the council shall serve without compensation except for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The Commissioner of Developmental Services or the commissioner's designee shall be an ex-officio member of the Council on Developmental Services without vote and shall attend its meetings. No employee of any state agency engaged in the care or training of persons with intellectual disability shall be eligible for appointment to the council. The council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The council shall meet at least six times per year and at other times upon the call of the chair or the written request of any two members.
(b) The council shall consider and advise on such matters as its members, the board of trustees of the training school and the Commissioner of Developmental Services may request. The council shall consult with the Commissioner of Developmental Services on the administration of the state program for persons with intellectual disability. The council shall recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly such legislation as will in its judgment improve the care and training of persons with intellectual disability.
(1959, P.A. 148, S. 23, 24; 1967, P.A. 118, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 43, S. 1; P.A. 75-638, S. 3, 23; P.A. 85-363, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-99; P.A. 90-59; P.A. 91-278, S. 1; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 08-7, S. 3; P.A. 10-93, S. 7; P.A. 11-16, S. 22; P.A. 14-143, S. 2; P.A. 17-9, S. 1; P.A. 22-140, S. 2.)
History: 1967 act changed name of Mansfield State Training School and Hospital; 1969 act increased council membership from 7 to 11 and provided for appointment of additional members; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner on mental retardation in health department with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation agency and deleted reference to council's consultation with commissioner of health; Sec. 17-172a transferred to Sec. 19-569a in 1977; Sec. 19-569a transferred to Sec. 19a-445 in 1983; P.A. 85-363 reduced the number of appointments made by the governor from 9 to 5, required 2 of such 5 to be parents or guardians of mentally retarded persons, provided for 4 members to be appointed by members of the general assembly and precluded any member from serving more than 6 consecutive years; P.A. 89-99 increased number of council members from 11 to 13, and increased number appointed by governor from 5 to 7; P.A. 90-59 removed requirement that the doctor of medicine be a pediatrician and added a person with mental retardation as a member; Sec. 19a-445 transferred to Sec. 17a-270 in 1991; P.A. 91-278 amended section to change council membership from 14 to 13 eliminating member representing Mansfield Training School and removing all other references to Mansfield Training School; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 08-7 amended Subsec. (a) by renaming Council on Mental Retardation as Council on Developmental Services, adding provision permitting Commissioner of Developmental Services to designate an individual to serve on committee and making technical changes and amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “persons with mental retardation” for “mentally retarded”, effective April 29, 2008; P.A. 10-93 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “six consecutive years” with “three consecutive terms”, by providing that council member may continue to serve until successor is appointed, by deleting provision that prohibited employee of a state institution from being eligible for appointment to council and by making technical changes; P.A. 11-16 substituted “intellectual disability” for “mental retardation”, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 14-143 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing number of members from 13 to 15, replacing references to parent with references to relative, increasing appointments by General Assembly from 4 to 6, adding members appointed by majority leader of House and majority leader of Senate, replacing provision requiring council to meet bimonthly with provision requiring council to meet 6 times per year and making technical changes; P.A. 17-9 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing appointment by majority leader of the House of person with autism spectrum disorder with appointment of relative or guardian of person with intellectual disability; P.A. 22-140 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to psychiatrist licensed pursuant to Ch. 370 and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2022.
See Sec. 17a-210 re Department and Commissioner of Developmental Services.
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Sec. 17a-271. (Formerly Sec. 19a-446). Trustees. (a) The board of trustees of the training school shall consist of seven members, who shall serve without compensation except for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. On the expiration of the term of each member, the Governor shall appoint a member for a term of four years. The board of trustees shall establish rules of procedure for the conduct of its business.
(b) The board of trustees shall recommend to the council such matters as it deems necessary, shall advise the director of the institution on general policies concerning the operation and administration of the institution and shall inspect such institution annually.
(1959, P.A. 148, S. 25, 26; P.A. 75-638, S. 4, 23; P.A. 86-41, S. 2, 11; P.A. 91-278, S. 2; P.A. 07-238, S. 5; P.A. 08-184, S. 20.)
History: P.A. 75-638 deleted reference to department of health as agency for transmission of report to governor under Subsec. (a); Sec. 17-172b transferred to Sec. 19-569b in 1977; Sec. 19-569b transferred to Sec. 19a-446 in 1983; P.A. 86-41 substituted “director” for “superintendent” where appearing; Sec. 19a-446 transferred to Sec. 17a-271 in 1991; P.A. 91-278 made technical changes to remove references to Mansfield Training School; P.A. 07-238 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reporting requirement re status, operation and administration of training school; P.A. 08-184 made technical changes in Subsec. (b).
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Sec. 17a-272. (Formerly Sec. 19a-447). Training schools. Developmental services regions. Directors. Assistant directors. (a) The director of each training school or state developmental services region shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Developmental Services, and shall be removable in the same manner. The director shall be a trained administrator of services and facilities engaged in the care, custody, treatment and training of persons with intellectual disability. Each director shall be subject to the direction of the Commissioner of Developmental Services and shall be responsible for the operation and the administration of the training school or state developmental services region.
(b) Each director may with the approval of the Commissioner of Developmental Services appoint four assistant directors for the efficient conduct of the business of each training school or state developmental services region. Each director shall designate an assistant director who shall in the event of the director's absence, disqualification or death, exercise the powers and duties of the director until the director resumes his or her duties or the vacancy is filled. The director may remove an assistant director.
(1959, P.A. 148, S. 27; P.A. 75-638, S. 5, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 2; P.A. 86-246, S. 1, 3; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b); P.A. 08-7, S. 5; P.A. 11-16, S. 23; P.A. 18-32, S. 22.)
History: P.A. 75-638 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of mental retardation and deleted reference to deputy commissioner on mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation department; P.A. 76-153 included regional centers and deleted references to advice of council on mental retardation re appointment and supervision of superintendents; Sec. 17-172c transferred to Sec. 19-569c in 1977; Sec. 19-569c transferred to Sec. 19a-447 in 1983; P.A. 86-246 substituted “director” for “superintendent” and “state mental retardation region” for “regional center” where appearing and added Subsec. (b) re assistant directors; Sec. 19a-447 transferred to Sec. 17a-272 in 1991; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 08-7 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by renaming state mental retardation regions as state developmental services regions, effective April 29, 2008; P.A. 11-16 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “persons with intellectual disability” for “mentally retarded persons”, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 18-32 amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes, effective July 1, 2018.
Annotation to former section 19-569c:
Exempt from classified service by Sec. 5-198(g). 12 CS 378.
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Sec. 17a-273. (Formerly Sec. 19a-468). Advisory and planning councils for state developmental services regions. (a) The Commissioner of Developmental Services shall appoint at least one advisory and planning council for each state developmental services region operated by the Department of Developmental Services, which council shall have the responsibility of consulting with and advising the director of the region on the needs of persons with intellectual disability in the region, the annual plan and budget of the region and other matters deemed appropriate by the council. The Commissioner of Developmental Services shall, at least annually, provide to any individual who receives annual funding or receives services from the department, or such individual's legal representative, information about the regional advisory and planning council's statutory responsibilities and the process to access information concerning such council's meetings.
(b) Each such council shall consist of at least ten members appointed from the state developmental services region. No employee of any state agency engaged in the care or training of individuals with intellectual disability shall be eligible for appointment. At least one member shall be designated by a local chapter of the Arc of Connecticut in the region. At least one member shall be an individual who is eligible for and receives services from the Department of Developmental Services. At least two members shall be a relative of an individual with intellectual disability. Members shall be appointed for terms of three years. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Each council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The director of the region shall be an ex-officio member of the council without vote and shall attend its meetings.
(c) The council shall meet at least six times a year and at other times upon the call of the chair or the director of the state developmental services region or on the written request of any two members. A majority of the council members in office shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office.
(P.A. 73-207, S. 1–3; P.A. 75-638, S. 19, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 11; P.A. 84-256, S. 14, 17; P.A. 85-373; P.A. 86-246, S. 2, 3; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 08-7, S. 6; P.A. 10-93, S. 10; P.A. 11-16, S. 24; P.A. 14-143, S. 1; P.A. 16-60, S. 2; P.A. 18-32, S. 23.)
History: P.A. 75-638 replaced office of mental retardation in health department with independent department of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of mental retardation as appointing authority for advisory and planning councils in Subsec. (a), reflecting creation of independent department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-4h transferred to Sec. 19-575 in 1977; Sec. 19-575 transferred to Sec. 19a-468 in 1983; P.A. 84-256 amended section to establish quorum and attendance requirements for members; P.A. 85-373 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to give the council responsibility for the annual plan and budget of the regional center, increased the membership from nine to ten members, required at least two members to be parents of mentally retarded persons and precluded any member from serving more than two consecutive terms; P.A. 86-246 substituted “director” for “superintendent” and mental retardation “regions” for “regional centers” and made other technical changes; Sec. 19a-468 transferred to Sec. 17a-273 in 1991; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 08-7 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by substituting persons “with mental retardation” for “mentally retarded” persons, amended Subsecs. (a) to (c) by renaming state mental retardation regions as state developmental services regions, and amended Subsec. (b) by changing “retarded citizens” to “mentally retarded citizens”, effective April 29, 2008; P.A. 10-93 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision that prohibited employee of a state institution from being eligible for appointment to council, by substituting “a local chapter of the Arc of Connecticut in the region” for provisions re incorporated local association in region, by deleting provision requiring at least 1 member to be attorney familiar with mental retardation issues and by adding provision requiring at least 1 member to be individual who is eligible for and receiving services from department; P.A. 11-16 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by substituting “persons with intellectual disability” for “persons with mental retardation”, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 14-143 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision allowing member to continue to serve until successor appointed; P.A. 16-60 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re commissioner to provide information to individuals who receive annual funding or receive services from department and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “persons” with “individuals”, effective May 26, 2016; P.A. 18-32 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to guardian, and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to parents with reference to relative, effective July 1, 2018.
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Sec. 17a-274. (Formerly Sec. 19a-448). Involuntary placements with the Department of Developmental Services. Petition. Notice and hearing. Rights of respondent. Examination by psychologist. Temporary placement. Evaluation of needs. Fraudulent or malicious petitions. (a) Any Probate Court shall have the power to place any person residing in its district whom it finds to be a person with intellectual disability, as defined in section 1-1g, with the Department of Developmental Services for placement in any appropriate setting which meets the person's habilitative needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department, in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 17a-276. No person shall be so placed unless the court has found the person has intellectual disability, as defined in section 1-1g, and (1) is unable to provide for himself or herself at least one of the following: Education, habilitation, care for personal health and mental health needs, meals, clothing, safe shelter or protection from harm; (2) has no family or legal representative or other person to care for him or her, or such person's family or legal representative or other person can no longer provide adequate care for him or her; (3) is unable to obtain adequate, appropriate services which would enable such person to receive care, treatment and education or habilitation without placement by a Probate Court; and (4) is not willing to be placed under the custody and control of the Department of Developmental Services or its agents or voluntary admission has been sought by the legal representative of such person and such voluntary admission has been opposed by the protected person or the protected person's next of kin.
(b) A petition to the Probate Court for placement under this section may be filed by any interested party. The petition and all records of Probate Court proceedings held as a result of the filing of such petition shall be confidential and shall not be open to public inspection by or disclosed to any person, except that (1) such records shall be available to (A) the parties in any such case and their counsel, (B) the Department of Developmental Services, and (C) the Office of the Probate Court Administrator; (2) if the court appoints a legal representative, the names of the legal representative and the protected person shall be public; and (3) the court may, after hearing with notice to the respondent, the respondent's counsel, the legal representative and the Department of Developmental Services, permit records to be disclosed for cause shown. The petition shall allege that the respondent is a person with intellectual disability and (A) is unable to provide for himself or herself at least one of the following: Education, habilitation, care for personal health and mental health needs, meals, clothing, safe shelter or protection from harm; (B) has no family or legal representative or other person to care for the respondent or the respondent's family or the legal representative or other person can no longer provide adequate care for the respondent; (C) is unable to obtain adequate, appropriate services which would enable the respondent to receive care, treatment and education or habilitation without placement by a Probate Court; and (D) is not willing to be placed under the custody and control of the Department of Developmental Services or its agents or voluntary admission has been sought by the legal representative of the respondent and such voluntary admission has been opposed by the protected person or the protected person's next of kin.
(c) Immediately upon the filing of the petition, the Probate Court shall assign a time, date and place for a hearing, such hearing to be held not later than thirty business days from the date of receipt of the petition. The court shall give notice of the hearing to (1) the petitioner; (2) the respondent; (3) the respondent's legal representative; (4) the respondent's spouse or, if none; (5) the respondent's children or, if none; (6) the respondent's parents or, if none; (7) the respondent's siblings; (8) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee; and (9) at the court's discretion, other persons having an interest in the respondent.
(d) Notice to the respondent and Commissioner of Developmental Services shall include: The names of all persons filing the petition, the allegations made in the petition, the time, date and place of the hearing, and the name, address and telephone number of the attorney who will represent the respondent. The notice shall state the right of the respondent to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses who testify at the hearing, and to an independent diagnostic and evaluative examination by a licensed psychologist of the respondent's own choice, who may testify on the respondent's behalf. If the court finds the respondent is indigent, the notice shall further state the respondent may be represented by counsel of the respondent's own choosing, and, if the court finds the respondent is indigent, that counsel shall be provided without cost. The reasonable compensation for counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established by, and paid from funds appropriated to, the Judicial Department, however, if funds have not been included in the budget of the Judicial Department for such purposes, such compensation shall be established by the Probate Court Administrator and paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund.
(e) Unless the respondent is represented by counsel, the court shall immediately appoint an attorney to represent the respondent from a list of attorneys admitted to practice in this state provided by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with regulations adopted by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with section 45a-77. Such attorney may, unless replaced, attend all examinations preceding the hearing and may copy or inspect any and all reports concerning the respondent.
(f) The court shall appoint a licensed psychologist from a panel of psychologists provided by the Probate Court Administrator to examine the respondent. The psychologist shall prepare a report on a form provided by the Probate Court. Such report shall include a statement as to whether the respondent has intellectual disability and an explanation of how the determination was reached. The explanation shall include the results of a psychological assessment within the past year, an interview or observation of the respondent, and an evaluation of adaptive behavior. Such report shall include a statement of the respondent's needs. Duplicate copies of the report shall be filed with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, and all attorneys of record not less than five days prior to the date of the hearing. The court shall order the psychologist to appear for cross-examination at the request of the respondent if the respondent makes such request not less than three days prior to the date of the hearing.
(g) If the court, after hearing, finds there is clear and convincing evidence that the respondent has intellectual disability and meets the criteria set out in subsection (a) of this section, the court shall order the respondent placed with the Department of Developmental Services for placement in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department.
(h) If, after hearing, the court determines that the respondent's need for placement is so critical as to require immediate placement, the court shall order the respondent to be temporarily placed in the most appropriate available placement. The Department of Developmental Services upon receipt of such order shall place the respondent in such setting and shall proceed according to subsection (i) of this section.
(i) The Department of Developmental Services, upon receipt of an order pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, shall arrange for an interdisciplinary team to evaluate the respondent, determine the respondent's priority needs for support services and determine the least restrictive environment in which those needs could be met. The Department of Developmental Services shall place the respondent as soon as possible. If no placement has become available not later than sixty days after the date that the respondent's need for residential support services was determined, the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, shall so advise the court and shall continue to report to the court every thirty days thereafter until an appropriate placement is available.
(j) Upon receipt of a report under subsection (i) of this section, the Probate Court, if it determines that the respondent's need is so critical as to require immediate placement, shall order the respondent to be temporarily placed in the most appropriate available placement.
(k) Any person or agency having reasonable cause to believe that a person has intellectual disability and is in need of immediate care and treatment for such person's safety and welfare, which care and treatment is not being provided by such person's family, legal representative or other person responsible for such person's care, shall make a written report to the Commissioner of Developmental Services. The report shall contain the name and address of the person believed to have intellectual disability and be in need of immediate care and treatment, and such person's family, legal representative or other person responsible for such person's care, and all evidence forming the basis for such belief and shall be signed and dated by the person making such report. The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, shall promptly determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the person named in the report has intellectual disability and is in need of immediate care and treatment, which care and treatment is not being provided by such person's family, legal representative or other person responsible for such person's care and if the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, so determines, shall assume the care and custody of such person. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall, within twenty-four hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after assuming the care and custody of such person, file a petition pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in the Probate Court for the district in which such person resided prior to emergency placement. The Probate Court in which such application is filed shall assign a time and place for a hearing pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(l) In the event that any person placed under the provisions of this section is recommended for transfer by the Department of Developmental Services, the department shall proceed as required by subsection (c) of section 17a-210 and shall in addition notify the Probate Court which made the placement.
(m) Any person who wilfully files or attempts to file, or conspires with any person to file a fraudulent or malicious petition for the placement of any person pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a class D felony.
(n) For the purposes of this section, (1) “interdisciplinary team” means a group of persons appointed by the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, including a social worker, psychologist, nurse, residential programmer, educational or vocational programmer and such other persons as may be appropriate; (2) “intellectual disability” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-1g; (3) “respondent” means a person alleged to be a person with intellectual disability for whom a petition for placement has been filed; and (4) “placement” means placement in a community companion home, community living arrangement, group home, regional facility, other residential facility or residential program for persons with intellectual disability.
(1961, P.A. 489, S. 2; P.A. 75-5, S. 1; 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-638, S. 6, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 79-583, S. 1; P.A. 80-311, S. 2, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 84, 186; P.A. 82-363, S. 1; P.A. 83-295, S. 23; 83-420, S. 4; P.A. 86-41, S. 3, 11; P.A. 88-28, S. 1, 8; P.A. 89-326, S. 6, 7; P.A. 96-170, S. 4, 23; P.A. 97-90, S. 5, 6; P.A. 00-22, S. 1; P.A. 03-278, S. 122; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 11-16, S. 25; P.A. 13-258, S. 65; P.A. 14-122, S. 112; P.A. 17-96, S. 15; P.A. 18-32, S. 24–26; P.A. 21-100, S. 15; P.A. 22-140, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 75-5 removed references to commitment of epileptic persons and deleted two-year residency requirement for commitment eligibility; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-638 replaced mental retardation office and deputy commissioner with department and commissioner of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 replaced “certified” psychologist with “licensed” psychologist; Sec. 17-172d transferred to Sec. 19-569d in 1977; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-583 essentially rewrote provisions in greater detail, dividing section into Subsecs., referring to placement rather than commitment, broadening eligibility for placement, stating application contents, providing for legal counsel, detailing notice contents, and setting forth respondent's right to relevant information; P.A. 80-311 allowed mental retardation commissioner to make application in Subsec. (a), required commissioner to be notified of application and hearing, placed deadline for holding hearing, required judicial department to compensate counsel of indigent respondent in Subsec. (b) and otherwise merged Subsec. (c) into Subsec. (b), inserted new Subsecs. (c) and (d) re hearing to determine whether person is mentally retarded and in need of care, redesignating former Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e), deleted former Subsec. (e) re placements and added Subsecs. (f) to (i) re hearing to determine proper placement and other matters regarding placement; P.A. 80-476 repealed amendments enacted in P.A. 80-311; P.A. 80-483 confirmed repeal of amendments enacted in P.A. 80-311; P.A. 82-363 revised criteria and procedures for involuntary placement of mentally retarded persons and provided for placement of such persons with the department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-569d transferred to Sec. 19a-448 in 1983; P.A. 83-295 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that the reasonable compensation for counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established and paid by the judicial department; P.A. 83-420 amended Subsecs. (a)(4) and (b)(4) by adding language re voluntary admission and opposition to such admission by ward or next of kin, deleting references to placement “being sought or contested”; P.A. 86-41 made technical change in Subsec. (n); P.A. 88-28 made a technical change; P.A. 89-326 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that a psychologist who testifies on behalf of the respondent shall be compensated from the probate court administration fund, rather than by funds appropriated to the judicial department, and that the compensation of counsel provided to indigent respondents shall be established by the probate court administrator, rather than by the judicial department, and be paid from the probate court administration fund, rather than from funds appropriated the judicial department; Sec. 19a-448 transferred to Sec. 17a-274 in 1991; P.A. 96-170 amended Subsec. (d) by changing funding of compensation of counsel from Probate Court Administration Fund to funds appropriated to Judicial Department, unless funds are not included in budget of Judicial Department for such purpose, effective July 1, 1998; (Revisor's note: In codifying Subsec. (d) the Revisors editorially inserted the word “and” in the phrase “... who testify at the hearing, and to an independent diagnostic ...”); P.A. 97-90 revised effective date of P.A. 96-170 but without affecting this section; P.A. 00-22 amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes and adding provisions re disclosure of the application and records of Probate Court proceedings; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective July 9, 2003; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-16 amended Subsecs. (a), (b), (f), (g) and (k) by substituting “intellectual disability” for “mentally retarded” and “mental retardation” and by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (i) by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (n)(2) by replacing definition of “mentally retarded person” with definition of “intellectual disability”, amended Subsec. (n)(3) by substituting “person with intellectual disability” for “mentally retarded person” and amended Subsec. (n)(4) by redefining “placement”, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (m) to change penalty from fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years to a class D felony; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes in Subsec. (n); P.A. 17-96 replaced references to guardian with references to legal representative, replaced “ward” with “protected person”, replaced references to application with references to petition, amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to other person and deleting references to Ch. 779a and Secs. 45a-711 to 45a-725, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “made” with “filed” re petition for placement, replaced provision re application to be sealed with provision re petition to be confidential, added new Subdivs. (1) to (3) re exceptions, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (4) re allegations as Subparas. (A) to (D), adding references to other person in redesignated Subpara. (B), deleted references to Ch. 779a and Secs. 45a-711 to 45a-725, amended Subsec. (c) by deleting provision re persons to whom court shall give notice of hearing with provision re same, amended Subsec. (i) by replacing “programming” with “support services”, deleting provisions re placement of name on waiting list, added “respondent as soon as possible” re placement, amended Subsec. (k) by adding references to other person responsible for care, replacing “parent” with “family, legal representative”, deleting former Subdivs. (1) and (2) re Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and filing application, respectively, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-32 amended Subsecs. (a), (d) and (k) by making technical changes, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 21-100 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-140 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “, as defined in section 1-1g,” after “intellectual disability” and amended Subsecs. (c), (f), (i), (k) and (n) by adding “, or the commissioner's designee”, effective July 1, 2022.
See Sec. 17a-282 re recommitment and transfers of committed persons with intellectual disability.
See Sec. 17a-474 re release and transfer of inmates of humane institutions.
See Sec. 17b-732 re uniform forms for commitment of minors.
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Sec. 17a-275. (Formerly Sec. 19a-449). Proceedings re involuntary placement with the Department of Developmental Services. Payment of fees and expenses. When any person is involuntarily placed with the Department of Developmental Services pursuant to the provisions of section 17a-274, all fees and expenses incurred upon such proceedings shall be paid by the state; and, if such person is not involuntarily placed with the department, such fees and expenses shall be paid by the petitioner.
(1957, P.A. 134, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 3; P.A. 76-153, S. 4; P.A. 80-311, S. 4, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 180, 186; P.A. 92-118, S. 1; P.A. 11-16, S. 26.)
History: 1961 act substituted “mentally retarded” for “mentally deficient”; P.A. 76-153 excluded epileptic persons from purview of section; Sec. 17-173 transferred to Sec. 19-569e in 1977; P.A. 80-311 added exception; P.A. 80-476 repealed exception added by P.A. 80-311 and P.A. 80-483 confirmed its repeal; Sec. 19-569e transferred to Sec. 19a-449 in 1983; Sec. 19a-449 transferred to Sec. 17a-275 in 1991; P.A. 92-118 changed reference to “17a-273” to “17a-274” and changed “complainant” to “petitioner”; P.A. 11-16 substituted “involuntarily placed with the Department of Developmental Services pursuant to the provisions of section 17a-274” for “found to be mentally retarded upon proceedings had under sections 17a-210 to 17a-247, inclusive, and 17a-274” and substituted “not involuntarily placed with the department” for “found not to be mentally retarded”, effective May 24, 2011.
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Sec. 17a-276. (Formerly Sec. 19a-450). Director to have custody and control of persons with intellectual disability admitted to facility. Review of placement. Notice of right to annual review hearing. (a) All persons admitted to a state training school, regional facility or other facility provided for the care and training of persons with intellectual disability shall, until discharged therefrom either by the commissioner or by operation of law, be under the custody and control of the director of such facility. All costs of care and training shall be provided pursuant to section 17b-223. Notice of discharge shall be sent by the Department of Developmental Services to such person or his or her legal representative and the Probate Court.
(b) Any person with intellectual disability placed with the Department of Developmental Services pursuant to section 17a-274 may request a review of his or her placement by the Probate Court at any time after issuance of the original order of placement and once a year thereafter. Such request shall be in writing, shall state the reasons for review and shall be made by the person with intellectual disability or any other person acting on his or her behalf. Such request shall be filed with the Probate Court, one copy shall be served on the Commissioner of Developmental Services and one copy shall be served on the person in charge of the facility in which the person with intellectual disability is placed. The hearing on such request shall be held not later than ten days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the date of the filing of such request.
(c) At such hearing the person with intellectual disability shall have the same rights as provided under subsections (c), (d), (e) and (f) of section 17a-274. The Department of Developmental Services shall notify each person placed pursuant to section 17a-274 at least annually that such person has the right to a hearing to review the appropriateness and adequacy of his or her placement. At such hearing, if the court finds that the person is no longer in need of placement, the court shall order the placement terminated. If the court finds that the person's placement does not adequately meet his or her needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department, the court shall order the department to place such person in such least restrictive environment as the court deems available.
(d) If, within five years from the date of placement, any person placed on or after October 1, 1982, has not requested a hearing to review his or her placement, the Department of Developmental Services shall notify the Probate Court which placed such person. The Probate Court, upon such notice, shall proceed in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section to schedule a hearing to determine if the placement should be continued and whether such placement adequately meets his or her habilitative needs in the least restrictive environment available or which can be created within existing resources of the department.
(1961, P.A. 489, S. 1; P.A. 76-153, S. 5; P.A. 79-583, S. 2; P.A. 80-311, S. 3, 5; 80-476, S. 351, 352; 80-483, S. 85, 143, 186; P.A. 82-363, S. 2; P.A. 83-567; P.A. 86-41, S. 4, 11; P.A. 87-421, S. 11, 13; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 11-16, S. 27; P.A. 17-96, S. 16.)
History: P.A. 76-153 included admissions to regional centers and removed epileptic persons from purview of section; Sec. 17-173a transferred to Sec. 19-569f in 1977; P.A. 79-583 deleted provision re conditions under which retarded resident committed by court may be discharged and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re placement review; P.A. 80-311 substituted “community training home” for “foster home” and made minor language changes; P.A. 80-476 repealed amendments enacted by P.A. 80-311 and P.A. 80-483 confirmed the repeal; P.A. 82-363 added provisions re costs of care and training, notice of discharge, review of appropriateness and adequacy of placement and development of plan by department to ensure such review not later than October 1, 1986; Sec. 19-569f transferred to Sec. 19a-450 in 1983; P.A. 83-567 deleted former Subsec. (e) which had required development of plan by department to insure review of placement of persons committed prior to October 1, 1982; P.A. 86-41 substituted references to regional facilities for references to regional centers and “director” for “superintendent” in Subsec. (a); P.A. 87-421 substituted the reference to Sec. 17-295 for a reference to Sec. 17-295a which was repealed by the same act; Sec. 19a-450 transferred to Sec. 17a-276 in 1991; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-16 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “persons with intellectual disability” for “the mentally retarded”, amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by substituting “person with intellectual disability” for “patient” and made technical changes, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 17-96 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “,his parent or guardian” with “or his or her legal representative”, and amended Subsec. (d) by making technical changes, effective June 30, 2017.
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Sec. 17a-277. (Formerly Sec. 19a-451). Placement of persons with intellectual disability in residential facilities or residential programs. A regional or training school director may place any resident with intellectual disability committed or admitted to such training school, regional facility or other residential facility provided for the care and training of persons with intellectual disability, under the provisions of sections 17a-210 to 17a-247, inclusive, and 17a-273, in a community companion home, community living arrangement, group home, other residential facility or residential program to be cared for in accordance with the following conditions:
(1) Such resident shall, despite such transfer, remain subject to the control of the regional or training school director and the director may, at any time, order and provide for the return of any such resident to such training school, regional facility or other residential facility provided for the care and training of persons with intellectual disability;
(2) When the transfer of any such resident has been authorized or when, having been transferred to a community companion home, community living arrangement, group home, other residential facility or residential program for persons with intellectual disability, such resident has returned to the training school, regional facility or other residential facility, the regional or training school director shall forthwith so notify the Commissioner of Developmental Services;
(3) Such community companion home, community living arrangement, group home, other residential facility or residential program shall be licensed by the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Children and Families or the Department of Public Health under such regulations as the departments adopt, in accordance with chapter 54; and
(4) The Commissioner of Developmental Services shall, upon request, be given access to the complete record of any resident placed in a community companion home, community living arrangement, group home, other residential facility or residential program pursuant to this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 2684; 1955, S. 1511d; 1959, P.A. 183; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 4; 517, S. 17; P.A. 76-153, S. 6; P.A. 82-10; P.A. 83-59; P.A. 86-41, S. 5, 11; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 134, 181; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 11-16, S. 28; P.A. 18-32, S. 27.)
History: 1959 act deleted former Subsec. (b) which required notice to welfare commissioner of transfer or return; 1961 acts substituted the mentally retarded or epileptic for mental deficients, added requirement for notice to deputy commissioner on mental retardation and substituted council on mental retardation for joint committee of state training schools in Subdiv. (c); P.A. 76-153 included references to regional centers, group homes and other facilities “provided for the care and training of the mentally retarded”, removed epileptic persons from purview of section, replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent department and transferred regulation power from public health council and council on mental retardation to department of mental retardation; Sec. 17-174 transferred to Sec. 19-569h in 1977; P.A. 82-10 amended Subdiv. (c) to clarify that residential facilities for the mentally retarded may be licensed by the departments of children and youth services or health services, as well as the department of mental retardation; Sec. 19-569h transferred to Sec. 19a-451 in 1983; P.A. 83-59 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators and added Subdiv. (4) to give the commissioner access to the records of persons placed in private residential facilities for the mentally retarded; P.A. 86-41 substituted “director” for “superintendent” and regional “facility” for regional “center” where appearing; Sec. 19a-451 transferred to Sec. 17a-277 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes, effective July 11, 2001; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-16 substituted “intellectual disability” for “mental retardation”, added “community companion home”, “community living arrangement” and “residential program” as placement options and made technical changes, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 18-32 deleted provision re limitation of term of commitment in Subdiv. (1), deleted “private boarding home,”, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2018.
Annotation to former section 19-569h:
Cited. 31 CS 197.
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Secs. 17a-278 to 17a-280. (Formerly Secs. 19a-452 to 19a-454). Recall for examination. Return of placed-out or escaped persons. Recommitment and transfers of committed persons. Sections 17a-278 to 17a-280, inclusive, are repealed, effective May 24, 2011.
(1949 Rev., S. 2847; 1955, S. 1589d, 1590d; March, 1958, P.A. 27, S. 42; 1961, P.A. 489, S. 5, 6, 8; 1967, P.A. 118, S. 4, 5, 249; P.A. 76-153, S. 7; P.A. 86-41, S. 6, 11; P.A. 91-278, S. 3; P.A. 08-7, S. 7; P.A. 11-16, S. 43.)
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Sec. 17a-281. (Formerly Sec. 19a-455). Voluntary admission to facility for persons with intellectual disability. Termination of admission. Any person who is a resident of Connecticut at the time an application is made by or on behalf of such resident under the provisions of this section, and who is, or appears to be, or believes such resident to be a person with intellectual disability, may apply, in writing, to the Commissioner of Developmental Services, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, for admission to any facility for persons with intellectual disability. Such application shall be accompanied by a medical history of the applicant, including any medical or physical condition requiring special attention, treatment or precautions, a written psychological report provided by a psychologist either licensed under the provisions of chapter 383 or employed by the Department of Developmental Services, who has personally examined the applicant prior to the filing of application for residential placement or a copy of the determination of eligibility made in accordance with section 17a-212 and the regulations adopted thereunder. The written psychological report shall include (1) a statement that the psychologist has personally examined the applicant not more than ninety days prior to the date of filing of the application, (2) the results of a psychometric assessment conducted not more than one year prior to the date of filing of the application, and (3) an evaluation of the applicant's current level of adaptive functioning, including self-care, mental health, social, academic and vocational needs. In the event of an emergency, admission to a residential facility may be made and the required medical history and psychologist's report may be submitted not later than thirty days after the date of such admission. The application for such person, if such person is a minor, may be made by a parent, legal representative of, or person having custody of, such minor. If such person is an adult who has had a plenary or limited guardian appointed pursuant to sections 45a-669 to 45a-683, inclusive, such person's guardian may apply for admission and the commissioner may admit such person, provided the commissioner is satisfied that there is no conflict concerning the admission between the guardian and the protected person or the protected person's next of kin. If such conflict exists, the applicant may only be admitted under the provisions of section 17a-274. The commissioner may approve any such application for admission if the person on whose behalf application is made is suitable for admission and if space is available and may terminate such admission at any time when the commissioner feels such person will not profit from continued placement. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons who apply to the commissioner for respite care services for a period not to exceed thirty days.
(1961, P.A. 260, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 377, S. 1; P.A. 75-5, S. 2; 75-638, S. 9, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 8; P.A. 82-82; P.A. 83-31; 83-420, S. 3; P.A. 86-41, S. 7, 11; P.A. 87-152, S. 1, 4; P.A. 95-109; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); P.A. 11-16, S. 29; P.A. 16-49, S. 16; P.A. 18-32, S. 28.)
History: 1963 act included epileptic persons and stipulated psychological diagnostic evaluation be made only when applicant has physical and mental capacity for evaluation; P.A. 75-5 removed two-year residency requirement for eligibility and removed epileptic persons from purview of section; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation reflecting creation of independent department of mental retardation; P.A. 76-153 specified “facility for the mentally retarded” where previous wording referred generally to schools, centers, institutions, etc. and replaced “certified” psychologists with “licensed” psychologists; Sec. 17-175a transferred to Sec. 19-569l in 1977; P.A. 82-82 eliminated the requirement that the commissioner of mental retardation approve an application for admission to a residential facility for the mentally retarded if the person is suitable for admission, requiring instead that person be free from communicable disease, allowed the commissioner to approve the application if space is available, specified contents of psychological report, added provision re delayed submission of required documents in emergency admissions and required commissioner to adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54; Sec. 19-569l transferred to Sec. 19a-455 in 1983; P.A. 83-31 excluded applications for respite care services for 30 days or less from provisions re voluntary admission to facilities for the mentally retarded; P.A. 83-420 added language re admission of adult adjudicated incompetent by his guardian, deleting prior provision which had allowed conservator or person having custody of an adult incompetent to make application for admission; P.A. 86-41 substituted “regional facility” for “regional center” where appearing; P.A. 87-152 substituted “person with mental retardation” for “mentally retarded” throughout section and deleted reference to mentally ill; Sec. 19a-455 transferred to Sec. 17a-281 in 1991; P.A. 95-109 replaced the requirement for a certificate on communicable diseases with a requirement that the medical history include any condition requiring special attention, treatment or precautions or that the application be accompanied by a copy of the determination of eligibility under Sec. 17a-212, deleted reference to training schools, replaced “been adjudicated incompetent” with “had a guardian appointed” and eliminated a requirement that the commissioner adopt regulations; (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference to Sec. 45a-668 was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 45a-669 to reflect the repeal of Sec. 45a-668 by P.A. 04-54); pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” and “Department of Mental Retardation” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services” and “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-16 substituted “intellectual disability” for “mental retardation” and made technical changes, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 16-49 deleted reference to Sec. 45a-684; P.A. 18-32 replaced references to guardian with references to legal representative, replaced “guardian” with “plenary or limited guardian”, replaced reference to ward with reference to protected person, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2018.
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Sec. 17a-282. (Formerly Sec. 19a-456). Involuntary admission to facility for persons with intellectual disability. Termination of admission. No person admitted to a facility for persons with intellectual disability under the provisions of section 17a-281, shall be detained in such facility for more than seven days after such person or such person's legal representative has given notice in writing to the Commissioner of Developmental Services, of such person's intention or desire to leave such facility. If the commissioner is of the opinion that such person is in need of further treatment or observation, the commissioner may make and file, in the Probate Court for the district within which such person resides, an application for the involuntary placement of such person to such facility and the Probate Court shall proceed thereon in the same manner as is provided in section 17a-274.
(1961, P.A. 260, S. 2; 1963, P.A. 377, S. 2; P.A. 75-638, S. 10, 23; P.A. 76-153, S. 9; P.A. 87-152, S. 2, 4; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b); P.A. 11-16, S. 30; P.A. 16-159, S. 1; P.A. 18-32, S. 29.)
History: 1963 act deleted obsolete references to Secs. 17-160 and 17-165, substituting Sec. 17-172d; P.A. 75-638 replaced deputy commissioner of mental retardation with commissioner of mental retardation, reflecting creation of independent mental retardation department; P.A. 76-153 replaced references to state schools, diagnostic centers or institutions with references to facilities for the mentally retarded; Sec. 17-175b transferred to Sec. 19-569m in 1977; Sec. 19-569m transferred to Sec. 19a-456 in 1983; P.A. 87-152 substituted “persons with mental retardation” for “the mentally retarded” and substituted “involuntary placement” for “commitment”; Sec. 19a-456 transferred to Sec. 17a-282 in 1991; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Commissioner of Mental Retardation” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-16 substituted “persons with intellectual disability” for “persons with mental retardation” and made technical changes, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 16-159 replaced “adult incompetent” with “an adult for whom a guardian or an involuntary conservator has been appointed”; P.A. 18-32 replaced provision re notice to parent, guardian, conservator, or person having custody with provision re notice to legal representative, effective July 1, 2018.
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Sec. 17a-283. (Formerly Sec. 19a-457). Clinics. Section 17a-283 is repealed, effective May 4, 2004.
(1961, P.A. 489, S. 7; P.A. 76-153, S. 10; P.A. 04-54, S. 8.)
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Sec. 17a-283a. Moratorium on sale, lease or transfer of state property used for residential purposes by persons with mental retardation or psychiatric disabilities. Section 17a-283a is repealed, effective May 24, 2011.
(P.A. 01-154, S. 1, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 52, 58; P.A. 05-70, S. 1; P.A. 07-238, S. 9; P.A. 11-16, S. 43.)
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Secs. 17a-284 to 17a-299. Reserved for future use.
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