Sec. 19a-250. (Formerly Sec. 19-112a). Definitions.
Sec. 19a-251. (Formerly Sec. 19-113b). Chronic disease hospital superintendents.
Sec. 19a-253. (Formerly Sec. 19-119). Chronic disease hospitals: Admissions.
Sec. 19a-254. (Formerly Sec. 19-120). Commitment of tuberculous persons.
Sec. 19a-256. (Formerly Sec. 19-121a). Liability for cost of care after October 1, 1967.
Sec. 19a-262. (Formerly Sec. 19-133). Report and record of cases.
Sec. 19a-263. (Formerly Sec. 19-136). Instruction by physicians to individuals.
Sec. 19a-265. Tuberculosis control. Emergency commitment.
Sec. 19a-266. Breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program.
Sec. 19a-266a. Gynecologic cancers information pamphlet.
Secs. 19a-267 and 19a-268. Reserved
Sec. 19a-250. (Formerly Sec. 19-112a). Definitions. As used in this chapter, “chronic illness” means conditions which require prolonged definitive hospital or restorative care as distinguished from diseases or conditions which may be properly cared for in convalescent, custodial or domiciliary facilities, and “chronic disease hospital” means a hospital operated by the Department of Public Health.
(P.A. 76-139, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-112a transferred to Sec. 19a-250 in 1983; 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.
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Sec. 19a-251. (Formerly Sec. 19-113b). Chronic disease hospital superintendents. Section 19a-251 is repealed.
(1959, P.A. 148, S. 15; 1972, P.A. 113, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 340, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 15, 136; P.A. 85-424, S. 2, 3.)
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Sec. 19a-252. (Formerly Sec. 19-117). Administration of lung disease control funds, including tuberculosis funds. The Department of Public Health is designated as the state agency to administer and distribute state funds to be used for the control of lung diseases, including tuberculosis, within the state. The director of health of any town or of any district department of health or any nonprofit corporation may apply to said department for funds to be used to assist in establishing, maintaining or expanding services for treatment or control of lung diseases within the state.
(1957, P.A. 538, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 148, S. 17; 1972, P.A. 113, S. 6; P.A. 76-139, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 31, 39; P.A. 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)
History: 1959 act substituted for the commission on tuberculosis and other chronic illness, as agency to administer and distribute funds, the state department of health through office of tuberculosis control, hospital care and rehabilitation; 1972 act replaced office of tuberculosis control, hospital care and rehabilitation with office of public health; P.A. 76-139 made expenditures applicable to lung diseases generally and included expenditures for treatment; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-117 transferred to Sec. 19a-252 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-435 authorized substitution of “department” for “office”, referring to office of public health, to carry out purpose of P.A. 93-381 which deleted reference to office of public health appearing earlier in text, effective June 28, 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.
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Sec. 19a-253. (Formerly Sec. 19-119). Chronic disease hospitals: Admissions. Except as provided in section 17a-502, on and after October 1, 2005, no patient shall be admitted to a chronic disease hospital, unless the medical director of the hospital determines that the hospital and its medical staff are capable of providing adequate care and treatment to the patient, consistent with the hospital's by-laws. In making such determination, the medical director shall have access to the patient's medical records and may examine the patient.
(1957, P.A. 586, S. 21; 1972, P.A. 113, S. 7; P.A. 76-139, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 32, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 05-80, S. 1; P.A. 07-49, S. 2.)
History: 1972 act replaced office of tuberculosis control, hospital care and rehabilitation with office of public health; P.A. 76-139 deleted redundant reference to admission to chronic disease hospitals, removed first preference for tuberculosis patients and third preference for “other chronic cases in the order of application”; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-119 transferred to Sec. 19a-253 in 1983; 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. 05-80 removed preferences for patients with chronic illnesses and patients receiving public assistance, required medical director, rather than department, to determine the appropriateness of admitting a patient to a chronic disease hospital and granted medical director access to patient medical records in order to make such determination; P.A. 07-49 added exception re Sec. 17a-502.
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Sec. 19a-254. (Formerly Sec. 19-120). Commitment of tuberculous persons. Section 19a-254 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4129; 1955, S. 2124d; 1957, P.A. 586, S. 16; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 84-336, S. 5.)
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Sec. 19a-255. (Formerly Sec. 19-121). Treatment of persons with tuberculosis. Payment sources for treatment. Exchange of patient information permitted to facilitate Medicaid eligibility determinations. Agreement for interstate transportation. (a) Any resident of the state afflicted with tuberculosis in any form, who requires medical care for tuberculosis and who applies for care, shall be received: (1) In a state chronic disease hospital; (2) in a private hospital or clinic; or (3) by a physician or other health care provider without regard to the financial condition of the patient. The cost of care and treatment of such patients shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, and section 4-67c.
(b) The Commissioner of Public Health may consider the availability of third-party sources for the payment of any treatment rendered in accordance with subsection (a) of this section when determining whether to pay for such services. If such patient is (1) a veteran and the tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis for which the veteran has been hospitalized or treated is a service-connected disability entitling the veteran to medical benefits, or (2) eligible for medical benefits under any workers' compensation law or under any other private or public medical insurance or payment plan, such patient or the patient's obligor shall be liable for the costs of such care to the extent of such available benefits. Such costs shall be determined in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of section 17b-223.
(c) The Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health may exchange patient information in the possession of said departments for the purpose of determining eligibility for benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act for any patient in need of treatment or who has received treatment.
(d) The Commissioner of Public Health may enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state for the interstate transportation of a person afflicted with tuberculosis and for the medical treatment of such person.
(1949 Rev., S. 4122; 1953, S. 2119d; 1957, P.A. 586, S. 11; P.A. 76-139, S. 6; P.A. 82-46; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 55; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 51; P.A. 12-197, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 76-139 made provisions applicable to tuberculosis cases in which medical care is required, allowed admission to private hospitals or clinics having contract with the state and deleted reference to the “stage of the disease”; P.A. 82-46 authorized physicians and health care providers other than hospitals to care for tuberculosis patients and authorized the state to pay only for that treatment which the commissioner of health services deemed appropriate; Sec. 19-121 transferred to Sec. 19a-255 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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; (Revisor's note: In 1999 the references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b” to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62, to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 deleted references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), amended same to delete reference to Sec. 17b-256 and delete provision re cost of care and treatment to be paid by the state if cost is deemed appropriate by Commissioner of Public Health, added Subsec. (b) re Commissioner of Public Health considering availability of third-party sources for payment of treatment and added Subsec. (c) re ability of Departments of Public Health and Social Services to exchange patient information for purpose of determining patient eligibility for Medicaid benefits, effective October 6, 2009; P.A. 12-197 added Subsec. (d) re agreement for interstate transportation.
Annotations to former section 19-121:
Action under statute should not be entered on the jury docket. 15 CS 369. In action against executrix for recovery of full cost of care, a mere billing and receipt of four dollars per week did not constitute a contract. 16 CS 118.
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Sec. 19a-256. (Formerly Sec. 19-121a). Liability for cost of care after October 1, 1967. Section 19a-256 is repealed, effective October 6, 2009.
(1967, P.A. 839, S. 2; P.A. 76-139, S. 7; P.A. 79-376, S. 24; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 61; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 176.)
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Sec. 19a-257. (Formerly Sec. 19-125). Support of patients with chronic illness other than tuberculosis. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17b-222 and 17b-223, the maximum rate to be charged for the care of patients with chronic illness other than tuberculosis in the state chronic disease hospitals shall be determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health. The same persons and estates as are legally liable for support of patients in state humane institutions shall be liable for support of patients with chronic illness other than tuberculosis in said chronic disease hospitals in accordance with ability to pay and the commissioner shall make the determination of such ability, shall bill for and shall collect for care of such patients in the same manner and under the same procedures, terms and conditions as are authorized under the laws governing cases of patients in state humane institutions. If town paupers with chronic illnesses other than tuberculosis admitted to said chronic disease hospitals are deemed by the Commissioner of Public Health not to be in need of definitive hospital or restorative care, towns shall be liable for the support of such paupers after two weeks' notice from said commissioner.
(1957, P.A. 586, S. 20; 1959, P.A. 148, S. 19; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 15; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)
History: 1959 act substituted commissioner of health for commission on tuberculosis and other chronic illness and clarified provision re town's liability for support of paupers; 1967 act deleted responsibility of welfare commissioner to investigate financial circumstances of relatives, substituted health commissioner for welfare commissioner as authority determining status of paupers and provided for finance commissioner rather than health commissioner to determine maximum rate chargeable for care; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services; Sec. 19-125 transferred to Sec. 19a-257 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner 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.
Annotation to former section 19-125:
Statute does not incorporate the limitation on liability provided for in Sec. 17-295; designated commissioners are authorized to set maximum rates for support of patients in chronic disease hospitals. 183 C. 330.
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Secs. 19a-258 to 19a-261. (Formerly Secs. 19-126 to 19-129). Discharge of tuberculosis patients. Complaint against tuberculosis patient leaving hospital against advice. Apprehension of person leaving hospital before termination of commitment. Security facilities. Sections 19a-258 to 19a-261, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4123; 1955, S. 2123d, 2125d, 2126d; 1957, P.A. 586, S. 9, 15, 17, 18; 1967, P.A. 656, S. 17; 1972, P.A. 113, S. 8, 9; P.A. 76-139, S. 8; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 84-336, S. 2, 3; 84-546, S. 172.)
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Sec. 19a-262. (Formerly Sec. 19-133). Report and record of cases. Each physician, physician assistant and advanced practice registered nurse shall report in writing the name, age, sex, race, ethnicity, occupation, place where last employed, if known, and address of each person under his or her care known or suspected by such physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse to have tuberculosis, to the Department of Public Health and the director of health of the town, city or borough in which such person resides, not later than twenty-four hours after the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse knows or suspects the presence of such disease, and the officer in charge of any hospital, dispensary, asylum or other similar institution shall report in like manner concerning each patient having tuberculosis who comes under the care or observation of such officer, not later than twenty-four hours thereafter. The Commissioner of Public Health and the director of health of each town, city or borough shall keep a record of all such reports received by them, but such records shall not be open to inspection by any person other than the health authorities of the state and of such town, city or borough, and the identity of the person to whom any such report relates shall not be divulged by such health authorities except as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this section, section 19a-263, and section 19a-264. For purposes of this section and said sections a person may be suspected of having tuberculosis if he or she has (1) an acid fast bacilli identified on a smear of his body fluids or tissue, (2) been prescribed at least two antituberculosis drugs, (3) a preliminary diagnosis which includes ruling out active tuberculosis, or (4) signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis.
(1949 Rev., S. 4115; P.A. 76-139, S. 9; P.A. 90-13, S. 4; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 16-39, S. 17; P.A. 21-196, S. 26.)
History: P.A. 76-139 removed reference to repealed Secs. 19-134 and 19-135; Sec. 19-133 transferred to Sec. 19a-262 in 1983; P.A. 90-13 replaced reference to “color” with references to race and ethnicity, applied provisions to persons suspected of having tuberculosis and specified grounds for determining whether person is suspected of having tuberculosis and required that physicians report to health services commissioner as well as to local director of health; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner 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. 16-39 added references to advanced practice registered nurse and made technical changes; P.A. 21-196 added references to physician assistant and made technical changes.
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Sec. 19a-263. (Formerly Sec. 19-136). Instruction by physicians to individuals. The physician attending a patient having or suspected of having tuberculosis shall take all necessary precautions and give adequate instructions to provide for the safety of all individuals occupying the same house or apartments, and, if no physician is attending such patient, such duties shall be performed by the local director of health.
(1949 Rev., S. 4118; P.A. 90-13, S. 5.)
History: Sec. 19-136 transferred to Sec. 19a-263 in 1983; P.A. 90-13 applied provisions to persons “suspected of having” tuberculosis.
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Sec. 19a-264. (Formerly Sec. 19-137). Instructions by local director of health to physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. The local director of health shall transmit to any physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse reporting a case or suspected case of tuberculosis as provided in section 19a-262, a printed statement describing such procedure and precautions as are deemed necessary or advisable to be taken on the premises occupied by a tuberculosis patient, and such precautions shall be communicated to the family of the patient. Any physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370, physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378, who wilfully makes any false statements in the reports provided for in said section, and any person violating any of the provisions of said section, shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or be both fined and imprisoned.
(1949 Rev., S. 4119; P.A. 76-139, S. 10; P.A. 90-13, S. 6; P.A. 16-39, S. 74; P.A. 21-196, S. 27.)
History: P.A. 76-139 dropped references to repealed Secs. 19-134 and 19-135 and to Sec. 19-136; Sec. 19-137 transferred to Sec. 19a-264 in 1983; P.A. 90-13 applied provisions to “suspected cases”; P.A. 16-39 added references to advanced practice registered nurse and replaced “physician or person practicing as a physician” with “physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370”; P.A. 21-196 added references to physician assistant.
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Sec. 19a-265. Tuberculosis control. Emergency commitment. (a) As used in this section:
(1) “Active tuberculosis” means (A) a specimen has been taken from a pulmonary, laryngeal or other airway source, has tested positive for tuberculosis and the person tested has not subsequently completed a standard recommended course of medication for tuberculosis, (B) a specimen from an extrapulmonary source has tested positive for tuberculosis and there is clinical evidence or clinical suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis and the person tested has not subsequently completed a standard recommended course of medication for tuberculosis, or (C) where sputum smears or cultures are unobtainable, radiographic evidence, in addition to current clinical or laboratory evidence, is sufficient to establish a medical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis for which treatment is indicated and the person diagnosed has not subsequently completed a standard recommended course of medication for tuberculosis.
(2) “Infectious tuberculosis” means tuberculosis disease in a communicable or infectious stage as determined by chest radiograph, the bacteriologic examination of body tissues or secretions, or other diagnostic procedures. A person is considered infectious to others until such time as sputum smears from a pulmonary, laryngeal or other airway source collected on three consecutive days have tested negative for tuberculosis and the person shows significant clinical improvement, such as the resolution of cough or fever.
(3) “Suspected of having active tuberculosis” means a person has signs or symptoms of tuberculosis but diagnostic studies have not been completed.
(4) “Nonadherent” means not taking tuberculosis medications as prescribed or not following the recommendations of the attending physician or health officer for the management of tuberculosis.
(5) “Enablers” means anything that helps the patient to more readily complete therapy including, but not limited to, assistance with transportation.
(6) “Incentive” means anything that motivates the patient to adhere to treatment including, but not limited to, food or coupons.
(7) “Directly observed therapy” means a course of treatment for tuberculosis in which the prescribed antituberculosis medication is administered to the person or ingested by the person under direct observation, as specified by the local director of health.
(b) The health care provider responsible for the treatment of any person with active tuberculosis shall devise, with the assistance and acknowledgment of that person and the approval of the director of health of the municipality in which the person with tuberculosis resides or, in the case of disagreement between the health care provider and the director of health, the Commissioner of Public Health, an appropriate individualized plan of treatment tailored to the person's medical and personal needs and identifying the method for effective treatment and prevention of transmission. The director of health shall provide or ensure the provision of such enablers and incentives as are within his or her means to provide and are reasonably appropriate in the individual situation to help the person to complete his or her course of treatment. In the event that the person with active tuberculosis is hospitalized or in state custody, the director of health shall be notified as required by section 19a-215, and the individualized plan of treatment shall be approved by the director prior to discharge, provided such discharge shall not be delayed more than twenty-four hours, excluding weekends, solely because of delay in obtaining this approval.
(c) If any town, city or borough director of health determines that the public health is substantially and imminently endangered by a person with or suspected of having active tuberculosis, the director of health may take the following actions as reasonably necessary to protect the public health: (1) Issue a warning stating that the person should have a physician's examination for tuberculosis to a person who has active tuberculosis or who is suspected of having active tuberculosis when that person is unable or unwilling voluntarily to submit to such examination despite demonstrated efforts to educate and counsel the person about the need for such examination; (2) issue a warning stating that the person should complete an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis when that person has active tuberculosis but is unwilling or unable to adhere to an appropriate prescribed course of medication despite a demonstrated effort to educate and counsel the person about the need to complete the prescribed course of treatment and the offering of such enablers and incentives as are reasonably appropriate to facilitate the completion of treatment by that person; (3) issue a warning stating that the person should follow a course of directly observed therapy for tuberculosis that should be given in such a manner as shall minimize the time and financial burden on the person given that person's individual circumstances, when that person has active tuberculosis, has been nonadherent to treatment for it and is unwilling or unable otherwise to adhere to an appropriate prescribed course of medication for tuberculosis despite a demonstrated effort to educate and counsel the person about the need to complete the course of treatment and the provision of such enablers and incentives to the person as are reasonably appropriate to facilitate the completion of treatment by that person; (4) issue an emergency commitment order which shall extend for no more than ninety-six hours that authorizes the removal to or detention in a hospital or other medically appropriate setting of a person: (A) Who has active tuberculosis that is infectious or who presents a substantial likelihood of having active tuberculosis that is infectious based upon epidemiologic, clinical, radiographic evidence and laboratory test results; (B) who poses a substantial and imminent likelihood of transmitting tuberculosis to others because of his or her inadequate separation from others, based on a physician's professional judgment using recognized infection control principles; (C) who is unwilling or unable to behave so as not to expose others to risk of infection from tuberculosis despite a demonstrated effort to educate and counsel the person about the need to avoid exposing others and required contagion precautions; (D) who has expressed or demonstrated an unwillingness to adhere to the prescribed course of treatment that would render the person noninfectious despite being educated and counseled about the need to do so and being offered such enablers and incentives as are reasonably appropriate to facilitate the completion of treatment; and (E) for whom emergency commitment is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health. When issuing an emergency commitment order, the director of health may direct a police officer or other designated transport personnel to immediately transport the person with tuberculosis as so ordered by the director of health. The police officer shall take into custody and isolate the person in such a manner as required by the director of health. The director of health shall notify the police officer or other personnel concerning any necessary infection control procedures; (5) petition the Probate Court for a judicial commitment order that authorizes the removal to or detention in a hospital or other medically appropriate setting for the purposes of facilitating completion of a prescribed course of treatment for tuberculosis of a person: (A) Who has active tuberculosis; (B) who is unwilling or unable to adhere to an appropriate prescribed course of treatment for tuberculosis despite a demonstrated effort to educate and counsel the person about the need to complete the course of treatment and to provide such enablers and incentives to the person as are reasonably appropriate to facilitate the completion of treatment by that person; (C) who has demonstrated a pattern of persistent nonadherence to treatment for tuberculosis; (D) for whom commitment for the purposes of completion of the prescribed course of treatment for active tuberculosis is necessary to prevent the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis organisms; and (E) for whom commitment for the purpose of treatment for active tuberculosis is the least restrictive course of action available to protect the public health in that other less restrictive alternatives to encourage that person's adherence to the prescribed course of treatment for tuberculosis have failed.
(d) Any warning or order issued by the director under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section, or a petition under subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of this section, shall be in writing setting forth: (1) The name of the person who is the subject of the warning, order or petition; (2) the factual basis for the director's professional judgment that the person has active tuberculosis or, in the case of a warning concerning examination, is suspected of having active tuberculosis; (3) in the case of a warning concerning examination under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section, the efforts that have been made to educate and counsel the person about the need for examination, the medical and legal consequences of failing to agree to it and the factual basis for the director's professional judgment that the person is unable or unwilling voluntarily to submit to such examination; (4) in the case of warnings and orders under subdivisions (2) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (c) of this section and a petition under subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of this section, the efforts that have been made to educate and counsel the person about the need to complete the appropriate prescribed course of treatment and the medical and legal consequences of failing to do so, a description of the enablers and incentives that have been offered or provided to the person, and the factual basis for the director's professional judgment that the person is unable or unwilling voluntarily to adhere to the appropriate prescribed course of treatment; (5) in the case of an emergency commitment order under subsection (c) of this section, the factual basis for the director's professional judgment that: (A) The person is infectious or presents a substantial likelihood of being infectious; (B) the person poses a substantial and imminent likelihood of transmitting tuberculosis to others; (C) the person is unable or unwilling to behave so as not to expose others to risk of infection; and (D) emergency commitment is the least restrictive alternative available to protect the public health; (6) in the case of a petition for commitment under subsection (c) of this section, the factual basis for the director's professional judgment that: (A) The person has been persistently nonadherent to treatment for tuberculosis; (B) commitment for the purpose of treatment for active tuberculosis is necessary to prevent the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis organisms; (C) commitment for the purpose of treatment for active tuberculosis is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health in that other alternatives to encourage that person's adherence to treatment have failed. Any warnings or orders issued pursuant to subsections (c) and (k) of this section shall specify the period of time that the warning or order is to remain effective, provided: (i) Any order authorizing examination for tuberculosis shall not continue beyond the minimum period of time required, with the exercise of all due diligence, to make a medical determination of whether the person who has active tuberculosis is infectious or whether the person who is suspected of having tuberculosis has active tuberculosis; (ii) any warning concerning treatment or directly observed therapy shall not continue beyond the conclusion of the prescribed course of antituberculosis treatment; and (iii) any order authorizing emergency commitment shall not exceed ninety-six hours. Any order for emergency commitment or petition for commitment shall specify the place of confinement, which shall be in a facility approved by the Commissioner of Public Health and which shall not be a prison, jail or other enclosure where those charged with a crime are incarcerated unless the person who is the subject of the order is being held on a criminal charge. Not later than twenty-four hours after the issuance of the order or petition, the director of health shall notify the Commissioner of Public Health that such an order or petition has been issued.
(e) The director of health may petition the Probate Court for the district in which a person subject to a warning issued under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section resides for an enforcement order. A person concerning whom such petition is made shall have the right to a court hearing which shall be held by the Probate Court not later than three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the date of receipt of such petition. The hearing shall be held to determine: (1) If the person has active tuberculosis or is suspected of having active tuberculosis; (2) if the person is unable or unwilling to be examined voluntarily; (3) if efforts have been made to educate the person about the need for examination; (4) whether the order is necessary and is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health. The Probate Court may issue a warrant for the apprehension of a person who is the subject of an order for examination, and a police officer for the town in which such court is located, or if there is no such police officer then the state police or such other officer as the court may determine, shall deliver the person to a facility for examination as directed by the health director.
(f) Immediately upon issuance of an emergency commitment order under subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section, the director of health shall petition the Probate Court for the district in which the person who is subject to the order resides to determine whether such commitment shall be continued. The hearing shall be held not later than ninety-six hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the date of the issuance of such order of emergency commitment and the court shall cause such advanced notice as it directs thereof to be given to the person who is the subject of the order and such other persons as it may direct. The court shall determine: (1) If the person has active tuberculosis that is infectious or presents a substantial likelihood of having active tuberculosis that is infectious based upon epidemiologic, clinical, or radiographic evidence, and laboratory test results; (2) if the person poses a substantial and imminent likelihood of transmitting tuberculosis to others because of inadequate separation from others, based on a physician's professional judgment using recognized infection control principles; (3) if the person is unwilling or unable to behave so as to not expose others to risk of infection from tuberculosis; (4) if efforts have been made to educate and counsel the person about the need to avoid exposing others and required contagion precautions; (5) if the person has expressed or demonstrated an unwillingness to adhere to the prescribed course of treatment that would render the person noninfectious; (6) if efforts have been made to educate and counsel about the need to complete treatment and if reasonably appropriate enablers and incentives have been offered to facilitate the completion of treatment; and (7) whether the order is necessary and is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health.
(g) A petition by a director of health for a commitment order pursuant to subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of this section shall be heard by the Probate Court for the district in which the subject of such petition resides not later than three business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the date of receipt of such petition. The court shall cause such advanced notice as it directs thereof to be given to the person who is the subject of the order and such other persons as it may direct. The hearing shall be held to determine: (1) If the person has active tuberculosis; (2) if the person is unwilling or unable to adhere to an appropriate prescribed course of treatment for tuberculosis; (3) if efforts have been made to educate and counsel the person about the need to complete the course of treatment; (4) if reasonably appropriate enablers and incentives have been provided to the person to facilitate the completion of treatment by that person; (5) if the person has a demonstrated pattern of persistent nonadherence to treatment for tuberculosis; (6) if commitment for the purposes of completion of the prescribed course of treatment for active tuberculosis is necessary to prevent the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis organisms; and (7) whether the order is necessary and is the least restrictive available to protect the public health in that other less restrictive alternatives to encourage that person's adherence to the prescribed course of treatment for tuberculosis have failed. The Probate Court may issue a warrant for the apprehension of a person who is the subject of an order for commitment, and a police officer for the town in which such court is located, or if there is no such police officer then the state police or such other officer as the court may determine, shall deliver the person to the place for confinement as determined by the health director and as specified in subsection (d) of this section.
(h) All orders by health directors and all petitions for a hearing under this section shall be hand-delivered to the person subject to the order as quickly as reasonably possible and shall inform such person that: (1) The person or the person's representative has a right to be present at the hearing; (2) the person has a right to counsel and, if indigent or otherwise unable to pay for or to obtain counsel, the person has a right to have counsel appointed to represent him or her; (3) the court shall have the right to appoint and hear additional expert witnesses at the expense of the petitioner; (4) the person has a right to be present and to cross-examine witnesses testifying at the hearing; (5) the proceedings before the Probate Court shall be recorded and shall be transcribed if the person appeals or files a writ of habeas corpus; (6) the proceedings before the court shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed unless the person or the person's legal representative requests, or the Probate Court so orders for good cause shown; (7) the person has a right to appeal an order of the Probate Court to the Superior Court; and (8) the person has a right to petition the Probate Court to terminate or modify an order it has made under subsection (k) of this section, as provided in subsection (l) of this section. If the court finds that such person is indigent or otherwise unable to pay for or to obtain counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for him or her, unless such person refuses counsel and the court finds that the person understands the nature of his or her refusal. If the person does not select his or her own counsel, or if counsel selected by the person refuses to represent him or her, or is not available for such representation, the court shall appoint counsel for the person from a panel of attorneys admitted to practice in this state provided by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with section 45a-77. The reasonable compensation of appointed counsel for a person who is indigent or otherwise unable to pay for counsel 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.
(i) Prior to any hearing under this section, such person or the person's counsel shall be afforded access to all the person's medical records including, without limitation, hospital records if such person is hospitalized. If such person is hospitalized at the time of the hearing, the hospital shall provide such person or the person's counsel access to all records in its possession relating to the condition of the person. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent timely objection to the admissibility of evidence in accordance with the rules of civil procedure.
(j) At any hearing held under this section, the director of health shall have the burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) The person has active tuberculosis or, in the case of an examination order, is suspected of having active tuberculosis; (2) in the case of an enforcement order for examination, that efforts have been made to educate and counsel the person about the need for examination and that the person remains unable or unwilling voluntarily to submit to such examination; (3) in the case of an order under subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section and a petition under subdivision (5) of said subsection (c), that efforts that have been made to educate and counsel that person about the need to complete the appropriate prescribed course of treatment and that reasonably appropriate enablers and incentives have been offered or provided to the person, and that the person remains unable or unwilling voluntarily to adhere to the appropriate prescribed course of treatment; (4) in the case of continuation of an emergency commitment order under subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section that: (A) The person is infectious or presents a substantial likelihood of being infectious, (B) the person poses a substantial and imminent likelihood of transmitting tuberculosis to others, (C) the person is unable or unwilling to behave so as not to expose others to risk of infection, and (D) commitment is the least restrictive alternative available to protect the public health; (5) in the case of a petition for commitment under subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of this section, that (A) the person has been persistently nonadherent to treatment for tuberculosis, (B) commitment for the purpose of treatment for active tuberculosis is necessary to prevent the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis organisms, (C) commitment for the purpose of treatment for active tuberculosis is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health in that other alternatives to encourage said person's adherence to treatment have failed; and (6) the order sought by the director of health is necessary and is the least restrictive alternative to protect the public health.
(k) If the court, at such hearing, finds by clear and convincing evidence that the director of health has met the burden of proof set forth in subsection (j) of this section, the court shall: (1) In the case of examination orders: (A) Order such person to be examined; or (B) enter an order with such terms and conditions as the court deems appropriate to protect the public health in the manner least restrictive of the person's liberty and privacy; (2) in the case of a continuation of an emergency commitment issued pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section, (A) enter an order, authorizing the continued commitment of such person only for as long as the person remains infectious and poses a risk of transmission to others, or (B) enter an order with such terms and conditions as the court deems appropriate to protect the public health in the manner least restrictive of the person's liberty and privacy; and (3) in the case of a petition for a commitment order for treatment issued pursuant to subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of this section, (A) order the continued commitment, but only for as long as is necessary to complete the prescribed course of treatment or to demonstrate adherence to treatment, or (B) enter an order with such terms and conditions as the court deems appropriate to protect the public health in the manner least restrictive of the person's liberty and privacy. If the court, at such hearing, finds that the director of health has failed to meet such burden of proof, the court shall enter no orders, provided, if the person has been subject to an emergency commitment, the court shall order a release from such commitment.
(l) Such person may, at any time, move the court to terminate or modify an order made under subsection (k) of this section, in which case a hearing shall be held not later than five business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the date of issuance of such order in accordance with this subsection. In addition, the court shall, on its own motion, review at least every six months any order of commitment issued under this section to determine if the conditions that required the commitment or restriction of the person still exist. If the court finds at such hearing, held on motion of the person or on its own motion, that the conditions that warranted the issuance of the order no longer exist, it shall dissolve said order. At such hearing, the director of health shall bear the burden of proof as specified in subsection (j) of this section.
(m) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Probate Court under this section may take an appeal to the Superior Court. The Probate Court shall cause a recording of any hearing held pursuant to this section to be made, to be transcribed only in the event of a petition for a writ of habeas corpus or an appeal from the decree rendered hereunder. A copy of such transcript shall be furnished without charge to the appellant or petitioner for the writ of habeas corpus whom the Probate Court finds unable to pay for the same. In such case, the cost of preparing such transcript shall be paid by the original petitioner.
(n) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit or require the forcible administration of any medication.
(o) All health directors' orders, petitions for a hearing, notices of a hearing and proceedings of a hearing under this section shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed, except to the parties to the proceeding, or upon the request of the person who is the subject of the order or his legal representative, or upon order of the Probate Court for good cause shown.
(p) All health directors' emergency commitment orders and warnings shall be in a language that the person who is the subject of the warning or order can comprehend.
(q) The commissioner may adopt, in accordance with chapter 54, such regulations as are necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.
(P.A. 95-138; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-170, S. 10, 23; P.A. 97-90, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 98-52, S. 1; P.A. 99-84, S. 3; P.A. 06-196, S. 242; P.A. 15-217, S. 5.)
History: 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. 96-170 amended Subsec. (h) by changing funding of compensation of counsel from Probate Court Administration Fund to funds appropriated to Judicial Department, unless funds not included in budget of Judicial Department for such purpose, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 97-90 amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays from hearing required to be held within 96 hours, and revised effective date of P.A. 96-170 but without affecting this section, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-52 amended Subsec. (g) by adding provision re motion for appointment of three-judge panel; P.A. 99-84 amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision that petition shall be heard by judge of probate for district, unless there is motion of respondent or judge of probate for a three-judge panel; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (k), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 15-217 amended Subsec. (e) by substituting “petition” for “application”, amended Subsecs. (f) and (g) by deleting provisions re appointment of three-judge court upon motion of respondent or judge of probate, amended Subsec. (h) by substituting “petitions” for “applications or petitions” and “petition” for “apply to”, amended Subsec. (o) by substituting “petitions” for “applications or petitions”, and made technical changes.
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Sec. 19a-266. Breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program. (a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Breast cancer screening and referral services” means necessary breast cancer screening services and referral services for a procedure intended to treat cancer of the human breast, including, but not limited to, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and related medical follow-up services.
(2) “Cervical cancer screening and referral services” means necessary cervical cancer screening services and referral services for a procedure intended to treat cancer of the human cervix, including, but not limited to, surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and related medical follow-up services.
(3) “Tomosynthesis” means a digital x-ray mammogram that creates two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the breasts.
(4) “Unserved or underserved populations” means women who are: (A) At or below two hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level for individuals; (B) without health insurance that covers breast cancer screening mammography or cervical cancer screening services; and (C) twenty-one to sixty-four years of age.
(b) There is established, within existing appropriations, a breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program, within the Department of Public Health, to (1) promote screening, detection and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer among unserved or underserved populations, while giving priority consideration to women in minority communities who exhibit higher rates of breast cancer and cervical cancer than the general population, (2) educate the public regarding breast cancer and cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection, and (3) provide counseling and referral services for treatment.
(c) The program shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Establishment of a public education and outreach initiative to publicize breast cancer and cervical cancer early detection services and the extent of coverage for such services by health insurance; the benefits of early detection of breast cancer and the recommended frequency of screening services, including clinical breast examinations and mammography, which shall include, where possible, tomosynthesis; and the medical assistance program and other public and private programs and the benefits of early detection of cervical cancer and the recommended frequency of pap tests and tests for human papillomavirus;
(2) Development of professional education programs, including the benefits of early detection of breast cancer and the recommended frequency of mammography and the benefits of early detection of cervical cancer and the recommended frequency of pap tests and tests for human papillomavirus;
(3) Establishment of a system to track and follow up on all women screened for breast cancer and cervical cancer in the program. The system shall include, but not be limited to, follow-up of abnormal screening tests and referral to treatment when needed and tracking women to be screened at recommended screening intervals;
(4) Assurance that all participating providers of breast cancer and cervical cancer screening are in compliance with national and state quality assurance legislative mandates.
(d) The Department of Public Health shall provide unserved or underserved populations, while giving priority consideration to women in minority communities who exhibit higher rates of breast cancer and cervical cancer than the general population, within existing appropriations and through contracts with health care providers: (1) (A) Clinical breast examinations, (B) screening mammograms, which shall include, where possible, tomosynthesis, (C) pap tests, and (D) tests for human papillomavirus, as recommended in the most current breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines established by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, for the woman's age and medical history; and (2) a pap test every six months for women who have tested HIV positive.
(P.A. 96-238, S. 4–8, 25; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 54, 88; P.A. 98-36, S. 2; P.A. 00-216, S. 4, 28; P.A. 06-195, S. 5; P.A. 11-242, S. 29; P.A. 13-208, S. 2; P.A. 22-33, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 96-238 effective July 1, 1996; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 changed 40 to 19 years of age in Subsec. (a)(3), changed 2 years to 1 year and changed under age 50 to age 45 to 64 in Subsec. (d)(1), changed over the age of 50 to age 35 to 40 with a first degree relative or other risk factor in Subsec. (d)(2), limited test to those age 19 to 64 who have had a positive finding, otherwise every 3 years or as directed by physician in Subsec. (d)(3) and added Subsecs. (d)(4) re follow up tests and (d)(5) re tests if HIV positive, in Subsec. (f) added appropriations committee and added new Subsec. (g) re names of insurers, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-36 made a technical correction in Subsec. (f), changing “committee” to “committees”; P.A. 00-216 amended Subsec. (e) by adding provisions re use of settlement payments for breast and cervical cancer treatment services, effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 06-195 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “breast cancer screening and referral services” for “breast cancer treatment services” in Subdiv. (1) and redefining such services, and by substituting “cervical cancer screening and referral services” for “cervical cancer treatment services” in Subdiv. (2) and redefining such services, amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. designators (1) to (3), inclusive, and making technical changes, amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision in Subdiv. (1) expanding program content to include benefits of early detection and recommended frequency of screening services, including clinical breast exams and mammography, by making technical changes in Subdiv. (3), and by substituting “assurance” for “insurance” in Subdiv. (4), amended Subsec. (d) by deleting former Subdivs. (1) to (4), inclusive, adding new Subdiv. (1) re breast exams, screening mammograms and pap tests for unserved and underserved populations and renumbering existing Subdivs. (4) and (5) as Subdivs. (2) and (3), respectively, deleted former Subsec. (e) re application for and receipt of money from public and private sources for early detection and treatment referral, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (f) and (g) as Subsecs. (e) and (f), respectively, effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-242 amended Subsec. (a)(3)(C) by increasing minimum age requirement from 19 to 21 years of age, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting former Subdiv. (2) re 60-day follow-up pap tests for victims of sexual assault and redesignating existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (2), deleted former Subsec. (e) re annual report to General Assembly and redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (e); P.A. 13-208 redefined “unserved or underserved populations” in Subsec. (a)(3) by changing 200 per cent to 250 per cent and deleted former Subsec. (e) re report to Department of Public Health, effective January 1, 2014; P.A. 22-33 amended Subsec. (a) by adding new Subdiv. (3) defining “tomosynthesis” and redesignating existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (4), amended Subsec. (b)(1) by requiring priority consideration to be given to women in certain minority communities, amended Subsec. (c) by adding references to tomosynthesis and tests for human papillomavirus in Subdiv. (1) and reference to “tomosynthesis” in Subdiv. (2), and amended Subsec. (d) by requiring priority consideration be given to women in certain minority communities, adding subparagraph designators in Subdiv. (1), adding reference to tomosynthesis in Subpara. (B) and adding Subpara. (D) re tests for human papillomavirus.
See Sec. 17b-278b re authority of Commissioner of Social Services to seek federal waivers or amend Medicaid plan so as to secure federal reimbursement for costs of program.
See Sec. 19a-32b re breast cancer research and education account.
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Sec. 19a-266a. Gynecologic cancers information pamphlet. The Department of Public Health shall develop a pamphlet containing summary information concerning gynecologic cancers, including cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer. Such pamphlet shall contain standardized information with respect to such cancers, written in plain language, that includes (1) signs and symptoms, (2) risk factors, (3) the benefits of early detection through appropriate diagnostic testing, (4) treatment options, and (5) such other information as the department deems necessary. The department shall make such pamphlet available to hospitals, physicians and other health care providers for distribution to patients. The department shall also prepare appropriate multilingual versions of such pamphlet for use by Spanish-speaking and other non-English-speaking patients.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 7, 58.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 effective July 1, 2001.
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Secs. 19a-267 and 19a-268. Reserved for future use.
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