The Public Health Committee on Feb. 19 voted to advance two items for further legislative action and hearings: SB 1190, which would require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and ensure at least one staff member per shift trained in CPR and AED use; and HB 6836, an enabling bill that would authorize the Department of Social Services to implement a hospital global budget payment methodology if hospitals elect to participate in the federal AHEAD demonstration program.

SB 1190: An AED requirement for nursing homes and assisted-living facilities

SB 1190, as presented to the committee, would require administrators of nursing homes and residential care communities to provide and maintain an AED in a central location, to make its location known to staff, residents and visitors, to maintain and test the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines, and to ensure that at least one staff member on duty per shift is trained in CPR and AED use under American Red Cross or American Heart Association standards by Jan. 1, 2026.

Representative Claris Teacher (Representative) said support for the bill was strong: “I will be supporting this bill today. I think it's it's critically important to have AEDs in as many places we can.” Representative Jenga (Representative), who moved the measure for committee action, said he was surprised it was not already required: “It's surprising that we have to to mandate this.”

Several members raised operational questions. Representative Mara (Representative) asked whether the staffing requirement meant one person per facility 24 hours a day; the chair clarified it meant one trained person on each shift. Representative Mico (Representative) asked whether the bill provides an enforcement mechanism; the committee chair said enforcement would fall to the Department of Public Health (DPH) for nursing homes, noting that DPH is already responsible for oversight of these facilities. Representative Kennedy (Representative) asked about maintenance and calibration; the chair responded the bill requires maintenance and testing per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

The committee took a roll-call vote on SB 1190 and recorded multiple affirmative votes. The chairs announced that roll-call voting would remain open until 2 p.m. to accommodate members participating remotely or in concurrent meetings.

HB 6836: Enabling statute for AHEAD hospital global-budget demonstration

HB 6836 would authorize the Department of Social Services, starting Jan. 1, 2027, to implement a hospital global budget payment methodology for licensed acute-care hospitals that opt in to the federal AHEAD (Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development) demonstration. The bill, as presented, is an enabling statute to allow DSS to offer the global budget payment model and related equity and performance targets; participation by hospitals would be voluntary.

Committee members expressed deep concerns about fiscal and access risks. Representative Clarides Dietrich (Representative) said: “I just I feel we're gonna be in the same situation with a hospital settlement. The hospitals are gonna what's gonna happen? There's no money left.” Senator Summers (Senator) said she was “very concerned” and would vote no, calling the federal implementation funding “hilariously low.” Representative D'Amico (Representative) highlighted testimony from Disability Rights Connecticut and others and warned of incentives that could reduce access for higher-cost patients.

Committee chairs and proponents said the federal AHEAD demonstration provides implementation funding and a 30-month implementation window; chairs emphasized that participation is voluntary for hospitals. The chairs described the AHEAD grant as implementation funding (the transcript cites CMS providing up to $12,000,000 total per state for up to six years for implementation, per committee briefing) and said the model aims to shift spending toward primary care and prevention to reduce avoidable hospitalizations.

The committee voted on HB 6836 by roll call after extended debate. Votes were recorded on the roll call; the chairs again kept the roll-call votes open until 2 p.m. for members in other meetings. Several members said they opposed the bill at this time, citing insufficient detail and risk to hospitals and patients.

What the committee did

- SB 1190 (AEDs): Motion made and seconded to JF action (moved to further legislative consideration); roll call taken and multiple yes votes recorded; roll call remained open until 2 p.m. for late/remote votes.
- HB 6836 (AHEAD/global budget): Motion made and seconded to JF action (enabling statute for DSS to offer the AHEAD global budget model); roll-call vote taken with a mix of yes and no votes recorded; roll call remained open until 2 p.m.

Both measures were advanced out of committee for further consideration and hearings; committee leaders said additional technical work and negotiations with hospitals and agencies will continue.