(a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall establish a Public Health Code and, from time to time, amend the same. The Public Health Code may provide for the preservation and improvement of the public health.
(1) Drainage and toilet systems to be installed in any house or building arranged or designed for human habitation, or field sanitation provided for agricultural workers or migratory farm laborers, shall conform to minimum requirements prescribed in said code.
(2) Said code may include regulations requiring toilets and handwashing facilities in large stores, as defined in such regulations, in shopping centers and in places dispensing food or drink for consumption on the premises, for the use of patrons of such establishments, except that the provisions of such regulations shall not apply to such establishments constructed or altered pursuant to plans and specifications approved or building permits issued prior to October 1, 1977.
(3) Each regulation adopted by the Commissioner of Public Health shall state the date on which it shall take effect, and a copy of the regulation, signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State and a copy sent by said commissioner to each director of health, and such regulation shall be published in such manner as the Commissioner of Public Health may determine.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of the Public Health Code shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
(b) The Commissioner of Public Health shall charge the following fees for the following services: (1) Review of each small flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal, two hundred dollars; and (2) review of each large flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal, six hundred twenty-five dollars. The commissioner shall amend the regulations adopted pursuant to this section as necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection.
(c) (1) For purposes of this subsection, “public pool” means an artificial basin constructed of concrete, steel, fiberglass or other impervious material and equipped with a controlled water supply that is intended for recreational bathing, swimming, diving or therapeutic purposes and includes, but is not limited to, any related equipment, structure, area or enclosure intended for the use of any person using or staffing such pool. “Public pool” does not include an artificial basin provided with a controlled water supply that is intended for use at a single-family residence, except when such basin is used for commercial or business purposes at such residence.
(2) The Department of Public Health shall classify public pools into one of the following categories:
(A) Public swimming pool, which is a pool used or intended to be used for recreational bathing, swimming or water recreation activities;
(B) Public wading pool, which is a pool principally used or intended to be used for wading and recreational bathing by small children;
(C) Public spa, which is a pool used for recreational bathing in conjunction with a high-velocity air system, a high-velocity water recirculation system, hot water, cold water, a mineral bath or any combination thereof;
(D) Public diving pool, which is a pool used solely for diving or the instruction and practicing of diving techniques; or
(E) Special purpose public pool, which is a pool used for a specialized purpose, including, but not limited to, a splash pad or spray park where the water is recirculated, water flume, pool used for scuba diving instruction, therapeutic pool, hydrotherapy pool or a pool used in an aquatics program for persons with disabilities. Special purpose public pool does not include a flotation vessel, which shall not be subject to review by the Department of Public Health. For purposes of this subparagraph, “flotation vessel” means a tank devoid of light and sound and containing salt water in which a person floats for purposes including, but not limited to, meditation, relaxation and alternative medicine.
(3) The commissioner shall charge the following fees for the following services: (A) Review of plans for a public pool, seven hundred fifty dollars; (B) review of a resubmitted plan for a public pool, two hundred fifty dollars; (C) initial inspection of a public pool, two hundred dollars; and (D) any subsequent inspection of a public pool, one hundred fifty dollars. The commissioner shall amend the regulations adopted pursuant to this section as necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, regulations governing the safety of public pools shall not require fences around (A) naturally formed ponds subsequently converted to public pool use, provided the converted ponds (i) retain sloping sides common to natural ponds, and (ii) are on property surrounded by a fence, or (B) a splash pad or spray park.
(d) The local director of health may authorize the use of an existing private well, consistent with all applicable sections of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, the installation of a replacement well at a single-family residential premises on property whose boundary is located within two hundred feet of an approved community water supply system, measured along a street, alley or easement, where (1) a premises that is not connected to the public water supply may replace a well used for domestic purposes if water quality testing is performed at the time of the installation, and for at least every ten years thereafter, or for such time as requested by the local director of health, that demonstrates that the replacement well meets the water quality standards for private wells established in the Public Health Code, and provided there is no service to the premises by a public water supply, or (2) a premises served by a public water supply may utilize or replace an existing well or install a new well solely for irrigation purposes or other outdoor water uses provided such well is permanently and physically separated from the internal plumbing system of the premises and a reduced pressure device is installed to protect against a cross connection with the public water supply. Upon a determination by the local director of health that an irrigation well creates an unacceptable risk of injury to the health or safety of persons using the water, to the general public, or to any public water supply, the local director of health may issue an order requiring the immediate implementation of mitigation measures, up to and including permanent abandonment of the well, in accordance with the provisions of the Connecticut Well Drilling Code adopted pursuant to section 25-128. In the event a cross connection with the public water system is found, the owner of the system may terminate service to the premises.
(1949 Rev., S. 3800; 1959, P.A. 628, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 140; P.A. 77-282; 77-614, S. 345, 610; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 6, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-44, S. 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 97-278; P.A. 98-75, S. 2; P.A. 02-102, S. 2; P.A. 03-252, S. 3; P.A. 05-122, S. 1; P.A. 07-244, S. 2; P.A. 08-184, S. 5; P.A. 09-11, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 165; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 177; P.A. 12-80, S. 66; P.A. 15-148, S. 1; P.A. 16-75, S. 1; P.A. 17-93, S. 1; 17-202, S. 67.)
History: 1959 act added provision re field sanitation; 1961 act substituted public health code for sanitary code; P.A. 77-282 provided that code may include regulations requiring restroom facilities in large stores, shopping centers etc.; P.A. 77-614 replaced public health council with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-13 transferred to Sec. 19a-36 in 1983; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 added new Subsec. (b) to establish fees for public swimming pool plan review and resubmitted plan review, public swimming pool inspection and reinspection and review of small and large flow plan for subsurface sewage disposal; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-44 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit the regulations from prohibiting the sale of food at noncommercial functions and to define “noncommercial function”; 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. 97-278 added Subsec. (c) re naturally formed ponds converted to swimming pool use; P.A. 98-75 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that provisions of regulations with respect to requirement of employing a qualified food operator and any reporting requirements re such operator shall not apply to soup kitchens that rely exclusively on volunteer services; P.A. 02-102 added Subsec. (d) to permit a local director of health to authorize the use of an existing private well or the installation of a replacement well at a single-family residential premises located within 200 feet of an approved community water supply system, subject to certain safeguards; P.A. 03-252 amended Subsec. (a) by allowing code to regulate retail food establishments; P.A. 05-122 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision requiring testing of qualified food operator's knowledge of food allergies, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subparas. (A) and (B), adding new Subdiv. designators and making technical changes; P.A. 07-244 amended Subsec. (d) to subject local health directors' decisions re use of existing private wells to applicable state regulations, to add provisions re mitigation or abandonment of irrigation wells that create an unacceptable risk of injury to health or safety and to make technical changes; P.A. 08-184 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by providing that code may include “the required permitting from local health departments or districts to operate said establishments”; P.A. 09-11 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(1); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fees; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to expand exemption to include persons distributing food and to provide that distribution or sale of food at a “noncommercial function” is by a person not normally engaged in the business of selling such food for profit, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (a)(7) to replace penalty of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 3 months or both with a class C misdemeanor; P.A. 15-148 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “Notwithstanding any regulations to the contrary”, delete former Subdivs. (1) to (4) re public swimming pools, redesignate existing Subdivs. (5) and (6) as Subdivs. (1) and (2) and add provision re commissioner to amend regulations to implement provisions of Subsec., added new Subsec. (c)(1) to (3) re definition and classification of public pools and fees for services, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (c)(4) and made technical and conforming changes therein; P.A. 16-75 amended Subsec. (c)(4) by redesignating existing Subparas. (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), designating existing provision re naturally formed ponds converted to public pool use as Subpara. (A) and adding new Subpara. (B) re splash pad or spray park; P.A. 17-93 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (1) re regulations pertaining to retail food establishments, redesignating existing Subdivs. (2) and (3) as Subdivs. (1) and (2), deleting former Subdiv. (4) re qualified food operators and sale or distribution of food at noncommercial function, deleting Subdiv. (5) re qualified food operators, and redesignating existing Subdivs. (6) and (7) as Subdivs. (3) and (4), effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 17-202 amended Subsec. (c)(2)(E) by replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities”.
See Sec. 19a-207 re duties of local health officials in enforcing Public Health Code.
See Sec. 19a-495 re regulation of health care institutions.
See Sec. 21a-62a re regulations pertaining to preparation of food in private residential dwelling for sale for human consumption.
Annotations to former section 19-13:
Cited. 166 C. 337; 172 C. 88.
Cited. 12 CA 57.
Annotation to present section:
Cited. 32 CA 409.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health
Section 19a-2a. - Powers and duties.
Section 19a-4. (Formerly Sec. 19-2a). - Commissioner to organize department and adopt regulations.
Section 19a-4i. - Office of Injury Prevention.
Section 19a-4j. - Office of Health Equity.
Section 19a-4k. - Advisory Commission on Multicultural Health.
Section 19a-4l. - Office of Oral Public Health.
Section 19a-5. (Formerly Sec. 19-4). - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 19a-6d. - Tobacco abuse reduction and health plan.
Section 19a-6e. - Traumatic brain injury patient registry.
Section 19a-6f. - Listing of certified medical assistants.
Section 19a-6i. - School-based health center advisory committee. Members. Duties. Report.
Section 19a-6o. - Palliative Care Advisory Council. Duties. Members. Report.
Section 19a-6p. - School-based health centers. Hours. Services. Reimbursement for services.
Section 19a-6q. - Chronic disease plan.
Section 19a-6s. - Provision of vaccines by clinical medical assistants under supervision.
Section 19a-6t. - Connecticut Rare Disease Advisory Council. Duties. Members. Report.
Section 19a-6u. - School-based health center expansion grant program.
Section 19a-7b. - Health Care Access Commission.
Section 19a-7c. - Subsidized nongroup health insurance product for pregnant women.
Section 19a-7d. - Primary care direct services program.
Section 19a-7e. - Health care for uninsured pregnant women demonstration project.
Section 19a-7g. - Childhood Immunization Advisory Council.
Section 19a-7h. - Immunization information system. Regulations.
Section 19a-7i. - Extension of coverage under the maternal and child health block grant.
Section 19a-7k. - Preventive dental care pilot program.
Section 19a-7o. - Hepatitis C and HIV-related testing.
Section 19a-7p. - Public health fee. Annual reporting requirement. Appeal. Penalties. Overpayment.
Section 19a-7s. - Evaluation of data re exemptions from immunization requirements. Report.
Section 19a-7u. - Pilot program to expand behavioral health care. Grants.
Section 19a-12c. - Professional assistance program account.
Section 19a-13. (Formerly Sec. 19-4n). - Regulated professions; definitions.
Section 19a-14. (Formerly Sec. 19-4o). - Powers of department concerning regulated professions.
Section 19a-14a. - Professional licenses. Investigations and disciplinary action.
Section 19a-14b. - Radon mitigators, diagnosticians and testing companies. Regulations.
Section 19a-14c. - Provision of outpatient mental health treatment to minors.
Section 19a-16e. - Scope of practice review committees. Membership. Duties.
Section 19a-16f. - Report to General Assembly on scope of practice review processes.
Section 19a-17. (Formerly Sec. 19-4s). - Disciplinary action by department, boards and commissions.
Section 19a-17a. - Review of medical malpractice awards and certain settlements.
Section 19a-17m. - Malpractice insurance purchase program.
Section 19a-17n. - Malpractice insurance purchase program. Regulations. Limitations.
Section 19a-18. (Formerly Sec. 19-4t). - Meaning of term “licensed” for insurance purposes.
Section 19a-19. (Formerly Sec. 19-4u). - Regulation of business practices.
Section 19a-21. (Formerly Sec. 19-4w). - Disposition of licensing fees.
Section 19a-22. (Formerly Sec. 19-4x). - Actions by department, boards and commissions; appeals.
Section 19a-23. (Formerly Sec. 19-4y). - Boards and commissions; records.
Section 19a-25a. - Regulations re electronic signatures for medical records.
Section 19a-25b. - Electronic prescribing systems authorized.
Section 19a-25c. - Medical records systems: Electronic and paper formats authorized.
Section 19a-25e. - Connecticut Health Information Network plan.
Section 19a-27. (Formerly Sec. 19-7a). - Test for rubella immunity. Regulations.
Section 19a-28. (Formerly Sec. 19-8). - Toxicology laboratory.
Section 19a-29. (Formerly Sec. 19-9). - Special laboratories.
Section 19a-29a. - Environmental laboratories.
Section 19a-31a. - Microbiological and biomedical biosafety laboratories.
Section 19a-32. (Formerly Sec. 19-10). - Department authorized to receive gifts.
Section 19a-32a. - AIDS research education account. Regulations.
Section 19a-32b. - Breast cancer research and education account.
Section 19a-32n. - Information and education re umbilical cord blood collection programs.
Section 19a-32o. - Short title: Connecticut Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program Act.
Section 19a-32p. - Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
Section 19a-32q. - Connecticut Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Board. Membership. Meetings.
Section 19a-32r. - Board to establish and administer umbilical cord blood collection program.
Section 19a-32t. - Umbilical cord blood collection account.
Section 19a-32u. - Copies of independent audits to be submitted to General Assembly.
Section 19a-32v. - Reports to Governor and General Assembly.
Section 19a-33. (Formerly Sec. 19-10a). - Regulation of traffic at department facilities.
Section 19a-36a. - Regulations concerning food operators.
Section 19a-36g. - Food code. Definitions.
Section 19a-36j. - Food inspectors. Certification. Inspections.
Section 19a-36k. - Food-borne illness or outbreak. Investigation.
Section 19a-36l. - Inspection violations. Appeal process.
Section 19a-37h. - Water companies to provide multilingual tier 1 notices.
Section 19a-38. (Formerly Sec. 19-13b). - Water company to add fluoride to water supply.
Section 19a-39. (Formerly Sec. 19-13c). - Protection of wells.
Section 19a-40. (Formerly Sec. 19-14). - Supervision of vital statistics.
Section 19a-41. (Formerly Sec. 19-15). - Compilation of vital records and statistics. Regulations.
Section 19a-42. (Formerly Sec. 19-15a). - Amendment of vital records.
Section 19a-43. (Formerly Sec. 19-15b). - Reproduction of vital records.
Section 19a-44. (Formerly Sec. 19-15c). - Matching of birth and death certificates.
Section 19a-45b. - Medical home pilot program.
Section 19a-45c. - Evaluation and report required re medical home pilot program.
Section 19a-46. (Formerly Sec. 19-17). - Expert examinations and inspections.
Section 19a-48. (Formerly Sec. 19-19). - Care for children with cerebral palsy.
Section 19a-49. (Formerly Sec. 19-19a). - Services for persons with cystic fibrosis.
Section 19a-51. (Formerly Sec. 19-20a). - Pediatric Cardiac Patient Care Fund.
Section 19a-54. (Formerly Sec. 19-21a). - Registration of children with special health care needs.
Section 19a-54a. - Registry of data on infants exposed to AIDS medication.
Section 19a-55a. - Newborn screening account.
Section 19a-55b. - Information on newborn infant safe sleep practices.
Section 19a-56. (Formerly Sec. 19-21c). - Program for prevention of erythroblastosis.
Section 19a-57. (Formerly Sec. 19-21d). - Loans for purchase of hemodialysis treatment machines.
Section 19a-58. (Formerly Sec. 19-21e). - Pamphlet concerning hearing impairments in infants.
Section 19a-59. - Program to identify infants who are hard of hearing.
Section 19a-59b. - Maternal and child health protection program.
Section 19a-59e. - Media campaign for the reduction of adolescent pregnancies.
Section 19a-59h. - Maternal mortality review program. Confidentiality of information.
Section 19a-59i. - Maternal mortality review committee.
Section 19a-60. (Formerly Sec. 19-22). - Dental services for children.
Section 19a-60a. - Dental services for children of low-income families.
Section 19a-61. (Formerly Sec. 19-22b). - Services for children suffering from diabetes.
Section 19a-62. (Formerly Sec. 19-22c). - Services for children suffering from cancer.
Section 19a-69. (Formerly Sec. 19-27). - Distribution of biologic products.
Section 19a-70. (Formerly Sec. 19-28). - Priority of distribution in emergency.
Section 19a-71. (Formerly Sec. 19-29). - Observation and treatment of certain typhoid germ carriers.
Section 19a-72a. - State-wide stroke registry.
Section 19a-73a. - Establishment of comprehensive cancer plan for state.
Section 19a-73b. - Funding sources for comprehensive cancer program.
Section 19a-74. (Formerly Sec. 19-30). - Cancer.
Section 19a-75. (Formerly Sec. 19-30b). - State aid for health career educational programs.
Section 19a-77. - “Child care services” defined. Exclusions. Additional license.
Section 19a-77a. - Child day care services in retail stores.
Section 19a-79. (Formerly Sec. 19-43d). - Regulations. Exemptions. Waivers.
Section 19a-79a. - Pesticide applications at child care facilities.
Section 19a-80g. - Child care center waiting list fees and deposits.
Section 19a-80h. - Enrollment of certain children in preschool programs.
Section 19a-81. (Formerly Sec. 19-43f). - Hearing on denial of license.
Section 19a-83. (Formerly Sec. 19-43h). - Reports of licensees.
Section 19a-85. (Formerly Sec. 19-43j). - Appeal.
Section 19a-86. (Formerly Sec. 19-43k). - Injunction against illegal operation.
Section 19a-86a. - Accepting voluntary surrender of license as resolution of disciplinary action.
Section 19a-86b. - Validity of license during investigation or disciplinary action.
Section 19a-86c. - Failure to provide written notice of proposed closure. Penalty.
Section 19a-87g. - Notification of emergency situations to licensees of day care centers.
Section 19a-88a. - Regulations concerning retired nurses.
Section 19a-88c. - Regulations re retired dentists.
Section 19a-89. (Formerly Sec. 19-46). - Change of office or residence address.
Section 19a-89a. - Database on nursing personnel.
Section 19a-89b. - Fees for pool design guidelines and food compliance guide.
Section 19a-89c. - Auricular acupuncture pilot program.
Section 19a-89d. - Nurse staffing and patient care data.
Section 19a-89e. - Development of prospective nurse staffing plan by hospitals. Report.
Section 19a-90. (Formerly Sec. 19-47). - Blood testing of pregnant women for syphilis and HIV.
Section 19a-92a. - Regulation of persons engaged in tattooing. Penalty.
Section 19a-92g. - Body piercing.
Section 19a-102. (Formerly Sec. 19-59a). - Regulation of sale of turtles.
Section 19a-102a. - Regulation of sale of turtles.
Section 19a-102b. - Importation of turtles.
Section 19a-103. (Formerly Sec. 19-60). - Control of communicable diseases in institutions.
Section 19a-104. (Formerly Sec. 19-61). - Sale of rags to be used as wiping cloths; cleaning.
Section 19a-105. (Formerly Sec. 19-62). - Public toilets.
Section 19a-106. (Formerly Sec. 19-62a). - “Restroom” defined.
Section 19a-106a. - Customer access to employee restrooms in retail establishments.
Section 19a-107. (Formerly Sec. 19-63). - Towels in hotels and public lavatories.
Section 19a-108. (Formerly Sec. 19-64). - Common drinking cups.
Section 19a-110a. - Regional lead poisoning treatment centers.
Section 19a-111a. - Lead poisoning prevention program. Lead state agency.
Section 19a-111c. - Abatement of lead in dwellings. List of encapsulant products. Regulations.
Section 19a-111d. - Regulations.
Section 19a-111e. - Federal funds for lead poisoning prevention programs.
Section 19a-111g. - Pediatric lead testing and risk assessment. Exemption.
Section 19a-111h. - Review of lead poisoning data. Regulations.
Section 19a-111i. - Report re lead poisoning prevention efforts.
Section 19a-111k. - Applicability of OSHA standards to abatement and remediation of lead hazards.
Section 19a-111l. - Guidelines on mold abatement protocols.
Section 19a-112b. - Services to victims of sexual acts.
Section 19a-112c. - Educational materials for sexual assault victims.
Section 19a-112d. - Sexual assault victims account.
Section 19a-112g. - Sexual assault forensic examiners. Responsibilities.
Section 19a-112h. - Financial assistance for victims of sexual assault.
Section 19a-112i. - Community gun violence intervention and prevention program.
Section 19a-113a. - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification of lifeguards.
Section 19a-115. (Formerly Sec. 19-66f). - Regulation of medical test units.
Section 19a-116. (Formerly Sec. 19-66g). - Regulation of facilities which offer abortion services.
Section 19a-121. - HIV and AIDS: Grant program.
Section 19a-121a. - AIDS: Funding to local health departments.
Section 19a-121b. - Regulations.
Section 19a-121c. - HIV and AIDS: Public information program.
Section 19a-121d. - Grants for mass mailing of report on AIDS.
Section 19a-122. - Hospice care for the homeless.
Section 19a-122a. - Hospice care for the homeless. Termination of pilot program.
Section 19a-123. - Nursing pool: Definition.
Section 19a-123b. - Nursing pool: Written agreement with health care institution.
Section 19a-123c. - Regulation of rates charged by nursing pools.
Section 19a-123d. - Aggrievement. Penalties.
Section 19a-124. - Syringe services programs.
Section 19a-124a. - Donation of vans to entities operating needle exchange programs.
Section 19a-125. - Adolescent Health Council.
Section 19a-127l. - Quality of care program. Quality of Care Advisory Committee.
Section 19a-127o. - Patient safety organizations.
Section 19a-127p. - Requirement for hospitals to contract with patient safety organization.
Section 19a-131. - Public health emergency response authority. Definitions.
Section 19a-131a. - Declaration of public health emergency by Governor.
Section 19a-131b. - Orders of quarantine or isolation. Appeal of order. Hearing.
Section 19a-131c. - Enforcement of order of quarantine or isolation.
Section 19a-131d. - Entry into quarantine or isolation premises.
Section 19a-131e. - Orders of vaccination. Appeal of order. Hearing.
Section 19a-131f. - Authorization to administer vaccinations.
Section 19a-131g. - Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee.
Section 19a-131h. - Registration of deaths.
Section 19a-131i. - Immunity from personal liability.
Section 19a-131k. - Mandatory distribution of potassium iodide.
Section 19a-133. - Declaration of racism as a public health crisis.
Section 19a-133a. - Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health. Membership. Powers and duties.
Section 19a-133d. - Educational materials re pulse oximeters.