Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 368v - Health Care Institutions
Section 19a-535e. - Essential support persons. Definitions. Visitation rights at long-term care facilities.

(a) As used in this section, section 19a-535f and subsection (b) of section 17a-408, (1) “primary essential support person” means a person designated by a long-term care facility resident, or a resident representative, who may visit with the resident in accordance with rules set by the Commissioner of Public Health to provide essential support as reflected in the resident's person-centered plan of care; (2) “essential support” means support that includes, but is not limited to, (A) assistance with activities of daily living, and (B) physical, emotional, psychological and socialization support for the resident; (3) “secondary essential support person” means a person designated by the resident, or resident representative, to serve as a backup to a primary essential support person; (4) “person-centered plan of care” means a care plan for a resident developed by a resident or resident representative in consultation with health professionals that focuses on the resident's physical, emotional, psychological and socialization needs and includes a primary essential support person or secondary essential support person designated by a resident; and (5) “long-term care facility” means a nursing home facility, as defined in section 19a-490 or a managed residential community, as defined in section 19a-693 that provides services offered by an assisted living services agency, as defined in section 19a-490.

(b) A long-term care facility resident, or a resident representative, may designate a primary essential support person and a secondary essential support person who may visit the resident despite general visitation restrictions imposed on other visitors, provided the primary essential support person or secondary essential support person complies with any rules promulgated by the Commissioner of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-535f to protect the health, safety and well-being of long-term care facility residents.
(P.A. 21-71, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 21-71 effective June 24, 2021.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being

Chapter 368v - Health Care Institutions

Section 19a-485. - Home for the aged deemed to mean residential care home.

Section 19a-486. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Definitions.

Section 19a-486a. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Certificate of need determination letter. Hearing. Application for approval.

Section 19a-486b. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Approval by executive director and Attorney General.

Section 19a-486c. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Powers of Attorney General. Grounds for disapproval by Attorney General.

Section 19a-486d. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Disapproval by executive director. Powers of executive director.

Section 19a-486e. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Public hearings.

Section 19a-486f. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Appeal.

Section 19a-486g. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Denial of license.

Section 19a-486h. - Sale of nonprofit hospitals: Construction of governing law.

Section 19a-486i. - Definitions. Notice to Attorney General and executive director of certain mergers, acquisitions and other transactions. Reports.

Section 19a-487. - Mobile field hospital: Defined, board of directors.

Section 19a-487a. - Mobile field hospital: Certificate of need exemption for hospital beds and related equipment.

Section 19a-487b. - Mobile field hospital: Regulations.

Section 19a-490. (Formerly Sec. 19-576). - Licensing of institutions. Definitions.

Section 19a-490. (Formerly Sec. 19-576). *(See end of section for - Licensing of institutions. Definitions.

Section 19a-490a. - “Community health center” defined.

Section 19a-490aa. - Health care institution to obtain potable water from bulk water hauler or bottler during water supply shortage.

Section 19a-490b. - Furnishing of health records and veterans' information. Access to tissue slides or blocks. Certified document re storage of and access to health records upon cessation of operations.

Section 19a-490bb. - Surgical smoke evacuation system policies for hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities.

Section 19a-490c. - Moratorium on licensing of family care homes.

Section 19a-490cc. - HIV-related testing by hospital employees or staff members for patients thirteen years of age or older.

Section 19a-490d. - Prevention of accidental needlestick injuries in health care facilities and institutions.

Section 19a-490dd. - Accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment in health care facilities.

Section 19a-490e. - Use of E-codes by hospitals, outpatient surgical facilities and outpatient clinics.

Section 19a-490ee. - Provision of educational materials by birthing hospitals.

Section 19a-490f. - Requirements for reports of treatment of wounds from firearms and stab wounds.

Section 19a-490g. - Bilingual consumer guide.

Section 19a-490h. - Emergency room screening of trauma patients for substance abuse. Assistance by Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 19a-490i. - Interpreter services and linguistic access in acute care hospitals.

Section 19a-490j. - Hospital plans for remediation of medical and surgical errors.

Section 19a-490k. - Administration of care and vaccinations to patients by hospital without physician's order. Permitted activities. Regulations.

Section 19a-490l. - Mandatory limits on overtime for nurses working in hospitals. Exceptions.

Section 19a-490m. - Development of surgery protocols and procedures for securing express written consent to an intimate examination by hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities.

Section 19a-490n. - Advisory committee on Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance. Members. Duties.

Section 19a-490o. - Establishment of mandatory reporting system for healthcare associated infections and microbial resistance. Posting of information on web site.

Section 19a-490p. - Development of plans by hospitals to reduce incidence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections.

Section 19a-490q. - Health care employer: Work place safety committee; risk assessment; workplace violence prevention and response plan; adjustment to patient care assignment. Regulations.

Section 19a-490r. - Health care employer: Records and report re incidents of workplace violence.

Section 19a-490s. - Health care employer: Report of assault or related offense to local law enforcement agency.

Section 19a-490t. - Community health centers. Program to provide financial assistance. Report.

Section 19a-490u. - Training in symptoms of dementia and implicit bias for hospital direct care staff.

Section 19a-490v. - Removal of a delivered placenta from a hospital.

Section 19a-490w. - Certification of hospital as comprehensive stroke center, primary stroke center, thrombectomy-capable stroke center or acute stroke-ready hospital.

Section 19a-490x. - List of comprehensive stroke centers, primary stroke centers and acute stroke-ready centers. Submission and maintenance. Nationally recognized standardized stroke triage tool and prehospital care protocols re assessment, treatment...

Section 19a-490y. - Tuberculosis screening, testing, treatment and education policies for health care facilities.

Section 19a-490z. - Remote access to patient records for quality improvement audits by Department of Public Health.

Section 19a-491. (Formerly Sec. 19-577). - License and certificate required. Application. Assessment of civil penalties or a consent order. Fees. Minimum service quality standards. Regulations. Professional liability insurance. Prohibition. Maintenan...

Section 19a-491a. - Information required for nursing home license. Professional liability insurance requirements. Procedure upon failure to provide information.

Section 19a-491b. - Notification of criminal conviction or disciplinary action. Civil penalty. False statements. Criminal history records checks.

Section 19a-491c. - Criminal history and patient abuse background search program. Regulations.

Section 19a-491d. - Prospective employees of home health agency to submit to comprehensive background check. Disclosure re prior disciplinary action.

Section 19a-491e. - Home health agency contracts. Prohibition on no-hire clauses, penalties.

Section 19a-492. - Regulations re qualifications of home health care administrators employed as such on January 1, 1981.

Section 19a-492a. - Disclosures by home health care agencies.

Section 19a-492b. - Home health care and hospice agencies. Discrimination against persons receiving aid. Prohibition. Penalties.

Section 19a-492c. - Home health care and hospice agencies. Waiver for provision of hospice services.

Section 19a-492d. - Vaccinations and medication administered by nurses employed by home health care agency, hospice agency or home health agency.

Section 19a-492e. - Delegation of medication administration by registered nurse to home health aides and hospice aides. Regulations.

Section 19a-492f. - Disposal of controlled substances for hospice and hospice care programs.

Section 19a-493. (Formerly Sec. 19-578). - Initial license and renewal. Prior approval for change in ownership. Multicare institution. Regulations.

Section 19a-493a. - Evaluation of certain new licensees.

Section 19a-493b. - Outpatient surgical facilities. Definition. Licensure and exceptions. Certificate of need. Waiver.

Section 19a-493c. - Outpatient clinics. Licensure. Regulations.

Section 19a-493d. - Urgent care centers. Licensure as outpatient clinic. Policies, procedures and regulations. Rates of payments to providers. Identification of freestanding emergency departments. Regulations.

Section 19a-494. (Formerly Sec. 19-579). - Disciplinary action.

Section 19a-494a. - Emergency summary orders.

Section 19a-495. (Formerly Sec. 19-580). - Regulations re licensed institutions. Implementation of policies and procedures re medications.

Section 19a-495a. - Unlicensed assistive personnel in residential care homes. Certification re administration of medication. Regulations. Nonnursing duties.

Section 19a-495b. - Residential care homes. Operational requirements. Conforming amendments to the Public Health Code.

Section 19a-495c. - Methadone delivery and related substance use treatment services to persons in a nursing home facility.

Section 19a-496. (Formerly Sec. 19-581). - Compliance with regulations. Inspections. Plan of correction.

Section 19a-496a. - Home health care, hospice home health care and home health aide agency services. Authorized practitioners in bordering states. Applicable regulations, policies, procedures.

Section 19a-497. - Filing of strike contingency plan. Summary order. Civil penalty: Notification and hearing requirement. Regulations. Collective bargaining implications.

Section 19a-498. (Formerly Sec. 19-582). - Inspections, investigations, examinations and audits. Retention of records.

Section 19a-498a. - Discriminatory practices prohibited.

Section 19a-498b. - Nursing homes. Admission of residents who have been administered a level two assessment. Annual survey by Department of Public Health to include comparison between recommended services and actual services. Responsibilities of nurs...

Section 19a-499. (Formerly Sec. 19-583). - Information to be confidential. Exceptions.

Section 19a-500. - Penalty for material false statement.

Section 19a-501. (Formerly Sec. 19-584). - Appeal.

Section 19a-502. (Formerly Sec. 19-585). - Penalty for operating without license or owning property without certificate. Revocation or suspension of license for failure to yield financial information.

Section 19a-503. (Formerly Sec. 19-586). - Authority re establishment, conduct, management or operation of institution without a license or nursing facility management services without a certificate.

Section 19a-504. (Formerly Sec. 19-587). - Removal of bodies of deceased persons from presence of patients in hospitals, residential care homes and rest homes.

Section 19a-504a. - Continuation or removal of life support system. Determination of death.

Section 19a-504b. - Home health care for elderly persons.

Section 19a-504c. - Regulations re standards for hospital discharge planning. Caregiver designation and training.

Section 19a-504d. - Hospital discharge plans; options of home health care and hospice agencies required.

Section 19a-504e. - Requirements and construction of sections re hospital discharge planning and caregiver designation and services.

Section 19a-505. (Formerly Sec. 19-588). - Maternity hospitals; license; inspection.

Section 19a-505a. - Hospital to provide forms for birth certificate and affidavit of parentage to parents of child born out of wedlock.

Section 19a-506. (Formerly Sec. 19-589). - Licensing of maternity homes. Fees.

Section 19a-507. (Formerly Sec. 19-589a). - New Horizons independent living facility for severely physically disabled adults.

Section 19a-507a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-80a). - Community residences for mentally ill adults. Definitions.

Section 19a-507b. (Formerly Sec. 19a-80b). - Establishment of community residence. Limitations. Petitions.

Section 19a-507c. (Formerly Sec. 19a-80c). - Evaluation of community residences.

Section 19a-507d. (Formerly Sec. 19a-80d). - Petition for revocation of license of community residence.

Section 19a-507e and 19a-507f. - Grants and loans for community residential facilities for mentally ill adults. Bond issue.

Section 19a-507g. - Adult day health care facilities. Regulations.

Section 19a-508. (Formerly Sec. 19-590). - Notice of appointment of interns, house officers and resident physicians.

Section 19a-508a. - Notification to physician and family member. Caregiver or support person of patient's hospital admission.

Section 19a-508b. - Notification to patient of placement in observation status by hospital.

Section 19a-508c. - *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Hospital and health system facility fees charged for outpatient services at hospital-based facilities. Notice re establishment of hospital-based facility at which facil...

Section 19a-508d. - Health care provider referral to affiliated health care provider. Notice to patients.

Section 19a-509. (Formerly Sec. 19-590a). - Hospital and nursing home admission forms. Hospital bills. Utility charges for nursing home patients.

Section 19a-509a. - Audits of hospital bills. Charges.

Section 19a-509b. - Hospital bed funds.

Section 19a-509c. - Prescription orders in health care facilities.

Section 19a-509d. - Transcription and execution of verbal medication orders.

Section 19a-509e. (Formerly Sec. 17a-661). - Referrals required for certain patients showing symptoms of substance abuse.

Section 19a-509f. - Prohibited utility charges to residents of residential care homes, nursing homes and rest homes.

Section 19a-509g. - Behavioral health facility. Criteria for admission.

Section 19a-510. (Formerly Sec. 19-590b). - Reporting of burns.

Section 19a-510a. - Reporting of treatment for burn injuries or injuries resulting from use of fireworks.

Section 19a-511. (Formerly Sec. 19-591). - Nursing home administrators to supervise homes. Definitions.

Section 19a-512. (Formerly Sec. 19-593). - Licensure by examination. Minimum requirements.

Section 19a-513. (Formerly Sec. 19-594). - Licensure by endorsement.

Section 19a-514. (Formerly Sec. 19-595). - Issuance of administrator's license. Nontransferable.

Section 19a-515. (Formerly Sec. 19-596). - License renewal. Continuing education requirement.

Section 19a-516. (Formerly Sec. 19-597). - Temporary license.

Section 19a-517. (Formerly Sec. 19-598). - Unacceptable conduct. Notice. Hearing. Revocation or suspension of license. Appeal.

Section 19a-518. (Formerly Sec. 19-599). - Penalty.

Section 19a-519. (Formerly Sec. 19-600). - Regulations. Programs of instruction and training.

Section 19a-520. (Formerly Sec. 19-601). - Changes in regulations to meet federal requirements.

Section 19a-521. (Formerly Sec. 19-602). - Nursing home facilities. Definitions.

Section 19a-521a. - Dual inspections of chronic and convalescent nursing homes or rest homes with nursing supervision.

Section 19a-521b. - Bed positioning in nursing home facilities.

Section 19a-521c. - Prescription drugs obtained through United States Department of Veterans Affairs prescription drug program or health plan by patients of nursing home facilities and residential care homes.

Section 19a-521d. - Prescription drug formulary systems in nursing home facilities.

Section 19a-521e. - Reportable events at nursing homes and behavioral health facilities. System for electronic notification.

Section 19a-522. (Formerly Sec. 19-603). - Regulations concerning nursing home facilities' health, safety and welfare. Regulations concerning immunization against influenza and pneumococcal disease. Procedures for reimbursement by nursing home facili...

Section 19a-522a. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: Resident room and area temperature levels.

Section 19a-522b. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: Preservation and maintenance of patient medical records. Electronic signatures.

Section 19a-522c. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: In-service training.

Section 19a-522d. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: Maximum time span between meals; bedtime nourishment.

Section 19a-522e. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: Stretcher requirement.

Section 19a-522f. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision. Administration of peripherally inserted central catheter by IV therapy nurse or physician assistant. Administration of IV therapy or medication by reg...

Section 19a-522g. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision: Medical history and examination.

Section 19a-522h. - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes. Provision of services to patients with a reportable disease, emergency illness or health condition. Suspension of licensure requirements during public health emergency.

Section 19a-523. (Formerly Sec. 19-606). - Injunction for violation.

Section 19a-524. (Formerly Sec. 19-607). - Citations issued for certain violations.

Section 19a-525. (Formerly Sec. 19-608). - Contest of citation. Informal conference. Hearing. Final order.

Section 19a-526. (Formerly Sec. 19-609). - Effect of final order. Payment of civil penalties.

Section 19a-527. (Formerly Sec. 19-610). - Classification of violations by nursing home facilities.

Section 19a-527a. - Classification of violations by residential care homes.

Section 19a-528. (Formerly Sec. 19-611). - Criteria for imposing civil penalties.

Section 19a-528a. - Application of licensure for acquisition of a nursing home. Notice of liability for abuse or neglect. Required disclosures.

Section 19a-529. (Formerly Sec. 19-612). - Appeal from final order.

Section 19a-530. (Formerly Sec. 19-612a). - Report to regional ombudsman.

Section 19a-531. (Formerly Sec. 19-613). - Advance disclosure of inspection, investigation or complaint prohibited. Exception. Penalty.

Section 19a-532. (Formerly Sec. 19-614). - Discrimination against complainants and others prohibited. Penalty.

Section 19a-533. (Formerly Sec. 19-614a). - Discrimination against indigent applicants. Definitions. Prohibitions. Record-keeping. Investigation of complaints. Penalties. Waiting lists; not required to accept indigents. Removal from waiting lists.

Section 19a-534. (Formerly Sec. 19-615). - Emergency transfer of patients; notice requirement.

Section 19a-534a. - Emergency actions against nursing home and residential care home licensees.

Section 19a-535. (Formerly Sec. 19-616). - Transfer or discharge of residents. Notice. Plan required. Appeal. Hearing.

Section 19a-535a. - Residential care homes. Transfer or discharge of patients. Appeal. Hearing. Reporting on involuntary transfers, discharges.

Section 19a-535b. - Chronic disease hospital. Transfer or discharge of patients. Notice.

Section 19a-535c. - Nursing home facility discharge. Caregiver instruction and training requirements.

Section 19a-535d. - Effect on legal rights. Nursing home facility liability. Insurer and healthcare provider responsibility. Discharge or transfer. Caregiver compensation.

Section 19a-535e. - Essential support persons. Definitions. Visitation rights at long-term care facilities.

Section 19a-535f. - State-wide visitation policy for long-term care facilities. Requirements. Provisions for essential support persons.

Section 19a-536. (Formerly Sec. 19-617). - Inspection reports to be available for inspection. Room to be provided. Notice of availability.

Section 19a-537. (Formerly Sec. 19-617a). - Definitions. Nursing home responsibilities re reservation of beds. Reimbursement. Readmission.

Section 19a-537a. - Reservation of beds. Penalty. Hearing.

Section 19a-538. (Formerly Sec. 19-618). - Department of Public Health list of information concerning nursing home facilities and residential care homes.

Section 19a-539. (Formerly Sec. 19-619). - Disclosure of additional costs. Enforcement of surety contracts.

Section 19a-540. (Formerly Sec. 19-620). - Posting of citations. Monthly report by Department of Public Health.

Section 19a-541. (Formerly Sec. 19-621a). - Receivership of nursing home facilities and residential care homes: Definitions.

Section 19a-542. (Formerly Sec. 19-621b). - Application for receivership. Hearing. Parties. Emergency order.

Section 19a-543. (Formerly Sec. 19-621c). - Imposition of receivership: Grounds.

Section 19a-544. (Formerly Sec. 19-621d). - Imposition of receivership: Defenses.

Section 19a-545. (Formerly Sec. 19-621e). - Duties of receiver.

Section 19a-546. (Formerly Sec. 19-621f). - Authority of receiver concerning leases, mortgages, secured transactions.

Section 19a-547. (Formerly Sec. 19-621g). - Appointment of receiver. Qualifications of receiver. Removal. Bond. Fees.

Section 19a-548. (Formerly Sec. 19-621h). - Accounting by receiver.

Section 19a-549. (Formerly Sec. 19-621i). - Termination of receivership.

Section 19a-549a. - Notification by nursing home facilities when placed in receivership or petition for bankruptcy filed.

Section 19a-550. (Formerly Sec. 19-622). - Patients' bill of rights.

Section 19a-550a. - Patient's rights pursuant to Medicare conditions of participation.

Section 19a-550b. - Nursing home resident rights to technology of their choice. Requirements for virtual visitation, virtual monitoring.

Section 19a-550c. - Access to recordings, images from technology used by nursing home residents. Confidentiality requirements. Restrictions on solicitation of recordings, images.

Section 19a-551. (Formerly Sec. 19-623a). - Management of resident's personal funds.

Section 19a-552. (Formerly Sec. 19-623b). - Failure to comply with section 19a-551: Penalties.

Section 19a-553. (Formerly Sec. 19-624). - Disclosure of crimes required. Penalty.

Section 19a-554. (Formerly Sec. 19-625). - Attorney General to assign assistant to Commissioner of Public Health.

Section 19a-555. (Formerly Sec. 19-626). - Chronic and convalescent nursing homes. Medical director. Personal physicians.

Section 19a-556 to 19a-558. (Formerly Secs. 19-626a to 19-626c). - Commission on Long-Term Care; membership. Coordinator; powers and duties. Complaint and investigation procedure.

Section 19a-559. (Formerly Sec. 19-626d). - Advisory board. Membership. Duties.

Section 19a-560. - Disclosure of Medicaid and Medicare participation and advance payment and deposit requirements by nursing homes.

Section 19a-561. - Nursing facility management services. Certification. Initial applications and biennial renewals. Investigation. Disciplinary action.

Section 19a-562. - Dementia special care units or programs. Definitions. Disclosure requirements.

Section 19a-562a. - Training requirements for nursing home facility and dementia special care unit or program staff.

Section 19a-562b. - Staff training and education on Alzheimer's disease and dementia symptoms and care.

Section 19a-562f. - Nursing home facility staffing levels. Definitions.

Section 19a-562g. - Calculation of nurses and nurse's aides providing direct patient care. Daily posting. Public availability of information.

Section 19a-562h. - Failure to comply with nursing home facility staffing level requirement. Disciplinary action and citation. Posting and inclusion in Department of Public Health listing.

Section 19a-563. - Nursing homes and dementia special care units. Infection prevention and control specialists. Definitions. Requirements.

Section 19a-563a. - Provision of emergency plan of operations by nursing homes and dementia special care units to their political subdivision of this state.

Section 19a-563b. - Nursing homes. Personal protective equipment requirements. Process for evaluating, provision of feedback on, approval and distribution of personal protective equipment in a public health emergency.

Section 19a-563c. - Nursing homes. Staff member or contracted professional licensed or certified to start an intravenous line. Requirement.

Section 19a-563d. - Nursing homes. Infection prevention and control committee requirements.

Section 19a-563e. - Nursing homes. Testing of staff and residents during an infectious disease outbreak.

Section 19a-563f. - Nursing homes and dementia special care units. Establishment and duties of family council. Definition.

Section 19a-563g. - Nursing homes. Resident care plans.

Section 19a-563h. - Nursing homes. Minimum staffing level requirements. Regulations.

Section 19a-564. - Assisted living services agencies. Licensure. Dementia special care approval. Regulations.

Section 19a-565. (Formerly Sec. 19a-30). - Clinical laboratories. Regulation and licensure. Proficiency standards for tests not performed in laboratories. Report re blood collection facilities. Prohibitions. Penalties. Regulations.

Section 19a-565a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-30a). - Reporting of clinical laboratory errors.

Section 19a-565b. (Formerly Sec. 19a-31). - Clinical laboratories to analyze chiropractic specimens.

Section 19a-565c. (Formerly Sec. 19a-31b). - Hair follicle drug testing by clinical laboratories.