(a) On and after January 1, 2022, any state agency, board or commission that directly, or by contract with another entity, collects demographic data concerning the ancestry or ethnic origin, ethnicity, race or primary language of residents of the state in the context of health care or for the provision or receipt of health care services or for any public health purpose shall:
(1) Collect such data in a manner that allows for aggregation and disaggregation of data;
(2) Expand race and ethnicity categories to include subgroup identities as specified by the Community and Clinical Integration Program of the Office of Health Strategy and follow the hierarchical mapping to align with United States Office of Management and Budget standards;
(3) Provide the option to individuals of selecting one or more ethnic or racial designations and include an “other” designation with the ability to write in identities not represented by other codes;
(4) Provide the option to individuals to refuse to identify with any ethnic or racial designations;
(5) Collect primary language data employing language codes set by the International Organization for Standardization; and
(6) Ensure, in cases where data concerning an individual's ethnic origin, ethnicity or race is reported to any other state agency, board or commission, that such data is neither tabulated nor reported without all of the following information: (A) The number or percentage of individuals who identify with each ethnic or racial designation as their sole ethnic or racial designation and not in combination with any other ethnic or racial designation; (B) the number or percentage of individuals who identify with each ethnic or racial designation, whether as their sole ethnic or racial designation or in combination with other ethnic or racial designations; (C) the number or percentage of individuals who identify with multiple ethnic or racial designations; and (D) the number or percentage of individuals who do not identify or refuse to identify with any ethnic or racial designations.
(b) Each health care provider with an electronic health record system capable of connecting to and participating in the State-wide Health Information Exchange as specified in section 17b-59e shall, collect and include in its electronic health record system self-reported patient demographic data including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, primary language, insurance status and disability status based upon the implementation plan developed under subsection (c) of this section. Race and ethnicity data shall adhere to standard categories as determined in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Not later than August 1, 2021, the Office of Health Strategy shall consult with consumer advocates, health equity experts, state agencies and health care providers, to create an implementation plan for the changes required by this section.
(d) The Office of Health Strategy shall (1) review (A) demographic changes in race and ethnicity, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau, and (B) health data collected by the state, and (2) reevaluate the standard race and ethnicity categories from time to time, in consultation with health care providers, consumers and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health.
(P.A. 21-35, S. 11.)
History: P.A. 21-35 effective June 14, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368dd - Office of Health Strategy
Section 19a-754a. - Office of Health Strategy established.
Section 19a-754c. - Covered Connecticut program. Waivers. Prior approval. Reports.
Section 19a-754e. - Health care expansion study. Report.
Section 19a-754f. - Definitions.
Section 19a-754h. - Payer reporting requirements. Publication of reports.