Text of CT SB 295 (2026)

LCO No. 2132 1 of 27 General Assembly Raised Bill No. 295 February Session, 2026 LCO No. 2132 Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by: (JUD) AN ACT CONCERNING STATE LAW PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF A LEGALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE ACTIVITY. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 52-571m of the 2026 supplement to the general 1 statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2 (Effective October 1, 2026): 3 (a) As used in this section: 4 (1) "Reproductive health care services" includes all supplies, care and 5 services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, 6 psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or 7 supportive nature, including counseling or referral services relating to 8 the human reproductive system, including, but not limited to, services 9 relating to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, assisted reproduction, 10 contraception or the termination of a pregnancy; 11 (2) "Gender-affirming health care services" means all supplies, care 12 and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, 13 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 2 of 27 psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or 14 supportive nature, including medication relating to the treatment of 15 gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. "Gender-affirming health 16 care services" does not include "conversion therapy" as defined in 17 section 19a-907; [and] 18 (3) "Person" includes an individual, a partnership, an association, a 19 limited liability company or a corporation; and 20 (4) "Legally protected health care activity" means: (A) The receipt or 21 attempted receipt by any person of reproductive health care services or 22 gender-affirming health care services that are permitted under the laws 23 of this state; (B) the provision, attempted provision or insurance 24 coverage of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 25 care services that are permitted under the laws of this state and are 26 provided in accordance with the applicable standard of care by a health 27 care practitioner licensed under the laws of this state and physically 28 present in this state, regardless of whether the patient is located in this 29 state; and (C) any act or omission undertaken to aid or encourage, or 30 attempt to aid or encourage, any person in the receipt or attempted 31 receipt of reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 32 care services as permitted under the laws of this state. 33 (b) When any person has had a foreign judgment entered against 34 such person, in any state, in any court of the United States or any other 35 jurisdiction based upon the laws of any state, where liability, in whole 36 or in part, is based on the alleged provision, receipt, assistance in receipt 37 or provision, material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, 38 several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, for [reproductive 39 health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are 40 permitted] a legally protected health care activity permitted under the 41 laws of this state, such person may recover damages from any party that 42 brought the action leading to that judgment or has sought to enforce that 43 judgment. Recoverable damages shall include: (1) Just damages created 44 by the action that led to that judgment, including, but not limited to, 45 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 3 of 27 money damages in the amount of the judgment in that other state and 46 costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees spent in defending the 47 action that resulted in the entry of a judgment in another state; and (2) 48 costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in bringing an 49 action under this section as may be allowed by the court. 50 (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a judgment 51 entered in another state that is based on: (1) An action founded in tort, 52 contract or statute, and for which a similar claim would exist under the 53 laws of this state, brought by the patient who received the reproductive 54 health care services or gender-affirming health care services upon which 55 the original lawsuit was based or the patient's authorized legal 56 representative, for damages suffered by the patient or damages derived 57 from an individual's loss of consortium of the patient; (2) an action 58 founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would exist under 59 the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a party with 60 a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject of the 61 judgment entered in another state; or (3) an action where no part of the 62 acts that formed the basis for liability occurred in this state. 63 (d) The Attorney General may (1) investigate any individual or entity 64 who violates the provisions of this section or section 52-146w, as 65 amended by this act, and (2) intervene in or bring an action against any 66 individual or entity who violates the provisions of this section for 67 injunctive, declaratory or mandamus relief in the superior court for the 68 judicial district of Hartford. 69 (e) Nothing in this section shall permit the Attorney General to assert 70 any claim against a state agency, state officer or state employee in such 71 officer's or employee's official capacity, regarding actions or omissions 72 of such state agency, state officer or state employee. If the Attorney 73 General determines that a state officer or state employee is not entitled 74 to indemnification under section 5-141d, the Attorney General may, as 75 it relates to such officer or employee, take any action authorized under 76 this section. 77 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 4 of 27 (f) The term "legally protected health care activity" shall not be 78 construed to impact or alter (1) the standard of care required for medical 79 professionals under the laws of this state, or (2) contractual rights of 80 parties to a contract under the laws of this state. 81 Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) Notwithstanding any 82 provision of the laws of this state relating to conflict of law and except 83 as required by federal law, the laws of this state shall govern in any case 84 or controversy heard in the state related to legally protected health care 85 activity as defined in section 52-571m of the general statutes, as 86 amended by this act. 87 Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) (a) Except as required by 88 federal law, evidence relating to the involvement of an individual 89 regarding any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 90 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, may not be 91 offered as evidence that such individual has engaged in wrongdoing, 92 whether civil, criminal, professional or otherwise, if the evidence is 93 based on or related to the fact that the individual who received services 94 constituting such legally protected health care activity was not 95 physically present in the state when such individual received such 96 services. Nothing in this section shall prevent a party from offering such 97 evidence in: (1) An action founded in tort, contract or statute, and for 98 which a similar claim would exist under the laws of this state, brought 99 by a patient who received the reproductive health care services or 100 gender-affirming health care services, as such terms are defined in 101 section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, upon 102 which the original lawsuit was based or the patient's authorized legal 103 representative, for damages suffered by the patient or damages derived 104 from an individual's loss of consortium of the patient; (2) an action 105 founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would exist under 106 the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a party with 107 a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject of the 108 judgment entered in another state; or (3) an action where no part of the 109 acts that formed the basis for liability occurred in this state. 110 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 5 of 27 (b) When any person that is subject to a subpoena relating to the 111 alleged provision, receipt, assistance in receipt or provision, material 112 support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy 113 liability derived therefrom, for any legally protected health care activity, 114 as defined in section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this 115 act, in addition to any other reason, theory or argument, such person 116 may move to modify or quash such subpoena on the grounds that the 117 subpoena is unreasonable, oppressive or inconsistent with the public 118 policy of the state pursuant to the state's rules of civil procedure. 119 Nothing in this section shall prevent compliance with a subpoena if the 120 subpoena is otherwise related to (1) an action founded in tort, contract 121 or statute, and for which a similar claim would exist under the laws of 122 this state, brought by the patient who received the reproductive health 123 care services or gender-affirming health care services, as such terms are 124 defined in section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this 125 act, upon which the original lawsuit was based or the patient's 126 authorized legal representative, for damages suffered by the patient or 127 damages derived from an individual's loss of consortium of the patient; 128 (2) an action founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would 129 exist under the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a 130 party with a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject 131 of the judgment entered in another state; or (3) an action where no part 132 of the acts that formed the basis for liability occurred in this state. 133 Sec. 4. Section 52-146w of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 134 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 135 October 1, 2026): 136 (a) Except as provided in sections 52-146d to 52-146k, inclusive, 137 sections 52-146o, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this 138 section, in any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in 139 any probate, legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity 140 or business associate, as defined in 45 CFR 160.103, shall, in response to 141 a subpoena, disclose (1) any communication made to such covered 142 entity or business associate, or any information obtained by such 143 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 6 of 27 covered entity or business associate from, a patient or the conservator, 144 guardian or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to 145 [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 146 services] any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 147 52-571m, as amended by this act, [that are permitted under the laws of 148 this state, or] (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 149 patient relating to [such services, that are permitted under the laws of 150 this state,] a legally protected health care activity, or (3) any protected 151 health information that is designated record for such patient unless the 152 patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other authorized legal 153 representative explicitly consents in writing to such disclosure. A 154 covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's conservator, 155 guardian or other authorized legal representative of the patient's right 156 to withhold such written consent. A covered entity or business associate 157 that receives a subpoena for patient information related to [reproductive 158 health care services or gender-affirming health care services] any legally 159 protected health care activity subject to the provisions of this section that 160 does not fall under any exemption in subsection (b) of this section and 161 is not accompanied by the written consent of the patient or the 162 conservator, guardian or other authorized legal representative of the 163 patient shall provide a copy of the subpoena to the office of the Attorney 164 General not later than seven days after the date of receipt of the 165 subpoena. The office of the Attorney General shall post notice of the 166 methods by which a covered entity and business associate may send the 167 copy of the subpoena. 168 (b) Written consent of the patient or the patient's conservator, 169 guardian or other authorized legal representative shall not be required 170 for the disclosure of such communication or information (1) pursuant to 171 the laws of this state or the rules of court prescribed by the Judicial 172 Branch, (2) by a covered entity or business associate against whom a 173 claim has been made, or there is a reasonable belief will be made, in such 174 action or proceeding, to the covered entity's or business associate's 175 attorney or professional liability insurer or such insurer's agent for use 176 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 7 of 27 in the defense of such action or proceeding, (3) to the Commissioner of 177 Public Health for records of a patient of a covered entity in connection 178 with an investigation of a complaint, if such records are related to the 179 complaint, or (4) if child abuse, abuse of an elderly individual, abuse of 180 an individual who is physically disabled or incompetent or abuse of an 181 individual with intellectual disability in violation of the laws of this state 182 is known or in good faith suspected. 183 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impede the lawful 184 sharing of medical records as permitted by state [or federal] law or the 185 rules of the court prescribed by the Judicial Branch, except in the case of 186 a subpoena commanding the production, copying or inspection of 187 medical records relating to [reproductive health care services or gender- 188 affirming health care services] any legally protected health care activity, 189 as defined in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 190 Sec. 5. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 54-82i of the 2026 supplement 191 to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in 192 lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 193 (a) The following words, when used in this section, have the meaning 194 specified, unless the context otherwise indicates: "Witness" means a 195 person whose testimony is desired in any proceeding or investigation 196 by a grand jury or in a criminal action, prosecution or proceeding; "state" 197 includes any territory of the United States and the District of Columbia; 198 [, and] "summons" means a subpoena, order or other notice requiring 199 the appearance of a witness; and "legally protected health care activity" 200 has the same meaning as provided in section 52-571m, as amended by 201 this act. 202 (b) If a judge of a court of record in any state which by its laws has 203 made provision for commanding persons within that state to attend and 204 testify in this state certifies, under the seal of such court, that there is a 205 criminal prosecution pending in such court, or that a grand jury 206 investigation has commenced or is about to commence, that a person 207 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 8 of 27 being within this state is a material witness in such prosecution or grand 208 jury investigation and that the presence of such witness will be required 209 for a specified number of days, upon presentation of such certificate to 210 any judge of a court of record in the judicial district in which such 211 person is, such judge shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall 212 make an order directing the witness to appear at such time and place for 213 such hearing. If, at such hearing, the judge determines that the witness 214 is material and necessary, that it will not cause undue hardship to the 215 witness to be compelled to attend and testify in the prosecution or a 216 grand jury investigation in the other state and that the laws of such other 217 state and the laws of any other state through which the witness may be 218 required to pass by ordinary course of travel will give to such witness 219 protection from arrest and from the service of civil or criminal process, 220 the judge shall issue a summons, with a copy of the certificate attached, 221 directing the witness to attend and testify in the court where the 222 prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 223 commenced or is about to commence at a time and place specified in the 224 summons, except that no judge shall issue a summons in a case where 225 prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 226 commenced or is about to commence for a criminal violation of a law of 227 such other state involving the provision or receipt of or assistance with 228 [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 229 services, as defined in section 52-571m, that are legal] any legally 230 protected health care activity in this state, unless the acts forming the 231 basis of the prosecution or investigation would also constitute an 232 offense in this state. At any such hearing, the certificate shall be prima 233 facie evidence of all the facts stated therein. If such certificate 234 recommends that the witness be taken into immediate custody and 235 delivered to an officer of the requesting state to assure the attendance of 236 the witness in such state, such judge may, in lieu of notification of the 237 hearing, direct that such witness be forthwith brought before such judge 238 for such hearing, and, being satisfied, at such hearing, of the desirability 239 of such custody and delivery, of which desirability such certificate shall 240 be prima facie proof, may, in lieu of issuing a subpoena or summons, 241 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 9 of 27 order that such witness be forthwith taken into custody and delivered 242 to an officer of the requesting state. If such witness, after being paid or 243 tendered by an authorized person the same amount per mile as 244 provided for state employees pursuant to section 5-141c for each mile 245 by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court where the 246 prosecution is pending and five dollars each day that such witness is 247 required to travel and attend as a witness, fails, without good cause, to 248 attend and testify as directed in the summons, the witness shall be 249 punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness 250 who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this state. 251 Sec. 6. Section 52-155a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 252 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 253 October 1, 2026): 254 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 52-155 and 52-657, a 255 judge, justice of the peace, notary public or commissioner of the 256 Superior Court shall not issue a subpoena requested by a commissioner, 257 appointed according to the laws or usages of any other state or 258 government, or by any court of the United States or of any other state or 259 government, when such subpoena relates to [reproductive health care 260 services or gender-affirming health care services] a legally protected 261 health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m, as amended by this 262 act, [that are permitted under the laws of this state,] unless the subpoena 263 relates to: (1) An out-of-state action founded in tort, contract or statute, 264 for which a similar claim would exist under the laws of this state, 265 brought by a patient or the patient's authorized legal representative, for 266 damages suffered by the patient or damages derived from an 267 individual's loss of consortium of the patient; or (2) an out-of-state 268 action founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would exist 269 under the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a party 270 with a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject of the 271 subpoena requested by a commissioner appointed according to the laws 272 or usages of another state. 273 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 10 of 27 Sec. 7. Section 54-155a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 274 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 275 October 1, 2026): 276 No public agency, as defined in section 1-200, or employee, 277 appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a 278 public agency may provide any information or expend or use time, 279 money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in 280 furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to 281 impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for (1) the 282 provision, seeking or receipt of or inquiring about [reproductive health 283 care services or gender-affirming health care services, as defined in 284 section 52-571m, that are legal in this state] any legally protected health 285 care activity as defined in section 52-571m, as amended by this act, or 286 (2) assisting any person or entity providing, seeking, receiving or 287 responding to an inquiry about [reproductive health care services or 288 gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 52-571m, 289 that are legal in this state] any legally protected health care activity as 290 defined in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. This section shall 291 not apply to any investigation or proceeding where the conduct subject 292 to potential liability under the investigation or proceeding would be 293 subject to liability under the laws of this state if committed in this state. 294 Sec. 8. Section 54-162 of the general statutes is repealed and the 295 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 296 (a) The Governor [of this state] may also surrender, on demand of the 297 executive authority of any other state, any person found in this state 298 who is charged in such other state in the manner provided in section 54- 299 159 with committing an act in this state, or in a third state, intentionally 300 resulting in a crime in the state whose executive authority is making the 301 demand, and the provisions of this chapter not otherwise inconsistent 302 shall apply to such cases, even though the accused was not in that state 303 at the time of the commission of the crime and has not fled therefrom, 304 provided the acts for which extradition is sought would be punishable 305 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 11 of 27 by the laws of this state, if the consequences claimed to have resulted 306 from those acts in the demanding state had taken effect in this state. 307 (b) Except as required by federal law, the Governor shall not 308 surrender a person charged in another state as a result of engaging in 309 any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m, 310 as amended by this act, unless the executive authority of the demanding 311 state alleges in writing that the accused was physically present in the 312 demanding state at the time of the commission of the alleged offense 313 and that thereafter the accused fled from the demanding state. 314 Sec. 9. Section 19a-17e of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 315 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 316 October 1, 2026): 317 (a) As used in this section, ["reproductive health care services" and 318 "gender-affirming health care services" have] "legally protected health 319 care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as provided in section 320 52-571m, as amended by this act. 321 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 19a- 322 14, the Department of Public Health shall not deny the eligibility of an 323 applicant for a (1) permit, (2) license by examination, endorsement or 324 reciprocity, or (3) reinstatement of a license (A) voided pursuant to the 325 provisions of subsection (f) of section 19a-88, (B) voluntarily 326 surrendered, or (C) by agreement, not renewed or reinstated pursuant 327 to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 19a-17 based on pending 328 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint, [or] the imposition of 329 disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 330 duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 331 District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 332 the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 333 alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 334 material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 335 conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 336 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 12 of 27 services or gender-affirming health care services that are permitted 337 under the laws of this state and were provided in accordance with the 338 standard of care applicable to such services , regardless of whether the 339 patient receiving such services was a resident of this state] any legally 340 protected health care activity. The provisions of this subsection shall not 341 apply where the underlying conduct of the applicant would constitute 342 the basis of disciplinary action against the applicant under the laws of 343 this state if the applicant had been licensed or permitted in this state and 344 the conduct had occurred in this state. 345 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19a-17, a board or 346 commission established under title 20 that has jurisdiction over persons 347 licensed, certified or registered under said title who provide 348 [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 349 services] any legally protected health care activity, and the Department 350 of Public Health, with respect to professions under the department's 351 jurisdiction that are not subject to discipline by such a board or 352 commission, shall not impose disciplinary action against a licensed, 353 certified or registered person based on pending disciplinary action, an 354 unresolved complaint or the imposition of disciplinary action against 355 such persons before or by a duly authorized professional disciplinary 356 agency of another state, the District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, 357 territory or possession of the United States or any other federal entity 358 that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in 359 provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory of vicarious, 360 joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive 361 health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are 362 permitted under the laws of this state and were provided in accordance 363 with the standard of care applicable to such services, regardless of 364 whether the patient receiving such services was a resident of this state] 365 any legally protected health care activity. No board or commission 366 established under title 20 that has jurisdiction over persons licensed, 367 certified or registered under said title who provide any legally protected 368 health care activity shall make available for public dissemination on any 369 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 13 of 27 person's professional profile the record of any criminal conviction or 370 charge for a felony or misdemeanor, final disciplinary action by a 371 licensing board in another state or a malpractice court judgment, 372 arbitration award or settlement that resulted solely from providing or 373 assisting in the provision of a legally protected health care activity or for 374 any judgment, discipline or other sanction arising from the provision of 375 a legally protected health care activity if such activity as provided would 376 have been lawful and consistent with the scope and standards of 377 practice for the designated profession had such activity occurred 378 entirely in this state. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply 379 where the underlying conduct of the licensed, certified or registered 380 person would constitute the basis of disciplinary action against such 381 person under the laws of this state if the conduct had occurred in this 382 state. 383 Sec. 10. Section 19a-567 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 384 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 385 October 1, 2026): 386 (a) As used in this section, (1) "credentialing" means the process of 387 assessing and validating the qualifications of a health care provider 388 applying to be approved to provide treatment, care or services in or for 389 an institution, (2) "health care provider" means a person licensed 390 pursuant to title 20 who provides reproductive health care services or 391 gender-affirming health care services, (3) "institution" has the same 392 meaning as provided in section 19a-490, (4) "privileging" means the 393 process of authorizing a health care provider to provide specific 394 treatment, care or services at an institution, and (5) ["reproductive health 395 care services" and "gender-affirming health care services" have] "legally 396 protected health care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as 397 provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 398 (b) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 399 refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 400 adverse action against a health care provider with respect to 401 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 14 of 27 credentialing or privileging based solely on the alleged provision of, 402 receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or 403 any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived 404 therefrom, [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 405 care services that (1) are permitted under the laws of this state, (2) were 406 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 407 services, and (3) were] any legally protected health care activity 408 provided by the health care provider [(A)] (1) before the date on which 409 the health care provider entered an employment relationship with the 410 institution, or [(B)] (2) outside the scope of the health care provider's 411 employment with the institution. [, regardless of whether the patient 412 receiving such services was a resident of this state.] 413 (c) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 414 refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 415 adverse action against a health care provider based on pending 416 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint, [or] the imposition of 417 disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 418 duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 419 District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 420 the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 421 alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 422 material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 423 conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 424 services or gender-affirming health care services that (1) are permitted 425 under the laws of this state, (2) were provided in accordance with the 426 standard of care applicable to such services, and (3) were] any legally 427 protected health care activity provided by the health care provider [(A)] 428 (1) before the date on which the health care provider entered an 429 employment relationship with the institution, or [(B)] (2) outside the 430 scope of the health care provider's employment with the institution. [, 431 regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was a resident 432 of this state.] 433 (d) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent an 434 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 15 of 27 institution from taking any of the actions described in subsections (b) 435 and (c) of this section against a health care provider for conduct that (1) 436 does not conform to the standards of care for the provider's profession, 437 (2) is illegal under the laws of this state, or (3) violates policies or rules 438 of the institution that define the scope of services provided by the 439 institution if (A) such conduct occurs within the scope of the health care 440 provider's employment with, or delivery of care at, the institution, and 441 (B) the institution's enforcement of such policies or rules is not otherwise 442 prohibited by law or regulation. 443 Sec. 11. Section 20-579a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 444 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 445 October 1, 2026): 446 (a) As used in this section, ["reproductive health care services" and 447 "gender-affirming health care services" have] "legally protected health 448 care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as provided in section 449 52-571m, as amended by this act. 450 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 451 of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 452 deny the eligibility of an applicant for a license, permit or registration 453 under this chapter based on pending disciplinary action, an unresolved 454 complaint, [or] the imposition of disciplinary action or other adverse 455 action against the applicant by a duly authorized professional 456 disciplinary agency of another state, the District of Columbia, [or] a 457 commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States or any other 458 federal entity that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 459 assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 460 of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 461 [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care 462 services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 463 provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 464 services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was a 465 resident of this state] any legally protected health care activity. The 466 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 16 of 27 provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the underlying 467 conduct of the applicant would constitute the basis of disciplinary action 468 against the applicant under the laws of this state if the applicant had 469 been licensed, permitted or registered in this state and the conduct had 470 occurred in this state. 471 (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 472 of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 473 impose disciplinary action against any person licensed, permitted or 474 registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter based on pending 475 disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint, [or] the imposition of 476 disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 477 duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 478 District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 479 the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 480 alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 481 material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 482 conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 483 services or gender-affirming health care services that are permitted 484 under the laws of this state and were provided in accordance with the 485 standard of care applicable to such services, regardless of whether the 486 patient receiving such services was a resident of this state] any legally 487 protected health care activity. The provisions of this subsection shall not 488 apply where the underlying conduct of the person licensed, permitted 489 or registered would constitute the basis of disciplinary action against 490 such person under the laws of this state if such person had been 491 licensed, permitted or registered in this state and the conduct had 492 occurred in this state. 493 Sec. 12. Section 54-240 of the general statutes is repealed and the 494 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 495 As used in this chapter: 496 (1) "Address confidentiality program" or "program" means the 497 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 17 of 27 program established pursuant to this chapter; 498 (2) "Agency" has the same meaning as "public agency" or "agency", as 499 provided in section 1-200; 500 (3) "Application assistant" means a person authorized by the 501 Secretary of the State to assist applicants in the completion of 502 applications for program participation; 503 (4) "Authorized personnel" means an employee in the office of the 504 Secretary of the State who has been designated by the Secretary of the 505 State, or an employee of an agency who has been designated by the chief 506 executive officer of such agency, to process and have access to records 507 pertaining to a program participant, including, but not limited to, voter 508 registration applications, voting records and marriage records; 509 (5) "Certification card" means a card issued by the Secretary of the 510 State pursuant to section 54-240d; 511 (6) "Confidential address" means a program participant's address or 512 addresses as listed on such participant's application for program 513 participation that are not to be disclosed, including such participant's 514 residential address in this state and work and school addresses in this 515 state, if any; 516 (7) "Family violence" has the same meaning as provided in section 517 46b-38a; 518 (8) "Injury or risk of injury to a child" means any act or conduct that 519 constitutes a violation of section 53-21; 520 (9) "Kidnapping" means any act that constitutes a violation of section 521 53a-92, 53a-92a, 53a-94 or 53a-94a; 522 (10) "Law enforcement agency" means the office of the Attorney 523 General, the office of the Chief State's Attorney, the Division of State 524 Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 525 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 18 of 27 Protection or any municipal police department; 526 (11) "Marriage records" means an application for a marriage license, 527 an issued marriage license, a license certificate or other documents 528 related thereto; 529 (12) "Program address" means the post office box number and 530 fictitious street address assigned to a program participant by the 531 Secretary of the State; 532 (13) "Program participant" or "participant" means any person 533 certified by the Secretary of the State to participate in the address 534 confidentiality program; 535 (14) "Record" has the same meaning as "public records or files" as 536 provided in section 1-200; 537 (15) "Sexual assault" means any act that constitutes a violation of 538 section 53a-70b of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to 539 January 1, 2019, or section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 540 53a-73a; 541 (16) "Stalking" means any act that constitutes a violation of section 542 53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e; [and] 543 (17) "Trafficking in persons" means any act that constitutes a violation 544 of section 53a-192a; and 545 (18) "Legally protected health care activity" has the same meaning as 546 provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 547 Sec. 13. Section 54-240a of the general statutes is repealed and the 548 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 549 (a) There shall be an address confidentiality program established in 550 the office of the Secretary of the State to provide a substitute mailing 551 address for any person who wishes to keep such person's residential 552 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 19 of 27 address confidential because of safety concerns and (1) has been a victim 553 of (A) family violence, (B) injury or risk of injury to a child, (C) 554 kidnapping, (D) sexual assault, (E) stalking, (F) trafficking in persons, or 555 (G) child abuse or neglect, where such abuse or neglect was 556 substantiated by the Department of Children and Families and was the 557 basis for the issuance of a restraining order under section 46b-15 or civil 558 protection order under section 46b-16a, [or] (2) a termination of parental 559 rights was granted pursuant to section 45a-717 or 46b-129, or (3) such 560 person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a legally 561 protected health care activity. 562 (b) The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations, in accordance 563 with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this 564 chapter. Such regulations may include, but need not be limited to, 565 provisions for applications for participation in the address 566 confidentiality program, certification of program participants, 567 certification cancellation, agency use of program addresses, forwarding 568 of program participants' mail, voting by program participants and 569 recording of vital statistics for program participants. 570 Sec. 14. Section 54-240b of the general statutes is repealed and the 571 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 572 (a) An adult person, a guardian or conservator of the person acting 573 on behalf of an adult person, or a parent or guardian acting on behalf of 574 a minor may apply to the Secretary of the State for participation in the 575 address confidentiality program and to have the Secretary of the State 576 designate a program address to serve as the address of the adult person 577 or of the minor because of safety concerns and because (1) the adult 578 person or the minor has been a victim of (A) family violence, (B) injury 579 or risk of injury to a child, (C) kidnapping, (D) sexual assault, (E) 580 stalking, (F) trafficking in persons, or (G) child abuse or neglect, where 581 such abuse or neglect was substantiated by the Department of Children 582 and Families and was the basis for the issuance of a restraining order 583 under section 46b-15 or civil protection order under section 46b-16a, or 584 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 20 of 27 (2) the safety concerns of the adult person or minor relate to another 585 person whose parental rights were terminated in a proceeding 586 conducted pursuant to section 45a-717 or 46b-129. Each application for 587 program participation shall be completed with the assistance of an 588 application assistant. 589 (b) A person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a 590 legally protected health care activity may apply to the Secretary of the 591 State for participation in the address confidentiality program and to 592 have the Secretary of the State designate a program address to serve as 593 the address of the person. For such applications, no assistance of an 594 application assistant shall be required. 595 [(b)] (c) The Secretary of the State shall make available a list of entities 596 that employ application assistants to assist applicants in applying for 597 participation in the address confidentiality program, provided no entity 598 shall be included on such list unless the entity has received sufficient 599 funds from federal or state sources as reimbursement for the reasonable 600 costs of implementing the provisions of this chapter. 601 Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) The Secretary of the State 602 shall certify an applicant as a program participant if the application is 603 filed in the manner and on the application form prescribed by the 604 Secretary of the State and includes: 605 (1) Documentation that the person is to commence employment or is 606 currently employed at or volunteering at an entity providing, 607 facilitating or promoting a legally protected health care activity as 608 defined in section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this 609 act; 610 (2) A statement made under penalty of false statement, as provided 611 in section 53a-157b of the general statutes, that (A) the applicant is a 612 person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a legally 613 protected health care activity, (B) the entity providing, facilitating or 614 promoting a legally protected health care activity where the person is 615 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 21 of 27 employed or volunteers has been the target of threats, harassment or 616 acts of violence related to the provision, facilitation or promotion of a 617 legally protected health care activity within one year of the date of the 618 application, and (C) the applicant fears for such applicant's safety; 619 (3) A designation of the Secretary of the State as the agent of the 620 applicant for service of process and for receipt of first class mail; 621 (4) The residential address in this state, the work and school 622 addresses in this state, if any, and the phone number or numbers, if 623 available, that are to remain confidential, but which may be used by the 624 Secretary of the State or authorized personnel to contact the applicant; 625 and 626 (5) The preparation date and the applicant's signature. 627 Sec. 16. Section 19a-509c of the general statutes is repealed and the 628 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 629 (a) In a facility licensed pursuant to this chapter, a physician assistant, 630 advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse or licensed 631 practical nurse may, except with respect to an order for schedule II 632 controlled substances, reduce to writing the oral or written order of a 633 prescribing practitioner, as defined in section 20-571, and transmit the 634 order to a pharmacy licensed under sections 20-570 to 20-625, inclusive. 635 Such transmitted order shall contain the name of the prescribing 636 practitioner and shall be treated as a written prescription for purposes 637 of sections 20-570 to 20-625, inclusive. 638 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 639 to the extent permitted under federal law, at the prescribing 640 practitioner's request, the written or electronic prescription for drugs 641 related to a legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 642 52-571m, as amended by this act, shall include the name and address of 643 the health care facility engaged in the provision, facilitation or 644 promotion of a legally protected health care activity, instead of the name 645 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 22 of 27 and signature of the prescribing practitioner. Nothing in this section 646 shall be construed to create any liability, whether civil, criminal, 647 professional or otherwise, for any institution or person who facilitates a 648 written or electronic prescription that does not use the name and 649 signature of the prescribing practitioner. 650 Sec. 17. Section 20-614 of the general statutes is repealed and the 651 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 652 (a) A prescription shall be transmitted in either an oral, written or 653 electronic manner to a pharmacy. 654 (b) Whenever a pharmacy, or an institutional pharmacy in a hospital 655 dispensing a drug or device for outpatient use or dispensing a drug or 656 device that is prescribed for an employee of the hospital or for the 657 employee's spouse or dependent children, receives an oral or 658 electronically-transmitted prescription, except for a controlled drug, as 659 defined in section 21a-240, a record of such prescription shall be 660 maintained in writing or electronically. The pharmacist or pharmacy 661 intern shall, not later than the end of the business day when the 662 prescription was received, record the prescription on a prescription 663 form or in an electronic record including: (1) The name and address of 664 the prescribing practitioner; (2) the date of the prescription; (3) the name, 665 dosage form, strength, where applicable, and the amount of the drug 666 prescribed; (4) the name and address of the patient or, for veterinary 667 prescriptions, the name and address of the owner and the species of the 668 animal; (5) the directions for use; (6) any required cautionary 669 statements; and (7) the number of times the prescription may be refilled, 670 including the use of refill terms "PRN" and "ad lib" in lieu of a specific 671 number of authorized refills. 672 (c) A written prescription shall bear: (1) The written signature of the 673 prescribing practitioner or shall comply with the requirements of 674 section 19a-509c, as amended by this act; (2) the address of the 675 practitioner; (3) the date of the prescription; (4) the name, dosage form, 676 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 23 of 27 strength, where applicable, and amount of the drug prescribed; (5) the 677 name and address of the patient or, for veterinary prescriptions, the 678 name and address of the owner and the species of the animal; (6) the 679 directions for use; (7) any required cautionary statements; and (8) the 680 number of times the prescription may be refilled, including the use of 681 refill terms "PRN" and "ad lib" in lieu of a specific number of authorized 682 refills. No written prescription form for a schedule II substance may 683 contain an order for any other legend drug or device. 684 (d) Prior to or simultaneous with the dispensing of a drug, from a 685 pharmacy licensed pursuant to this chapter, a pharmacist or other 686 employee of the pharmacy shall, whenever practicable, offer for the 687 pharmacist to discuss the drug to be dispensed and to counsel the 688 patient on the usage of the drug, except when the person obtaining the 689 prescription is other than the person named on the prescription form or 690 electronic record or the pharmacist determines it is appropriate to make 691 such offer in writing. Any such written offer shall include an offer to 692 communicate with the patient either in person at the pharmacy or by 693 telephone. 694 (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a pharmacist 695 to provide counseling to a patient who refuses such counseling. The 696 pharmacist shall keep a record of such counseling, any refusal by or 697 inability of the patient to accept counseling or a refusal by the patient to 698 provide information regarding such counseling. Records kept pursuant 699 to this subsection shall be maintained for the same length of time as 700 prescription records are maintained pursuant to section 20-615. 701 (f) (1) As used in this subsection, "electronic data intermediary" 702 means an entity that provides the infrastructure that connects the 703 computer systems or other electronic devices utilized by prescribing 704 practitioners with those used by pharmacies in order to facilitate the 705 secure transmission of electronic prescription orders, refill 706 authorization requests, communications and other patient care 707 information between such entities. 708 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 24 of 27 (2) An electronic data intermediary may transfer electronically 709 transmitted data between a prescribing practitioner licensed and 710 authorized to prescribe and a pharmacy of the patient's choice, licensed 711 pursuant to this chapter or licensed under the laws of any other state or 712 territory of the United States. Electronic data intermediaries shall not 713 alter the transmitted data except as necessary for technical processing 714 purposes. Electronic data intermediaries may archive copies of only that 715 electronic data related to such transmissions necessary to provide for 716 proper auditing and security of such transmissions. Such data shall only 717 be maintained for the period necessary for auditing purposes. Electronic 718 data intermediaries shall maintain patient privacy and confidentiality of 719 all archived information as required by state and federal law. 720 (3) No electronic data intermediary shall operate without the 721 approval of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. An electronic 722 data intermediary seeking approval shall apply to the Commission of 723 Pharmacy in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The 724 commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the commission, shall 725 adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 726 establish criteria for the approval of electronic data intermediaries, to 727 ensure that (A) procedures to be used for the transmission and retention 728 of prescription data by an intermediary, and (B) mechanisms to be used 729 by an intermediary to safeguard the confidentiality of such data, are 730 consistent with the provisions and purposes of this section. 731 (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this 732 section, to the extent permitted under federal law, at the prescribing 733 practitioner's request, the written or electronic prescription for drugs 734 related to a legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 735 52-571m, as amended by this act, shall include the name and address of 736 the health care facility engaged in the provision, facilitation or 737 promotion of a legally protected health care activity, instead of the name 738 and signature of the prescribing practitioner. Nothing in this section 739 shall be construed to create any liability, whether civil, criminal, 740 professional or otherwise, for any institution or person who facilitates a 741 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 25 of 27 written or electronic prescription that does not use the name and 742 signature of the prescribing practitioner. 743 Sec. 18. Section 20-617 of the general statutes is repealed and the 744 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 745 (a) Each pharmacist shall include on the label of each prescription 746 container: (1) The quantity of prescribed drug placed in such container, 747 in addition to any other information required by law, and (2) a 748 prominently printed expiration date based on the manufacturer's 749 recommended conditions of use and storage that can be read and 750 understood by the ordinary individual. The expiration date required 751 pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be no later than the 752 expiration date determined by the manufacturer. 753 (b) In addition to the information required to be included on the label 754 of each prescription container pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this 755 section, each pharmacist shall include on the label of each prescription 756 container or on the receipt or other similar packaging in which the 757 prescription is contained for a drug sold only by generic name, as 758 defined in section 20-14a, and not by brand name, as defined in said 759 section: (1) The name of the manufacturer of the generic drug placed in 760 the container, and (2) the Internet web site address and toll-free 761 telephone number for the United States Food and Drug 762 Administration's safety information and adverse event reporting 763 program (MedWatch). 764 (c) In addition to the information required to be included on the label 765 of each prescription container pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this 766 section, if a pharmacist substitutes a generic name drug for a brand 767 name drug, such pharmacist shall include on the label of the 768 prescription container: (1) The name of the generic drug placed in the 769 container, and (2) the brand name of the drug that the generic drug was 770 substituted for. 771 (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, to the extent 772 Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 26 of 27 permitted under federal law, at the prescribing practitioner's request, 773 the written or electronic prescription for drugs related to a legally 774 protected health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m, as 775 amended by this act, shall include the name and address of the health 776 care facility engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a 777 legally protected health care activity, instead of the name and signature 778 of the prescribing practitioner. Nothing in this section shall be construed 779 to create any liability, whether civil, criminal, professional or otherwise, 780 for any institution or person who facilitates a written or electronic 781 prescription that does not use the name and signature of the prescribing 782 practitioner. 783 Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) (a) Notwithstanding any 784 provision of the general statutes, a law of another state authorizing a 785 child to be removed from the child's parent or guardian based on the 786 parent or guardian allowing the child to receive or seek a legally 787 protected health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m of the 788 general statutes, as amended by this act, shall not be enforced or applied 789 in a case pending in a court in this state. 790 (b) No court in this state shall admit or consider a finding of abuse 791 based on the parent or guardian allowing the child to receive or seek a 792 legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m of 793 the general statutes, as amended by this act, as evidence in any 794 proceeding with respect to that parent or guardian or any child of the 795 parent or guardian, unless such conduct would constitute abuse under 796 the laws of this state as if the conduct occurred in this state. 797 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2026 52-571m Sec. 2 October 1, 2026 New section Sec. 3 October 1, 2026 New section Sec. 4 October 1, 2026 52-146w Sec. 5 October 1, 2026 54-82i(a) and (b) Raised Bill No. 295 LCO No. 2132 27 of 27 Sec. 6 October 1, 2026 52-155a Sec. 7 October 1, 2026 54-155a Sec. 8 October 1, 2026 54-162 Sec. 9 October 1, 2026 19a-17e Sec. 10 October 1, 2026 19a-567 Sec. 11 October 1, 2026 20-579a Sec. 12 October 1, 2026 54-240 Sec. 13 October 1, 2026 54-240a Sec. 14 October 1, 2026 54-240b Sec. 15 October 1, 2026 New section Sec. 16 October 1, 2026 19a-509c Sec. 17 October 1, 2026 20-614 Sec. 18 October 1, 2026 20-617 Sec. 19 October 1, 2026 New section Statement of Purpose: To extend state law protections for health care providers and patients related to the provision of a legally protected health care activity. [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]