The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) reported that, due to staffing issues and the complexity of the technical requirements, it plans to delay until April 1, full implementation of the home care provider registry and data processing system.

Last week, the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) issued to the legislature the Plan to transfer responsibility for registration and oversight of home care agencies from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Department of Public Health (DPH).

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) issued the final report of a two-part study of Medicaid reimbursement rates. The report recommends that DSS examine the current process for assessing home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver members and consider adoption of standardized and validated tools that could provide a comprehensive assessment of functional needs, natural supports, and level of acuity.

Connecticut is set to expand its paid sick leave law, affecting private-sector employees beginning January 1, 2025. Previously limited to employers with 50 or more employees and service workers, the new law will extend paid sick leave to all employees at companies with 25 or more employees, with further expansion in 2026 and 2027. Key changes include the elimination of the service worker criteria, no requirement for employees to provide documentation or advance notice for leave, and expanded use of sick time to care for family members. Additionally, the law increases accrual from one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked to one hour for every 30 hours worked, with a carryover of 40 hours or the option for employers to frontload sick leave at the start of each year. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill in May, and the implementation will occur in phases over the next few years.

HCAOA Connecticut Chapter leaders met recently with key lawmakers about Chapter legislative and public policy priorities in advance of the regular legislative session, which begins next month.

Connecticut’s paid sick leave law and requirements for businesses and employers, including home care agencies will expand in several ways beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

Several changes were recently announced to Connecticut’s early child care and education programs that Gov. Ned Lamont said will result in more children being able to receive access to these programs while also lowering the associated costs to their parents, which may also help caregivers, clients, and home care agencies.

Governor Ned Lamont last month announced that beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $15.69 per hour to $16.35 per hour.

Last week’s nationwide injunction by a federal court in Texas barring the Federal Trade Commission from implementing its ban on noncompete agreements could help home care agency owners in Connecticut.

MyCTSavings, the state-sponsored retirement program, will be sending notifications to newly eligible employers in July, the program announced last week. The enrollment deadline is Aug. 31, 2024. To be eligible, businesses must have five or more employees, not offer a qualified retirement plan, and have been in business continuously since Jan. 1, 2023. State law requires eligible employers to either enroll in MyCTSavings or establish their own private plan.

The HCAOA Connecticut Chapter presented two awards to Chapter leaders Marlene Chickerella and Susan Oderwald during its annual chapter conference last week in Bristol.

The HCAOA Connecticut Chapter recently issued a report with recommendations to the state as it begins the process of transitioning registration and oversight of the home care industry from the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to the Department of Public Health (DPH).

All member agencies in Connecticut are asked to complete a brief survey about services in the state and the state’s new fiscal intermediary, GT Independence. Data from this survey will be discussed at the upcoming Connecticut Chapter Conference on June 11.

With so much going on legislatively on the federal and state levels, HCAOA Connecticut members do not want to miss the Chapter Conference on June 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol. The event kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and an opportunity to meet with colleagues and sponsors Corcoran Consulting Group, Senior Care Marketing Max. and Viventium.

The Washington, New Jersey, and Connecticut Chapter Conferences are almost here! Each conference will provide the latest federal updates on the Medicaid 80/20 provision, FTC’s noncompete agreement, and the U.S. DOL Overtime Rule. In addition to state legislative updates, educational sessions will be led by industry experts. You'll gain the knowledge and tools to keep your agency competitive and compliant.