2006 Legislative Session: Summary of Major Legislation

Source: Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis summaries of Public Acts.

ACCOUNTING

HB 5682 Public Act No. 06-31 AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

Allows the State Board of Accountancy to adopt regulations to permit the holder of a Connecticut public accountant license to convert such license to a certified public accountant license without any testing requirements. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

AGRICULTURE

Sections 65 and 66. Allows the Commissioner of Agriculture to provide for the design, plan and implementation of a multiyear, state-wide marketing and advertising campaign, promoting the availability of and the advantages of purchasing Connecticut-grown farm products. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 90. Transfers $300,000 from the Agricultural Experiment Station IPM account to the University of Connecticut to develop and implement integrated pest management programs for, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, turf and structural applications of integrated pest management techniques, and agricultural integrated pest management programs, including, but not limited to, vegetables, fruit, forage crops and nurseries. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5567 Public Act 06-41 AN ACT CONCERNING SEIZURE OF MILK PRODUCTS.

Section 2. Includes the University of Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory as one of the laboratories acceptable to the Commissioner of Agriculture to provide a certificate of analysis that would be considered prima facie evidence of ingredients and constituents of a milk sample, milk product or cheese that have been seized. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The following resolutions were adopted:

Senate Resolution No. 15 Resolution confirming the nomination of Michael Bozzuto of Avon to be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut .

Senate Resolution No. 16 Resolution confirming the nomination of Michael J. Martinez of East Lyme to be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut.

Senate Resolution No. 17 Resolution confirming the nomination of John W. Rowe, M.D., of Hartford as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut.

Senate Resolution No. 18 Resolution confirming the nomination of Wayne Shepperd of Danbury to be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut .

Senate Resolution No. 19 Resolution confirming the nomination of John W. Rowe, M.D. of Hartford to be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut.

House Resolution No. 38 Resolution confirming the nomination of Richard Treibick of Greenwich to be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut .

BUDGET, TUITION WAIVERS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

HB 5845 Public Act No. 06-186 AN ACT MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO STATE EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2007.

Storrs-based Programs

The budget adds $4.7 million to the original FY '07 appropriation for Storrs , for a total block grant revised FY '07 appropriation of $217,694,684. The appropriation contains $2 million for a new program to support the hiring of eminent faculty and $2 million for the establishment of a Center for Entrepreneurship (see page 6, SB 702 for program description) utilizing the expertise of UConn's Schools of Business and Law. Additionally, the budget bill repeals a provision enacted last year that would have reduced UConn's FY '07 appropriation by $832,500. While the appropriation includes the additional funding for the new economic development program, it is approximately $520,500 short of current services.

The budget also uses FY 2006 surplus funds for a $350,000 one-time appropriation for the National Undersea Research Center at Avery Point to assist in offsetting federal funding reductions, and provides the Department of Higher Education a $3.3 million one-time appropriation for the Higher Education Matching Grant program for all of the public colleges and universities. (Although it does not appear that we will receive the full $5.16 million due for calendar year 2004, UConn is expected to receive the majority of the $3.3 million.)

The budget also provides:

• $100,000 in OPM's budget for land use planning conducted by the University's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• $75,000 in OPM's budget to transfer the Census Data Center to the University of Connecticut
• $300,000 in the Agricultural Experiment Station's budget will be transferred to the University's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Integrated Pest Management activities
• $500,000 in DECD's budget for the establishment of a Connecticut Research Institute.

Health Center

The budget adds approximately $419,000 to the original Health Center FY '07 appropriation for a total block grant appropriation of $76,920,245. This appropriation is about $225,000 short of current services level funding. The budget bill repeals a provision enacted last year that would have reduced the Health Center 's appropriation by $312,500.

In addition, the budget transfers to the Health Center $200,000 from the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund in order to support the Health Professions Partnership Program Initiative. This program provides education and support services to encourage under-represented minority students to enter the health care field. The funding is designed to assist in addressing some of the hardship associated with federal funding reductions.

Also of note: the appropriation for the Department of Correction's Inmate Medical Services program is $90,677,037. This is $4.6 million above the amount originally appropriated for FY '07 in the biennial budget passed last year. The appropriation will enable the Health Center 's Correctional Managed Health Care Program to meet its estimates for the cost of care in FY '07. The bill also contains a deficiency appropriation of $2.2 million in the Department of Correction budget for Inmate Medical Services in FY '06.

Connecticut Cancer Partnership and Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

Section 27. The budget transfers $5,500,000 from the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund to the Department of Public Health for the Connecticut Cancer Partnership and $1,000,000 for cervical and breast cancer.

Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Appropriates an additional $4 million to CCMC and allocates $2 million in surplus funds from the Department of Social Services.

Hospitals

Section 49. The budget allows the Commissioner of Social Services to expend up to $11,000,000 in surplus funds for Hospital Hardship to provide grants to hospitals as necessary to avoid the substantial deterioration of a given hospital's financial condition that may be expected to adversely affect patient care and for the continued operation of the hospitals as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, the Office of Health Care Access and the Executive Director of the Connecticut health and Educational Facilities Authority.

HB 5847 Public Act 06-135 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING EDUCATION.

Section 6. Specifies that a student from another state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be classified as an in-state student, if such student (A) attended for three years and graduated from a high school in this state, and (B) was sponsored, housed and supported during attendance at such school by a program, such as the "A Better Chance" program, established as a nonprofit organization that raises charitable funds on the local level for the purpose of giving students who are minority students, from single parent homes or live in poverty, an opportunity to attend school in a different environment. For purposes of this subdivision, "minority student" means a student whose racial ancestry is defined as other than white by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 9. Specifies that under the State's Matching Gift program, endowment fund eligible gifts received during the period of January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 shall be matched by the Department of Higher Education in an amount equal to one-half of the total amount of endowment eligible gifts received and not to be subject to the Rainy Day Fund trigger. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

SB 158 Public Act No. 06-141 AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF RESIDENTS KILLED IN A MULTIVEHICLE CRASH IN AVON ON JULY 29, 2005.

Allows any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in the multi-vehicle crash on Avon Mountain on July 29, 2005 to receive a tuition waiver at any Connecticut public college or university. Effective date: Upon passage (June 6, 2006).

HB 5846 Public Act No. 06-187 AN ACT CONCERNING GENERAL BUDGET AND REVENUE IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS.

Section 90. Transfers $300,000 from the Agricultural Experiment Station IPM account to the University of Connecticut to develop and implement integrated pest management programs for, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, turf and structural applications of integrated pest management techniques, and agricultural integrated pest management programs, including, but not limited to, vegetables, fruit, forage crops and nurseries. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

House Resolution No. 3 - Senate Resolution No. 5 -- RESOLUTION PROPOSING APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (UCPEA).

Amends existing collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association , which is effective through June 30, 2007, to provide salary and merit increases.

House Resolution No. 29 - Senate Resolution No. 29 -- Resolution Proposing Approval of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the University of Connecticut Health Center and the University Health Professionals.

Approves the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Health Center and the University Health Professionals effective July 1, 2006 to June 20, 2010.

COMMUNICATIONS

HB 5797 Public Act No. 06-172 AN ACT CONCERNING DIGITAL MEDIA AND MOTION PICTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE.

Section 5. Requires each state agency issuing a request for proposals for any digital media, motion picture or related production activity to transmit a copy of such request for proposals to the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Said Commission shall notify the executive head of each state agency of the requirements of this section. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES

HB 5695 Public Act No. 06-134 AN ACT CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE PREQUALIFICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL CONTRACTORS.

Audit Requirements

Sections 1, 2 and 5. Requires UConn's Board of Trustees to hire and select independent auditors to conduct annual audits of UCONN 2000 projects and to annually review the reports of such audits with the independent auditors, initially, without the presence of University staff.

Creation of Construction Management Oversight Committee

Section 3. Establishes a seven-member construction management oversight committee comprised of four members appointed jointly by the Governor and Legislative leadership and three members from the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Committee will be designated by the Board of Trustees. The construction management oversight committee shall review and approve the University policies and procedures under which the UCONN 2000 program operates, including the selection of design professionals and contractors, contract compliance, building and fire code compliance, deferred maintenance and change orders. The Committee will also review, at the completion of a named project, the University's project management with respect to the policies and procedures it approved. Every other year, the Committee will prepare a summary of construction performance of the UCONN 2000 program. The Oversight Committee will submit to the Board of Trustees each assessment, summary and review it completes. The Board is required to review each such report, initially, without the presence of University staff members.

Creation of Construction Assurance Office

Sections 4 and 5. Requires the University to establish a construction assurance office, led by a full-time director who shall be responsible for conducting reviews of individual project performance and the biennial construction performance review of the UCONN 2000 program. The director shall report to the construction management committee and the UConn president.

Contracting Authority & Changes to State Prequalification Process

Sections 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18 and 21. Clarifies the University's authority to utilize the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) construction contract delivery method and prescribes the processes to be used when exercising this construction method. Additionally, the State Department of Public Works is also given CMAR authority under the act.

Sections 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24. Removes the University's exemption to the Department of Administrative Services prequalification process, however, it leaves the University's prequalification process intact. Also, requires all subcontractors seeking to bid on state construction contracts with a value of more than $500,000, to be prequalified by the Department of Administrative Services.

Deferred Maintenance

Sections 6, 9, 13 and 14. Increases the oversight of deferred maintenance. It defines deferred maintenance and stipulates that the University's deferred maintenance funds only be used for those projects that meet the definition of deferred maintenance. It requires the University to conduct reviews of deferred maintenance needs of the University and to annually submit a deferred maintenance budget to the construction management oversight committee. Further, the University must account for all funds expended for deferred maintenance prior to the effective date of the legislation, inspect all structures of the university, create an inventory of all structures requiring maintenance, determine the approximate costs of such maintenance and report its findings to the Board of Trustees and the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee by December 1, 2006.

Fire Safety and Building Code Compliance

Sections 10, 11, 12 and 14. Requires the University to continue through the duration of the UCONN 2000 program its memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Safety for compliance with the Fire Safety and State Building Code. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 15. Requires the University to report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2006 any findings of Fire Safety and Building Code violations in buildings completed under UCONN 2000 for which the University was responsible for code compliance. The report is to include an initial schedule to address the violations, the approximate costs and proposed funding sources.

HB 5846 Public Act No. 06-187 AN ACT CONCERNING GENERAL BUDGET AND REVENUE IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS.

Green/Lead Building Requirements:

Section 70. Requires the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to adopt regulations and building construction standards not later than January 1, 2007, that are consistent with or exceed the silver building rating of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's rating system for new commercial construction and major renovation projects, established by the United States Green Building Council, or an equivalent standard. Any new construction of a state facility, except salt sheds, parking garages, maintenance facilities or school construction, that is projected to cost $5 million dollars or more, approved and funded on or after January 1, 2007, shall comply with the above regulations. Exemptions may be made if the OPM secretary finds, in a written analysis, that the cost of such compliance significantly outweighs the benefits. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

HB 5051 Public Act No. 06-86 AN ACT CONCERNING LUMINAIRES AT STATE AGENCIES.

Bans, with some exceptions, the use of state funds to install or replace certain outdoor lights, or lighting units on state buildings or facility grounds that: fail to maximize energy conservation and minimize light pollution, glare, and shine light beyond the boundaries of the property where the light source is located; provide light that exceeds what is minimally adequate for its intended purpose; or has an output of more than 1,800 lumens. Sets conditions under which the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, or his designee, may waive the restricted uplight requirement for other state buildings or facilities. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

SB 602 - Public Act No. 06-189 -- AN ACT ALLOWING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN LATE FILERS, VALIDATING ACTIONS BY CERTAIN TOWNS, THE JOINT EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE AND THE CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, CLARIFYING APPROVAL PROCEDURES FOR THE PURCHASE OF STATE LAND AND THE URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL SITE REINVESTMENT PROGRAM, AND AMENDING A PROGRAM PROVIDING TAX CREDITS FOR BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT EXPANSION PROJECTS.

Health Center Parking

Section 23. Repeals Section 20 of Special Act 84-54, as amended by Section 99 of Special Act 89-52 and Section 12-217p of the General Statutes. The section repeals an antiquated statute that capped the annual parking fee at $300. The repeal gives the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees the authority to set a parking and fee structure at the UCHC, as is consistent for all other higher education institutions and related campuses. Effective date: Upon passage (June 9, 2006).

FINANCIAL AID

SB 158 Public Act No. 06-141 AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF RESIDENTS KILLED IN A MULTIVEHICLE CRASH IN AVON ON JULY 29, 2005 .

Allows any dependent child of a resident of the state who was killed in the multi-vehicle crash on Avon Mountain on July 29, 2005 to receive a tuition waiver at any Connecticut public college or university . Effective date: Upon passage (June 6, 2006).

SB 702 Public Act No. 06-83 AN ACT CONCERNING JOBS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.

Section 15. Establishes an "Engineering Connecticut" Loan Reimbursement Grant program administered by the Department of Higher Education for persons who have graduated from institutions of higher education with undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, and are newly employed in Connecticut on or after January 1, 2006 as engineers. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes $500,000 in the Department of Higher Education budget to fund both the "Engineering Connecticut" and "You Belong" Loan Reimbursement Programs. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 16. Establishes a "You Belong" Loan Reimbursement Grant program administered by the Department of Higher Education for graduates of doctoral programs from any institution of higher education, who are newly employed in Connecticut in economically valuable fields on or after January 1, 2006, by a company or an institution of higher education that has registered with or otherwise been qualified under the program by the Department of Economic and Community Development. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes $500,000 in the Department of Higher Education budget to fund both the "Engineering Connecticut" and "You Belong" Loan Reimbursement Programs. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5847 Public Act No. 06-135 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING EDUCATION.

Section 6. Specifies that a student from another state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be classified as an in-state student, if such student (A) attended for three years and graduated from a high school in this state, and (B) was sponsored, housed and supported during attendance at such school by a program, such as the "A Better Chance" program, established as a nonprofit organization that raises charitable funds on the local level for the purpose of giving students who are minority students, from single parent homes or live in poverty, an opportunity to attend school in a different environment. For purposes of this subdivision, "minority student" means a student whose racial ancestry is defined as other than white by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

FOUNDATION AND ENDOWMENT PROGRAM

HB 5847 Public Act No. 06-135 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING EDUCATION.

Section 9. Specifies that under the State's Matching Gift program, endowment fund eligible gifts received during the period of January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 shall be matched by the Department of Higher Education in an amount equal to one-half of the total amount of endowment eligible gifts received and not to be subject to the Rainy Day Fund trigger. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

GENERAL HIGHER EDUCATION

HB 5527 Public Act No. 06-103 AN ACT CONCERNING TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY.

Section 4. Requires UConn , Connecticut State University, and Community-Technical College Boards of Trustees to adopt one of two policies governing student financial aid t hat either permits students to use their financial aid to purchase textbooks at campus bookstores before they receive the aid or provides for disbursement of their aid when the term begins. The policy must (1) allow students to purchase textbooks at campus bookstores during the first week of an academic term using financial aid that the students may have not yet received or (2) provide for disbursement of financial aid to students who meet all federal, state, and institutional requirements for the aid before the first day of an academic term. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 1. Requires textbook publishers to make available to college faculty the price at which its products are available to the college bookstore and any history of the products' revisions. "Products" means all versions of a textbook or set of textbooks in a subject area in which a faculty member teaches, including supplemental items (such as workbooks or compact discs) that may be packaged with a textbook or sold separately, but does not include custom or special edition textbooks.

HOSPITALS

SB 160 -- Public Act No. 06-142 -- AN ACT CONCERNING HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS.

Creates an 11-member "Committee on Healthcare Associated Infections" responsible for developing, operating, and monitoring a mandatory reporting system for healthcare associated infections. Effective Date: Upon Passage (June 6, 2006).

Defines a "healthcare associated infection" as any localized or systemic condition resulting from an adverse reaction to the presence of an infectious agent or its toxin that (1) occurs in a patient in a healthcare setting; (2) was not found present or incubating at the time of admission unless the infection was related to a previous admission to the same setting; and (3) if the setting is a hospital, meets the criteria for a specific infection site, as defined by the National Centers for Disease Control.

Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement the committee's recommendations concerning a mandatory reporting system for infections and standardized data reporting measures. The Act also establishes reporting requirements.

HB 5372 -- Public Act No. 06-180 -- AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO IMAGING SERVICES.

Limits the copayments on a person for MRI, CAT scan and PET scan services performed. The limits for MRIs and CAT scans are limited to no more than $375 for all such services annually and $75 for each service. The limits for PET scans are no more than $400 for all scans annually and $100 for each one. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

HB 5371 -- Public Act No. 06-108 -- AN ACT CONCERNING EXTENDED REPORTING PERIOD COVERAGE UNDER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE POLICIES.

Limits the circumstances under which insurers must provide certain medical malpractice insurance coverage at no cost to physicians, surgeons, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and hospitals. The provisions in this Act apply to policies renewed, delivered, or issued for delivery in Connecticut on or after October 1, 2006. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 317 -- Public Act No. 06-195 -- A N ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STATUTES.

Section 41: Requires the Quality Care Advisory Committee, which advises DPH on ways to measure health care facilities' clinical performance, to make recommendations on best practices concerning communications between patients' primary care providers and other providers' involved in patient care, including specialists and hospitalists. The commission must make its recommendations to DPH by Jan. 1, 2008. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

HB 5468 - Public Act No. 06-28 -- AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATE OF NEED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE THRESHOLDS.

Raises to $3 million the capital and major medical equipment expenditure threshold that triggers an Office of Healthcare Access (OHCA) certificate of need (CON) review. The previous threshold was $1 million for capital costs and $400,000 for major medical equipment.

The higher threshold does not affect the acquisition of imaging equipment, such as a CT or PET scanner, which is subject to CON review regardless of cost unless it was purchased or leased for under $400,000 before July 1, 2005. But the act conditions this exemption by specifying that the equipment must be in operation before July 1, 2006.

In addition to raising thresholds for CON review, the act raises thresholds that (1) permit exemptions from CON for replacement equipment and (2) trigger civil penalties. The law permits OHCA to waive CON requirements for facilities and providers that want to replace major medical or imaging equipment for which they already obtained a CON if the replacement equipment costs, or is valued at, less than a specified amount. The act raises this threshold from $2 million to $3 million.

Subjects facilities and providers that own, operate, or seek to acquire major medical equipment costing over a threshold amount to civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each day they fail to report required information to OHCA. The act raises this threshold from $400,000 to $3 million.

Effective Date: July 1, 2006 for the higher CON threshold; upon passage for the provision affecting the CON exemption for imaging equipment (May 8, 2006).

HUMAN RESOURCES AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

HB 5846 Public Act No. 06-187 AN ACT CONCERNING GENERAL BUDGET AND REVENUE IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS.

Section 34. Requires any person who is employed or is a student at an institution of higher learning in Connecticut, and who is subject to register as a sex offender, to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety in writing of any change in name or address without due delay. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5011 Public Act No. 06-102 AN ACT CONCERNING FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER IN THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, PERMANENCY PLANS FOR CHILDREN, AND EMPLOYMENT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Allows state employees to take up to 24 weeks of unpaid leave over a two-year period to care for seriously ill children who are their foster, adopted, step-children or under their guardianship, or those who are 18 years or older and incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 459 Public Act No. 06-146 AN ACT CONCERNING ACCRUED LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES SERVING IN THE MILITARY.

Allows state employees to continue to accrue all vacation and sick leave time to which the employee would be entitled had the employee continued to work in the state position during the time of being called into active duty service in the military. Effective date: Upon passage (June 6, 2006).

House Resolution No. 3 - Senate Resolution No. 5 -- RESOLUTION PROPOSING APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (UCPEA).

Amends existing collective bargaining agreement, which is effective through June 30, 2007, to provide salary and merit increases.

House Resolution No. 29 - Senate Resolution No. 29 -- Resolution Proposing Approval of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the University of Connecticut Health Center and the University Health Professionals.

Approves the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Health Center and the University Health Professionals.

LAW SCHOOL

SB 702 Public Act No. 06-83 AN ACT CONCERNING JOBS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.

Center for Entrepreneurship

NURSING

HB 5617 Public Act No. 06-169 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES.

Allows an advanced practice registered nurse, in collaboration with a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state, to dispense as well as prescribe and administer medical therapeutics and corrective measures. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND RELATED AREAS

HB 5845 Public Act No. 06-186 -- AN ACT MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO STATE EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2007.

The budget enacted adds $250,000 to the Department of Public Health Budget for adults with congenital blood disorders. There is no implementing language adopted that describes how the funds will be used.

SB 317 Public Act No. 06-195 -- A N ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STATUTES.

Comprehensive Cancer Plan

Section 52. Requires DPH, within available appropriations, to establish a comprehensive cancer plan. The plan must provide for (1) a statewide smoking cessation plan that targets Medicaid recipients, (2) development and implementation of (a) a program that encourages people to get colorectal screenings and (b) a statewide clinical trials network, (3) identification of, and provision of services to, cancer survivors, and (4) identification and provision of services to organizations offering hospice or palliative care education. Effective date: July 1, 2006 for the use of money to fund a comprehensive cancer program.

Kidney Disease Testing

Section 53. Repeals Section 1 of Public Act 06-120. Requires physicians to order a serum ceratinine test as part of each patient's annual physical exam if the patient has not had such a test within the preceding 12 months. It also requires that for each serum creatinine test performed on a patient admitted to a hospital as an inpatient, the ordering provider must request at least once during the patient's stay that the testing laboratory report an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This is required if the patient has not had the test in the year preceding the hospitalization. Effective Date: Upon passage (June 7, 2006).

Physical Therapy

Section 82. Repeals Subsection (b) of section 20-73 of the General Statutes as amended by SB 164 Public Act No. 125 -- AN ACT CONCERNING PATIENT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL THERAPY.

Allows patients to go to a physical therapist who meets certain standards without first being referred by another health care practitioner, except in cases involving workers' compensation injuries and a specific kind of spinal manipulation. The act specifies procedures a physical therapist must follow in treating patients directly, and it specifies that "physical therapy" does not include surgery; prescribing drugs; or diagnosing disease, injury, or illness. Effective Date: October 1, 2006

SB 311 Public Act No. 06-77 -- AN ACT DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD BANK.

Section 2. Requires the Commissioner of Public Health, with the help of the Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee, to 1) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a public facility for collecting and storing umbilical cord blood and placental tissue donated by maternity patients, 2) entering into a multistate public cord blood collaboration and 3) developing a public private partnership with existing cord blood banks. Effective date: Upon passage (May 30, 2006).

HB 5477- Public Act No. 06-110 -- AN ACT CONCERNING THE SUPERVISION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

Revises the supervision requirements for physician assistants (PAs) by (1) making a distinction between supervision in a hospital versus other settings and (2) eliminating a requirement that the supervision in any setting be at the specific location where the PA is practicing. By law, each PA must have a clearly identified supervising physician, registered with the Department of Public Health (DPH), who has final responsibility for patient care and the PA's performance. A physician may supervise up to six full-time PAs concurrently or the equivalent part-time number, if medically appropriate.

Requires the supervising physician to personally review the PA's practice at least weekly or more frequently as needed to ensure quality care. In settings other than hospitals, the act requires (1) that these reviews be done through face-to-face meetings, at least weekly or more frequently as necessary to ensure quality care, at a facility or location where the PA or supervising physician practices and (2) that the supervising physician document in writing his already-required regular review of the PA's charts and records at the facility or practice location of the PA or physician.

Specifies that, in any setting, a physician designated as the PA's alternate supervising physician in the absence of his regular supervising physician must be registered with DPH. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 651-- Public Act No. 06-160 -- AN ACT CONCERNING PODIATRIC MEDICINE.

Expands the scope of practice of podiatrists by allowing the medical and nonsurgical treatment of the ankle under certain conditions. Podiatrists' existing scope allows diagnosis and treatment of ailments of the foot, including medical and surgical treatment, and administering and prescribing drugs incidental to the care.

Requires the public health (DPH) commissioner to convene a panel, directed by an arbitrator, to develop a protocol and recommendations for allowing qualified podiatrists to perform surgery on the ankle. Effective date: October 1, 2006 for the scope of practice changes; upon passage (June 6, 2006) for the panel.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

HB 5695 Public Act No. 06-134 AN ACT CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE PREQUALIFICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL CONTRACTORS.

Sections 10, 11, 12 and 14. Requires the University to continue through the duration of the UCONN 2000 program its memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Safety for compliance with the Fire Safety and State Building Code. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 15. Requires the University to report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2006 any findings of Fire Safety and Building Code violations in buildings completed under UCONN 2000 for which the University was responsible for code compliance. The report must include an initial schedule to address the violations, the approximate costs and proposed funding sources. Effective date: Upon passage (June 6, 2006).

HB 5211 Public Act No. 06-112 AN ACT CONCERNING UNDERAGE DRINKING.

Makes it illegal for a minor to possess alcohol anywhere, rather than only in public places. Also makes it illegal for someone who possesses or controls private property, including a dwelling unit, to knowingly permit a minor to illegally possess alcohol in the unit or on the property, or fails to make reasonable efforts to stop a minor from possessing alcohol. Specifies prohibitions on illegal possession and against selling, shipping, delivering or giving alcohol to minors, and the penalties for these offenses. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 72 Public Act No. 06-72 AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL BICYCLES WITH AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICES.

Exempts firefighters and emergency services personnel from state laws and regulations governing bicycle operations under the same circumstances as police officers when responding to emergency calls, engaged in rescue operations, or pursuing actual or suspected criminals. The bicycle operator must be at least 16 years old, complete a basic bicycle patrol course certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, or an equivalent course, wear a distinctive uniform, and use an audible signal such as a siren, whistle or bell. The bicycle operator is not relieved from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property. Effective date: October 1, 2006.  

RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SB 702 Public Act No. 06-83 AN ACT CONCERNING JOBS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.

Eminent Faculty

Section 1. Requires the UConn Board of Trustees to develop a program to facilitate the recruitment of eminent faculty and their research staffs to the University, targeting scientists who have demonstrated excellence in their research fields, have interest in working collaboratively with other University scientists, and an interest in commercialization of their research. The program must also support economic development in Connecticut and promote core competency areas by accelerating the pace of applied research and development. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes a $2 million appropriation to the University for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Center for Entrepreneurship

Section 2. Establishes a Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Connecticut . The Center will train the next generation of Connecticut entrepreneurs in an experimental manner that would assist Connecticut businesses. The Center will develop an entrepreneurial program to train faculty and student inventors in commercialization, business development and venture capital. The Center also must establish an intellectual property law clinic in conjunction with the School of Law ; and expand the School of Business accelerator program to provide innovation services to technology-based companies. Both the accelerator program and the law clinic must be located with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in the Hartford area to leverage resources. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes a $2 million appropriation to the University for the establishment of this Center. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Other Initiatives

Section 5. Requires the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to establish the small business incubator program to provide grants to entities operating incubator facilities to be used for operating funds and related services, including business plan preparation, assistance in acquiring financing, and management counseling. Includes regulations the Commissioner must adopt to implement the small business incubator program. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes a $1 million appropriation to DECD to establish this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 8. Establishes an Office of the Business Advocate in the Office of Policy and Management. The Governor must appoint a person to serve as the Business Advocate that is qualified by training and experience to perform the duties specified. The person must serve for four years, and may be reappointed. The Business Advocate must serve as an information clearinghouse for various public and private programs to assist businesses and identify specific micro businesses whose growth and success could benefit from state or private assistance. The Business Advocate must annually report to the Governor, and the Commerce and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees of the General Assembly. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $535,000 to the Office of Policy and Management to establish this Office. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Sections 3 and 4. Establishes an early-stage venture capital program administered by Connecticut Innovations, Inc. (CII) to provide financing to companies in the state. No funding was provided for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Sections 6 and 7. Requires Connecticut Innovations, Inc. (CII) to provide matching financial assistance for micro businesses that receive federal funds under the Phase II Small Business Innovation Research and Business Technology Transfer programs. No funding was provided for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5846 Public Act No. 06-187 AN ACT CONCERNING GENERAL BUDGET AND REVENUE IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS.

Fuel Cells

Section 63: Establishes a Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition in the Department of Economic and Community Development in consultation with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. Effective date: Upon passage (May 26, 2006).

Section 64. Requires the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to contract with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) to develop a plan for fuel cell economic development. The Act specifies the components to be included in the plan. DECD must submit a preliminary report on or before January 1, 2007 to the Commerce Committee of the General Assembly on the progress of the plan, and submit a final report on or before January 1, 2008. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $375,000 to DECD and $450,000 to CCAT for the development of the plan. Effective date: Upon passage (May 26, 2006).

Nanotechnology

Section 27. Establishes a nanotechnology post-secondary education program and clearinghouse for curriculum development, scholarships and student outreach in the Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC).

Establishes a Connecticut Nanotechnology Collaboration Initiative to foster industry-university relationships to provide:

• Discovery grants not exceeding $50,000* to support post-doctorate or graduate students working with industry on nanotechnology projects under the supervision of faculty members. Each grant shall be matched with a direct or in-kind industry grant.
• Collaborative grants, not exceeding $150,000* to support university research teams working with industry on collaborative research projects focused on specific application development. Each grant shall be matched with an industry grant.
• •Prototype grants, not exceeding $250,000* to enable universities and companies to demonstrate whether a prototype is manufacturable and functional, and the cost effectiveness of nanotechnology-related applications. Each grant shall be matched with an industry grant in an amount equal to two dollars for every one dollar of such prototype grant.

* The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) does not provide funding for these programs.

Establishes a Connecticut Center for Nanoscale Sciences and Development to provide a shared-use laboratory in one or more sites in Connecticut to advance university research, industry application development and education involving the synthesis, characterization and fabrication of nanoscale materials, intermediates and devices and related program activities. Requires the Office of Workforce Competitiveness to conduct a feasibility study and business planning model leading to the establishment of such center. Must report findings to the Commerce and Higher Education and Workforce Development committees of the General Assembly by January 1, 2007. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $500,000 for the feasibility study. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 91. Transfers $50,000 from the Office of Workforce Competitiveness to the Department of Higher Education to establish the Nanotechnolgoy Collaboration Initiative for the identification of model nanotechnology curriculum and assessment of its application in Connecticut colleges and Universities. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5843 Public Act No. 06-33 AN ACT CONCERNING THE STEM CELL RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMMITTEE.

Adds eight members, including one each appointed by the House and Senate majority leaders who must be academic researchers specializing in stem cell research, to the nine-member Stem Cell Advisory Committee. The new members are to be appointed by July 1, 2006. Specifies that it is not a conflict of interest for a person affiliated with an institution eligible to receive a grant to serve as an advisory committee member. Effective date: Upon passage (April 24, 2006).

STATE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASING

SB 623 Public Act No. 06-129 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DISABLED AND DISADVANTAGED EMPLOYMENT SECURITY POLICY GROUP.

Establishes a four-year pilot program by the Department of Administrative Services to create and expand job opportunities for persons with a disability and persons with a disadvantage. The program shall consist of four identified projects for janitorial work that create a minimum of sixty full-time jobs or equivalents at standard wages and have a total market value for all janitorial contracts awarded under the program of at least $3 million. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 66 Public Act No. 06-137 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LEGISLATION AND CERTAIN ELECTION LAW AND ETHICS PROVISIONS.

Section 28. Allows the State Elections Enforcement Commission to be designated by a state agency to obtain information from contractors and potential contractors for the purposes of compiling the necessary lists required in this act. Requires that the State Elections Enforcement Commission compile a master list of principals of state contractors and prospective state contractors for all state agencies and quasi-public agencies no later than December 31, 2006, publish the list on the commission's internet website, and provide copies to campaign treasurers upon request. This list must be updated every three months. Effective date: December 31, 2006.

TEACHER PREPARATION  

HB 5847 Public Act No. 06-135 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING EDUCATION.

Sections 15 and 16. Concerns personal reading plans in schools. Effective date: Upon passage (June 6, 2006).

Section 17. Includes on-site teacher training and coaching in the implementation of research-based reading instruction. Effective date: July 1, 2007.

Section 25. Requires the Department of Higher Education to develop alternate route to certification programs for school administrators, superintendents and early childhood education teachers. The programs shall include mentored apprenticeships and criteria for admission to the programs. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) includes $133,000 in the State Department of Education's budget for developing a program for alternative route to teacher certification for early childhood. A portion of that funding may be used for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

SB 455 Public Act No. 06-154 AN ACT CONCERNING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORKFORCE.

Requires the Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education to develop programs for an accelerated, alternative route to initial teacher certification with an early childhood education endorsement. In defining pre-service and minimum training requirements and competencies for people involved in early childhood education from birth to five, the Act specifies that the Commissioner must consult various professionals, including early childhood faculty at public universities. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $133,000 to establish this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

SB 702 Public Act No. 06-83 AN ACT CONCERNING JOBS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.

Section 17. Establishes a high school mathematics and science challenge grant pilot program in the Department of Education. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $350,000 to the Department of Education for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 18. Establishes a "Generation Next" pilot program in the Department of Education to provide industry-based job shadowing and internship experiences to high school students and externship experiences to teachers in public school. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $125,000 to the Department of Education for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

Section 19. Establishes a "Future Scholars" pilot matching grant program in the Department of Education for public schools participating in externally funded programs that provide supplemental mathematics and science programming and instruction to qualified students in grades 8 to 10. The enacted budget (Public Act 06-186) appropriates $125,000 to the Department of Education for this program. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

WATER

HB 5802 Special Act No. 06-9 AN ACT CONCERNING WATER BASINS.

Requires the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources at the University of Connecticut to conduct a study of the scientific and legal structure needed to conduct effective basin level water allocation planning and any significant impediments to said planning. A status report on its progress in completing the study must be submitted no later than January 1, 2007 to Environment and Public Health Committees, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Health. No later than two years after receipt of the bond allocation provided for the purpose of the study, the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources must submit a report containing the results of the study to said committees and departments. No bond authorization was enacted for this study because the General Assembly did not act upon a bond package. Effective date: July 1, 2006.

HB 5720 Public Act No. 06-98 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF DISTRIBUTION WATER MAIN INSTALLATIONS AND WELLS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

Excludes installations that are constructed in accordance with sound engineering standards and laws and regulations from prior review or approval. Requires water companies to report annually to the Department of Public Health on the number and location of such new installations. Effective date: October 1, 2006.

SB 313 Public Act No. 06-53 AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTION OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SOURCES.

Requires that the Commissioner of Public Health receive notice of applications submitted to local agencies about activities on public water supply watersheds, but establishes an exemption from the notice requirements in towns that allow zoning agents to approve applications if the agent determines that a proposed activity will not adversely affect the public water supply. Allows the DPH commissioner to adopt regulations that incorporate federal drinking water regulations. Effective date: October 1, 2006.