Section 17b-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] Complex rehabilitation technology and wheelchair repair advisory council(a) There is established a complex rehabilitation technology and wheelchair repair advisory council to monitor repairs of wheelchairs, including complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs, as defined in section 1 of this act, and to make recommendations concerning improving repair times.(b) The advisory council shall consist of the following members: (1) Two appointed by the House and Senate chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, one of whom is a consumer who uses a complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair purchased, leased or repaired under the Medicaid program, and one of whom is a representative of the state advocacy system for persons with disabilities, established pursuant to section 46a-10b of the general statutes;(2) Two appointed by the House and Senate ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, one of whom is a consumer who uses a complex rehabilitation technology wheelchair purchased, leased or repaired under a private health insurance policy, and one of whom is an authorized wheelchair dealer, as defined in section 1 of this act;(3) Two appointed by the House and Senate chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to general law, each of whom is a representative of an organization that represents persons with physical disabilities;(4) Two appointed by the House and Senate ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to general law, each of whom is a consumer who privately pays for complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs;(5) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee;(6) The Insurance Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;(7) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;(8) The Healthcare Advocate, or the Healthcare Advocate's designee; and(9) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, or the commissioner's designee.(c) Any member of the advisory council appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.(d) All initial appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than August 1, 2024. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. The advisory council shall meet at least monthly.(e) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services, or the commissioner's designee, and a member of the advisory council chosen by a majority of members of the advisory council, shall serve as chairpersons. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory council not later than September 1, 2024.(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services shall serve as administrative staff of the advisory council.(g) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the advisory council shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, general law, human services and insurance, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17b-NEW
Added by P.A. 24-0058,S. 4 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2024 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2024.