AN ACT INCREASING THE RATES FOR THE BIRTH-TO-THREE PROGRAM.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify which 'most recent' study is used if multiple studies exist.

HB05326: Increasing Payment Rates for Birth-to-Three Services

This law requires the Office of Early Childhood to post new payment rates based on a recent cost study and directs state agencies to use those posted rates.

What This Bill Does

• Updates rules so that birth-to-three service providers are monitored for quality and accountability under federal law.
• Requires statewide service rates to match the amounts posted by the Office of Early Childhood online.
• Orders the Office of Early Childhood to post new payment rates from a recent cost analysis on its website.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Office of Early Childhood
• Birth-to-three service providers
• Eligible children and their families receiving early intervention services

Terms To Know

Lead agency

The state office responsible for providing, arranging, or contracting birth-to-three services.

Birth-to-three program

A system of early intervention services for young children with developmental needs and their families.

Limits and Unknowns

• The specific dollar amounts or percentage increases in the rates are not listed in this text.
• Section 1 takes effect on July 1, 2026, while Section 2 takes effect immediately upon passage.

Official Summary Text

To increase the rates paid to providers for birth-to-three services.

Current Bill Text

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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5326
February Session, 2026

AN ACT INCREASING THE RATES FOR THE BIRTH-TO-THREE
PROGRAM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (d) of section 17a-248e of the general statutes is 1
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
2026): 3
(d) The lead agency may provide early intervention services, arrange 4
for the delivery of early intervention services by participating agencies 5
or contract with providers to deliver early intervention services to 6
eligible children and the families of such children. The lead agency in 7
providing, arranging or contracting for early intervention services shall 8
monitor all birth -to-three service providers for quality and 9
accountability in accordance with Section 616 of the Individuals with 10
Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1416 and establish state -wide rates 11
for such services that are in accordance with the rates posted on the 12
Internet web site of the Office of Early Childhood pursuant to section 2 13
of this act. 14
Sec. 2. (NEW) ( Effective from passage) The Office of Early Childhood 15
shall post the rates enumerated in the report of the most recent 16
comprehensive rate study and cost analysis of the birth -to-three 17
program, established under section 17a-248d of the general statutes, on 18
Substitute Bill No. 5326

LCO 2 of 2

the office's Internet web site. 19
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 17a-248e(d)
Sec. 2 from passage New section

ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R APP