HB05326 • 2026

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

Children Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Education Committee
Last action: 2026-03-23
Official status: Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the specific monitoring of service providers for quality and accountability beyond referencing existing law.

Increasing Birth-to-Three Program Rates

This act increases the rates paid to providers for birth-to-three services.

What This Bill Does

Removes and replaces part of an existing law about how early intervention services are provided.
Requires the Office of Early Childhood to post updated service rates on their website.
Establishes new state-wide rates for birth-to-three services based on a recent study.

Who It Names or Affects

Providers and agencies that offer early intervention services to young children.
Families of eligible children receiving birth-to-three services.

Terms To Know

Early Intervention Services: Special programs for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, their families, and those at risk of such conditions.
Lead Agency: The agency responsible for overseeing the delivery of early intervention services in a state.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much the rates will increase.
Effective date for some parts is July 1, 2026, while others take effect immediately upon passage.

Bill History

2026-03-23 Connecticut General Assembly
Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations
2026-03-20 LCO
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-03-20 Connecticut General Assembly
Favorable Change of Reference, House to Committee on Appropriations
2026-03-19 LCO
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
2026-03-16 ED
Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference Appropriations
2026-02-27 Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 03/04
2026-02-26 Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Joint Committee on Education

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

LCO 1 of 2

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