AN ACT CONCERNING INTERNET GAMING DISORDER.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on the exact actions or treatments that will be included in the plan, leaving some uncertainty.

Internet Gaming Disorder Plan

This act requires the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a plan that identifies, prevents, and reduces risks related to Internet gaming disorder.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to create a comprehensive public health plan for identifying, preventing, and reducing risks associated with Internet gaming disorder.
• The plan must also identify any link between Internet gaming disorder and gambling behaviors.
• Includes data monitoring, public education, early screening, healthcare provider training, evidence-based treatment pathways, and coordination with existing gambling harm prevention efforts.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• People at risk for or affected by Internet gaming disorder

Terms To Know

Internet Gaming Disorder

A condition where someone has trouble controlling their use of online games, which can cause problems in their life.

Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services

The person in charge of mental health and addiction services for the state.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify how much funding will be allocated to create this plan.
• It is unclear what specific actions or treatments will be included in the final plan.

Official Summary Text

To require the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a comprehensive public health plan to identify, prevent and reduce the risks associated with Internet gaming disorder and identify any link between Internet gaming and gambling behaviors.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 1585 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 240
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 1585

Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH

Introduced by:
(PH)

AN ACT CONCERNING INTERNET GAMING DISORDER.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Mental Health 1
and Addiction services shall develop a comprehensive public health 2
plan to (1) identify, prevent and reduce the risks associated with Internet 3
gaming disorder , and (2) identify any link between Internet gaming 4
disorder and gambling behaviors. The plan shall include data 5
monitoring, public education, early screening, health care provider 6
training, evidence -based treatment pathways and coordination with 7
existing gambling harm prevention efforts with particular attention to 8
reducing harm to youth and other vulnerable populations. Not later 9
than January 1, 2027, the commissioner shall report on such plan, in 10
accordance with section 11 -4a of the general statutes, to the joint 11
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 12
matters relating to public health. 13
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Raised Bill No. 240

LCO No. 1585 2 of 2

Section 1 from passage New section

Statement of Purpose:
To require the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services
to develop a comprehensive public health plan to identify, prevent and
reduce the risks associated with Internet gaming disorder and identify
any link between Internet gaming and gambling behaviors.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]