AN ACT CONCERNING STATE LAW PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF A LEGALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE ACTIVITY.

Senate
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General Assembly File No. 560
February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No. 295

Senate, April 9, 2026

The Committee on Judiciary reported through SEN. WINFIELD
of the 10th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of
the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING STATE LAW PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS RELATED TO THE PROVISION
OF A LEGALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE ACTIVITY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 52 -571m of the 2026 supplement to the general 1
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2
(Effective October 1, 2026): 3
(a) As used in this section: 4
(1) "Reproductive health care services" includes all supplies, care and 5
services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, 6
psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or 7
supportive nature, including counseling or referral services relating to 8
the human reproductive system, including, but not limited to, services 9
relating to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, assisted reproduction, 10
contraception or the termination of a pregnancy; 11
(2) "Gender-affirming health care services" means all supplies, care 12
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and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, 13
psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or 14
supportive nature, including medication relating to the treatment of 15
gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. "Gender -affirming health 16
care services" does not include "conversion therapy" as defined in 17
section 19a-907; [and] 18
(3) "Person" includes an individual, a partnership, an association, a 19
limited liability company or a corporation; and 20
(4) "Legally protected health care activity" means: (A) The receipt or 21
attempted receipt by any person of reproductive health care services or 22
gender-affirming health care services that are permitted under and 23
provided in accordance with the laws of this state; (B) the provision, 24
attempted provision or insurance coverage of reproductive health care 25
services or gender -affirming health care services that are permitted 26
under and provided in accordance with the laws of this state and 27
provided in accordance with the applicable standard of care by a health 28
care provider licensed under the laws of this state and who is physically 29
present in this state, regardless of whether the patient is located in this 30
state; and (C) any act or omission undertaken to aid or encourage, or 31
attempt to aid or encourage, any person in the receipt or attempted 32
receipt of reproductive health care services or gender -affirming health 33
care services as permitted under and provided in accordance with the 34
laws of this state. 35
(b) When any person has had a foreign judgment entered against 36
such person, in any other state, in any court of the United States or any 37
other jurisdiction based upon the laws of any state , where liability, in 38
whole or in part, is based on the alleged provision, receipt, assistance in 39
receipt or provision, material support for, or any theory of vicarious, 40
joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, for [reproductive 41
health care services or gender -affirming health care services that are 42
permitted under the laws of this state] any legally protected health care 43
activity, such person may recover damages from any party that brought 44
the action leading to that judgment or has sought to enforce that 45
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judgment. Recoverable damages shall include: (1) Just damages created 46
by the action that led to that judgment, including, but not limited to, 47
money damages in the amount of the judgment in that other state and 48
costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees spent in defending the 49
action that resulted in the entry of a judgment in another state; and (2) 50
costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in bringing an 51
action under this section as may be allowed by the court. 52
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a judgment 53
entered in another state that is based on: (1) An action founded in tort, 54
contract or statute, and for which a similar claim would exist under the 55
laws of this state, brought by the patient who received the reproductive 56
health care services or gender-affirming health care services upon which 57
the original lawsuit was based or the patient's authorized legal 58
representative, for damages suffered by the patient or damages derived 59
from an individual's loss of consortium of the patient; (2) an action 60
founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would exist under 61
the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a party with 62
a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject of the 63
judgment entered in another state; or (3) an action where no part of the 64
acts that formed the basis for liability occurred in this state. 65
(d) The term "legally protected health care activity" shall not be 66
construed to impact or alter (1) the standard of care required for medical 67
professionals under the laws of this state, or (2) contractual rights of 68
parties to a contract under the laws of this state. 69
Sec. 2. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) Notwithstanding any 70
provision of the laws of this state relating to conflict of law and except 71
as required by federal law, the laws of this state shall govern in any case 72
or controversy heard in the state related to legally protected health care 73
activity as defined in section 52 -571m of the general statutes, as 74
amended by this act. 75
Sec. 3. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) (a) Except as required by 76
federal law, evidence relating to the involvement of an individual 77
regarding any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 78
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52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, may not be 79
offered as evidence that such individual has engaged in wrongdoing, 80
whether civil, criminal, professional or otherwise, if the evidence is 81
based on or related to the fact that the individual who received services 82
constituting such legally protected health care activity was not 83
physically present in the state when such individual received such 84
services. Nothing in this section shall prevent a party from offering such 85
evidence in any action relating to the provisions of subsection (d) of 86
section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this act, provided 87
the person against whom the evidence is offered is a party to the case or 88
a party in a civil, criminal or administrative action brought by an 89
authorized agency of this state against a licensed health care provider 90
or health care facility pursuant to the laws of this state. Nothing in this 91
section shall be construed to affect any other applicable privilege, right 92
or confidentiality protection as may apply. 93
(b) When any person that is subject to a subpoena relating to the 94
alleged provision, receipt, assistance in receipt or provision, material 95
support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy 96
liability derived therefrom, for any legally protected health care activity, 97
as defined in section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by this 98
act, in addition to any other reason, theory or argument, such person 99
may move to modify or quash such subpoena pursuant to the rules of 100
court. Nothing in this section shall prevent compliance with a subpoena 101
if the subpoena has been issued in an action relating to the provisions of 102
subsection (d) of section 52-571m of the general statutes, as amended by 103
this act, provided the person against whom the evidence is offered is a 104
party to the case or a party in a civil, criminal or administrative action 105
brought by an authorized agency of this state against a licensed health 106
care provider or health care facility pursuant to the laws of this state. 107
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any other applicable 108
privilege, right or confidentiality protection as may apply. 109
Sec. 4. Section 52-146w of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 110
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 111
October 1, 2026): 112
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(a) Except as provided in sections 52 -146d to 52 -146k, inclusive, 113
sections 52-146o, 52-146p, 52-146q and 52-146s and subsection (b) of this 114
section, in any civil action or any proceeding preliminary thereto or in 115
any probate, legislative or administrative proceeding, no covered entity 116
or business associate, as defined in 45 CFR 160.103, shall, in response to 117
a subpoena, disclose (1) any communication made to such covered 118
entity or business associate, or any information obtained by such 119
covered entity or business associate from, a patient or the conservator, 120
guardian or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to 121
[reproductive health care services or gender -affirming health care 122
services] any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 123
52-571m, as amended by this act, [that are permitted under the laws of 124
this state, or] (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a 125
patient relating to [such services, that are permitted under the laws of 126
this state,] a legally protected health care activity , or (3) any protected 127
health information relating to a legally protected health care activity that 128
is in the designated record set, as defined in 45 CFR 164.501, for such 129
patient unless the patient or that patient's conservator, guardian or other 130
authorized legal representative explicitly consents in writing to such 131
disclosure. A covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient's 132
conservator, guardian or other authorized legal representative of the 133
patient's right to withhold such written consent. A covered entity or 134
business associate that receives a subpoena for patient information 135
related to [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 136
care services ] any legally protected health care activity subject to the 137
provisions of this section that does not fall under any exemption in 138
subsection (b) of this section and is not accompanied by the written 139
consent of the patient or the conservator, guardian or other authorized 140
legal representative of the patient shall provide a copy of the subpoena 141
to the office of the Attorney General not later than seven days after the 142
date of receipt of the subpoena. The office of the Attorney General shall 143
post notice of the methods by which a covered entity and business 144
associate may send the copy of the subpoena. 145
(b) Written consent of the patient or the patient's conservator, 146
guardian or other authorized legal representative shall not be required 147
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for the disclosure of such communication or information (1) pursuant to 148
the laws of this state or the rules of court prescribed by the Judicial 149
Branch, (2) by a covered entity or business associate against whom a 150
claim has been made, or there is a reasonable belief will be made, in such 151
action or proceeding, to the covered entity's or business associate's 152
attorney or professional liability insurer or such insurer's agent for use 153
in the defense of such action or proceeding, (3) to the Commissioner of 154
Public Health for records of a patient of a covered entity in connection 155
with (A) an investigation of a complaint, if such records are related to 156
the complaint , or (B) an investigation, inspection or survey of an 157
institution, as defined in section 19a -490, or (4) if child abuse, abuse of 158
an elderly individual, abuse of an individual who is physically disabled 159
or incompetent or abuse of an individual with intellectual disability in 160
violation of the laws of this state is known or in good faith suspected. 161
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impede the lawful 162
disclosure or sharing of medical records as permitted by state [or 163
federal] law or the rules of [the] court prescribed by the Judicial Branch, 164
except in the case of a subpoena commanding the production, copying 165
or inspection of medical records relating to [reproductive health care 166
services or gender-affirming health care services] any legally protected 167
health care activity, as defined in section 52 -571m, as amended by this 168
act. 169
Sec. 5. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 54-82i of the 2026 supplement 170
to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in 171
lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 172
(a) The following words, when used in this section, have the meaning 173
specified, unless the context otherwise indicates: "Witness" means a 174
person whose testimony is desired in any proceeding or investigation 175
by a grand jury or in a criminal action, prosecution or proceeding; "state" 176
includes any territory of the United States and the District of Columbia; 177
[, and] "summons" means a subpoena, order or other notice requiring 178
the appearance of a witness; and "legally protected health care activity" 179
has the same meaning as provided in section 52 -571m, as amended by 180
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this act. 181
(b) If a judge of a court of record in any state which by its laws has 182
made provision for commanding persons within that state to attend and 183
testify in this state certifies, under the seal of such court, that there is a 184
criminal prosecution pending in such court, or that a grand jury 185
investigation has commenced or is about to commence, that a person 186
being within this state is a material witness in such prosecution or grand 187
jury investigation and that the presence of such witness will be required 188
for a specified number of days, upon presentation of such certificate to 189
any judge of a court of record in the judicial district in which such 190
person is, such judge shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall 191
make an order directing the witness to appear at such time and place for 192
such hearing. If, at such hearing, the judge determines that the witness 193
is material and necessary, that it will not cause undue hardship to the 194
witness to be compelled to attend and testify in the prosecution or a 195
grand jury investigation in the other state and that the laws of such other 196
state and the laws of any other state through which the witness may be 197
required to pass by ordinary course of travel will give to such witness 198
protection from arrest and from the service of civil or criminal process, 199
the judge shall issue a summons, with a copy of the certificate attached, 200
directing the witness to attend and testify in the court where the 201
prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 202
commenced or is about to commence at a time and place specified in the 203
summons, except that no judge shall issue a summons in a case where 204
prosecution is pending, or where a grand jury investigation has 205
commenced or is about to commence for a criminal violation of a law of 206
such other state involving the provision or receipt of or assistance with 207
[reproductive health care services or gender -affirming health care 208
services, as defined in section 52 -571m, that are legal ] any legally 209
protected health care activity in this state, unless the acts forming the 210
basis of the prosecution or investigation would also constitute an 211
offense in this state. At any such hearing, the certificate shall be prima 212
facie evidence of all the facts stated therein. If such certificate 213
recommends that the witness be taken into immediate custody and 214
delivered to an officer of the requesting state to assure the attendance of 215
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the witness in such state, such judge may, in lieu of notification of the 216
hearing, direct that such witness be forthwith brought before such judge 217
for such hearing, and, being satisfied, at such hearing, of the desirability 218
of such custody and delivery, of which desirability such certificate shall 219
be prima facie proof, may, in lieu of issuing a subpoena or summons, 220
order that such witness be forthwith taken into custody and delivered 221
to an officer of the requesting state. If such witness, after being paid or 222
tendered by an authorized person the same amount per mile as 223
provided for state employees pursuant to section 5 -141c for each mile 224
by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court where the 225
prosecution is pending and five dollars each day that such witness is 226
required to travel and attend as a witness, fails, without good cause, to 227
attend and testify as directed in the summons, the witness shall be 228
punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness 229
who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this state. 230
Sec. 6. Section 52-155a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 231
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 232
October 1, 2026): 233
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 52 -155 and 52 -657, a 234
judge, justice of the peace, notary public or commissioner of the 235
Superior Court shall not issue a subpoena requested by a commissioner, 236
appointed according to the laws or usages of any other state or 237
government, or by any court of the United States or of any other state or 238
government, when such subpoena relates to [reproductive health care 239
services or gender -affirming health care services ] a legally protected 240
health care activity, as defined in section 52 -571m, as amended by this 241
act, [that are permitted under the laws of this state,] unless the subpoena 242
relates to: (1) An out-of-state action founded in tort, contract or statute, 243
for which a similar claim would exist under the laws of this state, 244
brought by a patient or the patient's authorized legal representative, for 245
damages suffered by the patient or damages derived from an 246
individual's loss of consortium of the patient; or (2) an out -of-state 247
action founded in contract, and for which a similar claim would exist 248
under the laws of this state, brought or sought to be enforced by a party 249
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with a contractual relationship with the person that is the subject of the 250
subpoena requested by a commissioner appointed according to the laws 251
or usages of another state. 252
Sec. 7. Section 54-155a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 253
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 254
October 1, 2026): 255
No public agency, as defined in section 1 -200, or employee, 256
appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a 257
public agency may provide any information or expend or use time, 258
money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in 259
furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to 260
impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for (1) the 261
provision, seeking or receipt of or inquiring about [reproductive health 262
care services or gender -affirming health care services, as defined in 263
section 52-571m, that are legal in this state] any legally protected health 264
care activity as defined in section 52 -571m, as amended by this act , or 265
(2) assisting any person or entity providing, seeking, receiving or 266
responding to an inquiry about [reproductive health care services or 267
gender-affirming health care services, as defined in section 52 -571m, 268
that are legal in this state ] any legally protected health care activity as 269
defined in section 52 -571m, as amended by this act . This section shall 270
not apply to any investigation or proceeding where the conduct subject 271
to potential liability under the investigation or proceeding would be 272
subject to liability under the laws of this state if committed in this state. 273
Sec. 8. Section 54 -162 of the general statutes is repealed and the 274
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 275
(a) The Governor [of this state] may also surrender, on demand of the 276
executive authority of any other state, any person found in this state 277
who is charged in such other state in the manner provided in section 54-278
159 with committing an act in this state, or in a third state, intentionally 279
resulting in a crime in the state whose executive authority is making the 280
demand, and the provisions of this chapter not otherwise inconsistent 281
shall apply to such cases, even though the accused was not in that state 282
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at the time of the commission of the crime and has not fled therefrom, 283
provided the acts for which extradition is sought would be punishable 284
by the laws of this state, if the consequences claimed to have resulted 285
from those acts in the demanding state had taken effect in this state. 286
(b) Except as required by federal law, the Governor shall not 287
surrender a person charged in another state as a result of engaging in 288
any legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 52-571m, 289
as amended by this act, unless the executive authority of the demanding 290
state alleges in writing that the accused was physically present in the 291
demanding state at the time of the commission of the alleged offense 292
and that thereafter the accused fled from the demanding state. 293
Sec. 9. Section 19a-17e of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 294
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 295
October 1, 2026): 296
(a) As used in this section, ["reproductive health care services" and 297
"gender-affirming health care services" have ] "legally protected health 298
care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as provided in section 299
52-571m, as amended by this act. 300
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 19a -301
14, the Department of Public Health shall not deny the eligibility of an 302
applicant for a (1) permit, (2) license by examination, endorsement or 303
reciprocity, or (3) reinstatement of a license (A) voided pursuant to the 304
provisions of subsection (f) of section 19a -88, (B) voluntarily 305
surrendered, or (C) by agreement, not renewed or reinstated pursuant 306
to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 19a -17 based on pending 307
disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint , [or] the imposition of 308
disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 309
duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 310
District of Columbia , [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 311
the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 312
alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 313
material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 314
conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 315
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services or gender -affirming health care services that are permitted 316
under the laws of this state and were provided in accordance with the 317
standard of care applicable to such services , regardless of whether the 318
patient receiving such services was a resident of this state ] any legally 319
protected health care activity. The provisions of this subsection shall not 320
apply where the underlying conduct of the applicant would constitute 321
the basis of disciplinary action against the applicant under the laws of 322
this state if the applicant had been licensed or permitted in this state and 323
the conduct had occurred in this state. 324
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19a -17, a board or 325
commission established under title 20 that has jurisdiction over persons 326
licensed, certified or registered under said title who provide 327
[reproductive health care services or gender -affirming health care 328
services] any legally protected health care activity, and the Department 329
of Public Health, with respect to professions under the department's 330
jurisdiction that are not subject to discipline by such a board or 331
commission, shall not impose disciplinary action against a licensed, 332
certified or registered person based on pending disciplinary action or 333
other adverse action , an unresolved complaint or the imposition of 334
disciplinary action against such persons before or by a duly authorized 335
professional disciplinary agency of another state, the District of 336
Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of the United 337
States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the alleged 338
provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, material 339
support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy 340
liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care services or 341
gender-affirming health care services that are permitted under the laws 342
of this state and were provided in accordance with the standard of care 343
applicable to such services, regardless of whether the patient receiving 344
such services was a resident of this state ] any legally protected health 345
care activity. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the 346
underlying conduct of the licensed, certified or registered person would 347
constitute the basis of disciplinary action against such person under the 348
laws of this state if the conduct had occurred in this state. 349
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Sec. 10. Section 19a-567 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 350
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 351
October 1, 2026): 352
(a) As used in this section, (1) "credentialing" means the process of 353
assessing and validating the qualifications of a health care provider 354
applying to be approved to provide treatment, care or services in or for 355
an institution, (2) "health care provider" means a person licensed 356
pursuant to title 20 who provides reproductive health care services or 357
gender-affirming health care services, (3) "institution" has the same 358
meaning as provided in section 19a -490, (4) "privileging" means the 359
process of authorizing a health care provider to provide specific 360
treatment, care or services at an institution, and (5) ["reproductive health 361
care services" and "gender-affirming health care services" have] "legally 362
protected health care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as 363
provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 364
(b) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 365
refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 366
adverse action against a health care provider with respect to 367
credentialing or privileging based solely on the alleged provision of, 368
receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or 369
any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived 370
therefrom, [reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health 371
care services that (1) are permitted under the laws of this state, (2) were 372
provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 373
services, and (3) were ] any legally protected health care activity 374
provided by the health care provider [(A)] (1) before the date on which 375
the health care provider entered an employment relationship with the 376
institution, or [(B)] (2) outside the scope of the health care provider's 377
employment with the institution . [, regardless of whether the patient 378
receiving such services was a resident of this state.] 379
(c) An institution shall not revoke, suspend, reprimand, penalize, 380
refuse to issue or renew credentials or privileges or take any other 381
adverse action against a health care provider based on pending 382
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disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint , [or] the imposition of 383
disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 384
duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 385
District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 386
the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 387
alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 388
material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 389
conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 390
services or gender-affirming health care services that (1) are permitted 391
under the laws of this state, (2) were provided in accordance with the 392
standard of care applicable to such services, and (3) were ] any legally 393
protected health care activity provided by the health care provider [(A)] 394
(1) before the date on which the health care provider entered an 395
employment relationship with the institution, or [(B)] (2) outside the 396
scope of the health care provider's employment with the institution . [, 397
regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was a resident 398
of this state.] 399
(d) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent an 400
institution from taking any of the actions described in subsections (b) 401
and (c) of this section against a health care provider for conduct that (1) 402
does not conform to the standards of care for the provider's profession, 403
(2) is illegal under the laws of this state, or (3) violates policies or rules 404
of the institution that define the scope of services provided by the 405
institution if (A) such conduct occurs within the scope of the health care 406
provider's employment with, or delivery of care at, the institution, and 407
(B) the institution's enforcement of such policies or rules is not otherwise 408
prohibited by law or regulation. 409
Sec. 11. Section 20-579a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes 410
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 411
October 1, 2026): 412
(a) As used in this section, ["reproductive health care services" and 413
"gender-affirming health care services" have ] "legally protected health 414
care activity" has the same [meanings] meaning as provided in section 415
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52-571m, as amended by this act. 416
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 417
of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 418
deny the eligibility of an applicant for a license, permit or registration 419
under this chapter based on pending disciplinary action, an unresolved 420
complaint, [or] the imposition of disciplinary action or other adverse 421
action against the applicant by a duly authorized professional 422
disciplinary agency of another state, the District of Columbia , [or] a 423
commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States or any other 424
federal entity that is based solely on the alleged provision of, receipt of, 425
assistance in provision or receipt of, material support for, or any theory 426
of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability derived therefrom, 427
[reproductive health care services or gender -affirming health care 428
services that are permitted under the laws of this state and were 429
provided in accordance with the standard of care applicable to such 430
services, regardless of whether the patient receiving such services was a 431
resident of this state ] any legally protected health care activity . The 432
provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the underlying 433
conduct of the applicant would constitute the basis of disciplinary action 434
against the applicant under the laws of this state if the applicant had 435
been licensed, permitted or registered in this state and the conduct had 436
occurred in this state. 437
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner 438
of Consumer Protection and the Commission of Pharmacy shall not 439
impose disciplinary action against any person licensed, permitted or 440
registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter based on pending 441
disciplinary action, an unresolved complaint , [or] the imposition of 442
disciplinary action or other adverse action against the applicant by a 443
duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of another state, the 444
District of Columbia, [or] a commonwealth, territory or possession of 445
the United States or any other federal entity that is based solely on the 446
alleged provision of, receipt of, assistance in provision or receipt of, 447
material support for, or any theory of vicarious, joint, several or 448
conspiracy liability derived therefrom, [reproductive health care 449
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services or gender-affirming health care services that are permitted 450
under the laws of this state and were provided in accordance with the 451
standard of care applicable to such services, regardless of whether the 452
patient receiving such services was a resident of this state ] any legally 453
protected health care activity. The provisions of this subsection shall not 454
apply where the underlying conduct of the person licensed, permitted 455
or registered would constitute the basis of disciplinary action against 456
such person under the laws of this state if such person had been 457
licensed, permitted or registered in this state and the conduct had 458
occurred in this state. 459
Sec. 12. Section 54 -240 of the general statutes is repealed and the 460
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 461
As used in this chapter: 462
(1) "Address confidentiality program" or "program" means the 463
program established pursuant to this chapter; 464
(2) "Agency" has the same meaning as "public agency" or "agency", as 465
provided in section 1-200; 466
(3) "Application assistant" means a person authorized by the 467
Secretary of the State to assist applicants in the completion of 468
applications for program participation; 469
(4) "Authorized personnel" means an employee in the office of the 470
Secretary of the State who has been designated by the Secretary of the 471
State, or an employee of an agency who has been designated by the chief 472
executive officer of such agency, to process and have access to records 473
pertaining to a program participant, including, but not limited to, voter 474
registration applications, voting records and marriage records; 475
(5) "Certification card" means a card issued by the Secretary of the 476
State pursuant to section 54-240d; 477
(6) "Confidential address" means a program participant's address or 478
addresses as listed on such participant's application for program 479
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sSB295 / File No. 560 16

participation that are not to be disclosed, including such participant's 480
residential address in this state and work and school addresses in this 481
state, if any; 482
(7) "Family violence" has the same meaning as provided in section 483
46b-38a; 484
(8) "Injury or risk of injury to a child" means any act or conduct that 485
constitutes a violation of section 53-21; 486
(9) "Kidnapping" means any act that constitutes a violation of section 487
53a-92, 53a-92a, 53a-94 or 53a-94a; 488
(10) "Law enforcement agency" means the office of the Attorney 489
General, the office of the Chief State's Attorney, the Division of State 490
Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 491
Protection or any municipal police department; 492
(11) "Marriage records" means an application for a marriage license, 493
an issued marriage license, a license certificate or other documents 494
related thereto; 495
(12) "Program address" means the post office box number and 496
fictitious street address assigned to a program participant by the 497
Secretary of the State; 498
(13) "Program participant" or "participant" means any person 499
certified by the Secretary of the State to participate in the address 500
confidentiality program; 501
(14) "Record" has the same meaning as "public records or files" as 502
provided in section 1-200; 503
(15) "Sexual assault" means any act that constitutes a violation of 504
section 53a -70b of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to 505
January 1, 2019, or section 53a -70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 506
53a-73a; 507
(16) "Stalking" means any act that constitutes a violation of section 508
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sSB295 / File No. 560 17

53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e; [and] 509
(17) "Trafficking in persons" means any act that constitutes a violation 510
of section 53a-192a; and 511
(18) "Legally protected health care activity" has the same meaning as 512
provided in section 52-571m, as amended by this act. 513
Sec. 13. Section 54 -240a of the general statutes is repealed and the 514
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 515
(a) There shall be an address confidentiality program established in 516
the office of the Secretary of the State to provide a substitute mailing 517
address for any person who wishes to keep such person's residential 518
address confidential because of safety concerns and (1) has been a victim 519
of (A) family violence, (B) injury or risk of injury to a child, (C) 520
kidnapping, (D) sexual assault, (E) stalking, (F) trafficking in persons, or 521
(G) child abuse or neglect, where such abuse or neglect was 522
substantiated by the Department of Children and Families and was the 523
basis for the issuance of a restraining order under section 46b-15 or civil 524
protection order under section 46b-16a, [or] (2) a termination of parental 525
rights was granted pursuant to section 45a -717 or 46b -129, or (3) such 526
person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a legally 527
protected health care activity. 528
(b) The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations, in accordance 529
with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this 530
chapter. Such regulations may include, but need not be limited to, 531
provisions for applications for participation in the address 532
confidentiality program, certification of program participants, 533
certification cancellation, agency use of program addresses, forwarding 534
of program participants' mail, voting by program participants and 535
recording of vital statistics for program participants. 536
Sec. 14. Section 54 -240b of the general statutes is repealed and the 537
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 538
(a) An adult person, a guardian or conservator of the person acting 539
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sSB295 / File No. 560 18

on behalf of an adult person, or a parent or guardian acting on behalf of 540
a minor may apply to the Secretary of the State for participation in the 541
address confidentiality program because of safety concerns and to have 542
the Secretary of the State designate a program address to serve as the 543
address of the adult person or of the minor because (1) the adult person 544
or the minor has been a victim of (A) family violence, (B) injury or risk 545
of injury to a child, (C) kidnapping, (D) sexual assault, (E) stalking, (F) 546
trafficking in persons, or (G) child abuse or neglect, where such abuse 547
or neglect was substantiated by the Department of Children and 548
Families and was the basis for the issuance of a restraining order under 549
section 46b-15 or civil protection order under section 46b-16a, or (2) the 550
safety concerns of the adult person or minor relate to another person 551
whose parental rights were terminated in a proceeding conducted 552
pursuant to section 45a -717 or 46b -129. Each application for program 553
participation shall be completed with the assistance of an application 554
assistant. 555
(b) A person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a 556
legally protected health care activity may apply to the Secretary of the 557
State for participation in the address confidentiality program because of 558
safety concerns and to have the Secretary of the State designate a 559
program address to serve as the address of the person. For such 560
applications, no assistance of an application assistant shall be required. 561
[(b)] (c) The Secretary of the State shall make available a list of entities 562
that employ application assistants to assist applicants in applying for 563
participation in the address confidentiality program, provided no entity 564
shall be included on such list unless the entity has received sufficient 565
funds from federal or state sources as reimbursement for the reasonable 566
costs of implementing the provisions of this chapter. 567
Sec. 15. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) The Secretary of the State 568
shall certify an applicant as a program participant if the application is 569
filed in the manner and on the application form prescribed by the 570
Secretary of the State and includes: 571
(1) Documentation that the person is to commence employment or is 572
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sSB295 / File No. 560 19

currently employed at or volunteering at an entity providing, 573
facilitating or promoting a legally protected health care activity as 574
defined in section 52 -571m of the general statutes, as amended by this 575
act; 576
(2) A statement made under penalty of false statement, as provided 577
in section 53a -157b of the general statutes, that (A) the applicant is a 578
person engaged in the provision, facilitation or promotion of a legally 579
protected health care activity, (B) the entity providing, facilitating or 580
promoting a legally protected health care activity where the person is 581
employed or volunteers has been the target of threats, harassment or 582
acts of violence related to the provision, facilitation or promotion of a 583
legally protected health care activity within one year of the date of the 584
application, and (C) the applicant fears for such applicant's safety; 585
(3) A designation of the Secretary of the State as the agent of the 586
applicant for service of process and for receipt of first class mail; 587
(4) The residential address in this state, the work and school 588
addresses in this state, if any, and the phone number or numbers, if 589
available, that are to remain confidential, but which may be used by the 590
Secretary of the State or authorized personnel to contact the applicant; 591
and 592
(5) The preparation date and the applicant's signature. 593
Sec. 16. Section 19a -509c of the general statutes is repealed and the 594
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 595
(a) In a facility licensed pursuant to this chapter, a physician assistant, 596
advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse or licensed 597
practical nurse may, except with respect to an order for schedule II 598
controlled substances, reduce to writing the oral or written order of a 599
prescribing practitioner, as defined in section 20 -571, and transmit the 600
order to a pharmacy licensed under sections 20-570 to 20-625, inclusive. 601
Such transmitted order shall contain the name of the prescribing 602
practitioner and shall be treated as a written prescription for purposes 603
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sSB295 / File No. 560 20

of sections 20-570 to 20-625, inclusive. 604
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 605
to the extent permitted under federal law, at the prescribing 606
practitioner's request, the written or electronic prescription for drugs 607
related to a legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 608
52-571m, as amended by this act, shall include the name and address of 609
the prescribing and dispensing health care practice or facility, instead of 610
the name and signature of the prescribing practitioner. 611
Sec. 17. Section 20 -614 of the general statutes is repealed and the 612
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 613
(a) A prescription shall be transmitted in either an oral, written or 614
electronic manner to a pharmacy. 615
(b) Whenever a pharmacy, or an institutional pharmacy in a hospital 616
dispensing a drug or device for outpatient use or dispensing a drug or 617
device that is prescribed for an employee of the hospital or for the 618
employee's spouse or dependent children, receives an oral or 619
electronically-transmitted prescription, except for a controlled drug, as 620
defined in section 21a -240, a record of such prescription shall be 621
maintained in writing or electronically. The pharmacist or pharmacy 622
intern shall, not later than the end of the business day when the 623
prescription was received, record the prescription on a prescription 624
form or in an electronic record including: (1) The name and address of 625
the prescribing practitioner; (2) the date of the prescription; (3) the name, 626
dosage form, strength, where applicable, and the amount of the drug 627
prescribed; (4) the name and address of the patient or, for veterinary 628
prescriptions, the name and address of the owner and the species of the 629
animal; (5) the directions for use; (6) any required cautionary 630
statements; and (7) the number of times the prescription may be refilled, 631
including the use of refill terms "PRN" and "ad lib" in lieu of a specific 632
number of authorized refills. 633
(c) A written prescription shall bear: (1) The written signature of the 634
prescribing practitioner or shall comply with the requirements of 635
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sSB295 / File No. 560 21

section 19a -509c, as amended by this act ; (2) the address of the 636
practitioner; (3) the date of the prescription; (4) the name, dosage form, 637
strength, where applicable, and amount of the drug prescribed; (5) the 638
name and address of the patient or, for veterinary prescriptions, the 639
name and address of the owner and the species of the animal; (6) the 640
directions for use; (7) any required cautionary statements; and (8) the 641
number of times the prescription may be refilled, including the use of 642
refill terms "PRN" and "ad lib" in lieu of a specific number of authorized 643
refills. No written prescription form for a schedule II substance may 644
contain an order for any other legend drug or device. 645
(d) Prior to or simultaneous with the dispensing of a drug, from a 646
pharmacy licensed pursuant to this chapter, a pharmacist or other 647
employee of the pharmacy shall, whenever practicable, offer for the 648
pharmacist to discuss the drug to be dispensed and to counsel the 649
patient on the usage of the drug, except when the person obtaining the 650
prescription is other than the person named on the prescription form or 651
electronic record or the pharmacist determines it is appropriate to make 652
such offer in writing. Any such written offer shall include an offer to 653
communicate with the patient either in person at the pharmacy or by 654
telephone. 655
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a pharmacist 656
to provide counseling to a patient who refuses such counseling. The 657
pharmacist shall keep a record of such counseling, any refusal by or 658
inability of the patient to accept counseling or a refusal by the patient to 659
provide information regarding such counseling. Records kept pursuant 660
to this subsection shall be maintained for the same length of time as 661
prescription records are maintained pursuant to section 20-615. 662
(f) (1) As used in this subsection, "electronic data intermediary" 663
means an entity that provides the infrastructure that connects the 664
computer systems or other electronic devices utilized by prescribing 665
practitioners with those used by pharmacies in order to facilitate the 666
secure transmission of electronic prescription orders, refill 667
authorization requests, communications and other patient care 668
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sSB295 / File No. 560 22

information between such entities. 669
(2) An electronic data intermediary may transfer electronically 670
transmitted data between a prescribing practitioner licensed and 671
authorized to prescribe and a pharmacy of the patient's choice, licensed 672
pursuant to this chapter or licensed under the laws of any other state or 673
territory of the United States. Electronic data intermediaries shall not 674
alter the transmitted data except as necessary for technical processing 675
purposes. Electronic data intermediaries may archive copies of only that 676
electronic data related to such transmissions necessary to provide for 677
proper auditing and security of such transmissions. Such data shall only 678
be maintained for the period necessary for auditing purposes. Electronic 679
data intermediaries shall maintain patient privacy and confidentiality of 680
all archived information as required by state and federal law. 681
(3) No electronic data intermediary shall operate without the 682
approval of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. An electronic 683
data intermediary seeking approval shall apply to the Commission of 684
Pharmacy in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The 685
commissioner, with the advice and assistance of the commission, shall 686
adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 687
establish criteria for the approval of electronic data intermediaries, to 688
ensure that (A) procedures to be used for the transmission and retention 689
of prescription data by an intermediary, and (B) mechanisms to be used 690
by an intermediary to safeguard the confidentiality of such data, are 691
consistent with the provisions and purposes of this section. 692
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, 693
of this section, to the extent permitted under federal law, at the 694
prescribing practitioner's request, the written or electronic prescription 695
for drugs related to a legally protected health care activity, as defined in 696
section 52 -571m, as amended by this act, shall include the name and 697
address of the prescribing and dispensing health care practice or facility, 698
instead of the name and signature of the prescribing practitioner. 699
Sec. 18. Section 20 -617 of the general statutes is repealed and the 700
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 701
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sSB295 / File No. 560 23

(a) Each pharmacist shall include on the label of each prescription 702
container: (1) The quantity of prescribed drug placed in such container, 703
in addition to any other information required by law , and (2) a 704
prominently printed expiration date based on the manufacturer's 705
recommended conditions of use and storage that can be read and 706
understood by the ordinary individual. The expiration date required 707
pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be no later than the 708
expiration date determined by the manufacturer. 709
(b) In addition to the information required to be included on the label 710
of each prescription container pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this 711
section, each pharmacist shall include on the label of each prescription 712
container or on the receipt or other similar packaging in which the 713
prescription is contained for a drug sold only by generic name, as 714
defined in section 20 -14a, and not by brand name, as defined in said 715
section: (1) The name of the manufacturer of the generic drug placed in 716
the container, and (2) the Internet web site address and toll -free 717
telephone number for the United States Food and Drug 718
Administration's safety information and adverse event reporting 719
program (MedWatch). 720
(c) In addition to the information required to be included on the label 721
of each prescription container pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this 722
section, if a pharmacist substitutes a generic name drug for a brand 723
name drug, such pharmacist shall include on the label of the 724
prescription container: (1) The name of the generic drug placed in the 725
container, and (2) the brand name of the drug that the generic drug was 726
substituted for. 727
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, to the extent 728
permitted under federal law, at the prescribing practitioner's written, 729
electronic or verbal request to the dispensing pharmacy, the dispensed 730
label of each prescription drug that is not a controlled substance and 731
relates to a legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 732
52-571m, as amended by this act, shall include the name and address of 733
the prescribing and dispensing health care practice or facility, instead of 734
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sSB295 / File No. 560 24

the name and signature of the prescribing practitioner. 735
Sec. 19. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) (a) Notwithstanding any 736
provision of the general statutes, a law of another state authorizing a 737
child to be removed from the child's parent or guardian based on the 738
parent or guardian allowing the child to receive or seek a legally 739
protected health care activity, as defined in section 52 -571m of the 740
general statutes, as amended by this act, shall not be enforced or applied 741
in a case pending in a court in this state. 742
(b) No court in this state shall admit or consider a finding of abuse 743
based on the parent or guardian allowing the child to receive or seek a 744
legally protected health care activity, as defined in section 52 -571m of 745
the general statutes, as amended by this act, as evidence in any 746
proceeding with respect to that parent or guardian or any child of the 747
parent or guardian, unless such conduct would constitute abuse under 748
the laws of this state as if the conduct occurred in this state. 749
(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to alter any 750
requirement related to the mandated reporting of child abuse or neglect 751
as prescribed in chapter 319a of the general statutes. 752
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 52-571m
Sec. 2 October 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 3 October 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 4 October 1, 2026 52-146w
Sec. 5 October 1, 2026 54-82i(a) and (b)
Sec. 6 October 1, 2026 52-155a
Sec. 7 October 1, 2026 54-155a
Sec. 8 October 1, 2026 54-162
Sec. 9 October 1, 2026 19a-17e
Sec. 10 October 1, 2026 19a-567
Sec. 11 October 1, 2026 20-579a
Sec. 12 October 1, 2026 54-240
Sec. 13 October 1, 2026 54-240a
Sec. 14 October 1, 2026 54-240b
sSB295 File No. 560

sSB295 / File No. 560 25

Sec. 15 October 1, 2026 New section
Sec. 16 October 1, 2026 19a-509c
Sec. 17 October 1, 2026 20-614
Sec. 18 October 1, 2026 20-617
Sec. 19 October 1, 2026 New section

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 1(b), "permitted under the laws of this state" was included in
the existing brackets for internal consistency and consistency with the
defined term "legally protected health care activity"; in Section 9(c), "or
other adverse action" was added for internal consistency and in Section
14(a) and (b) , "because of safety concerns " was added after " address
confidentiality program" for internal consistency.

JUD Joint Favorable Subst.

sSB295 File No. 560

sSB295 / File No. 560 26

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill, which makes various changes related to reproductive and
gender-affirming health care services and expands protections for
providers or patients , results in no fiscal impact to the state or
municipalities. All impacted agencies have the resources and capacity
to meet the bill's requirements.
The Out Years
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None

sSB295 File No. 560

sSB295 / File No. 560 27

OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 295

AN ACT CONCERNING STATE LAW PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS RELATED TO THE PROVISION
OF A LEGALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE ACTIVITY.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SUMMARY
Replaces various statutory references to reproductive health care
services and gender-affirming health care services with the umbrella
term “legally protected health care activity”; broadens the definition
of “reproductive health care services” that is part of this new term
Specifies the scope of a law allowing for lawsuits to recover certain
costs due to out -of-state judgments relating to reproductive or
gender-affirming health care services
Generally requires Connecticut law to govern in any case in the state
related to a legally protected health care activity
Generally (1) prohibits evidence of involvement in a legally protected
health care activity from being offered to prove someone’s
wrongdoing if it relates to the person receiving the services being out
of state at the time and (2) allows someone subject to a subpoena
related to a legally protected health care activity to move to modify or
squash it under court rules
Specifies that the existing prohibition on sharing patient information
(relating to reproductive or gender -affirming health care services) in
certain proceedings applies to subpoena responses; adds protected
health information in “designated record sets” u nder HIPAA to that
prohibition; expands allowable disclosures to DPH without patient
consent
Limits the circumstances in which the governor can extradite
someone when the other state’s charges relate to a legally protected
health care activity
Generally prohibits DPH and DCP from taking certain actions based
on a federal entity’s adverse actions related to a legally protected
health care activity
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sSB295 / File No. 560 28

Generally prohibits institutional health care employers from taking
certain actions based on a federal entity’s adverse actions related to a
legally protected health care activity
Expands the state’s address confidentiality program by allowing,
under certain conditions, participation by people engaged in
providing, facilitating, or promoting a legally protected health care
activity
Upon a prescribing practitioner’s request and to the extent allowed by
federal law, requires prescriptions for drugs related to a legally
protected health care activity to include the health care facility’s name
rather than the prescriber’s
Places limits on courts in relation to child custody or abuse matters
due to parents or guardians allowing their child to receive or seek a
legally protected health care activity

SUMMARY
This bill makes various changes related to reproductive and gender -
affirming health care services, such as (1) replacing various statutory
references to these terms with the umbrella term “legally protected
health care activity” and (2) expanding existing protections, and adding
new ones, for providers or patients. The bill also makes various minor,
technical, and conforming changes. A section -by-section analysis
follows.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2026
§§ 1, 4-7 & 9-11 — LEGALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE ACTIVITY
Replaces various statutory references to reproductive health care services and gender-
affirming health care services with the umbrella term “legally protected health care
activity”; broadens the definition of “reproductive health care services” that is part of this
new term
The bill replaces various statutory references to reproductive health
care services and gender-affirming health care services with the term
“legally protected health care activity.” Under the bill, this activity is
any of the following, as long as the services are allowed under and
provided in line with Connecticut law:
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sSB295 / File No. 560 29

1. any person’s receipt or attempted receipt of reproductive or
gender-affirming health care services;
2. the provision, attempted provision, or insurance coverage of
these services that are provided under the applicable standard of
care by a Connecticut -licensed health care provider who is
physically present in the state, regardless of where the patient is
located; and
3. any act or omission done to aid or encourage, or attempt to aid
or encourage, anyone in the receipt or attempted receipt of
reproductive or gender-affirming health care services.
The bill broadens the definition of “reproductive health care services”
that is part of the new umbrella term. Under current law, these services
are all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the
human reproductive system, including relating to pregnancy, assisted
reproduction, contraception, or pregnancy termination. The bill
broadens the service types to include supplies, care, and services of a
medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric,
therapeutic, diagnos tic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive
nature relating to the human reproductive system. It also specifies that
this includes services related to pregnancy loss.
By law, unchanged by the bill, “gender -affirming health care
services” means all supplies, care, and services of a medical, behavioral
health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic,
preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including
medications, that treat gender dysphoria and gender incongruence . It
does not include any practice or treatment administered to someone
under age 18 to change the person’s sexual orientation or gender
identity, including efforts to change gende r expression or to eliminate
or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards people of the
same gender (“conversion therapy”).
Standard of Care and Contractual Rights Unaffected
The bill specifies that the term “legally protected health care activity”
sSB295 File No. 560

sSB295 / File No. 560 30

does not impact or change the standard of care for medical professionals
or contractual rights of contracting parties under state law.
Substitution of Terminology
The following table briefly describes the laws in which the bill
substitutes legally protected health care activity for reproductive and
gender-affirming health care services.
Existing Laws with Substituted Terminology Under the Bill
Sec. Brief Summary
1 Generally allows for civil lawsuits to be brought by people against whom there was
an out-of-state judgment based on allegedly providing or receiving, helping another
person to provide or receive, or providing material support for this activity, to
recover certain costs.
4 Generally prohibits health care providers, payors, or information processors (or
their business associates) from disclosing protected information relating to this
activity in a proceeding without the patient’s (or authorized representative’s) written
consent.
5 & 6 Generally prohibits court officers from issuing summonses for out-of-state criminal
cases or subpoenas for out -of-state civil actions or proceedings relating to this
activity.
7 Generally prohibits public agencies, or people acting on their behalf, from giving
information or using resources to support an interstate investigation or proceeding
seeking to impose criminal or civil liability relating to this activity.
9 & 11 Generally protects health care providers from being disciplined or adversely
affected by Connecticut licensing agencies due to other jurisdictions’ disciplinary
actions against them due to involvement with this activity.
10 Generally protects health care providers from being disciplined or adversely
affected by institutional employers due to their involvement with this activity, if that
involvement occurred before they started to work for the institution or outside the
scope of their employment with the institution.

The bill makes other changes to some of these laws (see below).
§ 1 — CIVIL ACTIONS RELATED TO OUT-OF-STATE JUDGMENTS
Specifies the scope of a law allowing for lawsuits to recover certain costs due to out -of-
state judgments relating to reproductive or gender-affirming health care services
Existing law allows for a lawsuit to be brought by someone against
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sSB295 / File No. 560 31

whom there was an out-of-state judgment based on allegedly providing
or receiving, helping another person to provide or receive, or providing
material support for reproductive or gender -affirming health care
services (now “legally protected health care activity” under the bill). The
bill specifies that this law applies to judgments from other states, federal
courts, or any other jurisdiction based on another state’s laws.
Under existing law, t he lawsuit allows these individuals to recover
certain costs they incurred defending the out -of-state action and
bringing an action under this law. Among other limitations, this cause
of action is unavailable if no part of the acts that formed the basis fo r
liability occurred in Connecticut.
§ 2 — CONNECTICUT LAW AS GOVERNING LAW
Generally requires Connecticut law to govern in any case in the state related to a legally
protected health care activity
Except as required by federal law, the bill provides that Connecticut
law must govern in any in-state case related to a legally protected health
care activity. This applies despite any contrary Connecticut law
provisions on conflict of laws.
§ 3 — LIMITATION ON EVIDENCE AND SUBPOENAS
Generally (1) prohibits evidence of involvement in a legally protected health care activity
from being offered to prove someone’s wrongdoing if it relates to the person receiving the
services being out of state at the time and (2) allows someone subject to a subpoena related
to a legally protected health care activity to move to modify or squash it under court rules
Under the bill, except as required by federal law, evidence of
someone’s involvement in legally protected health care activity
generally cannot be offered as evidence to prove the individual’s
wrongdoing if it relates to the fact that the person receiving the services
was in another state at the time. This applies in a civil, criminal,
professional, or other context.
The bill also generally allows someone subject to a subpoena related
to a legally protected health care activity to move to modify or squash it
under court rules, in addition to any other reason, theory, or argument.
This applies to subpoenas related to allegedly providing or receiving,
helping someone to provide or receive, or giving material support for
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the activity, and those for related vicarious, joint, several, or conspiracy
liability.
These provisions do not prevent a party from offering this evidence,
or prevent compliance with a subpoena, in cases relating to the medical
standard of care or parties’ contractual rights under state law, if the
evidence is offered against a party to the case. This includes private
lawsuits or cases brought by a state agency (in a civil, criminal, or
administrative context) against a licensed health care provider or health
care facility under state law.
These provisions on evidence and subpoenas do not affect any other
applicable privilege, right, or confidentiality protection.
§ 4 — LIMITS ON SHARING INFORMATION WITHOUT CONSENT
Specifies that the existing prohibition on sharing patient information (relating to
reproductive or gender-affirming health care services) in certain proceedings applies to
subpoena responses; adds protected health information in “designated record sets” under
HIPAA to that prohibition; expands allowable disclosures to DPH without patient
consent
Existing law prohibits, with certain exceptions, covered entities
under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
(generally, health care providers, plans or payors, and clearinghouses)
and their business associates from disclosing specified information
about reproductive and gender -affirming health care services (now
“legally protected health care activity”) without written consent from
the patient or patient’s authorized legal representative. This prohibition
applies to disclosure in a civil lawsuit (or a preliminary proceeding), or
a probate, legislative, or administrative proceeding. The bill further
specifies that the prohibition only applies to subpoena responses in
these proceedings.
The bill adds to the generally prohibited disclosures any protected
health information relating to a legally protected health care activity that
is in a “designated record set” for a patient. Under HIPAA regulations,
these are records kept by or for a covered entity for certain purposes,
such as a provider’s medical or billing records or records used in whole
or part to make decisions about individuals.
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The bill expands an exemption to the prohibitions under the bill and
existing law, by allowing disclosures to the Department of Public Health
(DPH) in connection with an investigation, inspection, or survey of a
DPH-licensed institution. (The law already exempts disclosures to DPH
in connection with the investigation of a complaint.) It also specifies that
the existing exemption in cases of known or suspected abuse ( such as
child or elder abuse) applies when that abuse is illegal under state law.
§ 8 — GOVERNOR’S EXTRADITION AUTHORITY
Limits the circumstances in which the governor can extradite someone when the other
state’s charges relate to a legally protected health care activity
Except as required by federal law, the bill limits the governor’s
discretion to extradite individuals charged in another state due to
engaging in a legally protected health care activity. Specifically, he may
do so only if the demanding state’s executive authority alleges in
writing that the individual was physically in that state at the time of the
alleged offense and then fled from that state.
Existing law limits the governor’s discretion to extradite individuals
accused of performing acts in Connecticut that result in crimes in
another state. He may only do so if the acts would also be punishable
under Connecticut law had their consequences, as claimed by the
demanding state, taken effect in this state.
§§ 9 & 11 — LIMITS ON STATE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Generally prohibits DPH and DCP from taking certain actions based on a federal entity’s
adverse actions related to a legally protected health care activity
Existing law generally prohibits, as applicable, DPH, DPH
professional licensing boards and commissions, the Department of
Consumer Protection (DCP), and the Commission of Pharmacy from
denying a credential or disciplining a credentialed health care provider
or person (for example, a pharmacist) due to disciplinary actions in
other U.S. jurisdictions solely based on the provider’s or person’s
alleged participation in reproductive or gender -affirming health care
services (now “legally protected health care a ctivity”). These
prohibitions generally restrict what actions they can take based on
pending disciplinary actions, unresolved complaints, or disciplinary
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actions by professional disciplinary agencies in other states; the District
of Columbia; or U.S. commonwealths, territories, or possessions.
The bill extends these restrictions to actions based on a federal
agency’s pending disciplinary action, unresolved complaint, or
disciplinary action. It also specifies that these restrictions apply to
actions based on other jurisdictions’ other adverse act ions, not just
pending disciplinary actions, unresolved complaints, or disciplinary
actions.
As under existing law, these restrictions do not apply if the providers’
or persons’ underlying conduct, had it occurred in Connecticut, would
be subject to discipline under state law.
§ 10 — LIMITATIONS ON HEALTH CARE EMPLOYER ACTIONS
Generally prohibits institutional health care employers from taking certain actions based
on a federal entity’s adverse actions related to a legally protected health care activity
Existing law generally prohibits DPH -licensed health care
institutions from revoking, suspending, or refusing to issue or renew
credentials or privileges; issuing a reprimand; penalizing; or taking any
other adverse action related to credentialing or privi leging (1) based
solely on a health care provider’s alleged participation in reproductive
or gender-affirming health care services (“legally protected health care
activity” under the bill) or (2) due to pending disciplinary actions,
unresolved complaints, or disciplinary actions by professional
disciplinary agencies in other U.S. jurisdictions based solely on this
alleged participation. For the prohibition to apply, the provider’s
involvement in this activity must have happened before starting to work
for the institution or outside the scope of his or her employment with
the institution.
The bill extends th is prohibition to actions that are based on (1)
federal agencies’ actions or (2) any of these jurisdictions’ other adverse
actions, not just their pending disciplinary actions, unresolved
complaints, or disciplinary actions.
As under existing law, these restrictions do not apply if the provider’s
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underlying conduct (1) violates the standard of care for their profession,
(2) is illegal under Connecticut law, or (3) occurs within the scope of
employment and violate s the institution’s (legally valid) policies or
rules.
§§ 12-15 — ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM
Expands the state’s address confidentiality program by allowing, under certain
conditions, participation by people engaged in providing, facilitating, or promoting a
legally protected health care activity
By law, the address confidentiality program, administered by the
secretary of the state (SOTS), allows certain people (such as victims of
specified crimes) to receive a substitute mailing address to keep their
residential address confidential due to safety concerns (see
BACKGROUND).
The bill expands the program by allowing participation, under
certain conditions, by people engaged in providing, facilitating, or
promoting a legally protected health care activity. Unlike for other
program applicants, the bill does not require an applica tion assistant’s
help for these people when applying.
Under the bill, SOTS must certify an application from one of these
applicants if it is filed on the prescribed form and includes the following:
1. documentation that the person is set to start working, or is
currently working or volunteering, at an entity that provides,
facilitates, or promotes a legally protected health care activity,
and
2. a statement made under penalty of false statement that the
applicant (a) is engaged in providing, facilitating, or promoting
such an activity, (b) the employing entity has been the target of
threats, harassment, or violence within the past year relating to
its involvement in this activity, and (c) the applicant fears for his
or her safety.
The application must also include other information required of all
program applicants, such as the addresses and phone numbers to
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remain confidential.
§§ 16-18 — PRESCRIPTION IDENTIFIERS
Upon a prescribing practitioner’s request and to the extent allowed by federal law,
requires prescriptions for drugs related to a legally protected health care activity to
include the health care facility’s name rather than the prescriber’s
Under the bill, upon a prescribing practitioner’s request, a written or
electronic prescription for drugs related to a legally protected health
care activity must include the prescribing and dispensing health care
practice’s or facility’s name and address rather than the prescriber’s
name and signature. For labels of prescription drugs dispensed at
pharmacies, the bill specifies that this applies (1) whether the
practitioner’s request was written, electronic, or verbal and (2) to drugs
that are not controlled substances.
These provisions apply only to the extent allowed by federal law.
§ 19 — CHILD CUSTODY OR PROTECTION
Places limits on courts in relation to child custody or abuse matters due to parents or
guardians allowing their child to receive or seek a legally protected health care activity
The bill prohibits Connecticut courts from enforcing or applying in a
pending case another state’s law that would authorize a child’s removal
due to the child’s parent or guardian allowing the child to receive or
seek a legally protected health care activity.
It also prohibits Connecticut courts from admitting or considering as
evidence an abuse finding against a parent or guardian due to their
allowing the child to receive or seek a legally protected health care
activity, unless the parent’s or guardian’s conduct would be considered
abuse under Connecticut law if it occurred here. This applies to cases
involving the parent or guardian or any of their children.
These provisions do not change any state requirements relating to
mandated reporting of child abuse or neglect.
BACKGROUND
Address Confidentiality Program
By law, once an applicant to the address confidentiality program is
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certified by SOTS, he or she receives a substitute address. SOTS, as the
participant’s legal agent, receives any mail and service of process sent
to that substitute address and forwards it to the participant’s
confidential address free of charge.
Participants may generally have (1) their street address omitted from
voter registries, (2) correspondence from state or municipal agencies
sent to their substitute address, and (3) their marriage records kept
confidential. Participants may renew their certification every four years.
SOTS may cancel a participant’s certification under certain
circumstances, but the participants may reapply at any time (CGS § 54 -
240 et seq. and Conn. Agencies Regs. § 54-240a-1 et seq.).
Related Bills
sHB 5516, reported favorably by the Public Health Committee,
generally prohibits health care entities from (1) limiting their health care
providers’ ability to give patients medically accurate information and
counseling about reproductive or gender-affirming health care services
or (2) taking adverse action against their providers solely for giving this
information or counseling.
sHB 5555, reported favorably by the Government Administration
and Elections Committee, expands the state’s address confidentiality
program by allowing, under certain conditions, participation by people
engaged in providing, facilitating, or promoting a leg ally protected
health care activity.
sSB 227, §§ 2-5 (File 216) , reported favorably by the General Law
Committee, (1) expands current prohibitions on DCP and the
Commission on Pharmacy taking certain actions based on other
jurisdictions’ actions related to reproductive and gender -affirming
health care and (2) generally requires a prescription order for a drug
related to reproductive or gender -affirming health care, at the
prescriber’s request, to include the practice’s or facility’s name rather
than the prescriber’s name.
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COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 30 Nay 11 (03/23/2026)