AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE-FUNDED CAREGIVER PROGRAM TO ASSIST PARENTS OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER ENROLLED IN A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify the exact details on how the caregiver respite program will be funded or what specific services or support caregivers will receive under this new program.

Caregiver Support for Parents of People with Autism

This act creates a state-funded caregiver respite program to assist parents who have children enrolled in Medicaid waiver programs due to autism spectrum disorder.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new caregiver respite program funded by the state to assist parents of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and enrolled in Medicaid waiver programs.
• Allows the Commissioner of Social Services to seek federal approval to establish and implement this program.

Who It Names or Affects

• Parents who have children enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program due to autism spectrum disorder.
• The Commissioner of Social Services, who will manage the implementation of the caregiver respite program.

Terms To Know

Medicaid

A government health insurance program that helps certain people and families pay for medical care.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact details on how the caregiver respite program will be funded are not specified.
• It is unclear what specific services or support the caregivers will receive under this new program.

Official Summary Text

To provide a state-funded caregiver program for parents of children enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program.

Current Bill Text

LCO 1 of 2

General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 500
February Session, 2026

AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE-FUNDED CAREGIVER PROGRAM
TO ASSIST PARENTS OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER ENROLLED IN A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (d) of section 17a-215c of the general statutes is 1
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
2026): 3
(d) The Commissioner of Social Services may seek approval of an 4
amendment to the Medicaid state plan or a waiver from federal law, 5
whichever is sufficient and most expeditious, to establish and 6
implement a Medicaid-financed home and community -based program 7
to provide community -based services and, if necessary, housing 8
assistance, to adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but not 9
with intellectual disability. Within available appropriations, the 10
commissioner shall establish a caregiver respite program to assist 11
parents of persons enrolled in any Medicaid home and community -12
based waiver program for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum 13
disorder by providing state-financed care of such persons. 14
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 17a-215c(d)

Substitute Bill No. 500

LCO 2 of 2

HS Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
APP Joint Favorable