HB 5036 Summary

• Restricts admissions to Department of Developmental Services residential facilities to clients transferred from Southbury Training School, existing regional facilities, those with facility-specific needs, or court-ordered placements, effective October 1, 2012.

• Requires annual evaluation of direct care staffing levels at state facilities and comparison with private-sector facilities; authorizes reassignment of excess staff to assist clients awaiting residential services like respite care.

• Mandates Commissioner approval before hiring direct care staff for residential, day services, or employment programs; requires hiring to be related to public health/safety, legal compliance, or unavoidable necessity.

• Establishes interdisciplinary team evaluations for clients at Southbury Training School and regional facilities to determine priority needs and placement in the least restrictive, most integrated residential settings, with recommendations due by March 1, 2013.

• Adds requirements for residential facility inspections, emergency planning, staff training, and public access to inspection reports; establishes centralized utilization review process for residential care funding; caps director salaries at $100,000 for state-funded employment and day services organizations.