Bill Summary: HB 6594

• Establishes a clear definition of "residential care home" as an establishment providing food, shelter, and services beyond basic provisions to two or more unrelated persons, separating it from the definition of "nursing home facility"

• Removes residential care homes from the definition of nursing home facilities in section 19a-521, while ensuring both facility types are subject to similar regulatory oversight, reporting requirements, and patient protections throughout the Public Health Code

• Expands the definition of "medical review committee" to include any health care provider (not just institutions) with committees conducting peer review to evaluate quality of care, reduce morbidity/mortality, and control healthcare costs

• Applies existing nursing home regulations regarding strike contingency plans, financial audits, patient bills of rights, receivership procedures, and abuse reporting to residential care homes as well

• All provisions effective July 1, 2013, affecting 40 sections of Connecticut General Statutes related to long-term care facility licensing, operations, and patient protections