Substitute Bill No. 705 Summary

• Establishes the Office of Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness within the Department of Public Health, headed by an executive director appointed by the Governor, effective July 1, 2021.

• Office responsibilities include preparing the state against pandemics and epidemics, developing public health emergency plans, establishing and maintaining a strategic reserve of equipment (ventilators, PPE, vaccine storage, etc.), and testing reserve items quarterly.

• Creates a Committee on Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness with legislative and executive leadership to review state pandemic planning and response, meeting quarterly or biweekly during declared public health emergencies.

• Requires the University of Connecticut's veterinary diagnostic laboratory to track animal pandemics and epidemics and immediately notify the Office if human transmission risk is identified.

• Requires reports by January 1, 2022 on school staff shortage plans and a comprehensive support program for essential workers in healthcare, transportation, and food service industries during and after pandemics.