CT SB00450

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall develop a plan for constructing a new Whiting Forensic Hospital facility, including comprehensive patient needs assessments, facility design incorporating self-enrichment and vocational spaces, and individualized care plans for community reintegration, with interim report due January 1, 2023 and comprehensive report due January 1, 2024.

Establishes an oversight board for Whiting Forensic Hospital (effective October 1, 2022) with authority to review investigations of complaints, oversee hospital operations, make recommendations for improvements, and annually report findings to the joint standing committee on public health.

Modifies commitment and release procedures for persons found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect by requiring courts and the Psychiatric Security Review Board to consider both protection of society and the safety and well-being of the acquittee.

Requires victim notification when acquittees are granted temporary leave or transferred between security divisions and establishes procedures for temporary leave applications by both hospital superintendents and acquittees themselves.

Directs evaluation of physician and senior clinician classifications at Whiting Forensic Hospital to ensure competitive compensation and requires a working group to evaluate the Psychiatric Security Review Board by January 1, 2024.