Substitute House Bill No. 6729 Summary

• Each state-operated facility for treating psychiatric disabilities or substance use disorders shall have an advisory board with at least two members who have lived experience with a behavioral health disorder, effective October 1, 2023.

• Members of facility advisory boards cannot serve more than two successive terms plus any unexpired term balance, with the superintendent or director serving as ex-officio member.

• The Connecticut Valley Hospital Advisory Council was expanded from six to eight members appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, with at least two required to have lived experience with a behavioral health disorder as of January 1, 2024.

• The council shall advise the Commissioner on policies concerning building use, security, client residency, and discharge procedures, and periodically review implementation of established policies.

• Section 17a-460 of the general statutes is repealed, and terminology substituting "Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services" for "Department of Mental Health" is applied across multiple statutory sections.