CT HB05364

Effective July 1, 2024, the state may no longer recover charges from the estate of a deceased person for state humane institution care, except where required by federal law or involving fraud or concealment.

Liable relatives (spouses and parents of minors) may be required to contribute toward care costs, but contributions cannot exceed 12 percent of income above the state median income adjusted for family size.

The Commissioner of Administrative Services must adopt regulations establishing a uniform contribution scale based on ability to pay, with procedures for periodic reinvestigation and waiver of contributions causing significant financial hardship.

State claims against estates for institutional support retain priority over unsecured claims but remain subordinate to expenses of last sickness (up to $375), funeral and burial expenses, conservator fees, and administrative expenses.

Various statutes governing liability for state humane institution charges and estate recovery procedures are amended to implement these asset preservation protections.