HB 6913 creates new protections for residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living settings regulated by the Department of Public Health. The bill prohibits facilities and their staff from discriminating against residents based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, or HIV status. It also requires facilities to post a nondiscrimination notice in a prominent place and directs the State Ombudsman to establish procedures for recording complaints.
The bill also adds privacy protections for residents during physical examinations and personal care, limiting the presence of staff not directly involved in direct care when a resident is unclothed unless permission is given. Residents must be informed of their right to refuse examinations or observation when the purpose is educational or informational rather than therapeutic, while preserving access to diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the bill requires biennial cultural competency training for staff who work directly with residents, focused on LGBTQ+ residents and residents living with HIV, with training materials to be developed by the Commissioner of Public Health by January 1, 2026.
The bill gives the Commissioner of Public Health enforcement authority to take disciplinary action under existing law if a facility fails to comply, and it expressly preserves any other legal remedies available to residents. In practical terms, the measure expands state oversight of long-term care facilities and imposes new compliance, posting, privacy, and training obligations on nursing homes and assisted living communities.
Overall sentiment appears generally supportive of the bill’s anti-discrimination and privacy goals, as reflected by its strong passage in the House and Senate. However, the recorded votes also show some opposition, suggesting concern among a minority of legislators about the scope of the mandates, the training requirements, or the regulatory burden on facilities. The committee vote was favorable but not unanimous, indicating the bill was broadly accepted but not without reservations.
The bill amends state law by creating a new section governing nondiscrimination, privacy, complaint handling, staff training, and enforcement in long-term care facilities. It affects nursing homes and managed residential communities with assisted living services, their employees and contractors, the State Ombudsman, and the Department of Public Health. It also authorizes the commissioner to use existing disciplinary tools under section 19a-494 and preserves residents’ civil and equitable remedies.
The bill appears to have had generally favorable support, passing committee and both chambers by substantial margins. The votes suggest broad agreement with protecting residents from discrimination and improving privacy and cultural competency in long-term care settings. At the same time, the presence of dissenting votes indicates some lawmakers were not fully comfortable with the bill’s regulatory requirements or the extent of the obligations imposed on facilities.
The main points of contention likely centered on the breadth of the protected classes, the requirement that facilities post a detailed nondiscrimination notice, the privacy restrictions on staff presence during personal care, and the mandated recurring training on LGBTQ+ and HIV-related cultural competency. Opponents may have viewed these provisions as burdensome or overly prescriptive for facilities, while supporters likely emphasized resident dignity, safety, and equal treatment. The bill’s exception for professionally reasonable clinical judgment appears designed to address concerns that the nondiscrimination rule could interfere with individualized medical care.