The Office of Legislative Research writes nonpartisan reports for legislators on various topics. Recent reports related to the Public Health Committee’s subject areas include:

Licensure of Out-of-State Health Professionals – 2023-R-0239

Connecticut’s Opioid Antagonist Laws – 2023-R-0238

Naturopath Licensing and Prescriptive Authority in Other States – 2023-R-0240

Connecticut’s Opioid Drug Abuse Laws – 2023-R-0235

Recent Changes to Connecticut’s Telehealth Laws – 2023-R-0173

Connecticut’s E-Cigarette Laws – 2023-R-0098

Issue Brief: Connecticut’s Laws on Abortion and Contraception – 2022-R-0277

Issue Brief: State Abortion Laws – 2022-R-0276

Connecticut Abortion Law – 2022-R-0281

FDA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program for Abortion Medication – 2022-R-0261

State agencies

Dept. of Public Health (DPH)

Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)

Dept. of Developmental Services (DDS)

Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA)

Office of Health Strategy (OHS)

            CT Healthcare Affordability Index
 

State boards, commissions, and task forces

Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Board

Palliative Care Advisory Council

Task Force to Study the Voluntary Services Program Operated by the Dept. of Children and Families

 

Federal government

National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the National Library of Medicine

Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), including the National Center for Health Statistics

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

 

Other organizations

Kaiser Family Foundation

Mayo Clinic

Urban Institute Health Policy Center

 

Other online resources

Expanding Access to Care – Legislative Library research guide from the 2020 OLR Issues Conference

Detox bed availability – from DMHAS; “real-time” updates on bed availability for addiction services in Connecticut

Healthy People 2030 – from the federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; includes health topic summaries, leading health indicators, data, webinars, and more

MedlinePlus – from the National Library of Medicine; definitions, articles, illustrations, and videos about diseases and conditions, drugs, treatments, and other health topics

PLACES – from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the CDC Foundation; includes an interactive map of various health data measures by geographic areas such as Census tracts.

RAND Corporation research on public health

Research guides by the Judicial Branch Law Libraries:

            Connecticut law about commitment (voluntary/involuntary)

            Connecticut law about drug crimes

            Connecticut law about funerals and cremation

            Connecticut law about health care

            Connecticut law about involuntary medication

            Connecticut law about medical malpractice

            Connecticut law about medical marijuana

            Connecticut law about quarantine

            Connecticut law about smoking

CASE Bulletin – Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering; electronic subscription.

Health Affairs – Project HOPE – The People-to-People Health Foundation; print subscription.

CDC WONDER – “Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research” from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; includes data about mortality, diseases, vaccinations, and more.

Drug collection boxes – map and collection results data from the Dept. of Consumer Protection

National Academies Press publications on health and medicine. Legislative Library subscription; see librarian.

NCSL 9-1-1 Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tracks legislation from 2012-present.

NCSL COVID-19 Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2022-present.

NCSL Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2021-present.

NCSL Health Costs, Coverage and Delivery Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2022-present.

NCSL Injury Prevention Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2015-present.

NCSL Maternal and Child Health Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2017-present.

NCSL Prescription Drug Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2015-present.

NCSL Public Health Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2021-present.

NCSL Scope of Practice Policy Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2015-present.

NCSL Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2019-present.

PubMed – millions of citations for medical literature; from the National Library of Medicine.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. Contact the library for these and other reports.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Trust annual report – by the Office of the State Treasurer; pursuant to CGS 3-39k

Adverse event reporting – annual report by Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-127l through CGS 19a-127n

Advisory Committee on Medically Contraindicated Vaccinations annual report – pursuant to CGS 19a-7r

Bipartisan Commission on Intellectual Disabilities and the Impact of COVID-19 findings and recommendations – pursuant to 2021 SJ 1 (Joint Rules), Rule 37
report   testimonials

Cannabis health statistics – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 21a-422e

Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention annual report – pursuant to CGS 19a-112j

Connecticut’s allied health workforce: challenges and opportunities – annual report by the Allied Health Workforce Policy Board; pursuant to CGS 4-124dd

Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership annual report – by the Dept. of Children and Families, Dept. of Social Services, and Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to CGS 17a-22m

Connecticut children’s behavioral health plan – annual report by the Dept. of Children and Families and the Children’s Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board; pursuant to CGS 17a-22ff

Connecticut partnership for long-term care – annual report by the Office of Policy and Management; pursuant to CGS 17b-254

Contact preference forms and medical health history forms filed by birth parents of adopted children – annual report by the Dept. of Children and Families; pursuant to CGS 7-53a(b)

Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction services that provide 24/7 options for crisis responseDept. of Mental Health and Addiction services that provide 24/7 options for crisis response – by DMHAS; pursuant to PA 21-35 s.17

Doula certification scope of practice reviewDoula certification scope of practice review – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 21-35 s.15

Efficacy of home-based treatment and recovery services for persons with opioid use disorder following emergency department admissionsEfficacy of home-based treatment and recovery services for persons with opioid use disorder following emergency department admissions – by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to PA 19-191 s.8

Emergency Medical Services Working Group reportEmergency Medical Services Working Group report – published by the Dept. of Public Health and Dept. of Social Services; pursuant to PA 22-118 s.136

Evaluation of methods of combating the opioid epidemic in the state of ConnecticutEvaluation of methods of combating the opioid epidemic in the state of Connecticut – published by the CT Alcohol and Drug Policy Council; pursuant to PA 18-166 s.4

Feasibility of implementing a statewide program for police departments to refer people to services for substance use disordersFeasibility of implementing a statewide program for police departments to refer people to services for substance use disorders – by the CT Alcohol and Drug Policy Council; pursuant to PA 17-131 s.7(e)

Financial status of Connecticut’s short term acute care hospitals – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health and the Office of Health Care Access; pursuant to CGS 19a-670

Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee findings and recommendationsGun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee findings and recommendations – pursuant to PA 21-35 s.9

Health Information Exchange annual report – pursuant to CGS 17b-59a(f)

Healthcare associated infections – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-490o

Healthcare cost growth benchmark and primary care spending target initiatives – annual report by the Office of Health Strategy; pursuant to CGS 19a-754j

High Deductible Health Plan Task Force final reportHigh Deductible Health Plan Task Force final report – pursuant to PA 19-117 s.247(g)

Investigation of Whiting Forensic Hospital between Oct 2, 2019 and March 12, 2021 – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-496

Involuntary detention and transport to hospital emergency departments of persons who experienced non-fatal opioid overdosesInvoluntary detention and transport to hospital emergency departments of persons who experienced non-fatal opioid overdoses – by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to PA 19-191 s.13

Lead poisoning prevention efforts: childhood blood lead surveillance and lead hazards inspection and abatement activities – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health pursuant to CGS 19a-111i(a)

Medication Reconciliation and Polypharmacy Work Group final report and recommendationsMedication Reconciliation and Polypharmacy Work Group final report and recommendations – pursuant to SA 18-6

Mobile Integrated Health Workgroup reportMobile Integrated Health Workgroup report – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 17-146 s.45

Nursing Home Financial Advisory Committee annual report – pursuant to CGS 17b-339(c)

Palliative care report – biennial report by the Dept. of Public Health Palliative Care Advisory Council; pursuant to CGS 19a-6o

Patient bill of rights for long-term care residentsPatient bill of rights for long-term care residents – by the Dept. of Public Health and Dept. of Social Services; pursuant to SA 17-14

Pilot program to serve persons with opioid use disorderPilot program to serve persons with opioid use disorder – by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to CGS 17a-673b

Plan to establish licensure by reciprocity for speech and language pathologists and occupational therapistsPlan to establish licensure by reciprocity for speech and language pathologists and occupational therapists – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 22-81 s.26

Plan for the provision of health care services, including, but not limited to, mental health care, substance use disorder and dental care services, to inmates of correctional facilitiesPlan for the provision of health care services, including, but not limited to, mental health care, substance use disorder and dental care services, to inmates of correctional facilities – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 22-133

Plan for waiver of licensure requirements for certain providersPlan for waiver of licensure requirements for certain providers – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 22-47 s.1

Plasmapheresis, clinical laboratories, and blood donation centers: statutes and regulations reviewPlasmapheresis, clinical laboratories, and blood donation centers: statutes and regulations review – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 22-58 s.70

Psilocybin study reportPsilocybin study report – by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to PA 21-26 s.9

Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee annual report – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-131g

Quality in Health Care program – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-127l through CGS 19a-127n

Racial Equity in Public Health Commission semiannual report – pursuant to CGS 19a-133a

Recommendations for the prevention of cannabis use in youthRecommendations for the prevention of cannabis use in youth – published by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to PA 21-1 s.65 June

Recommendations of the 2022 Physician Practice WorkgroupRecommendations of the 2022 Physician Practice Workgroup – by the Office of Health Strategy; pursuant to PA 21-129 s.5

Report on the study of the feasibility of creating a certification program for community health workersReport on the study of the feasibility of creating a certification program for community health workers – by the State Innovation Model Community Health Worker Advisory Committee; pursuant to PA 18-91 s.63

Safe harbor legislation permitting certain alternative health care practicesSafe harbor legislation permitting certain alternative health care practices – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to PA 22-58 s.41

School Based Health Center (SBHC) Expansion Working Group final reportSchool Based Health Center (SBHC) Expansion Working Group final report – pursuant to PA 21-35 s.16

Scope of Practice Review Committee annual reports – published by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-16e(c)

Scope of practice review requests received – annual report by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 19a-16d(c)

Sports Helmet Safety Working Group reportSports Helmet Safety Working Group report – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to SA 18-15

State substance abuse plan – triennial report by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; pursuant to CGS 17a-451(j)

State water plan status – annual report by the CT Water Planning Council; pursuant to CGS 22a-352(i)

Statewide health information technology plan – by the Office of Health Strategy; pursuant to CGS 17b-59a(c)

Statewide healthcare facilities and services plan – biennial report by the Office of Health Care Access; pursuant to CGS 19a-634

Statewide Senior Center Workgroup reportStatewide Senior Center Workgroup report – pursuant to PA 21-7

Strategic plan for expansion of medications for opioid use disorder – by the Dept. of Correction; pursuant to PA 18-166 s.6(b)
reportreport
executive summaryexecutive summary

Strategic plan for the bioscience sector in ConnecticutStrategic plan for the bioscience sector in Connecticut – by Connecticut Innovations; pursuant to SA 18-23

Task Force to Study Connecticut Valley Hospital and Whiting Forensic Hospital, the Psychiatric Security Review Board, and Behavioral Health Care Definitions final reportTask Force to Study Connecticut Valley Hospital and Whiting Forensic Hospital, the Psychiatric Security Review Board, and Behavioral Health Care Definitions final report – pursuant to PA 18-86

Task Force to Study the Processing and Retention of Fingerprint Records and Criminal History Records for Educators final reportTask Force to Study the Processing and Retention of Fingerprint Records and Criminal History Records for Educators final report – pursuant to SA 18-25

Task Force to Study the Policies and Procedures Adopted by Each Institution of Higher Education Regarding the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness recommendationsTask Force to Study the Policies and Procedures Adopted by Each Institution of Higher Education Regarding the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness recommendations – pursuant to SA 19-14

Telehealth analysis reportTelehealth analysis report – published by the Office of Health Strategy; pursuant to PA 22-81 s.41

Tobacco and Health Trust Fund Board of Trustees annual report – pursuant to CGS 4-28f

UConn Health Center public-private partnerships status report and recommended legislationUConn Health Center public-private partnerships status report and recommended legislation – pursuant to PA 17-2 s.60 June

Understanding racial inequities through data – periodic report by the Racial Equity in Public Health Commission; pursuant to CGS 19a-133b

Water Utility Coordinating Committee planning process for public water systems annual report – by the Dept. of Public Health; pursuant to CGS 25-33n

For OLR Reports and other materials related to the Public Health Committee’s work, index headings include:

Abortion
AIDS
Ambulances
Chiropractic
Cremations
Dairy Products
Death
Dentistry
Diseases
Drinking Water
Drugs
Drug Abuse and Control
Fluoridation
Food Products
Food Products – Labeling
Funerals
Health
Health Care Facilities
Health Code
Health Services Administration
Heart Disease and Hypertension Benefits
Home Care Services
Hospitals
Juveniles-Pregnancy
Lead Poisoning
Malpractice
Marijuana
Medical Care
Medical Research
Mental Health Facilities
Medical Personnel
Nursing
Nursing Homes
Nutrition
Patients’ Rights
Pharmacies and Pharmacists
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Poison
Smoking
Toxic Substances

The library assigns topical index headings to all OLR Reports and keeps hard copies of the reports organized by these index headings. Reports from 1994 to the present are in the library’s file cabinets (aka the “vertical files”) in the red-tabbed folders, as well as online in full text. Older reports are in two sets of bound volumes (one set for the 1970s, and one for 1980-1993) on the library’s shelves.

The same index headings the library uses for OLR Reports have been used to organize over 600 subject files of materials such as newspaper clippings, court decisions, press releases, pamphlets, and other resources that would be more difficult to locate if they were dispersed throughout the library’s general collection. The subject files are in the blue-tabbed folders in the file cabinets. (Many of the items in these folders have also been digitized by the library, and their electronic versions can be found in the library’s intranet catalog.)

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5) – published by the American Psychiatric Association, 2013

Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 30th ed. – published by Saunders, 2003

Physicians’ Desk Reference, 56th ed. – published by Medical Economics, 2002; see also the online Prescriber’s Digital Reference

For the past several years, almost all newly published items added to the library’s collection have been in electronic format only. These items are accessible in full text through the library’s intranet catalog. Many old print materials have also been digitized and uploaded to the library’s catalog.

To get a general sense of a subject’s history, however, you may find it useful to browse the library stacks in certain locations to see print copies of older publications (and the occasional newer item that was published both electronically and in print). For publications related to public health, call number ranges include, but are not limited to:

362.1 physical illness
362.2 mental illness
610 medicine and health
616 diseases

Hard copies of mandated reports that were produced only once or as a limited series are shelved by the number of the act that required the report. Hard copies of mandated reports produced regularly with no set end date (for example, state agencies’ annual reports) are shelved in the stacks by subject.

The ACA’s impact on Connecticut’s health coverage and costsThe ACA’s impact on Connecticut’s health coverage and costs – by the Urban Institute Health Policy Center, 2017

A study of the COVID-19 outbreak and response in Connecticut long-term care facilitiesA study of the COVID-19 outbreak and response in Connecticut long-term care facilities – by Mathematica Inc., 2020

Dept. of Children and Families: substance use servicesDept. of Children and Families: substance use services – by the Office of Program Review and Investigations, 2016

Factors influencing receipt of long-term services and supports in home and community settingsFactors influencing receipt of long-term services and supports in home and community settings – by the Office of Program Review and Investigations, 2016

Health disparities in Connecticut: causes, effects, and what we can doHealth disparities in Connecticut: causes, effects, and what we can do – published by the CT Health Foundation, 2020

Occupational disease in Connecticut – annual report by the Workers’ Compensation Commission

Occupational licensing final report: assessing state policies and practices: project overview and lessons learned from the occupational licensing learning consortiumOccupational licensing final report: assessing state policies and practices: project overview and lessons learned from the occupational licensing learning consortium – published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2020

Performance audit compliance report: the Dept. of Public Health’s monitoring of public water systems and enforcement of drinking water lawsPerformance audit compliance report: the Dept. of Public Health’s monitoring of public water systems and enforcement of drinking water laws – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2020

Performance audit: oversight of Connecticut’s assisted living facilities 2017-2019Performance audit: oversight of Connecticut’s assisted living facilities 2017-2019 – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2021

Performance audit compliance report: oversight of pre-need funeral service contractsPerformance audit compliance report: oversight of pre-need funeral service contracts – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2020

Performance audit: Protective Services for the Elderly 2017-2019Performance audit: Protective Services for the Elderly 2017-2019 – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2021

State data center general controls: Dept. of Public Health (DPH)State data center general controls: Dept. of Public Health (DPH) – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2023

A roadmap for race, ethnicity, and language data collection and use in ConnecticutA roadmap for race, ethnicity, and language data collection and use in Connecticut – by the CT Health Foundation, 2021

Understanding Connecticut’s nursing workforce: who’s caring for you?Understanding Connecticut’s nursing workforce: who’s caring for you? – by the CT Center for Nursing Workforce, 2019