May 27, 2015

Carpino Leads Efforts to Reform Rocky Hill Veterans Home

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HARTFORD — Connecticut Veterans will now have a voice at the Rocky Hill Veterans’ Home due to the efforts of Rep. Christie Carpino (Cromwell, Portland).

House Bill No. 6855, An Act Implementing The Recommendations of the PRI Committee Regarding Residential Services At the Veterans’ Home, passed in the House Chamber, May 26.

“This legislation is very overdue. These recommendations are needed to properly honor and serve the men and women veterans who served this great nation,” said, Rep. Carpino, House Chair of the PRI Committee.

The PRI Committee conducted an in-depth study on the home and proposed numerous recommendations for its improvement. Earlier this year, Carpino took a three hour tour of the home with members of the committee to better understand the needs of the residents. In addition, multiple public hearings were held at the home and the Capitol.

“The mission of the Veterans’ Home is to rehabilitate and assist its residents. Our study identified a number of areas where it has fallen short. We owe it to our veterans to provide them the skills and help they need to remain healthy and productive members of their communities,” said Rep. Carpino.

The bill requires the Commissioner to report back to the General Assembly regarding the feasibility of recommendations including, the provision of vocational skills for residents, care of the Home’s aging population, and procedures for safety, security and rule violations.

“The admission of veterans with psychiatric histories will also be addressed,” said Rep. Carpino.

“This bill also provides the opportunity for the Home’s trustees to directly hear the concerns of residents, and empowers them to mandate and enforce changes on their behalf. The trustees will now have more oversight and will have access to information that is shared with Connecticut’s new Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner,” said Rep. Carpino.

The Board of Trustees will now also have Veterans’ Home residents as full voting members.

A PRI Committee public hearing was held at the Connecticut State Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill, March 5.

More than one hundred veterans, residents, public officials, representatives of veteran advocacy groups, and legislators packed the facility’s dining hall during a recent public hearing to support these new recommendation proposals.

The next step for HB 6855 is the State Senate, where it must be passed before going before the Governor.