Sec. 19a-506. (Formerly Sec. 19-589). Licensing of maternity homes. Fees. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 19a-506. (Formerly Sec. 19-589). Licensing of maternity homes. Fees. "Maternity home", as used in this section, shall include any place operated and maintained in whole or in part for the purpose of caring for women during pregnancies and for women and their infants following such pregnancies, but shall not include maternity hospitals subject to the provisions of section 19a-505. No person shall establish, conduct or maintain a maternity home without a license issued by the Department of Public Health. The fee for each application for license and each renewal of license shall be one hundred dollars per site and five dollars per bed. In connection with any application for license or renewal of license, said department shall consider the character and qualifications of the person or persons operating or proposing to operate the maternity home and the physical facilities, financial resources and health and welfare standards and practices with respect to such operation or proposed operation and any other factors deemed by said department to be pertinent to safeguarding the health and welfare of the persons using such maternity home. Each such license shall remain in effect for a period of twenty-four months from the date of issue, shall not be transferable and may be revoked by said department for violation of or lack of compliance with the provisions of this section. An opportunity for a hearing before said department shall be given to any maternity home with respect to a refusal to issue or renew a license or revocation of an existing license. Any person aggrieved by refusal to issue or renew or by revocation of any such license or by any order issued under the provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district within which the home is, or is proposed to be, located. Maternity homes shall maintain such records and make such reports as are prescribed by the Department of Public Health to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section. The Department of Public Health shall supervise the operation of maternity homes and, in such connection, may consult with and assist any such home toward the attainment of improved standards of operation, and said department may inspect any maternity home for the purpose of investigating and ensuring compliance with this section. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this section. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

      (1959, P.A. 658; P.A. 76-436, S. 378, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 69, 125; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127; P.A. 83-121, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-339, S. 3, 6; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 15, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)

      History: P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and added reference to judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; Sec. 19-43a transferred to Sec. 19-589 in 1977; P.A. 77-603 replaced provision re appeals to superior court within 30 days with statement that appeals be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 deleted reference to counties; Sec. 19-589 transferred to Sec. 19a-506 in 1983; P.A. 83-121 amended the definition of maternity home to delete limitation to pregnancies "incurred other than in lawful wedlock" and to include infant care and added provision requiring commissioner to adopt regulations; P.A. 89-339 increased effective period of license from 12 to 24 months; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 established license and renewal fee of $100 per site and $5 per bed; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995.