Connecticut Climate & Health Coordination and Protection Act of 2026

MODEL BILL

Author: Sam Cherubin

Section 1. Short Title

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Connecticut Climate & Health Coordination and Protection Act of 2026.”

Section 2. Findings and Purpose

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Climate change poses immediate and growing risks to public health in Connecticut, including increased extreme heat, degraded air quality from wildfire smoke, expanded vector-borne disease transmission, and disruptions to healthcare delivery;

(2) Vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, pregnant individuals, persons with chronic illness, outdoor workers, and environmental justice communities face disproportionate health impacts;

(3) Coordinated cross-agency action is essential to protect public health, strengthen healthcare system resilience, and reduce health inequities;

(4) Evidence-based interventions, including early warning systems, cooling centers, indoor air quality improvements, clinical training, and targeted protections for high-risk groups can prevent climate-attributable mortality and morbidity.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to establish a comprehensive framework for climate health protection through strategic planning, public communication, healthcare system preparedness, vulnerable population protections, occupational safety, community health equity, and sustained research and evaluation.

Section 3. Definitions

As used in this Act:

“DPH” means the Connecticut Department of Public Health;

“DEEP” means the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection;

“DEMHS” means the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security;

“DOL” means the Connecticut Department of Labor;

“DOE” means the Connecticut Department of Education;

“DSS” means the Connecticut Department of Social Services;

“CAES” means the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station;

“Air Quality Index (AQI)” means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index scale (0-500) as published on AirNow.gov, including categorical breakpoints for Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous;

“HeatRisk Level” means the National Weather Service (NWS) color-numeric index of forecast heat risk published by NWS/WPC, used to indicate potentially dangerous heat during the 7-day forecast period;

“Heat Alert” means a public notification issued by DPH, in coordination with DEMHS and DEEP, when NWS HeatRisk is Level 3 (Major) or higher, or when equivalent forecast conditions are met per DPH guidance;

“Smoke Advisory” means a public notification issued by DPH when AQI is forecast or observed to exceed 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) or such other threshold as DPH may set by guidance, with enhanced protective measures at AQI ≥150 (Unhealthy);

“Cooling Center” means a publicly accessible indoor, air-conditioned location designated by a municipality or partner organization for use during Heat Alerts; minimum features include potable water, seating, restrooms, ADA access, and posted hours;

“High-Risk Household” means a residence including at least one person at increased risk from heat or smoke, including but not limited to: adults ≥65 years; children under 5; persons who are pregnant; persons with chronic cardiopulmonary, renal, diabetic, or mental-health conditions; or persons taking medications that increase heat or smoke sensitivity;

“MERV-13” means a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value of 13 or higher, as defined by ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or successor standard, or an equivalent filtration performance verified by the DOE/DPH;

“Climate-Ready Health Facility” means a hospital or health facility recognized by DPH for meeting resilience and decarbonization benchmarks established under this Act;

“Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)” means a heat stress index combining ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation, measured in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius according to ISO 7243 or NIOSH standards;

“Threshold Languages” means any language spoken by five percent (5%) or more of the population in a municipality, region, or the state, as determined by the most recent U.S. Census American Community Survey data;

“Environmental Justice Community” means a census block group where thirty percent (30%) or more of the population is low-income and/or where forty percent (40%) or more of the population identifies as minority, or as otherwise defined pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes or DEEP environmental justice mapping criteria;

“Civil Preparedness Emergency” means a civil preparedness emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-9, or a DEMHS activation, or National Weather Service watches or warnings affecting Connecticut;

“Resilience Hub” means a publicly accessible facility designated by a municipality that can provide clean indoor air, cooling, basic electronic device charging, potable water, and emergency information during Heat Alerts, Smoke Advisories, or Civil Preparedness Emergencies.

Actions under Sections 7D (medical continuity), 9(f) (resilience hubs), 5(b)(5) (after-action reviews), and 6(c) (emergency healthcare access indicators) triggered by Civil Preparedness Emergencies shall be implemented within available appropriations and may be supplemented by federal grants where available.

Section 4. Strategic Climate & Health Action Plan

(a) Within twelve months of the effective date of this Act, DPH shall develop and publish a comprehensive Strategic Climate & Health Action Plan in coordination with DEEP, DEMHS, DOL, DOE, and DSS.

(b) The Plan shall include:

(1) Assessment of current and projected climate-related health risks, including heat-related illness, air quality impacts, vector-borne disease, waterborne disease, mental health impacts, and disruptions to healthcare delivery;

(2) Identification of vulnerable populations and geographic areas at heightened risk;

(3) Specific, measurable goals and timelines for implementation of protective measures;

(4) Resource requirements and recommended funding strategies;

(5) Roles and responsibilities of state agencies, municipalities, healthcare facilities, and community partners;

(6) Performance metrics and evaluation framework.

(c) DPH shall conduct public stakeholder engagement, including at minimum three public hearings in different geographic regions, and shall provide materials and interpretation in threshold languages.

(d) The Plan shall be updated biennially. Implementation shall occur within available appropriations and may be supplemented by federal grants where available.

Section 5. Interagency Climate & Health Working Group

(a) DPH shall convene an Interagency Climate & Health Working Group consisting of designated representatives from DPH, DEEP, DEMHS, DOL, DOE, DSS, and other agencies as appropriate.

(b) The Working Group shall:

(1) Coordinate implementation of the Strategic Climate & Health Action Plan;

(2) Facilitate information sharing and joint planning;

(3) Identify opportunities for leveraging federal funding;

(4) Review implementation progress and recommend adjustments;

(5) Conduct after-action reviews following Civil Preparedness Emergencies to assess healthcare service disruptions, patient access barriers, and lessons learned for future climate-related disasters.

(c) The Working Group shall meet at least quarterly and provide an annual progress report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Section 6. Annual Report and Climate & Health Dashboard

(a) DPH shall publish an Annual Climate & Health Report by January 31 of each year, covering the prior calendar year.

(b) The Report shall include:

(1) Climate exposure trends (temperature, heat events, air quality, vector activity);

(2) Health outcome data (emergency department visits, hospitalizations, mortality) stratified by demographics and geography;

(3) Summary of alerts issued, cooling center utilization, registry enrollment, and program outcomes;

(4) Healthcare system resilience indicators;

(5) Progress on Strategic Plan implementation and recommendations for policy adjustments.

(c) DPH shall maintain an online, publicly accessible Climate & Health Dashboard with real-time or near-real-time data on heat alerts, air quality, cooling center locations, vector-borne disease activity, and health surveillance metrics. During and following Civil Preparedness Emergencies or widespread power outages, DPH shall publish healthcare access indicators on the Dashboard when data are available, including clinic and pharmacy closures, dialysis service disruptions, and emergency medical service demand.

(d) All data shall be disaggregated by demographics and geography to the extent feasible to identify and address health disparities.

Section 7. Heat and Air Quality Communication Standards

(a) DPH, in coordination with DEMHS and DEEP, shall establish and implement a standardized system for issuing Heat Alerts and Smoke Advisories.

(b) Heat Alerts shall be issued when NWS HeatRisk is Level 3 (Major) or higher, or when equivalent conditions are met per DPH guidance. Smoke Advisories shall be issued when AQI is forecast or observed to exceed 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).

(c) Alerts shall be disseminated through multiple channels including:

(1) CT Alert emergency notification system;

(2) DPH and partner agency websites and social media;

(3) 2-1-1 information line;

(4) Healthcare providers, schools, municipalities, and community organizations;

(5) Targeted outreach to registered High-Risk Households.

(d) All alerts and guidance shall be available in threshold languages and accessible formats.

(e) DPH shall establish protocols for coordination with healthcare facilities, emergency services, and municipalities to ensure rapid protective response.

Section 7A. Health Impact Assessments

(a) Agencies shall conduct Health Impact Assessments, including consideration of cumulative impacts on environmental justice communities, for major rulemakings and for permits of statewide significance, as determined by the lead agency.

(b) Each HIA shall provide for public notice, an opportunity for public comment, and language access for threshold languages.

(c) Routine permits, renewals, and ministerial actions may be exempted by agency guidance.

Section 7B. Patient Education, Discharge Protocols, and Pharmacy Counseling

(a) DPH shall maintain an online Climate & Health Education Clearinghouse with patient-facing materials at a tenth-grade reading level or lower, translated into threshold languages, covering at minimum: cardiovascular disease, asthma/COPD, diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, pediatrics, mental health, and medication safety during heat and smoke events. DPH shall publish one-page checklists for patients using electricity-powered medical devices (ventilators, oxygen concentrators, CPAP, feeding pumps) or temperature-sensitive medications, including power outage planning, device battery backup guidance, and safe medication storage during emergencies.

(b) DPH shall publish one-page discharge instruction templates for heat and smoke events. Hospitals and clinics shall make such materials available in discharge packets and patient portals.

(c) During declared Heat Alerts or Smoke Advisories, pharmacists shall provide counseling regarding heat-sensitive, photosensitizing, or dehydration-risk medications, consistent with scope of practice.

Section 7C. Clinical Coding Guidance and Aggregate Health Data

(a) DPH shall publish voluntary ICD-10-CM and external cause coding guidance for encounters associated with heat, degraded air quality, and vector-borne disease.

(b) Acute-care hospitals shall annually submit de-identified, aggregate counts of such encounters by month using a DPH CSV template; no protected health information shall be collected. Hospitals shall submit aggregates by January 31 for the prior year using the DPH CSV template (one row per month per condition group).

Section 7D. Telehealth and Medical Continuity During Climate Emergencies

During declared Heat Alerts or Smoke Advisories, DPH shall issue provider and payer bulletins encouraging the use of telehealth for high-risk patients to reduce exposure and travel burdens, consistent with existing coverage and state law. DPH shall coordinate with the Office of Health Strategy and insurers to ensure parity with existing coverage, including audio-only telehealth when clinically appropriate.

During Civil Preparedness Emergencies or widespread power outages verified by DEMHS, DPH shall issue provider and pharmacy bulletins encouraging:

(a) Proactive outreach to patients dependent on electricity-powered medical devices;

(b) 30-day emergency medication refills where permitted by law; and

(c) Use of audio-only telehealth when clinically appropriate.

Section 7E. Vector- and Water-Borne Disease Surveillance

(a) DPH, in coordination with CAES and DEEP, shall establish and maintain a unified vector-borne and water-borne disease surveillance and alert system.

(b) From May 1 through October 31 of each year, DPH shall publish a weekly, county-level public dashboard displaying:

(1) Tick-borne disease risk (Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus);

(2) Mosquito-borne disease risk (West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, emerging arboviruses);

(3) Harmful algal bloom alerts for freshwater and marine waters;

(4) Waterborne pathogen alerts (e.g., Vibrio, Cryptosporidium, Giardia) when relevant.

(c) Alerts for elevated risk shall be integrated into CT Alert, the Climate & Health Dashboard, and provider bulletins distributed to healthcare facilities and local health departments.

(d) DPH shall provide clinical guidance to healthcare providers on diagnosis, treatment, and preventive counseling for vector-borne and water-borne diseases associated with climate change.

Section 8. Vulnerable Population Registry

(a) DPH shall establish and maintain a voluntary, confidential Vulnerable Population Registry to facilitate targeted outreach and protective services during climate-related health emergencies.

(b) Eligible registrants include persons at increased risk, including:

(1) Adults age 65 and older;

(2) Children under age 5;

(3) Pregnant individuals;

(4) Persons with chronic cardiopulmonary, renal, diabetic, or mental health conditions;

(5) Persons with disabilities or functional limitations;

(6) Persons experiencing homelessness or housing instability;

(7) Outdoor workers and persons without access to air conditioning.

(c) Registration shall be available through 2-1-1, local health departments, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and an online portal. DPH shall conduct targeted outreach in environmental justice communities.

(d) During Heat Alerts or Smoke Advisories, DPH and municipal partners shall conduct proactive check-ins with registrants to provide information, assess needs, and facilitate access to cooling centers, medical care, or emergency services as appropriate.

(e) All data shall be maintained in compliance with HIPAA, Connecticut privacy laws, and DPH confidentiality standards. Data shall not be used for immigration enforcement or disclosed except as necessary for emergency protective services.

(f) Implementation shall occur within available appropriations.

Section 9. Cooling Center Network and Resilience Hubs

(a) Municipalities, in partnership with DPH, DEMHS, and DSS, shall establish and maintain a network of Cooling Centers accessible during Heat Alerts.

(b) Each Cooling Center shall meet minimum standards including:

(1) Reliable air conditioning maintaining indoor temperature ≤78°F;

(2) Free access to potable drinking water;

(3) Accessible restrooms;

(4) ADA-compliant access;

(5) Posted hours of operation and emergency contact information;

(6) Multilingual signage and materials where appropriate;

(7) Extended evening and weekend hours during Heat Alerts where feasible;

(8) Pet-friendly accommodations or referral protocols for pet owners where feasible.

(c) DPH shall provide technical assistance, model protocols, and grant funding subject to available appropriations. Priority shall be given to municipalities with high concentrations of vulnerable populations, urban heat islands, or limited existing cooling resources.

(d) Cooling Center locations and hours shall be published on the Climate & Health Dashboard, disseminated through CT Alert and 2-1-1, and provided to registrants.

(e) DPH shall coordinate with transit authorities to ensure accessible transportation to Cooling Centers during Heat Alerts where feasible.

(f) Municipalities may designate Cooling Centers or other publicly accessible facilities as Resilience Hubs that, during Heat Alerts, Smoke Advisories, or Civil Preparedness Emergencies, may provide any combination of clean indoor air, cooling, basic electronic device charging, potable water, and emergency information. Such designation does not alter building codes, impose utility obligations, or require structural modifications beyond those specified in subsection (b). Implementation shall occur within available appropriations.

Section 10. Home Cooling Assistance and Utility Protection

(a) DSS shall establish a Home Cooling Assistance Program to provide air conditioning units, fans, and utility bill assistance to low-income households and High-Risk Households.

(b) Eligibility shall be determined based on income (≤60% state median income) and presence of heat-vulnerable individuals. Priority shall be given to households with multiple risk factors, environmental justice communities, and urban heat island areas.

(c) The program may provide:

(1) Purchase and installation of energy-efficient air conditioning units;

(2) Repair of existing cooling equipment;

(3) Emergency utility bill assistance during heat events;

(4) Energy efficiency upgrades to reduce cooling costs.

(d) Electric utility service disconnections for nonpayment shall be prohibited from May 1 through September 30 for any household containing a person with a heat-vulnerable medical condition verified by a licensed healthcare provider using a DPH-approved medical certification form. Additionally, during declared Heat Alerts, electric service disconnections are prohibited for all registered medically vulnerable households regardless of the calendar date.

(e) DPH shall develop a standardized one-page medical certification form for use by healthcare providers to verify heat vulnerability for utility disconnection protection purposes.

(f) DSS shall coordinate with utility companies to implement deferred payment arrangements and energy assistance programs.

(g) Implementation shall be subject to available appropriations.

Section 11. Worker Heat Safety Standard

(a) Within twelve months of the effective date of this Act, DOL shall promulgate an occupational heat illness prevention standard applicable to outdoor and non-climate-controlled indoor work.

(b) The standard shall establish requirements including:

(1) Triggers based on NWS HeatRisk Level 3 (Major) or higher, or equivalent Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) thresholds, or ambient temperature and humidity conditions as specified by DOL guidance;

(2) Access to drinking water (at least one quart per employee per hour);

(3) Access to shade or cooled rest areas;

(4) Mandatory cool-down rest breaks at specified intervals;

(5) Training for employees and supervisors on heat illness recognition and emergency response;

(6) Acclimatization protocols for new or returning workers;

(7) Emergency response procedures including access to emergency medical services.

(c) DOL shall develop detailed guidance on work/rest cycles, cool-down break timing, and acclimatization protocols aligned with NIOSH and NWS recommendations, which may be updated by DOL bulletin as scientific evidence evolves.

(d) In the first year following promulgation, compliance shall be voluntary. Employers shall be provided technical assistance and education. Beginning in the second year, the standard shall be mandatory and subject to enforcement.

(e) DOL shall coordinate with DPH to integrate worker heat safety into public health surveillance and emergency response systems.

Section 12. School and Childcare Indoor Air Quality Pilot Program

(a) DOE, in partnership with DPH, shall establish a two-year Indoor Air Quality Pilot Program in at least ten school districts and five licensed childcare facilities representing diverse geographic, demographic, and building characteristics.

(b) Pilot sites shall:

(1) Install MERV-13 or higher filtration in HVAC systems or use portable HEPA filtration units where HVAC upgrades are not feasible;

(2) Implement CO₂ monitoring (target ≤1000 ppm) and PM2.5 monitoring (target ≤12 μg/m³);

(3) Post real-time air quality data publicly;

(4) Adopt protocols for modified activities or remote learning on poor air quality days.

(c) DOE shall provide grants to cover equipment costs, installation, maintenance, and evaluation. State funding shall be supplemented with federal EPA grants where available.

(d) DOE and DPH shall evaluate outcomes including absenteeism, respiratory illness, academic performance, implementation feasibility, and costs.

(e) Within twelve months of pilot completion, DOE and DPH shall publish a final determination and, if warranted by evaluation findings, issue a rulemaking proposal for statewide indoor air quality standards for schools and licensed childcare facilities, subject to available appropriations. DOE may establish a voluntary ‘Healthy Air School’ certification program to recognize exemplary facilities.

Section 13. Healthcare Workforce Training

(a) DPH shall develop and disseminate evidence-based clinical guidance and continuing education on climate-related health impacts, vulnerable populations, diagnosis and treatment protocols, and preventive counseling.

(b) Training content shall address at minimum:

(1) Heat-related illness: recognition, treatment, and prevention counseling;

(2) Air pollution health effects: respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, high-risk groups;

(3) Vector-borne disease: emerging threats, diagnostic considerations;

(4) Mental health impacts of climate change: anxiety, trauma, grief;

(5) Medication safety during extreme heat and air quality events;

(6) Health equity and environmental justice considerations.

(c) DPH shall partner with medical schools, nursing schools, continuing medical education providers, professional associations, and healthcare systems to integrate climate health training into curricula and licensure requirements where feasible.

(d) Training shall be available at no cost or low cost and accessible online.

Section 14. Healthcare Facility Resilience and Decarbonization

(a) DPH shall establish a voluntary Climate-Ready Health Facility Recognition Program for hospitals and long-term care facilities demonstrating excellence in climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

(b) Recognition criteria shall include:

(1) Operational preparedness: backup power, water supply, HVAC resilience, supply chain continuity;

(2) Patient and staff safety protocols during climate emergencies;

(3) Greenhouse gas emissions reduction: renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, electrification, sustainable procurement;

(4) Climate health education for patients and community outreach.

(c) DPH shall provide technical assistance, model policies, and public recognition to participating facilities. The state may prioritize recognized facilities for grant funding where applicable.

(d) DPH may establish a voluntary annual survey for participating facilities to report estimated Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for trend tracking purposes. The DPH template shall include three high-impact emissions domains: anesthetic gases, metered-dose inhalers, and energy use. No facility shall be penalized for emissions levels or failure to participate in voluntary reporting.

Section 15. Smoke Relief Program

(a) DPH shall establish a Smoke Relief Program to provide portable HEPA air filtration units and respiratory protection (N95 or P100 respirators and replacement filters) to High-Risk Households during wildfire smoke events and poor air quality episodes.

(b) Eligible households include those with members who have asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, are pregnant, are children under 5, or are adults age 65 or older.

(c) The program shall be activated when DPH issues a Smoke Advisory. Distribution shall prioritize households with multiple risk factors and environmental justice communities. Distribution channels may include local health departments, pharmacies, libraries, and community centers.

(d) DPH shall evaluate equipment utilization, targeting efficacy, and health outcomes following each activation season. Based on evaluation findings, DPH may expand program eligibility and geographic coverage contingent upon available appropriations or external funding.

Section 16. Long-Term Care and Congregate Setting Standards

(a) DPH shall promulgate climate resilience standards for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and other congregate care settings serving vulnerable populations.

(b) Standards shall require:

(1) Reliable cooling systems maintaining safe indoor temperatures during heat events;

(2) Backup power sufficient to maintain cooling, ventilation, refrigeration, and medical equipment during power outages;

(3) MERV-13 or higher filtration or equivalent HEPA units to protect against wildfire smoke and poor air quality;

(4) Emergency water supply;

(5) Staff training on climate-related health emergencies;

(6) Resident evacuation and sheltering-in-place protocols;

(7) Communication plans for families and emergency services.

(c) Facilities shall have three years from the effective date to achieve full compliance. DPH may grant reasonable extensions based on documented hardship.

(d) DPH shall provide technical assistance and may provide grant funding subject to available appropriations to assist with compliance costs.

Section 16A. Hospital and Health Facility Climate Hazards Annex

(a) Hospitals and long-term-care facilities shall append a one-page Climate Hazards Annex to their CMS-required all-hazards emergency plan.

(b) The Climate Hazards Annex shall include:

(1) Designation of a Climate & Continuity Lead;

(2) Documentation of local cooling and sheltering resources;

(3) Internal communication triggers for climate emergencies; and

(4) Annual attestation of review and updates.

(c) Facilities shall attest to annual review of the Climate Hazards Annex as part of their emergency plan certification.

Section 17. Community Health Equity and Environmental Justice

(a) DPH, in coordination with DEEP, shall identify environmental justice communities at heightened risk of climate-related health impacts based on demographic, socioeconomic, environmental exposure, and health outcome data.

(b) The Strategic Climate & Health Action Plan and all program implementation shall prioritize environmental justice communities for resources, technical assistance, and targeted interventions, subject to available appropriations.

(c) DPH shall partner with community-based organizations, local health departments, and trusted community leaders to:

(1) Conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education;

(2) Facilitate access to cooling centers, air filtration, healthcare services, and emergency assistance;

(3) Address language, transportation, and other barriers;

(4) Build community capacity for climate resilience.

(d) Community engagement shall include meaningful participation in planning, implementation, and evaluation processes.

(e) DPH shall establish an Environmental Justice Community Microgrant Program providing grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to community-based organizations serving environmental justice communities for:

(1) Multilingual climate health outreach and education campaigns;

(2) Tenant organizing for cooling and indoor air quality improvements in rental housing;

(3) Trusted messenger training and community health worker programs;

(4) Climate emergency preparedness planning and mutual aid networks;

(5) Data collection and community-driven research on local climate health impacts.

(f) Microgrants shall require recipients to provide language access services, report on reach and outcomes, and engage target populations in program design. Implementation shall be subject to available appropriations.

Section 18. Climate Health Research and Predictive Modeling Consortium

(a) DPH shall establish a Climate Health Research and Predictive Modeling Consortium in partnership with Connecticut universities, research institutions, and federal agencies.

(b) Research priorities shall include:

(1) Heat-health relationship modeling and early warning systems;

(2) Air quality forecasting and health impact projections;

(3) Vector-borne disease surveillance and climate-driven range expansion;

(4) Mental health impacts and community resilience;

(5) Health disparities and environmental justice;

(6) Healthcare system adaptation and resilience;

(7) Evaluation of intervention effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis.

(c) DPH may award competitive research grants subject to available appropriations. Federal funding and private philanthropy shall be pursued to supplement state resources.

(d) Research findings shall be translated into actionable policy recommendations and disseminated to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public.

Section 19. Climate Mental-Health Resilience Grants

(a) DPH, in coordination with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, shall establish a Climate Mental-Health Resilience Grant Program to support community-based interventions addressing climate-related stress, anxiety, trauma, and grief.

(b) Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, libraries, schools, and faith-based organizations serving vulnerable populations.

(c) Grants of $10,000 to $50,000 shall support:

(1) Climate anxiety and grief support groups and peer counseling programs;

(2) Training for community health workers, librarians, teachers, and faith leaders on climate mental health first aid;

(3) Culturally appropriate mental health outreach in environmental justice communities;

(4) Integration of climate mental health screening (PHQ-4, GAD-2) into primary care and community settings;

(5) Referral networks connecting individuals to mental health services;

(6) Community resilience-building activities and mutual support networks.

(d) DPH shall provide technical assistance to grantees and establish simple outcome metrics including reach, screening uptake, referral rates, and participant feedback.

(e) Implementation shall be subject to available appropriations.

Section 20. Funding and Implementation

(a) Implementation shall be supported through appropriations to DPH, DEEP, DEMHS, DOL, DOE, and DSS. Agencies may supplement state funding with available federal grants and private philanthropy where opportunities exist.

(b) Agencies may pursue federal funding opportunities where available, including but not limited to:

(1) CDC Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative;

(2) ASPR Hospital Preparedness Program;

(3) EPA Environmental Justice and Indoor Air Quality grants;

(4) HUD Community Development Block Grants;

(5) SAMHSA mental health resilience funding;

(6) DOE school infrastructure and HVAC modernization programs.

(c) Agencies shall explore partnerships with private foundations, healthcare systems, utilities, and community organizations to leverage additional resources.

(d) Implementation shall occur within available appropriations. Agencies shall utilize available federal grants and private funding to supplement state resources where feasible.

Section 21. Evaluation and Accountability

(a) The Public Health Committee and Energy and Technology Committee shall hold annual joint public hearings to review implementation progress, assess outcomes, and receive testimony from agencies, stakeholders, and community members.

(b) The State Auditors shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of program effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and health equity impacts every four years.

(c) Evaluation findings shall inform policy adjustments, resource allocation, and recommendations for statutory amendments.

(d) DPH shall maintain public transparency through the Annual Climate & Health Report, online Dashboard, and accessible data repositories.

Section 22. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect upon passage.

 

END OF Proposed MODEL BILL