Matt Lesser

Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Legislation Requiring Air Conditioning in Nursing Homes

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, led passage of SB 989 requiring nursing homes provide air conditioning in patient rooms.

“It is simply unacceptable that many vulnerable, aging residents in nursing homes do not have access to adequate temperature control in their rooms,” said Sen. Lesser. “These residents are oftentimes already dealing with aches and ailments and various health issues, excessive heat can create uncomfortable conditions at best and at worst, exacerbate existing health concerns. I am pleased to partner with AARP and the Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman to improve conditions across the state – this legislation is long overdue.”

The legislation will require that each nursing home provides an air conditioner in every patient room by no later than January 1, 2026. The legislation also establishes a loan account within the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority to provide financial assistance to an owner of a nursing home facility for costs incurred to install the air conditioning systems.