§ 19a-910 — Development of communication aid for use during emergencies. Maintenance of communication aid in vehicle.

(a) As used in this section: (1) “Emergency medical services personnel” has the same meaning as provided in section 20-206jj ; (2) “Firefighter” means a uniformed member of a paid or volunteer fire department; and (3) “Police officer” has the same meaning as provided in section 46b-15 . (b) The University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities shall develop a communication aid for use by emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, police officers, active members of ambulance services licensed or certified in accordance with section 19a-180 , emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel and mental health crisis intervention services personnel. Such communication aid shall describe techniques for serving and interacting with juveniles and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment and nonverbal learning disorder and contain communication aids for use during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered or impossible. Not later than December 1, 2019, the center shall publish such communication aid on its Internet web site. (c) On and after January 1, 2020, each emergency medical services personnel, firefighter, police officer, active member of an ambulance service licensed or certified in accordance with section 19a-180 , emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel and mental health crisis intervention services personnel shall maintain a paper or electronic copy of the communication aid developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in any vehicle used by such personnel, officer or member in the course of his or her duties.

Legislative History

(P.A. 19-147, S. 4.) History: P.A. 19-147 effective July 1, 2019.