Connecticut
A residential care home is a community residence that provides food and shelter to two or more people unrelated to the proprietor, plus services beyond basic food, shelter and laundry. It must be licensed by DPH. RCHs follow a social model of care: they provide personal care that does not require licensed nursing skills and may serve residents receiving home and community-based services. Recent changes (2022-2025) added involuntary discharge protections, including written notice, a discharge plan on a Commissioner-approved form, and electronic notice to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
License categories
Residential care home (rest home)Assisted living services agency (in managed residential communities)
Key laws
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-490 et seq. (Chapter 368v)
Health Care Institutions (licensing; definition of residential care home) — official text
Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 19-13-D6
Homes for the aged and rest homes (residential care homes) — official text
Key requirements
- Minimum staffing: one attendant on duty per 25 residents (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and one attendant in residence per 25 residents overnight
- Unlicensed staff may administer medications only after completing approved training and passing written and practical exams
- Documented staff orientation on safety, emergency procedures, policies and resident rights
- DPH inspects RCHs every three years
Sources
- https://portal.ct.gov/dph/facility-licensing--investigations/facility-licensing--investigations-section-flis/residential-care-homes
- https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_368v.htm
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-19-13-D6
- https://portal.ct.gov/dph/facility-licensing--investigations/facility-licensing--investigations-section-flis/flis-complaint-submission