Connecticut Public Act 26-50: the complete guide to the new homemaker-companion training requirements

Connecticut Public Act No. 26-50 — "An Act Requiring Training for Homemaker-Companion Agency Employees," which began as House Bill 5143 — was signed by Governor Lamont on May 20, 2026. It establishes the first mandatory training requirement for the roughly 1,100 registered homemaker-companion agencies in Connecticut. Here's what the law actually says, what it requires of agencies and registries, and the deadlines that matter — in plain English, with citations to the statute.

Who must comply?

Every homemaker-companion agency registered in Connecticut, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-670. Registries are covered too: under §1(d) of the act, a registry must verify that each individual it places has completed the required training before the placement.

Who is exempt: registered nurse's aides (CNAs), home health aides, personal care attendants (as defined in § 17b-706), and agency employees who don't provide homemaker or companion services. §1(a)(3)

How many hours of training does the law require?

Initial training — 8 paid hours, within 90 days of hire

Every new employee must receive not less than eight paid hours of initial training within ninety days of starting. Initial training must cover, at minimum: maintaining a clean and safe environment (including best practices for dressing, bathing, and toileting assistance), identification and reporting of abuse and neglect, and identification and reporting of changes in a client's condition — plus non-medical dementia care if the employee will serve clients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. §1(a)(1)(A)

Annual continuing education

Every employee must receive annual continuing education drawn from the state's approved program list. §1(a)(1)(B)

The two-year rule

Each agency must ensure every employee completes every program on the approved list at least once every two calendar years. §1(b)

What topics does the training cover?

Under §1(b), the approved training programs cover seven topics:

1. Communication
2. Maintenance of a clean and safe environment — including best practices relating to dressing, bathing, and toileting assistance
3. Identification and reporting of abuse and neglect
4. Identification and reporting of changes in a client's condition and service needs
5. Differentiation between medical and non-medical care
6. Providing non-medical services to a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia
7. Any other topic the Commissioner of Consumer Protection designates

Where does the approved program list come from?

Training must come from a list of approved programs developed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection (in consultation with the Departments of Public Health, Social Services, Developmental Services, and Mental Health and Addiction Services). The law requires this list to be developed by October 1, 2026 and published on the DCP website. §1(b)

Does training transfer between agencies?

What documentation and attestation are required?

• Per-completion attestation: on completing training, the agency and the employee complete a form (in a format prescribed by DCP) attesting to completion — including names, programs completed, dates, and both signatures. §1(c)
• Recordkeeping: each agency must maintain a list of the training programs it uses (including content summaries) and keep copies of all completion forms for current employees. §1(e)
• Annual attestation to the state: beginning January 1, 2027, and annually after, each agency must submit an attestation to DCP agreeing to adhere to the training requirements. §1(e)

What can agencies say in advertising?

The act also updates advertising rules (§2): agencies may advertise that they comply with state training requirements, and may describe dementia-trained staff if they detail the training type and hours. Agencies remain barred from advertising that suggests medical or healthcare services — homemaker-companion care is non-medical by definition.

Separately, if your agency's name or advertising uses the word "care," the law requires the statement "(Agency name) solely provides nonmedical care." to be prominently displayed at the top of your advertising — including every page of your website, social media posts, and print or audio-visual ads.

Key dates

What should agencies do now?

1. Count your covered employees (non-exempt caregivers) and map who will need initial vs. continuing training.
2. Watch DCP's homemaker-companion agency page for the approved program list this fall.
3. Plan for the documentation burden — completion forms, content summaries, and the annual attestation.
4. Budget for training as a recurring annual cost, not a one-time expense.

This guide summarizes Public Act 26-50 for general information. It isn't legal advice — consult the statute text or an attorney for your agency's specific situation.