Stamford Senior AdvisorBy Stamford Senior Advisor Care Team · October 21, 2026
From October 1, 2026, a Connecticut assisted living services agency that raises fees by more than 10% must hold an informational hearing for residents at least 30 days before the increase (PA 26-74), and agencies must train staff each year on residents' fear of retaliation (PA 26-44). The 60- and 90-day notice rules still apply.
What changed
The 2026 legislative session produced several assisted living changes. Public Act 26-74 amended CGS 19a-564 so that, starting October 1, 2026, an ALSA fee increase of more than 10% requires an informational hearing for residents at least 30 days before it takes effect. Public Act 26-44 requires ALSAs to provide annual in-service training on residents' fear of retaliation, including examples of retaliatory conduct and residents' rights to complain. Public Act 26-72 added state tenant protections to the managed residential community bill of rights, and Public Act 26-13 asked DPH to study whether MRCs should be licensed, with a report due February 1, 2027.
The notice rules that already existed
| Rule | Applies to | Since |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days' notice of a fee increase | Assisted living services agency | Existing law (CGS 19a-564) |
| 90 days' notice of a recurring-fee increase | Managed residential community | Existing law (CGS 19a-694) |
| Written fee-change terms and nonrefundable fees in the agreement | Residency agreements signed on or after the date | October 1, 2024 (CGS 19a-700) |
| Informational hearing for increases above 10% | Assisted living services agency | October 1, 2026 (PA 26-74) |
| Annual retaliation-awareness training | Assisted living services agency staff | October 1, 2026 (PA 26-44) |
An ALSA may still adjust charges sooner when a resident's condition changes the services needed, so care-level increases after a reassessment are not covered by the hearing rule in the same way as a general rate increase.
What a hearing should cover
The law calls for an informational hearing, not a vote. Residents and families should come with questions: what costs drove the increase, how it compares with the past three years, whether it applies equally to all care levels, and whether any residents can get hardship consideration. Ask for the explanation in writing afterward.
Why the retaliation training matters
Residents often hesitate to complain because they depend on the staff they would be complaining about. Connecticut's bill of rights already guarantees the right to present grievances without reprisal. The new training is meant to make staff recognize subtle retaliation, such as slower responses or changed routines, and to make it easier for residents to speak up. If a resident believes a complaint led to worse treatment, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (1-866-388-1888) and DPH should hear about it.
How fee increases usually arrive
Most residents see two kinds of increases. The first is an annual rate change, announced by notice to everyone. The second is a care-level change after the ALSA nurse reassesses a resident, which happens at least every 120 days and whenever needs change. The notice rules and the new hearing rule apply most clearly to the first kind. For the second, ask to see the reassessment that justified the change and compare it with the service agreement's care-level definitions.
Keeping a paper trail
Keep every notice, letter and invoice with the date it arrived. Note who you spoke to and what they said. If a disagreement develops, the ombudsman and DPH can act faster with a clear record. For contract questions that go beyond residents' rights, an elder law attorney can review the agreements.
What has not changed
Connecticut still does not license the managed residential community itself, still sets no staff-to-resident ratio for assisted living or memory care, and still does not publish ALSA inspection reports online. The 2026 laws improve notice, voice and training, but the core of a family's due diligence is the same: verify the ALSA license, read both agreements, ask for the latest inspection letter, and ask about overnight staffing. The DPH working group created by PA 26-13 may change the picture after its February 2027 report.
What to do this autumn
If you are comparing Fairfield County communities now, ask each whether a rate increase for 2027 has been announced and whether it exceeds 10%. If your parent already lives in assisted living, watch for notices and keep them with their dates. A notice that falls short of 60 or 90 days, or a large increase without a hearing after October 1, is something to raise with the ombudsman.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 10% rule cap increases?
No. It requires a hearing for increases above 10%; it does not limit the size of an increase.
Does the hearing rule apply to the MRC's rent?
PA 26-74 amended the ALSA provision; MRC rent increases still require 90 days' notice.
Will MRCs be licensed?
Not yet. PA 26-13 created a DPH working group to report by February 1, 2027.
Where can I read the summary of these laws?
The Office of Legislative Research's 2026 report on assisted living regulation (2026-R-0069) summarizes them.
Do the new rules apply to residential care homes or nursing homes?
No. PA 26-74 and PA 26-44 amend the assisted living services agency statute; nursing homes and residential care homes have their own rules.
Can a resident bring a family member to the hearing?
The law describes an informational hearing for residents; ask the community whether family members and representatives may attend, and request the materials in writing.
What if an increase is announced without enough notice?
Point out the 60- or 90-day requirement to the community in writing, and contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-866-388-1888 if it is not corrected.
