Stamford Senior AdvisorWhat rights do assisted living residents have in Connecticut?
Connecticut's managed residential community bill of rights (CGS 19a-697) guarantees residents a clean, safe private unit, respectful and private treatment, their own property and finances, the right to treat the unit as home, to bring in licensed health care professionals, to refuse care, to complain without reprisal and to reach the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
The MRC must post the bill of rights, including contacts for reporting abuse, and explain it to each resident when the residency agreement is signed. Residents are also entitled to a copy of the community's rules, the service coordinator's name, an explanation of the community's relationships with agencies and health care providers, and privacy during treatment. Public Act 26-72 added state tenant protections to the list.
How much notice must a Connecticut assisted living community give before raising fees?
An assisted living services agency must give at least 60 days' notice of a fee increase, and a managed residential community at least 90 days' notice before raising monthly or recurring fees.
- ALSAs must give at least 60 days' notice of a fee increase (CGS 19a-564)
- MRCs must give 90 days' notice before raising monthly or recurring fees (CGS 19a-694)
- Residency agreements signed on or after October 1, 2024 must explain how recurring fees can change and disclose every nonrefundable fee (CGS 19a-700)
- From October 1, 2026, an ALSA fee increase above 10% requires an informational hearing at least 30 days before it takes effect (PA 26-74)
An ALSA can adjust charges sooner when a resident's condition changes the services needed, which is why care-level increases often arrive after a reassessment. Ask for the reassessment that justified any new charge.
What changed for assisted living fees in 2024 and 2026?
Residency agreements signed on or after October 1, 2024 must explain how recurring fees can change and disclose every nonrefundable fee, and from October 1, 2026 an ALSA that raises fees by more than 10% must hold an informational hearing for residents at least 30 days before the increase takes effect (PA 26-74).
For a family comparing Fairfield County communities this autumn, the 2026 rule is worth knowing: ask whether any increase above 10% has been announced, and whether a hearing is scheduled. Ask too about community fees, entrance fees or move-in fees, which must be listed as nonrefundable if they are.
What should we do if a fee or discharge notice seems wrong?
Ask for the reason in writing, compare it with the residency and service agreements, and call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-866-388-1888, who can help a resident challenge it; for questions of contract law, an elder law attorney is the right next call.
Keep every notice with its date. A notice that does not meet the 60- or 90-day requirement, or an increase above 10% from October 2026 without a hearing, is something to raise with the ombudsman and DPH.
At a glance
| Connecticut law gives residents | Connecticut law does not give residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Notice | 60 days (ALSA) and 90 days (MRC) before increases | A cap on how much fees can rise |
| Disclosure | Written fee-change terms and nonrefundable fees (2024) | A standard price list across communities |
| Voice | A hearing for ALSA increases above 10% (October 2026) | A vote on the increase |
Sources include the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (19-13-D105 and related sections), the Connecticut General Statutes as summarized by the Office of Legislative Research, DPH, DSS and Aging and Disability Services pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
