HB 5485 Supported Decision-Making Recognition Act

Elements of the Bill

March 2026


The Connecticut Supported Decision-Making (SDM) Coalition is proposing legislation that would require recognition of Supported Decision-Making Agreements by various organizations and entities. The concept of SDM has been legislated in 30 states across the United States, allowing people who are older or who have disabilities maintain their civil rights, make their own choices and benefit from enhanced self-determination.

Proposed Elements of the Legislation:

  • Definitions of Supported Decision Making, Supporter, Principal, and Supported Decision-Making Agreement.

  • Requirement that SDM Agreements be honored by businesses, governments, organizations, medical providers, educational institutions and any entity with whom the person with the disability interacts to obtain goods and services.

  • SDM Agreement formalizes the relationship between the person with the disability and their supporters but do not make it too difficult to create such an Agreement. Elements of the SDM Agreement would include:

    • Be in Writing, Dated, and signed by Principal and all Supporters in front of 2 witnesses.

    • List the types of decisions where the supporter is authorized to assist.

    • Allow the principal or a supporter to sever the support relationship without canceling the entire agreement.

  • Provide information about the authority of the Supporter, keeping in mind that the principal is the decision-maker and directs how the supporter will provide the support.

    • What the supporter is authorized to do.

    • What the supporter is prohibited from doing.

    • Confidentiality of the information obtained by the supporter.

  • Acceptance and reliance on SDM Agreement.

    • Provide assurances that any party that accepts an SDM Agreement can rely on the signatures being genuine unless they have actual knowledge otherwise.

    • Any party that accepts an SDM Agreement may rely on the validity of the agreement unless they have actual knowledge otherwise.

    • Any person giving effect to a declaration contained within a supported decision-making agreement or for following the direction of a supporter named in the supported decision-making agreement shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct.

• SDM Program – Provide an allocation to the Supported Decision-Making Coalition through its sponsor organization, the State Independent Living Council, for an SDM program that could provide information on developing an SDM agreement, assistance with forming, executing and terminating SDM agreements, and resources for a decision-maker who believes a supporter is acting outside the scope of an SDM agreement.

Read the proposed bill here

YOU CAN HELP gather co-sponsors for Supported Decision-Making Bill.  HB 5485, An Act Concerning Supported Decision-Making will be voted on by the Human Services Committee next week and we want to add as many co-sponsors as possible. 

What you can do:

  1. Call or write to your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to support HB 5485, An Act Concerning Supported Decision-Making. 

  2. The script below gives the basics for the call or written request.  You can use it as is or add your own anecdote/information.  

  3. Here is how to locate your state representative and senator.  https://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp  Complete the requested information and the information for your representatives and senators will appear.  Please remember that this will be going to the state representative and senator. 

  4. If you send something in writing, consider following up with a call. – Not necessary but sometimes effective.  

  5. Get your friends, relatives and others to contact their legislators!!

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Sample script:

I am calling (or writing) to ask you to co-sponsor HB 5485, An Act Concerning Supported Decision-Making (SDM).  The Bill would require that SDM Agreements be honored by businesses, governments, organizations, medical providers, educational institutions, and any entity with whom the person with the disability interacts to obtain goods and services.  

Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to guardianship or conservatorship that allows an older person or a person with a disability to remain the decision maker with the support of trusted friends, family, professionals, and others. It does not eliminate guardianship or conservatorship but adds another option for people with disabilities and older adults who can make their own decisions with support. 

The Human Services Committee held a hearing on March 10, 2026.  Twenty-nine (29) people personally testified in favor of the Bill and 55 people submitted written testimony.  This bill is important as another tool to assist people with disabilities and older adults to maintain independence and self-determination.

Again, I am asking you to please co-sponsor HB5485, An Act Concerning Supported Decision-Making.  A copy of the Bill is attached.

Thank you.