Governor Ned Lamont has called the Connecticut General Assembly into special session on November 12 to consider several legislative proposals, with a focus on revitalizing Waterbury Hospital and expanding the role of UConn Health in statewide hospital operations.

A central proposal would authorize the University of Connecticut Health Center to create subsidiaries or joint ventures under the UConn Health Joint Venture Initiative. This initiative would allow UConn Health to acquire, operate, fund, or improve hospitals across Connecticut. It also enables financing for capital improvements, information technology, medical equipment, and facility maintenance, essential investments for strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

Waterbury Hospital is a priority in this effort, as state leaders aim to stabilize and modernize the facility to better serve community health needs. The legislation would also clarify that entities created through the Joint Venture Initiative would operate independently from state employment structures, allowing for more flexible and responsive personnel policies.

In addition to hospital-focused proposals, the special session will address a series of other legislative issues, including family cost relief, housing development, redistricting processes, children’s behavioral health coordination, firefighter cancer benefits, and law enforcement procedures on courthouse grounds.

Connecticut lawmakers are expected to convene Wednesday morning at the Capitol to begin deliberations.