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DDS asks legislature for technical fixes to mortality-review law and updates to housing loan program

Connecticut Public Health Committee · February 24, 2026

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Summary

Jordan Sheff, commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, summarized HB 5239, clarifying the department’s mortality/fatality review responsibilities, and HB 5240, which would modernize loan caps and allow rent subsidies to landlords through the DDS revolving loan fund. DDS officials said the loan fund is self-sustaining and intended to help nonprofit providers acquire and renovate group homes.

Jordan Sheff, Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, summarized two departmental bills for the committee. On HB 5239, he said the bill removes an outdated executive-order reference, clarifies that the department’s mortality review board is the statutory vehicle for reviews, and eliminates duplicative board requirements.

On HB 5240, Sheff described revisions to DDS’s housing loan statutes that would update loan caps and permit the department to provide rent subsidies directly to landlords. The changes are intended to reflect current construction and material costs and to allow providers to access sufficient financing to purchase, renovate, or repair licensed group homes. "Providers will be able to access the DDS revolving loan funds to develop or improve residential options for the individuals we serve," Sheff said.

Nicholas Dror, DDS chief financial officer, explained the revolving loan fund's financing history and sustainability: seed funding was provided decades ago and the fund now recycles revenue from loan repayments. "All of the funding that we pay out for the loans is actually self sustaining funding from the revenue of the loans," Dror said, adding the proposed updates would allow DDS to support more providers without threatening sustainability.

Committee members asked about transparency and municipal or federal funding links. Sheff said the fund is outside Medicaid billing and providers sometimes leverage other housing programs or grants; DDS promised to provide statutory language details and to answer follow-ups about transparency and implementation.