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Connecticut

Connecticut’s Opioid Settlements

This Community Guide will describe how Connecticut is spending its opioid settlements and whether Connecticut is working to ensure community access to opioid settlement funds. Last revised September 1, 2024.

Total Funds

$551.62 million[1]

[1] Total is rounded. See The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally. Accessed September 1, 2024.

Allocation

85% to the Opioid Settlement Fund and 15% to local governments

Mechanism

Legislation (Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 17a-673c, 17a-674b to 17a-674g); Committee Bylaws (Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Bylaws)

Ultimate Decisionmaker

Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee

Local officials for municipalities

Decision-making Process

The Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) consults recommendations from several stakeholders and subcommittees to decide expenditures. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHA) disburses funds approved by OSAC.

Localities decide autonomously but must report uses to the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.

Supplantation

Prohibited

Not prohibited

Grant Funding

Up to each locality (availability and processes will vary)

Public Input

Yes (public participation at OSAC meetings required)

Up to each locality (not required)

Advisory Body

Yes (required). See the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC).

The Committee is not necessarily required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience. State law requires the OSAC to include "three individuals with experience living with a substance use disorder or family members of an individual with experience living with a substance use disorder" (emphasis added).

Up to each locality (not required)

Expenditures

Public reporting required. State share expenditures must be reported annually and will likely posted on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

Public reporting required. View annual municipal settlement proceeds reports on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

Updates

For updates on the Opioid Settlement Fund share, visit the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county commission, city council or local health department. Municipalities’ payments and expenditures are published on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

Decision Making

Here are the entities that ultimately decide how each of Connecticut’s opioid settlement shares are spent:

85% Opioid Settlement Fund share: Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
15% local share: local officials for municipalities

85% Opioid Settlement Fund Share

The Opioid Settlement Fund holds 85% of Connecticut’s opioid settlement funds.[1]

With limited exceptions,[2] this share must be spent on abatement uses consistent with the national settlement agreement’s (non-exhaustive) , which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.[3]

Subcommittees and stakeholders recommend, Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) decides, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services administers and oversees. The ,[4] which ultimately decides specific expenditures for this share,[5] consults recommendations from — including Yale’s Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative[6] — before approving allocations of the Opioid Settlement Fund.[7] The (DMHA) then disburses funds and oversees their uses.[8]

Yes, supplantation is prohibited. State law explicitly states that the Opioid Settlement Fund’s expenditures “shall be supplemental to, and shall not supplant or take the place of, any other funds … that would otherwise have been expended for such purposes.”[9] Connecticut goes a step further by requiring the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to submit a letter each year to the verifying that funds appropriated from the Opioid Settlement Fund in that fiscal year’s budget for “substance use disorder abatement infrastructure, programs, services, supports, and resources for prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction” are not less than the funds appropriated and allocated from the previous fiscal year’s budget for those purposes.[10]

15% Local Share

Where do these monies live?

Connecticut’s 15% local share is distributed directly to its municipalities.[1]

This share must be spent on abatement uses described in the national settlement agreements’ (non-exhaustive) Exhibit E, which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.[2]

Localities decide autonomously (but must report expenditures to Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee). Decisionmakers for the municipalities will ultimately decide for themselves how to spend their monies on Exhibit E uses.[3] See, e.g., New Haven (reporting city’s uses of direct shares on grants to community health centers), New London (reporting on mayor’s intent to ask city’s council to establish a dedicated fund).

No, supplantation is not prohibited. Connecticut does not explicitly prohibit supplantation uses of opioid settlement funds from its municipalities share. This means that local governments’ opioid settlement funds may be spent in ways that replace (or “supplant”) — rather than supplement — existing resources.

Yes (public reporting required). View annual municipal settlement proceeds reports on the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s (OSAC) . Municipalities that directly receive settlement funds must submit an annual expenditure report to the OSAC,[4] and the must publish these reports on its website.[5]

Visit OpioidSettlementTracker.com’s for an updated collection of states’ and localities’ available expenditure reports.

Not applicable.

Office of the Attorney General of Connecticut. August 3, 2021 (“The proceeds of the settlement will be distributed as follows: 85% will be distributed to the state and 15% to municipalities who sign on to the settlement agreements. (The 85% distributed to the state consists of 70% for prospective abatement efforts only, and the remaining 15% is intended for abatement generally)”). ↑
Cara Passaro, Chief Counsel to the Attorney General and Director of Legislative Affairs. July 21, 2021 (“How are the funds to be used by municipalities? Funds are to be used exclusively for opioid abatement purposes, including, but not limited to, expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery options”). See also Distributor Settlement Agreement, Sec. (“Exhibit E provides a non-exhaustive list of expenditures that qualify as being paid for Opioid Remediation. Qualifying expenditures may include reasonable related administrative expenses”). ↑

Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

85% Opioid Settlement Fund share: Yes (required). State law requires the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) to ensure “robust public involvement, accountability and transparency” when allocating and accounting for the Opioid Settlement Fund share,[1] and its bylaws requires the OSAC to “allow participation of members of the public in Committee meetings during designated public participation portion of the meeting.”[2] OSAC’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Public Participation Guidelines describe how individuals or organizations can request a public presentation, offer comments, or submit written materials.[3]
- In Fall 2023, OSAC received public input through an online portal that was open for just thirty (30) days,[4] during which it received 132 recommendations for funding priorities.[5]
- Members of the public also had the chance to weigh in with feedback on draft recommendations from the Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative, which held a public review period for its submitted to OSAC in March 2024.[6]
15% municipalities’ share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on spending their share of settlement funds. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, Torrington’s mayor has announced that the city has “opted to use the city council and a public hearing process to determine how to spend the funds,”[7] and Bristol’s mayor “encourages anyone with “innovative ideas” on how to address the issue of substance abuse prevention to attend the meeting of the Opioid Task Force.”[8] You can read municipalities’ reports of their planning processes in their required reporting to OSAC.[9]

It depends. As of September 1, 2024, the state has not established specific grant opportunities with state settlement funds, but community organizations are eligible to receive funding from the Opioid Settlement Fund via the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.[10] Local governments may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

For updates on the Opioid Settlement Fund share, visit the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s .
To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department. Municipalities’ payments and expenditures are published on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s .

Not applicable.

Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674d(a). ↑
Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Bylaws, . July 11, 2023. It is unclear whether this requirement applies to the activities of OSAC’s six subcommittees. Minutes from do not show dedicated public comment periods. ↑
. Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. July 11, 2023. ↑

Advisory Bodies

Yes. The (OSAC) was created by state law to approve allocations from the 85% Opioid Settlement Fund.[1] OSAC is responsible for “[r]ecommend[ing] and approv[ing] . . . criteria for the application, awarding, and disbursement” of this share.[2] It is also empowered to “recommend and approve goals, objectives . . . sustainability plans, and performance indicators” across three key areas:

Substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts, including “methods of engaging persons who utilize harm reduction program services in treatment and recovery.”
Reducing disparities in access to services and supports.

Additional Resources

Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative

(March 2024)

Connecticut’s Opioid Settlements

Total Funds

$551.62 million[1]

[1] Total is rounded. See The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally. Accessed September 1, 2024.

Allocation

85% to the Opioid Settlement Fund and 15% to local governments

Mechanism

Legislation (Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 17a-673c, 17a-674b to 17a-674g); Committee Bylaws (Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Bylaws)

Ultimate Decisionmaker

Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee

Local officials for municipalities

Decision-making Process

Localities decide autonomously but must report uses to the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.

Supplantation

Prohibited

Not prohibited

Grant Funding

Up to each locality (availability and processes will vary)

Public Input

Yes (public participation at OSAC meetings required)

Up to each locality (not required)

Advisory Body

Yes (required). See the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC).

Up to each locality (not required)

Expenditures

Public reporting required. State share expenditures must be reported annually and will likely posted on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

Public reporting required. View annual municipal settlement proceeds reports on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

Updates

For updates on the Opioid Settlement Fund share, visit the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s website.

15% Local Share

Where do these monies live?

Connecticut’s 15% local share is distributed directly to its municipalities.[1]

Visit OpioidSettlementTracker.com’s for an updated collection of states’ and localities’ available expenditure reports.

Not applicable.

Office of the Attorney General of Connecticut. August 3, 2021 (“The proceeds of the settlement will be distributed as follows: 85% will be distributed to the state and 15% to municipalities who sign on to the settlement agreements. (The 85% distributed to the state consists of 70% for prospective abatement efforts only, and the remaining 15% is intended for abatement generally)”). ↑
Cara Passaro, Chief Counsel to the Attorney General and Director of Legislative Affairs. July 21, 2021 (“How are the funds to be used by municipalities? Funds are to be used exclusively for opioid abatement purposes, including, but not limited to, expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery options”). See also Distributor Settlement Agreement, Sec. (“Exhibit E provides a non-exhaustive list of expenditures that qualify as being paid for Opioid Remediation. Qualifying expenditures may include reasonable related administrative expenses”). ↑

Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674c(a)-(b). See also Letter to State Legislative Leaders “Re: Opioid Distributors/Johnson & Johnson Settlement.” Office of the Attorney General of Connecticut. August 3, 2021 (“The proceeds of the settlement will be distributed as follows: 85% will be distributed to the state and 15% to municipalities who sign on to the settlement agreements. (The 85% distributed to the state consists of 70% for prospective abatement efforts only, and the remaining 15% is intended for abatement generally)”). ↑
See, e.g., Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 17a-674c(f)(8) (describing allowable administrative expenses and attorneys’ fees uses), (g)(2) (describing costs “to refund to the federal government a portion of the proceeds”). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674c(f) (“Moneys in the fund shall be spent only for the following substance use disorder abatement purposes, in accordance with the controlling judgment, consent decree or settlement, as confirmed by the Attorney General's review of such judgment, consent decree or settlement and upon the approval of the committee and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management”). Although Connecticut state law enumerates its own list of allowable abatement purposes, these are understood to function as a summary of the national settlement agreements’ “Exhibit E,” which “provides a non-exhaustive list of expenditures that qualify as being paid for Opioid Remediation. Qualifying expenditures may include reasonable related administrative expenses.” I.SS. See also Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s , which links to Exhibit E as its “List of Opioid Remediation Uses.” ↑
The Committee is co-chaired by DMHAS and a municipal representative. Bylaws Article II Sec. 3. ↑
After the state Attorney General has confirmed that the use “is in accordance with the controlling judgment, consent decree or settlement” and approval from the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674c(f). ↑
Julie Parry. . Yale School of Medicine website. April 30, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024 (“faculty and staff from the of the Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health, comprising the Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative, recently released outlining evidence-based funding priorities to advise the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) on distribution of opioid settlement funds”). See also . Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. July 11, 2023. Accessed August 12, 2024 (describing CORE report as just one type of stakeholder input). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674d(f)(1)-(3). More specifically, the OSAC’s Referral Subcommittee summarizes input from stakeholders and reviews recommendations with the Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council (ADPC). The ADPC submits prioritized recommendations to the OSAC’s Research/Data Subcommittee, who determines if the recommendation is an evidence-based or promising practice, and if evaluation is needed. If the recommendation is an evidence-based or promising practice, the OSAC Finance/Compliance Subcommittee determines whether the recommendation is an allowable use. If so, the recommendation is reported to the full OSAC, who votes on the recommendation. If approved by the OSAC, the recommendation goes to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for approval. After approval from both OSAC and OPM, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services contracts with the provider (the state attorney general’s office reviews contract language). See . Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. July 11, 2023. Accessed August 12, 2024. See also Andrew Brown. . CT Mirror. May 14, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024 (“Any proposal for how the money should be used has to go through a multi-step process before it can be approved by the full advisory committee. And even then, the committee has shown reluctance to dole out the money too quickly”). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674c(g)(5) (“fund disbursements shall be made by the commissioner upon approval of the committee. The commissioner shall not make or refuse to make any disbursement allowable under this subsection without the approval of the committee. The commissioner shall adhere to the committee’s decisions regarding disbursement of moneys from the fund, provided such disbursement is a permissible expenditure under this section. The commissioner’s role in the distribution of moneys after the distribution has been approved by the committee and after the review and approval required under subsection (f) of this section shall be ministerial and shall not be discretionary”). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-674c(g)(6) (“Moneys expended from the fund … shall be supplemental to, and shall not supplant or take the place of, any other funds, including, but not limited to, insurance benefits or local, state or federal funding, that would otherwise have been expended for such purposes”). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674c(g)(6). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674f(a). ↑
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674f(b). ↑

Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

85% Opioid Settlement Fund share: Yes (required). State law requires the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC) to ensure “robust public involvement, accountability and transparency” when allocating and accounting for the Opioid Settlement Fund share,[1] and its bylaws requires the OSAC to “allow participation of members of the public in Committee meetings during designated public participation portion of the meeting.”[2] OSAC’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Public Participation Guidelines describe how individuals or organizations can request a public presentation, offer comments, or submit written materials.[3]
- In Fall 2023, OSAC received public input through an online portal that was open for just thirty (30) days,[4] during which it received 132 recommendations for funding priorities.[5]
- Members of the public also had the chance to weigh in with feedback on draft recommendations from the Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative, which held a public review period for its submitted to OSAC in March 2024.[6]
15% municipalities’ share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on spending their share of settlement funds. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, Torrington’s mayor has announced that the city has “opted to use the city council and a public hearing process to determine how to spend the funds,”[7] and Bristol’s mayor “encourages anyone with “innovative ideas” on how to address the issue of substance abuse prevention to attend the meeting of the Opioid Task Force.”[8] You can read municipalities’ reports of their planning processes in their required reporting to OSAC.[9]

For updates on the Opioid Settlement Fund share, visit the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s .
To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department. Municipalities’ payments and expenditures are published on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s .

Not applicable.

Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 17a-674d(a). ↑
Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee Bylaws, . July 11, 2023. It is unclear whether this requirement applies to the activities of OSAC’s six subcommittees. Minutes from do not show dedicated public comment periods. ↑
. Connecticut State Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. July 11, 2023. ↑

Connecticut

Connecticut’s Opioid Settlements

Total Funds

Allocation

Mechanism

85% Opioid Settlement Fund Share

15% Local Share

Decision Making

85% Opioid Settlement Fund Share

15% Local Share

Where do these monies live?

What can this share be spent on?

Who ultimately decides how to spend this share (and how)?

Are supplantation uses prohibited for this share?

Can I see how this share has been spent?

Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

Advisory Bodies

Additional Resources

Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative

Decision Making

Connecticut’s Opioid Settlements

Total Funds

Allocation

Mechanism

85% Opioid Settlement Fund Share

15% Local Share

15% Local Share

Where do these monies live?

What can this share be spent on?

Who ultimately decides how to spend this share (and how)?

Are supplantation uses prohibited for this share?

Can I see how this share has been spent?

What else should I know?

Citations

Additional Resources

Connecticut Opioid REsponse (CORE) Initiative

85% Opioid Settlement Fund Share

Where do these monies live?

What can this share be spent on?

Who ultimately decides how to spend this share (and how)?

Are supplantation uses prohibited for this share?

Can I see how this share has been spent?

What else should I know?

Citations

Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

Advisory Bodies

Can I apply for grants?

Where do I go for updates?

What else should I know?

Citations

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Is the state advisory body required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?

Are local governments required to establish a settlement advisory body? If so, are local advisory bodies required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

What else should I know?

Citations