New Order Allows Graduates To Work Now In Health Care In CT

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont signed another executive order that allows recent medical school and other medical profession graduates to begin practicing now.

"During this emergency Connecticut needs every bit of assistance we can get. Thank you to every health care worker for the jobs you are doing," Lamont said.

Here are the details per the governor's executive order:

Temporary permits for certain health-care providers extended and fees waived:

"Waives the application fees for temporary permits for each of the health care professions that are administered by the Department of Public Health. It also extends the duration of the temporary permits for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless otherwise modified."

Practice before licensure for certain health care profession applicants and graduates:

"Allows recent medical school and other medical profession graduates who are not yet licensed to participate in the state’s COVID-19 response for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency. This is necessary during the emergency period because the ability to take the required exams or other steps to receive a license have been suspended."

Practice before licensure for marital and family therapy associates:

"Allows those who have recently completed an accredited graduate degree program in marital and family therapy offered by a postgraduate clinical training program to practice without a license for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency."

Practice before licensure for professional counselor associates:

"Allows recent graduates with a degree in clinical mental health counseling who are not yet licensed to practice as a professional counselor associate without obtaining a license for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency."

Protection from civil liability for actions or omissions in support of the state’s COVID-19 response:

"Replaces the section of Executive Order No. 7U concerning protection from civil liability for actions or omissions in support of the state’s COVID-19 response with new language, which adds protection from liability for common law claims – in addition to the previously enacted protection from liability for statutory claims – for healthcare workers and providers."