(a) Not later than October 1, 2016, the Office of Policy and Management shall issue a request for information from nonprofit entities concerning the ability of such entities to serve as the Connecticut protection and advocacy system to provide advocacy services, including, but not limited to, a client assistance program for people with disabilities, which system shall be in compliance with all federal laws setting forth protection and advocacy system requirements, including, but not limited to, 42 USC 15041 to 15045, inclusive, as amended from time to time, and all federal laws setting forth client assistance program requirements, including, but not limited to, 29 USC 732, as amended from time to time.

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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-212 to 4-219, inclusive, subdivision (21) of section 4e-1, and chapter 62a, not later than July 1, 2017, the Governor shall designate a nonprofit entity to serve as the Connecticut protection and advocacy system.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4e-16 and chapter 62a, prior to its abolishment under section 46a-10c on July 1, 2017, the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, with the approval of the Office of Policy and Management, may contract with one or more nonstate entities to perform any functions that said office is permitted or required to perform, except those relating to investigations conducted pursuant to sections 46a-11a to 46a-11f, inclusive.

(d) Nothing in chapter 10 shall prohibit any member of the Board of Advocacy and Protection for Persons with Disabilities or any employee of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities from serving on the board of the Connecticut protection and advocacy system or working as an employee of such system, provided no state employee is employed by such system while employed by the state.

(e) The nonprofit entity designated by the Governor in accordance with this section to serve as the Connecticut protection and advocacy system shall report to the Governor not later than July 1, 2018, and thereafter annually on or before January first, and at any other time upon request of the Governor, concerning the status of services for persons with disabilities, the operation of the nonprofit entity and administrative and legislative recommendations concerning the protection of the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities living in Connecticut.