SB 80 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE BURNING OF MEDICAL WASTE.

SB 80 requires all facilities incinerating hospital, medical, or infectious waste (treated or untreated) to obtain a Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) permit meeting or exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. This directly affects hospitals, medical facilities, and waste incinerators that burn such waste, including those previously exempt under federal rules. Key provisions mandate continuous monitoring for mercury and hydrochloric acid, monthly sampling for dioxins and furans, and public posting of all monitoring data within 180 days of the bill’s effective date. The bill enforces stricter emissions controls than prior federal exemptions and applies to all applicable facilities statewide.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Apr 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces new restrictions on medical waste incineration by requiring facilities to obtain permits from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and meet specific EPA emission standards. It also mandates continuous emissions monitoring for mercury and hydrochloric acid, with public posting of data. The bill clarifies definitions for medical waste types and establishes effective dates for these new requirements.

Scope change

The bill applies to all facilities in the state that combust treated or untreated hospital, medical, or infectious waste, expanding regulatory oversight to previously unregulated incineration activities.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement that no person may incinerate medical waste without a permit from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that meets or exceeds EPA emission standards as of January 1, 2025.

Mandates continuous emissions monitoring for mercury and hydrochloric acid, plus monthly sampling for dioxins and furans, with all data posted publicly on an internet website.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'hospital waste', 'medical/infectious waste', 'hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator', and 'treated' waste to clarify regulatory scope.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes enforcement authority for the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to adopt regulations under chapter 54 of the general statutes.

TIMELINE

Sets effective date from passage for new section 1, with section 2 requiring compliance within 180 days of the effective date.

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Committee

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

upper

0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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