HB 5291 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS STATUTES RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HB 5291 requires municipal fire departments to notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESP) within 10 business days of appointing a new or interim fire chief, providing specific contact details like name, address, and phone numbers on a form prescribed by DESP. The bill also updates evidence rules for chemical tests in DUI and related criminal cases, mandating that test results be admissible only if the defendant had a chance to contact a lawyer before testing, results were delivered within 24 hours, approved equipment was used, and a second test was performed within 10 minutes. These changes directly affect fire departments that must report appointments and law enforcement/courts handling such prosecutions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PS Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renamed from the 'Raised Bill' to the 'Substitute Bill' and approved by the committee, indicating it has moved forward in the legislative process. The text includes new requirements for appointment forms to include contact details like email and mobile numbers, and clarifies rules for admitting drug test results in court if the initial test was delayed.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public safety procedures, but the procedural requirements for personnel appointments and the admissibility of chemical test evidence have been expanded.

REQUIREMENT

Appointment forms must now include specific contact information such as mailing address, email, mobile number, and dispatch contact number.

Added specific criteria for blood tests, requiring them to be performed by licensed medical personnel or qualified technicians.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the rules for admitting drug test results in court, clarifying that results are admissible even if an additional test was not performed within a reasonable time, provided the original test was started within two hours of operation.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House Apr 28, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (36-0)

senate

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors