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SB 235 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING DRIVER EDUCATION AND STUDENT SAFETY.

SB 235 requires drivers' schools to allow students to choose their instructor's gender for behind-the-wheel training (unless only one gender is available), mandates vehicles used for instruction to have GPS tracking and audio/video monitoring systems by 2027, and adds specific safety topics to driver education curricula. These topics include highway work zone safety, avoiding wrong-way driving, and how to safely respond to traffic stops. The bill affects all students enrolled in driver education programs, drivers' schools offering behind-the-wheel instruction, and secondary schools contracting with licensed drivers' schools. It also updates licensing rules for instructors and requires new safety-focused classroom instruction content.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds safety topics to driver education curriculum and mandates vehicle safety tech, enhancing educational content for student safety.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by mandating safety curricula (highway work zones, traffic stops) and safety tech (GPS/monitoring) in driver education, directly advancing road safety standards.90% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → TRA Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to clarify that students can request an instructor of a specific gender and must be allowed to reschedule without extra fees if that request cannot be met immediately. It also updated the deadline for posting safety information on websites from October 2027 to January 2027 and refined the list of required safety measures to include specific details about vehicle inspections and monitoring systems.
Scope change
The scope of the gender selection provision was broadened to ensure students are not penalized if their specific instructor request cannot be fulfilled at the time of enrollment.
REQUIREMENT

Changed the student gender selection rule to allow rescheduling without additional fees if the requested instructor is unavailable, rather than just permitting the choice.

Expanded the required safety measures posted on websites to explicitly list annual vehicle inspections and clarify the use of GPS and audio/video monitoring systems.

TIMELINE

Advanced the deadline for drivers' schools to post safety information on their websites from October 1, 2027, to January 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted the effective date for the repeal of Section 14-78 from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2026 (no change in date, but context updated) and clarified the legislative intent in the commissioners' statement.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Transportation
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.