Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 7077: AN ACT CONCERNING CRISIS RESPONSE DRILLS.

HB 7077 requires Connecticut public schools to replace one quarterly fire drill with a standardized crisis response drill starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates the state Department of Emergency Services to develop a clear definition, standardized terminology, trauma-informed response protocols, and an evaluation template for these drills by April 2026. It specifically prohibits active shooter simulations with sensory elements (like fake weapons or blood) during student drills, requires age-appropriate pre-drill education, advance parent notification in their native language, and ensures accommodations for students with disabilities. The law also requires schools to prioritize psychological safety through mental health professional involvement and post-drill debriefings.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 7169: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE INCORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT'S CULTURAL RESOURCES WITH PROJECT-BASED LEARNING.

HB 7169 establishes a working group to study how Connecticut's cultural resources (like museums, arts programs, and historical sites) can be integrated into project-based learning for K-8 students. The group will examine which resources align with curriculum standards, how to develop lesson plans, associated costs for schools, and potential state funding options. Composed of education, arts, and cultural representatives, the group must submit a report by January 2026. This bill does not implement changes but studies potential integration, with no expected fiscal impact to state or local governments.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 7075: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF ISLAMIC AND ARAB STUDIES CURRICULUM MATERIAL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HB 7075 requires the State Board of Education to provide curriculum materials for Islamic and Arab studies to school districts, adding this subject to a list of mandated curriculum areas already including African-American studies, Holocaust education, and financial literacy. School districts may choose to incorporate these materials into their instructional programs but are not required to do so. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact as it uses existing resources. This change aligns with similar provisions for other cultural and historical studies programs.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 1236: AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR LICENSING EXEMPTIONS.

SB 1236 exempts certain solar installation and maintenance work from standard electrical licensing requirements in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects solar contractors, installers, and workers performing specific solar-related tasks, such as mounting racks, installing panels, and setting ground supports. The bill creates a new exemption (section 17) allowing licensed solar contractors and their employees to handle uncrating, hoisting, placement, and anchoring of solar equipment without full electrical licensing. This streamlines the process for small-scale residential solar installations by removing licensing barriers for defined installation activities. The change applies only to work limited to these specific solar tasks, not broader electrical work.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1275: AN ACT CONCERNING WORKERS' RIGHTS.

SB 1275 requires the Labor Commissioner to study employee rights in the state and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The study may include recommendations for future legislation, but the bill itself does not change existing laws or directly affect workers. The report will be prepared without new state or municipal funding, as noted in the fiscal impact statement. This procedural bill focuses solely on gathering information for potential future action, not on implementing new worker protections.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7070: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DUTY TO RETREAT IN A HOUSE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.

HB 7070 removes the legal requirement for individuals to retreat before using deadly force in a house of religious worship for self-defense or protecting others. It amends Connecticut's self-defense statute (section 53a-19) to explicitly state that people inside religious buildings - owned by or held in trust for religious organizations - do not need to retreat to avoid using deadly force. This change applies specifically to religious worship spaces, not other locations like homes or workplaces. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects anyone defending themselves within a religious organization's building.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7128: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE POLITICAL DONATION PLATFORMS AND LIMITING AUTOMATICALLY RECURRING CONTRIBUTIONS.

HB 7128 clarifies what does not count as a political contribution, directly affecting campaign committees, candidates, and volunteers. It expands exemptions for volunteer time, small in-kind donations (like food or drinks at events under $800 annually), and limited advertising purchases (up to $250 for businesses, $50 for individuals). The bill removes ambiguity around these common campaign activities, ensuring they aren’t treated as regulated contributions. This applies to all political committees and candidate committees in Connecticut, including those participating in the Citizens' Election Program.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1163: AN ACT CONCERNING QUALIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO SERVE AS MODERATORS AT ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES.

SB 1163 amends Connecticut election laws to establish disqualification criteria for individuals appointed as election moderators or alternates. It prohibits registrars of voters from appointing anyone convicted of or who pled guilty/nolo contendere to certain serious crimes, including fraud, forgery, larceny, embezzlement, bribery, or specific criminal offenses. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all towns and voting districts appointing moderators for elections and primaries. This change ensures only individuals without certain criminal histories serve in these election administration roles, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1448: AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES AND DRIVERS.

SB 1448 requires ride-hailing companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Connecticut to register annually with the state Transportation Commissioner, paying fees based on driver count ($5,000 for under 50 drivers, $30,000 for 200+ drivers). Companies must submit annual reports showing average fares, driver ride time, and total driver compensation, and display driver photos/license plates to riders before pickup. The bill also mandates real-time English/Spanish messaging between companies and drivers, and requires visible, reflective decals on vehicles during rides. Violations, including operating without registration, can result in fines up to $50,000.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1449: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDIUM-DUTY AND HEAVY-DUTY TOWING.

SB 1449 regulates medium-duty (10,000-26,000 lbs) and heavy-duty (over 26,000 lbs) towing services in Connecticut. It requires that only licensed motor vehicle dealers or repair shops may operate these services, replacing previous rules. The bill mandates the state commissioner to set and publish uniform hourly rates and itemized charges for medium/heavy towing, considering factors like equipment costs and insurance, with public hearings for rate adjustments. This directly affects towing companies providing these services and vehicle owners who may be towed without consent, ensuring rates are transparent and just. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 5704: AN ACT CREATING A CONSTRUCTION PIPELINE PROGRAM.

HB 5704 establishes a working group to study how to create a construction workforce pipeline program, focusing on training students and workers for skilled trades jobs. The group will examine expanding high school pre-apprenticeship programs, increasing career awareness, removing barriers to apprenticeships, and exploring financial incentives for employers. It will include representatives from trade associations, schools, business groups, and education officials, with the first report due by December 2025. The bill does not create the program itself but directs a study to inform future policy, with no fiscal impact on state or local budgets.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 828: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

SB 828 establishes a working group to study and make recommendations about improving the state's workers' compensation program. The group, composed of legislative leaders and the Workers' Compensation Commission chair, will focus on streamlining the program - specifically by updating electronic filing systems, reducing authorization delays, and addressing fraudulent claims. It must submit a report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2026. This bill creates a study mechanism with no direct policy changes or fiscal impact, as confirmed by the fiscal note.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results