Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1561: AN ACT CONCERNING RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

SB 1561 updates definitions and administrative processes related to special education in Connecticut. It clarifies key terms like "child" (extending coverage to age 22 or graduation), "special education," "developmental delay," and "charging entity" (including private providers and transportation services). The bill also directs the Office of Policy and Management to analyze tuition and fees charged by these providers to local school boards, examining how operating costs are incorporated into fees. This bill focuses on standardizing terminology and gathering cost data - no new funding or programs are created.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · House May 27, 2025

HB 6844: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

HB 6844 protects existing retirement benefits for municipal retirees in Connecticut. It prohibits municipalities from reducing or eliminating benefits for retirees who retired before July 2025 (Section 1(a)), and prevents reductions for retirees receiving permanent partial disability benefits after July 2025 (Section 1(b)). The bill also requires municipalities to count temporary disability benefits toward pension calculations (capped at 100% of pre-injury wages), excluding the Municipal Employees Retirement System (Section 1(c)). Additionally, it mandates a study by the Comptroller on transitioning police/firefighter employees to defined pension plans, with a report due by January 2027 (Section 2).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1412: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE NORWALK CONSERVATORY OF THE ARTS TO CONFER DEGREES.

This bill authorizes the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts to confer academic degrees upon completion of its programs. It directly affects the conservatory and its students, granting the institution official authority to award degrees that were previously unavailable. The legislation is procedural in nature, requiring no new funding or policy changes, and became effective upon the governor's signature on May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1424: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ASTRONAUTICAL SCIENCES TO CONFER DEGREES.

SB 1424 authorizes the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences to grant academic degrees. This procedural bill directly affects only the specified institute, granting it formal authority to confer degrees without altering broader education regulations. The legislation does not impose new requirements or impact other institutions, students, or state funding. It was enacted as a special act (25-5) after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1536: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF RANKED-CHOICE VOTING IN PARTY CAUCUSES, CONVENTIONS AND PRIMARIES, INCLUDING PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARIES, AND IN CERTAIN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

SB 1536 would require ranked-choice voting for certain political processes in Connecticut. Specifically, it would mandate this voting method for party caucuses, conventions, primaries (including presidential preference primaries), and select municipal elections. Under this system, voters would rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. The bill directly affects voters participating in these specific party and local elections, as well as the political organizations organizing them. It proposes a concrete change to election procedures without altering general election rules.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1413: AN ACT CONCERNING INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

SB 1413 requires the Connecticut State University System to develop and implement inclusive programs for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. These programs must enable full participation in campus life, including academic, social, and recreational activities. The bill directly affects students with these disabilities attending any Connecticut State University campus. The legislation passed the Senate on May 22, 2025, and is currently pending in the House of Representatives.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1513: AN ACT CONCERNING ASPIRING EDUCATORS.

SB 1513 creates a scholarship program for diverse students pursuing teaching careers in Connecticut. It provides up to $10,000 annually to eligible students who graduated from public high schools in designated "alliance districts" and are enrolled in teacher preparation programs at four-year colleges. Recipients must become certified teachers in Connecticut within two years of graduation or repay the funds; the program requires annual reporting on scholarship recipients' demographics and program enrollment. The bill also establishes a system for identifying teacher shortage areas to guide program targeting.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House May 23, 2025

HB 7277: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN CONNECTICUT.

HB 7277 (AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN CONNECTICUT) aims to address special education services in Connecticut schools, directly affecting students with disabilities and their families. The bill's specific provisions - such as funding mechanisms, service delivery standards, or administrative requirements - are not detailed in the provided context. Recent actions show it was favorably reported out of committee but was subsequently tabled for the house calendar on May 23, 2025. Without access to the bill's full text or explanatory summary, a detailed description of its policy changes cannot be provided. The procedural status indicates it did not advance further in the legislative process during this session.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1186: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGIONAL PLANNING INCENTIVE ACCOUNT DISTRIBUTION FORMULA.

SB 1186 changes how funds in the Regional Planning Incentive Account are distributed to local planning agencies. It establishes a new formula for allocating these state funds, directly affecting regional planning organizations that receive this funding. The bill specifies the method for calculating each agency's share based on defined criteria, replacing the previous distribution approach. This is a procedural change to the funding mechanism, not a new policy or program.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1430: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS.

SB 1430 implements revisions to the state code of ethics based on recommendations from the Office of State Ethics. It directly affects state officials and employees by updating conduct rules, disclosure requirements, and conflict-of-interest provisions. The bill’s key mechanism is incorporating these specific recommendations into existing law, without creating new policies. The measure passed the Senate on May 22, 2025, and is now pending action in the House.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 514: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NET EQUALITY PROGRAM.

SB 514 establishes Connecticut's "Net Equality Program" to provide affordable broadband internet access to low-income households. It directly affects households participating in qualifying public assistance programs (like SNAP, HUSKY Health, or school lunch programs) and requires qualified broadband providers in the state to offer affordable service meeting specific cost and speed standards. Key mechanisms include: providers must allow immediate conversion to affordable service for eligible households starting October 1, 2025; set up dedicated phone lines for sign-ups; hold annual public meetings to track progress toward 90% coverage by 2026 and 95% by 2029; and submit annual reports to the Office of Consumer Counsel. The program aims to expand access through state-mandated provider actions rather than direct subsidies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 797: AN ACT REQUIRING A SCHEDULED START TIME DISCLAIMER IN CERTAIN MOTION PICTURE ADVERTISEMENTS.

SB 797 requires movie theaters and advertising companies to include a clear scheduled start time notice in certain motion picture advertisements, such as trailers or online promotions for upcoming showings. This law mandates that promotional materials explicitly state the actual start time of screenings, not just the film title or general time. It directly affects advertisers, theaters, and streaming platforms that produce or display pre-release movie ads. The policy change ensures viewers receive specific timing information before purchasing tickets.

Bill results