Connecticut Bills

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 1387: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESCRIBED DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM GOVERNING BOARD AND THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM MAINTAINED BY SAID BOARD.

SB 1387 establishes a Criminal Justice Information System Governing Board within Connecticut's Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The board, composed of key officials including the Chief Court Administrator, state agency heads, and law enforcement representatives, oversees a state-wide information technology system for sharing criminal justice data. It mandates the board to develop security standards, interoperability rules, and policies for agencies to access and share criminal history records, convictions, and public information while restricting nonconviction data access. The bill also creates an executive director role to manage the system's implementation and operations, effective October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 1346: AN ACT REQUIRING BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO POST CURRICULUM ONLINE.

SB 1346 requires all local and regional school boards to post their approved curriculum online by July 1, 2025. This replaces existing physical access requirements under federal law (PPRA) by mandating that all approved curriculum and associated materials be available on district websites. The bill does not create new curriculum but makes existing materials more accessible to parents and guardians. School districts can meet this requirement using current resources, as the bill has no fiscal impact.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · House May 16, 2025

HB 6841: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY METHODS AND PROGRAMS FOR REDUCING RATES OF POVERTY.

HB 6841 establishes a working group to study poverty reduction strategies in the state. The group, composed of state agency commissioners (like Social Services and Education) and appointed experts, will examine programs such as cash assistance, childcare support, housing policies, racial disparities, and inflation impacts. It must submit preliminary and final reports by mid-2026 and 2027 with recommendations for reducing poverty rates, but does not implement new policies or allocate funding. The bill has no fiscal impact, as it only authorizes a study.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 1488: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PREVAILING WAGE STATUTES.

SB 1488 authorizes the Comptroller to withhold payments to contractors or subcontractors who violate prevailing wage laws (specifically sections 31-288(g) or 31-53(b)) on public construction projects. If the Labor Commissioner issues a stop work order for such violations, the Comptroller must withhold state funds until the contractor complies with wage requirements or pays applicable penalties. This directly affects contractors working on public projects who fail to pay required prevailing wages. The bill prevents state funds from being paid to non-compliant contractors, as noted in the fiscal impact statement, avoiding General Fund costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Connecticut · House May 16, 2025

HB 6857: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINORS.

This bill requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 and obtain parental consent before using personalized content recommendations (like algorithm-driven feeds). It prohibits platforms from using persistent device data or a minor's past interactions to recommend content without consent, while allowing exceptions for search queries, privacy settings, or direct messages. The law applies to major social media platforms (excluding e-commerce sites and purely educational tools) and takes effect January 1, 2027. It aims to limit data-driven content exposure for minors without restricting other platform features.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 1240: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CODES AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE.

SB 1240 reduces the membership of Connecticut's Codes and Standards Committee from 23 to 20 members by removing specific roles: one licensed architect, one structural/mechanical/electrical engineer (replacing the option for a mechanical engineer with fire protection experience), a public health official, and two public members. It adds two new contractor roles: one licensed for commercial fire sprinkler systems and another for commercial fire alarm systems. The bill also clarifies that local building and fire officials on the committee must be actively engaged in their duties. This procedural change, effective October 1, 2025, has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 1356: AN ACT CONCERNING DATA PRIVACY, ONLINE MONITORING, SOCIAL MEDIA, DATA BROKERS AND CONNECTED VEHICLE SERVICES.

This bill establishes definitions for a comprehensive data privacy law but does not outline specific policy requirements in the provided text. It defines key terms like "consumer," "biometric data," "dark patterns," and "gender-affirming health data" to govern how personal information is handled. The definitions would apply to businesses processing data of Connecticut residents, particularly regarding health data and online tracking. The bill's full provisions (including requirements for businesses) would take effect October 1, 2025, but the current text only contains foundational terminology.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Connecticut · House May 16, 2025

HB 6477: AN ACT REQUIRING A PLAN FOR THE TRANSLATION AND REVIEW OF FORMS AND APPLICATIONS REQUIRED TO ACCESS STATE AGENCY SERVICES OR BENEFITS BY LIMITED-ENGLISH PROFICIENT INDIVIDUALS.

HB 6477 requires the Governor's office to create a plan by January 1, 2026, for translating state forms and applications - such as those for vital records and identification - into the 12 most common non-English languages in the state, based on the latest U.S. Census data. This directly affects limited-English proficient residents who need to access state agency services or benefits. The bill mandates the plan's development but does not require immediate translation, focusing instead on a structured review process. It has no fiscal impact on state or local governments, as noted in official analyses.

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed · Connecticut · House May 16, 2025

HB 7182: AN ACT CONCERNING ENTERTAINMENT EVENT TICKETS.

HB 7182, effective October 1, 2025, regulates ticket resellers for entertainment events (excluding movies). It requires resellers to either have the ticket in hand or provide clear written disclosure if they cannot guarantee supply at the contracted price. The bill also bans websites from using venue names, event names, or similar terms in their domain names for ticket sales, except for venue-operated sites. This directly affects ticket resellers and online ticket platforms, aiming to prevent deceptive practices by mandating transparency in transactions.

passed · Connecticut · House May 16, 2025

HB 7248: AN ACT CONCERNING WELL WATER QUALITY.

HB 7248 modifies well water reporting requirements and allows temporary policy implementation. It requires private well test results to be reported to local health authorities and the Department of Public Health (DPH), maintaining confidentiality except for specific disclosures. The bill adds a new exception permitting DPH or local health authorities to share test results with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) when approved by the commissioner. It also establishes a process for DPH to implement temporary policies on water supply connections while final regulations are drafted, requiring public posting of these policies and a 20-day notice before final adoption. The bill directly affects private well owners, health authorities, and state environmental agencies.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 5: AN ACT CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

SB 5 establishes the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship program to provide need-based and merit-based financial aid for Connecticut residents pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree at public or independent colleges in the state. The program allocates funds across three grant types: a need/merit grant (20-30% of funds or $10 million, whichever is greater), a need-based grant (up to 80% of funds), and a minimum $100,000 Charter Oak grant. Eligibility is determined using the student aid index (replacing family contribution calculations) and academic achievement, with awards distributed via a sliding scale based on financial need and available funding. Recipients of the need/merit grant cannot also receive a need-based grant, ensuring distinct funding pathways for students with varying financial and academic profiles.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 2: AN ACT CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

SB 2 regulates artificial intelligence systems used in major life decisions like hiring, loans, housing, and healthcare access. It defines "high-risk AI" as systems making "consequential decisions" (such as employment, credit, or housing) and requires developers and deployers to prevent algorithmic discrimination. The law specifically excludes video games, internal business tools, research activities, and non-discriminatory pattern analysis from regulation. It applies to companies operating within the state using such AI systems for covered decisions.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Bill results