Connecticut Bills

passed · Connecticut · House May 15, 2025

HB 6852: AN ACT CONCERNING THE WAIVER OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK FEES FOR AN INDIGENT PERSON SEEKING A PARDON.

HB 6852 waives the $75 fee for criminal history record checks required when applying for a pardon, specifically for low-income individuals. It directly affects people seeking pardons who cannot afford the fee, requiring them to submit an indigency form to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The bill modifies existing law to allow fee waivers for this specific purpose, without changing the pardon process itself. The waiver applies only to the criminal history record search fee, not other related costs. This change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Connecticut · House May 15, 2025

HB 5012: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF SHARK FINNING.

HB 5012 prohibits the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins in the state, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses selling shark fin products and consumers purchasing them, while exempting licensed fishermen who separate fins from lawfully landed sharks during food preparation (requiring immediate destruction of fins unless used for personal consumption or taxidermy). The bill also allows permits for scientific or educational use of shark fins through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This law excludes rays and smooth-hound sharks from its definition of "shark," aligning with existing regulations.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1426: AN ACT MAKING CHANGES TO THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF PROGRAM.

SB 1426 expands Connecticut's Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to provide benefits for firefighters diagnosed with cancer affecting specific body systems (skin, brain, respiratory, etc.). Eligible firefighters must meet strict criteria: no prior cancer evidence at hire, no smoking for 15 years before diagnosis, at least five years of qualifying service (as interior structural firefighters or related roles), and annual health screenings. The bill ensures these firefighters receive workers' compensation-style benefits and retirement/survivor benefits from the relief account, covering uncovered treatment costs, while offsetting any existing benefits from workers' compensation or retirement systems. It becomes effective October 1, 2025, and administers claims like standard workers' compensation under Chapter 568.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1360: AN ACT REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES' MEDICAID DIRECTOR.

SB 1360 requires the Commissioner of Social Services to nominate a Medicaid Director for the Governor's appointment, with the position now subject to legislative confirmation under state law. This changes the current process where the Commissioner appoints the Medicaid Director without legislative review. The bill directly affects the Department of Social Services' leadership structure and the appointment of its Medicaid Director. It has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets, as confirmed in the bill's analysis. The change applies immediately upon the bill's passage.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 6: AN ACT CONCERNING RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTHS.

SB 6 requires Connecticut's Office of Early Childhood to lead administration of federal child care food programs, encouraging child care centers, group homes, and family homes to participate through annual outreach and data sharing. It also creates a new child nutrition outreach program under the Department of Education to boost participation in school breakfast, summer food, and child care food programs, including innovative methods like classroom breakfasts. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on "disconnected youth" (youth not in school or work) using shared data from early childhood, health, and education agencies. These provisions directly affect child care providers, schools, and youth service agencies by expanding access to nutrition support and improving data-driven policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1373: AN ACT REQUIRING THE LICENSURE OF LACTATION CONSULTANTS.

SB 1373 requires all paid lactation consultants to obtain a state license starting July 1, 2026. To qualify, applicants must hold an active International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification and pay a $200 application fee. Licensed consultants must renew every two years ($100 fee) and maintain current IBCLC certification with required continuing education. The law exempts certain professionals (like those with existing healthcare licenses or working in WIC programs) who don’t use the title "lactation consultant." It directly affects individuals providing paid breastfeeding support services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Connecticut · House May 15, 2025

HB 6248: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PENALTY FOR ILLEGALLY TAKING STRIPED BASS.

HB 6248 increases the penalty for illegally taking striped bass in Connecticut waters to a flat $250 fine per violation, replacing previous tiered fines ($154 for inland waters, $75 for marine waters). It applies directly to anglers who violate state regulations on striped bass size limits, daily catch limits, or seasonal restrictions. The bill classifies violations as non-criminal infractions, allowing offenders to pay the fine by mail instead of facing court. This change affects anyone fishing for striped bass in Connecticut's waters who exceeds legal limits or harvests fish illegally.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1298: AN ACT CONCERNING NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS.

SB 1298 allows drivers applying for a taxicab or livery vehicle license (F endorsement) to provide nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) for Medicaid recipients under a Department of Social Services contract while their application is pending, for up to 90 days. This directly affects Medicaid recipients needing medical transportation, taxi/livery drivers seeking licensure, and the Department of Social Services managing NEMT contracts. The bill changes current rules by deeming these provisional drivers eligible for NEMT services during their licensing application process, ensuring continuity of access for recipients. It does not alter overall Medicaid transportation funding or require additional licensure for these temporary providers. The provision takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1404: AN ACT CONCERNING CONFORMING ADJUSTMENTS TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO A RELEASED-BASED CLEANUP PROGRAM.

This procedural bill updates Connecticut's pollution cleanup rules to support a new "released-based" cleanup program. It requires property owners to report and clean up pollution releases (like spills or leaks) after new regulations take effect, and clarifies when property ownership changes (such as sales, foreclosures, or family transfers) trigger cleanup responsibilities. It directly affects businesses and property owners who create pollution, ensuring they meet cleanup standards without unnecessary liability for routine transfers. The bill is technical in nature, focusing on aligning existing statutes with the new program framework.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Connecticut · House May 15, 2025

HB 7242: AN ACT STUDYING EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND AUTHORIZING MUNICIPAL PILOT PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE SUCH EFFORTS.

HB 7242 establishes a nine-member task force to study strategies for achieving 100% voter participation in the state by 2030, including examining civic engagement methods, mandatory voting models, and administrative needs for election officials. The task force, appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor, must submit findings and recommendations - including potential funding mechanisms - to the elections committee by February 1, 2026. The bill also authorizes municipalities to create voluntary pilot programs (within existing budgets) focused on voter outreach and education to boost participation, subject to state election laws. These programs are optional for local governments and do not require new state funding.

passed · Connecticut · House May 15, 2025

HB 7009: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE SEAL OF CIVICS EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT, THE TRANSPARENCY OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNER DATA, THE USE OF SMART DEVICES IN SCHOOLS, THE AVAILABILITY OF ISLAMIC AND ARAB STUDIES CURRICULUM MATERIAL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS ANTISEMITISM IN SCHOOLS, EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF AND VARIOUS AND ASSORTED REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.

HB 7009 establishes a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement for high school diplomas, requiring students to complete two years of social studies (including a U.S. government or civics course), participate in a civic engagement project, and demonstrate civics proficiency through assessments. It mandates expanded transparency in school data tracking, requiring public schools to collect and report detailed information about multilingual learners (including home language and bilingual program participation) starting in 2026. The bill also creates a parent bill of rights for multilingual learners to protect their educational rights and requires school districts to make Islamic and Arab studies curriculum materials available. These provisions directly affect Connecticut public schools, students, and families, focusing on civic education standards, data transparency, and equitable resource access.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House May 14, 2025

HB 7196: AN ACT CONCERNING LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS.

This bill restricts noncompete agreements that prevent workers from joining competitors after leaving a job. It makes such agreements unenforceable for employees earning less than three times the state minimum wage and for independent contractors earning less than five times the minimum wage. Noncompetes are also void if they cover geographic areas where the worker never worked or types of work they didn't perform in the past two years. For higher-earning workers, noncompetes may only last up to one year (or two years if the worker is paid during the restriction period).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results