HB 5288 modifies zoning and utility rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly called "granny flats" or secondary units on the same property as a main home. The bill requires municipalities to allow ADUs on single-family lots "as of right" (without special approval) and prohibits local governments from charging separate utility connection fees for ADUs connected to the main house's existing utilities. It also bans requirements like separate utility billing, extra parking, or restrictions on tenant relationships. This directly affects homeowners seeking to create ADUs and local governments managing zoning and utility regulations.
HB 5391 revises zoning enforcement rules by replacing Section 8-12 of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2026. It clarifies that municipalities with zoning authority under special acts can impose fines for violations, ranging from $10-$100 per day for non-wilful violations to $100-$250 per day (or up to 30 days in jail) for wilful violations. Property owners, tenants, contractors, and others violating zoning rules face these penalties, with additional civil fines up to $2,500 for ignoring cease-and-desist orders. The bill standardizes enforcement procedures and clarifies court jurisdiction for related cases.
SB 89 requires all state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers) to adopt and follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards effective January 1, 2024, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and staff. Key provisions include a strict zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, mandatory staff and contractor training, enhanced protections for vulnerable detainees, standardized reporting protocols for incidents, and access to medical/mental health services for victims. Facilities must annually certify compliance to the state, and the Corrections Commissioner must report yearly on training, incident data, and investigation outcomes starting January 2027. The bill mandates specific mechanisms like cross-gender search limits, risk screening, and victim support services to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. (Effective July 1, 2026)
SB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 5127 prohibits healthcare and veterinary providers in Connecticut from promoting or facilitating medical credit cards to patients. Specifically, it bans providers from advertising these cards using their name/logo, receiving financial incentives for doing so, helping patients apply for them, or charging medical credit cards for services before they’re provided or for add-on products without written consent. The law also prevents providers from charging medical credit cards for services that are covered by insurance (like HUSKY Health) unless the patient has declined coverage. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting providers who previously offered or promoted such credit options.
This bill requires all state executive branch agencies to create and follow annual performance plans that outline their strategic and operational goals. Starting in July 2027, each agency must submit a report on its progress toward these goals to the Office of Policy and Management and the relevant legislative committee. The Office of Policy and Management will provide guidelines and technical assistance for developing these plans and will conduct regular performance evaluations of most agencies at least every two years. Some independent regulatory bodies are exempt from these reporting and evaluation requirements. The legislation aims to improve transparency and accountability by establishing a standardized process for tracking agency performance.
This bill establishes a state-level civil rights enforcement mechanism allowing Connecticut residents to sue individuals or entities, including government officials, for depriving them of constitutional rights. It creates a new cause of action similar to federal civil rights laws, permitting courts to award damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief when violations are proven. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to investigate and intervene in cases involving civil rights violations, seek civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and accept assurances that unlawful practices will stop. Additionally, it clarifies that these actions do not waive sovereign immunity and maintains existing rights to file complaints with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
This bill establishes a working group to review and recommend changes to specific sections of the state's civil and criminal laws. The group will consist of six members appointed by various legislative leaders, including the Speaker of the House, Senate leadership, and both majority and minority leaders. The working group is required to submit its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027, to the judiciary committee. The bill focuses on analyzing Titles 46b, 51, 52, 53, 53a, and 54 of the general statutes without making immediate policy changes itself.
This bill establishes new safety reporting and emergency response requirements for energy generation and storage facilities in Connecticut. It mandates that facility operators report major incidents, such as those requiring emergency shutdowns or hospitalizations, within five days and minor shutdowns within 30 days to the Connecticut Siting Council. Starting in 2027, operators must designate an emergency contact person available to respond within one hour and post their contact information at facility entrances. Beginning in 2028, the council will annually report all incident data to the state legislature, and the council may require applicants to provide emergency services training to local firefighters at the applicant's expense.
This bill creates a task force to examine how artificial intelligence impacts the trades industry, specifically looking at job displacement and current training curricula. The task force will include representatives from both legislative chambers, the Labor Commissioner, and the Technical Education and Career System, with members appointed by various leadership positions. Separately, the bill requires the Commissioner of Public Health to study whether a state-wide certified nursing assistant training program is feasible. Both the task force and the commissioner must submit their reports by January 1, 2027, to the relevant legislative committees.
HB 5224 updates Connecticut's Real Estate Guaranty Fund rules to better protect consumers defrauded by real estate licensees. It caps compensation at $25,000 per transaction (not per person) for losses due to embezzlement, fraud, or misrepresentation by agents or their unlicensed employees. The bill also sets a $500,000 maximum fund balance, requires licensees who trigger fund payments to repay the amount plus 10% interest, and limits claims to two years after a final court or arbitration decision. These changes directly affect real estate professionals who commit misconduct and consumers seeking redress for financial harm.
HB 5244 increases Connecticut's financial assistance cap for business projects from $10 million to $25 million over two years (amending Statute 32-462), affecting businesses seeking state funding for non-housing projects. It also creates an exception allowing employment promissory notes for educational personnel under collective bargaining agreements (amending Statute 31-51r), while maintaining the general prohibition on such notes as a condition of employment. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, for the cap change and immediately for the promissory note exception. These changes directly impact businesses applying for state economic development funds and educational employers negotiating with staff.
