Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 6044: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF ACCESSIBLE SEATING FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS AT VENUES THAT RECEIVE STATE FUNDING.

HB 6044 requires the Commissioner of Administrative Services to study whether venues receiving state funding should be mandated to provide accessible seating for visually impaired patrons near performance areas. The study must examine which venues would be affected, potential costs, and compliance barriers, with a report due to the legislature by February 1, 2026. This is a procedural bill focused solely on gathering data, not implementing new requirements. The study will cost $750,000 in fiscal year 2026, funded by the General Fund, to hire outside consultants since the agency lacks expertise. It directly affects state-funded venues but does not change current accessibility standards.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 6968: AN ACT CONCERNING JUROR COMPENSATION.

This bill updates compensation for people serving on juries. Full-time workers receive pay from their employers for the first five days of service. Part-time workers and unemployed jurors get $50 per day (based on minimum wage) for the first five days, plus reimbursement for travel and family care costs. After five days, the state pays $50 per day plus these expenses. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1309: AN ACT CONCERNING FINES FOR CERTAIN DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND THE DEPOSIT OF SUCH FINES INTO A FUND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PERSONS WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

SB 1309 allows correctional facility wardens to impose $15-$50 fines on incarcerated individuals for specific disciplinary violations, including assault, riots, or tampering with security devices. These fines, which must be paid in addition to other penalties, are deposited into the Correctional General Welfare Fund. The fund, managed by the Commissioner of Correction, provides benefits like hygiene products or recreational items to all incarcerated people. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and aims to use disciplinary fines to directly support inmate welfare.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 6954: AN ACT ADDING WITNESSING A SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY AS A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR PURPOSES OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE.

This bill expands workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSD) to include witnessing a serious physical injury that does not result in death or permanent disfigurement. It directly affects first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs), correction employees, telecommunicators, and healthcare workers - specifically broadening eligibility for PTSD claims beyond existing qualifying events like viewing a death or severe disfigurement. The key change adds "witnessing a serious physical injury" to the list of qualifying traumatic events under Section 31-294k, effective October 1, 2025. This allows eligible workers to file for PTSD-related compensation after observing such injuries during their duties, without requiring the injury to be fatal or cause permanent disfigurement.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 6229: AN ACT CONCERNING A REDUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS AND POLYSTYRENE WASTE.

HB 6229 bans polystyrene foodware (like foam containers) and most single-use plastic items (including straws, stirrers, and food accessories) for food vendors, government agencies, schools, and businesses starting July 1, 2027. Exceptions include biodegradable straws provided upon request (especially for people with disabilities) and specific packaging uses like pre-sealed food or meat storage. The bill also requires state/municipal buildings and schools to install reusable water bottle filling stations when replacing drinking fountains, effective January 2027. A task force will study sustainable alternatives and report by February 2026, but the law itself focuses on direct restrictions and infrastructure changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 7142: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RIGHT OF AN INHERITANCE.

HB 7142 creates a new legal right for people to sue if someone intentionally and wrongfully blocked their expected inheritance. To win such a case, a person must prove they had a reasonable expectation of inheriting property, the other person knew about this expectation, acted with intent to interfere, caused the inheritance to fail through wrongful conduct, and suffered actual financial loss. The law allows affected individuals to seek monetary damages, court costs, and attorney fees in Superior Court, but must file the lawsuit within three years of the interfering act. This bill codifies a common law claim previously recognized in some court rulings but not formally established in state statute.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 7022: AN ACT PROMOTING EQUITY IN MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR FERTILITY HEALTH CARE.

HB 7022 requires Medicaid to cover fertility diagnostic care, preservation services, and treatment for individuals with infertility, effective January 1, 2026. It mandates coverage for medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and at least three cycles of medication treatment to achieve pregnancy. The bill specifically defines "infertility" and requires the state to report by July 2026 on potential costs and Medicaid waivers for including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage. This expansion directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries seeking fertility care, which is currently not covered under standard Medicaid benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 6937: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY CHILDREN'S DIAPERS.

HB 6937 expands Medicaid coverage to include diapers deemed medically necessary for children under age three. It requires a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse to certify that diapers are needed to prevent or treat severe skin infections, urinary tract issues, or conditions like developmental delays that cause frequent soiling. The state must amend its Medicaid plan by July 2025 and report by September 2026 on the number of qualifying children, annual costs (estimated at $20 million+), and potential savings from preventing related health issues. This directly affects Medicaid-eligible children under three with qualifying medical conditions, not general diaper coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 6861: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONNECTICUT AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGARDING THE PROJECTION OF A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT OR THE FLIGHT PATH OF AN AIRCRAFT.

HB 6861 makes it illegal for anyone to intentionally point a laser at an aircraft or its flight path, effective October 1, 2025. The law directly affects the public, as it prohibits this action under penalty of a class A misdemeanor, with exceptions for military personnel (state or federal) and police officers acting in their official duties. Key provisions define "laser" broadly to include devices simulating lasers and clarify exemptions for authorized personnel during official duties. The bill aims to enhance aviation safety by preventing laser interference with aircraft operations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 7208: AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA ON THE SALE OF MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES, DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES OR ASSETS THEREOF OR THE PRIVATIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES OR FUNCTIONS.

HB 7208 requires municipalities to hold a voter referendum before selling municipal departments, agencies, or assets or privatizing services previously provided by city employees. It mandates that if a municipality authorizes such a sale or privatization after July 1, 2025, a petition signed by at least 5% of voters can trigger a vote at the next regular election. If voters approve by majority, the deal proceeds; if rejected, the municipality cannot pursue that specific sale or privatization for five years. This directly affects local governments and residents, ensuring public input on major financial or service changes.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 7227: AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE CONTRACTING AND FEES CHARGED FOR HEALTH RECORDS.

HB 7227 sets a maximum fee of $250 (plus postage and reasonable copy costs) for patients to obtain copies of their health records from providers seeking state contracts. It directly affects healthcare providers who want to bid on state contracts and patients needing access to their medical records. The bill requires all state contract bids to include a certification that the provider complies with this fee cap, and providers failing to comply become ineligible for state contracts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to contracts exceeding $1,000 in value.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 28, 2025

HJ 91: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO EDWIN GLASS WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 91) confirms a $120,000 compensation award to Edwin Glass for wrongful incarceration by the state. It directly affects Edwin Glass, who successfully claimed state liability for a past wrongful conviction. The resolution authorizes payment from the state’s Adjudicated Claims Account (General Fund) for this one-time settlement. The bill does not create new policy but formally approves an existing Claims Commissioner decision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results