Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1209: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DISCLOSURE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS DISCLOSURE EXEMPTIONS UNDER SAID ACT.

SB 1209 prohibits public agencies from disclosing the home addresses of public school teachers under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It adds teachers employed by local or regional school boards to an existing list of protected professions (like police officers and judges) whose addresses are exempt from public disclosure. The bill also establishes a task force to study whether similar address disclosure exemptions should be expanded to cover additional public employees. This directly affects public school teachers by preventing their home addresses from being released in public records requests.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1389: AN ACT AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ORDINANCES CONCERNING STREET TAKEOVERS.

SB 1389 allows municipalities to pass local ordinances prohibiting "street takeovers" - defined as blocking traffic with intent to cause disorder or nuisance. The bill authorizes municipalities to seize and sell motor vehicles used in violations of such ordinances, with proceeds going to support local police departments or state troopers. Vehicle owners or lienholders are protected if they didn’t know the vehicle was being misused, and existing liens must be respected. This policy directly affects municipalities (which gain enforcement authority), vehicle owners involved in street takeovers, and local law enforcement (which may receive funding).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 525: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SELECTION OF CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

SB 525 requires state contracting agencies to prioritize in-state manufacturers, fabricators, and erectors when awarding contracts for public building construction, renovation, or demolition projects. If no qualified in-state contractors are available, agencies must then prefer U.S.-based contractors instead of following the current rule that mandates selecting the lowest-cost, responsible bidder. This change overrides existing laws (sections 4a-57 and 4a-59) and will cost the state approximately $319,412 annually starting in fiscal year 2026 for new staff to manage the revised bidding process. The bill directly affects all state agencies administering public works projects, including departments, boards, and commissions, but excludes judicial/legislative branches.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 6906: AN ACT CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

HB 6906 requires Connecticut state agencies to give hiring preference to former federal employees laid off or retired since January 1, 2025. It directs the Commissioner of Administrative Services to consider their federal service years when setting state pay grades and classification. Additionally, the Labor Commissioner must host job fairs for these individuals by September 2025, and the University of Connecticut and Connecticut State University System must create a job portal for those who performed federally funded research. The bill affects state hiring practices and reemployment support for this specific group of workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1406: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PLATFORMS THAT COLLECT CONTRIBUTIONS AND AUTHORIZING STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION JURISDICTION OVER VOTING AT THE MEETINGS OF CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

SB 1406 clarifies that certain activities, such as volunteer services, low-cost food donations, and specific advertising, do not count as campaign contributions under state law. It also sets new requirements for online platforms that collect political contributions: these platforms must obtain approval from the State Elections Enforcement Commission for their contributor verification process and cannot set up recurring donations without the contributor's explicit consent (pre-checked boxes do not count). The bill updates campaign finance rules to address digital fundraising while maintaining transparency. These provisions directly affect online platforms and political committees that use them to collect funds.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 6517: AN ACT CONCERNING DISCLOSURES OF SALARY RANGES ON PUBLIC AND INTERNAL JOB POSTINGS.

HB 6517 requires all Connecticut employers (including state/local government and private businesses) to disclose the wage range and benefits description for every job opening in both public and internal job postings. It prohibits employers from asking about a job applicant’s salary history and bans retaliation against employees who discuss or inquire about pay. The law applies to all positions performed within Connecticut and takes effect October 1, 2025. Employers must provide wage ranges to applicants upon request or before salary discussions, and to current employees upon hire, role changes, or annual updates.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1482: AN ACT CONCERNING MAXIMIZING USE OF FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS AND THE RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM FOR THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF ELDERLY PERSONS AND OTHERS.

SB 1482 directs Connecticut to implement the federal Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), allowing eligible SNAP beneficiaries (60+ years old, disabled, homeless, or spouses of eligible recipients) to use their benefits at participating restaurants for meals. The bill requires the Commissioner of Social Services to develop a state plan by November 2025, submit a USDA application by December 2025, and report progress to the legislature. It establishes an advisory committee with stakeholder input to study best practices and recommend implementation steps. The law aims to maximize existing federal nutrition funds for elderly and vulnerable residents who currently cannot access restaurant meals with SNAP benefits.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7165: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISIONS TO THE COMMERCE STATUTES.

HB 7165 requires Connecticut contractors receiving state financial assistance exceeding $1 million for construction projects to pay prevailing wages and make welfare fund contributions for workers. It directly affects businesses and contractors working on projects funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development, excluding certain nonprofits and chambers of commerce. The law mandates contracts include wage provisions tied to local rates, with penalties including $2,500-$5,000 fines per violation, disqualification from future state contracts (6 months for first offense, 2+ years for repeat), and allows project owners to terminate contracts or withhold payments for wage violations. The Department of Labor must determine prevailing rates in each town, and violations can be reported to prosecutors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7185: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF ETHICS.

HB 7185 requires the Office of State Ethics to study current state ethics laws for public officials and lobbyists, assessing whether amendments are needed to strengthen oversight. The study must conclude by February 1, 2026, with findings and recommendations submitted to the legislature’s government oversight committee. This bill does not change existing laws or impose new requirements - it solely mandates a review to inform potential future legislation. It is a procedural measure with no direct impact on individuals or fiscal implications, as noted in the fiscal analysis.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SJ 36: RESOLUTION PROPOSING A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would grant all Connecticut residents an enforceable right to clean air, water, soil, ecosystems, a healthy environment, and a stable climate. It requires the state to protect these rights equitably, avoid unreasonable infringement, and actively conserve natural resources like water, air, and wildlife for current and future generations. If passed by three-quarters of both legislative chambers, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval to become part of Connecticut's constitution. The amendment would not create new regulations but would establish a legal foundation for residents to seek court enforcement of environmental protections.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 7105: AN ACT CONCERNING FORENSIC AUDITS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

HB 7105 modifies how Connecticut's Department of Social Services conducts forensic audits on facilities participating in Medicaid. It directly affects nursing homes, chronic disease hospitals, rest homes with nursing supervision, residential care homes, and facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. Key provisions require 30 days' written notice before audits (unless health/safety risks or fraud exist), limit the use of "extrapolation" to calculate payment errors (only after documented failures to correct errors or when aggregate claims exceed $200,000 annually), and establish a clear process for facilities to dispute findings through exit conferences, rehearings, and binding arbitration. The bill aims to balance audit rigor with fair process for facilities.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 7190: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

HB 7190 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services to study senior citizens' needs across five specific areas: long-term care, transportation, housing assistance, nutritional support, and socialization opportunities. The study must be completed by January 1, 2026, and reported to relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects all senior citizens in Connecticut by identifying gaps in existing services, with no immediate funding or regulatory changes - only a mandated analysis to guide future resource allocation. The study can be conducted using existing agency resources, as noted in the fiscal impact statement.

Bill results