SB 1451 requires home health care agencies, home health aide agencies, and hospice agencies (excluding those licensed as hospices) to collect specific safety information from clients during intake, including histories of violence, substance use, domestic abuse, psychiatric conditions, and location hazards like crime rates or weapons. Agencies must implement CDC/NIOSH-endorsed safety training for workers, provide annual training, conduct monthly safety assessments, and report workplace violence incidents within seven days to qualify for Medicaid rate enhancements. The law prohibits denying services based on collected safety information or client refusal to provide it. This applies to all covered agencies starting October 1, 2025.
HB 6735 prohibits foreign governments and certain entities from China or Russia from owning, possessing, or acquiring property within a three-mile radius of military installations or agricultural land in the state. It requires buyers to submit a sworn affidavit confirming they are not restricted foreign entities and mandates foreign principals to notify the Adjutant General 30 days before purchasing near military sites. Violations may result in property forfeiture, with the state able to seize and sell the property, applying proceeds to liens, fines, or returning funds to the original owner. The law directly affects Chinese and Russian government entities, political parties, and corporations operating under their control seeking to buy such properties.
HB 7123 helps military-connected children with special education needs transition smoothly when moving due to military orders. It requires schools to transfer records and complete evaluations within 30 days for children with individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, ensuring comparable services. The bill also allows these children to stay enrolled in their current school district during the school year if their parent receives military orders relocating them, accepting military orders as proof of residency. These changes apply directly to military families in Connecticut and aim to reduce disruptions in education during relocations.
HB 6748 allows veterans with an "other than honorable" military discharge to apply to have their state veterans registry record updated to "honorable" if they believe the discharge was based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or a qualifying medical/service-related condition. Veterans must submit evidence supporting their claim through a standardized state application process, reviewed by a board within 30 days and decided by the state Veterans Affairs commissioner within 10 days. If approved, veterans gain eligibility for state-based veterans benefits and are recorded as having an "honorable" discharge on the state registry. The bill also updates related statutes to align with these changes, focusing solely on state registry classification - not federal discharge status.
SB 829 clarifies that "hours worked" includes time employees spend undergoing required security screenings at work. This change ensures employees are paid for this time, which was previously inconsistently treated under the law. The bill directly affects all workers required to pass through security screenings as part of their job duties, including retail, healthcare, and office staff. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact as the Department of Labor already enforces this practice.
HB 6440 updates Connecticut's military structure by allowing former Governor's Guards members to organize as a private military force focused on preserving their history and traditions, effective July 2025. It enables the Governor to reactivate historically related military units for ceremonial events (like parades) without using state funds or involuntarily activating personnel. The bill also redefines the state's militia into four classes: unorganized, organized (including the Governor's Guards), National Guard, and naval militia. These changes clarify roles and authority under state law while emphasizing ceremonial use over operational military purposes.
HB 6765 creates a dental assistance program for eligible veterans starting January 1, 2026. The program provides vouchers to cover costs of dental services at federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs), the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, and other public higher education institutions offering dental care. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs will develop eligibility rules, application procedures, covered services, and cost limits through regulations. This bill directly affects veterans meeting specific criteria (defined by future regulations) who seek dental care at participating facilities, with implementation dependent on available funding.
This bill limits security deposits for residential rentals to one month's rent for all tenants, replacing the current system where tenants under 62 could pay up to two months' rent while those 62+ were capped at one month. Landlords must return any excess deposit immediately upon tenant request, regardless of age. It applies to all new rental agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2025. The law affects all residential renters in the state by standardizing deposit requirements.
HB 7168 creates two programs to support teachers. First, it establishes a tuition assistance program covering remaining tuition costs (after other aid) for eligible high school students with a B+ average who commit to teaching in state public schools for five years. Second, it creates a scholarship for certified teachers in alternative certification programs to pursue a master's degree, awarded on a first-come basis. The bill appropriates $5 million for the tuition program and requires annual reports on participation, completion rates, and employment outcomes. These programs directly affect future and current teachers in public schools, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through financial support tied to service commitments.
SB 1459 establishes a minimum salary for certified teachers in Connecticut, requiring all new or amended collective bargaining agreements after July 1, 2025, to pay at least 300% of the federal poverty level for a family of two. It creates a state grant program distributing $600 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (and 20% of unappropriated surplus for 2026-2027) to municipalities based on their equalization aid share, to fund teacher salary increases. Municipalities must allocate these grants proportionally per student, with school districts using at least 75% of the funds to raise salaries for teachers not at the maximum salary level, and ensuring all teachers below the minimum salary receive the difference. The bill directly affects certified teachers in public school districts covered by collective bargaining agreements, aiming to standardize and increase their compensation.
SB 1510 modifies Connecticut's education statutes with three key changes. It increases retirement benefit rates for educators in "alliance districts" from 2% to 2.2% of average salary per year of full-time service, while adding special rules for early retirement in these districts. The bill also mandates that school grant programs report on student achievement and attendance outcomes, and requires at least 10% of grant funds to be allocated to small municipalities (population ≤7,500) or their school boards. Additionally, it establishes a permanent Connecticut School Reform Resource Center to provide professional development and research-based tools for schools statewide. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1150 waives the standard renewal fees for driver's licenses and identity cards for veterans. Veterans with documented veteran status on their current license can renew without paying the typical fee (e.g., $96 for an 8-year license). If a veteran applies for renewal more than six months before expiration, they receive a voucher for a free renewal during that six-month window. This policy directly affects veterans who are current license holders and need to renew, while non-veterans continue to pay standard fees.
