Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 1233: AN ACT EXEMPTING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL REPORTING AN ALLEGATION INVOLVING BIGOTRY OR BIAS AND OF THE ALLEGED OFFENDER FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

SB 1233 exempts the names and addresses of both the person reporting bias incidents and the alleged offender from public disclosure under Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It specifically applies to reports involving alleged bigotry or bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity - such as hate crimes covered under laws like CGS §53a-180c (false reports based on protected status). The exemption covers reports submitted to law enforcement agencies (including standardized forms) and to a UConn database tracking such allegations. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 6850: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CONCERNING THE NONDISCLOSURE OF THE ADDRESSES OF CERTAIN PUBLIC AGENCY EMPLOYEES.

HB 6850 revises Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act to protect the residential addresses of specific public employees from disclosure. It prohibits public agencies from releasing the home addresses of judges, police officers, correction employees, public defenders, firefighters, child welfare workers, and other designated staff under FOIA requests. To qualify for this protection, employees must submit a written request to their agency and provide a business address (or municipal building address if no business address exists). Agencies must redact these addresses from disclosed records, including lists derived from electronic databases, when requested. The bill directly affects public safety and child welfare employees whose home addresses are now shielded from routine public disclosure.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 6078: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ON THE CAMPUSES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB 6078 requires colleges and universities to form campus committees - including student, administrative, and health care representatives - to assess whether emergency contraception vending machines are needed on their campuses. If a need is identified, the committee must develop an installation plan and apply for a one-time grant to cover costs, with applications due January 1, 2026. The Office of Higher Education will administer a grant program providing limited funding per vending machine, based on available funds and submitted plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with machines potentially becoming available starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 6128: AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPERATION AND MEMBERSHIP OF FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.

HB 6128 sets new rules for how fair rent commissions operate and who serves on them. It requires these commissions to include members representing tenants, landlords, property owners, and realtors to ensure balanced input. The bill also establishes procedures to improve the efficiency of commission operations, like clearer meeting protocols or decision-making steps. This directly affects local fair rent commissions that handle rent-related disputes. The changes aim to make these bodies more functional and inclusive without altering rent laws themselves.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 1175: AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CERTAIN RATE INCREASES AT ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.

SB 1175 requires assisted living facilities (ALSAs) to hold public hearings for any fee increase exceeding 10% of the previous fee. The hearing must occur at least 30 days before the increase takes effect and allow input from residents, family members, the press, or the public. This applies to all standard fee increases, while exceptions remain for immediate adjustments tied to care changes during scheduled meetings or resident condition changes. The bill amends existing law (19a-564(e)) and takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 1183: AN ACT CONCERNING PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR FARMING.

SB 1183 exempts motor vehicles used exclusively for farming from local property taxes, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects farmers, farming partnerships, or family-owned farming corporations (with majority family ownership) who qualify under specific standards. The exemption covers the assessed value of up to $100,000 per vehicle, applies only once per qualifying entity, and excludes these vehicles from the tax calculation under Section 12-81. This replaces the previous exemption language that did not explicitly include motor vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 18, 2025

HJ 47: RESOLUTION PROPOSING A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF SIXTEEN TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION AS ELECTORS AND TO BE SO ADMITTED UPON ATTAINING THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.

HJ 47 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing state citizens aged 16 to apply for voter registration in advance, with voting rights activating on their 18th birthday if they applied and meet other eligibility requirements. This would permit 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister as voters, though they could not cast ballots until turning 18. The amendment would appear on the November 2026 general election ballot, with a one-time $35,000 cost for ballot printing in fiscal year 2027. The ballot question asks voters to approve "allowing citizens who have attained the age of sixteen years to preregister to be an elector, for the purpose of becoming an elector on such citizen's eighteenth birthday."

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 1280: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMUNITY OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.

SB 1280 establishes a Community Ombudsman program within Connecticut's Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to support individuals receiving home and community-based long-term services and supports (like in-home care for elderly or disabled adults). The program investigates complaints about home care services, promotes access to these services, provides referrals for legal/housing support, and advocates for system improvements - all while protecting client data under HIPAA rules with proper consent. The Ombudsman must report annually to the legislature on program activity, complaints handled, and service gaps. This bill directly affects home care clients and providers by creating a new independent advocate for their concerns, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 1300: AN ACT CONCERNING COMPENSATING SPOUSES FOR STATE-FUNDED HOME CARE.

SB 1300 allows spouses (and other caregivers) to be paid for providing personal care to elderly individuals enrolled in Connecticut’s state-funded home care program. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ who receive state-funded home care but are ineligible for Medicaid, and their spouses who assist with care. The bill adds a new provision requiring the Commissioner of Social Services to establish training and documentation rules for caregivers to qualify for compensation. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing eligibility rules or income requirements for the program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 6912: AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA TASK FORCE.

HB 6912 establishes a state Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Task Force to examine the needs of individuals with these conditions and their caregivers, along with available services and healthcare capacity. The task force must develop a comprehensive State Alzheimer's Plan covering long-term care options, family caregiver support, early detection strategies, healthcare provider availability, home-based services, and public awareness initiatives. The plan will specifically address fiscal impacts on public health programs, dementia care costs, training requirements for healthcare workers, and safety needs. The task force, composed of 11 governor-appointed members (including people living with early-stage dementia and family caregivers) plus state agency representatives, must complete its work by October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 78: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LOCAL REPRESENTATION ON THE CONNECTICUT SITING COUNCIL.

SB 78 requires the Connecticut Siting Council to include local representation for projects involving new facilities like utilities or waste sites. Specifically, it mandates that for such projects, the council must add four temporary members: three local residents from the proposed facility’s municipality and one from a neighboring community likely affected by the project. These local members serve as nonvoting participants during the review process. The bill directly affects municipalities where proposed facilities are located and ensures their input is formally included in the siting decision-making process. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 1154: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OF CERTAIN LIGHTER-THAN-AIR BALLOONS.

SB 1154 requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to develop a phase-out plan for helium used in filling helium-filled balloons by October 1, 2025. The plan must end all helium use for these balloons in the state by December 31, 2027, and DEEP must report progress to the Environment Committee by February 1, 2026. The bill directly affects helium manufacturers, distributors, and balloon sellers by mandating a timeline for transitioning away from helium. It does not impose direct costs or new regulations on businesses but requires DEEP to coordinate with the helium industry to create the phase-out schedule.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results