Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 6967: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ASSIGNMENT OF POST-LOSS HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE BENEFITS AND REVISING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS AND SALESPERSONS.

HB 6967 establishes new rules for homeowners and businesses assigning insurance claim benefits to contractors after property damage. It requires all assignment agreements (effective January 2026) to be in writing, include a clear 14-day rescission period for policyholders, provide itemized cost estimates, and display a prominent warning about giving up insurance rights. The bill also mandates contractors deliver signed agreements to insurers within three business days or before work begins, and prohibits fees like bank check processing charges or cancellation penalties. This directly affects homeowners, commercial property owners, contractors, and insurers by increasing transparency and protecting policyholders from unfair contract terms.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 6920: AN ACT CONCERNING PATIENT-SPECIFIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROTOCOLS FOR PERSONS WITH A RARE DISEASE OR SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS.

HB 6920 requires emergency medical providers - including emergency department physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and emergency medical services personnel - to follow patient-specific emergency care protocols for individuals with rare diseases or special health care needs. These protocols must be developed by the patient’s regular physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse and provided to the emergency provider by the patient or their parent, guardian, caregiver, or legal representative. The law applies to all relevant emergency care settings and takes effect on October 1, 2025. It has no anticipated fiscal impact, as it mandates adherence to existing patient-specific plans rather than creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 6980: AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE REGARDING TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH STATUTES.

HB 6980 updates several public health statutes to implement technical revisions recommended by the Legislative Commissioners' Office. It requires the department to provide written notice 10 days in advance when proposing behavior-modifying medication use or community placement decisions for people with intellectual disabilities, and mandates a hearing if objections are raised. The bill also establishes uniform standards across human services agencies (like Developmental Services and Mental Health) for data, terminology, and electronic health systems, and adjusts Medicaid cost-sharing rules for assisted living residents based on income thresholds. These changes directly affect individuals with intellectual disabilities, human services agencies, and Medicaid recipients, effective October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 6767: AN ACT CONCERNING A DISABLED VETERANS REVOLVING LOAN FUND.

HB 6767 establishes a dedicated revolving loan fund within Connecticut's Small Business Express program specifically for disabled veteran-owned businesses. This fund provides loans, loan guarantees, and related financial assistance to support business growth, with eligible applicants being businesses owned by disabled veterans who meet Connecticut's small business criteria. The loans can be used for equipment, improvements, working capital, or other business expenses, though specific interest rates and maximum amounts aren't detailed for this component (unlike the minority business fund). The program requires businesses receiving assistance to remain in Connecticut for at least five years, and the fund is designed to become self-sustaining through repayments and investment income over time.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 1429: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR MILITARY FUNERAL HONOR GUARD DETAIL COMPENSATION.

SB 1429 creates a Connecticut state income tax deduction for military members who receive compensation for serving on funeral honor guard details. This deduction applies to compensation that is already counted as federal taxable income, reducing the recipient's Connecticut taxable income. The bill directly affects Connecticut military personnel who provide funeral honors for deceased service members, allowing them to lower their state tax bill on this specific income. The deduction becomes effective for tax years starting January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 1324: AN ACT AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL TO ADMINISTER GLUCAGON NASAL POWDER.

SB 1324 allows emergency medical services (EMS) personnel - including certified EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics - to administer glucagon nasal powder when treating severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in diabetic patients. The bill requires EMS staff to complete training recognized by the state health commissioner before using the medication, and mandates that all licensed ambulances may carry glucagon nasal powder for this purpose. It directly affects diabetic patients experiencing life-threatening hypoglycemia and EMS providers who respond to such emergencies. The policy change enables faster, on-site treatment without requiring a physician's order during critical incidents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 1296: AN ACT CONCERNING STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS UNDER THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

SB 1296 requires state officials - including elected leaders, legislators, department heads, and quasi-public agency members - to electronically file annual financial disclosures by May 1. The filings must detail business associations, income over $1,000, securities over $5,000, real property, and debts over $10,000 held by the official or their household. It exempts retirement accounts (like 401(k)s) from listing individual securities, requiring only the plan name instead. This expands transparency requirements for public officials under the state ethics code, effective October 1, 2025.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 973: AN ACT PERMITTING REDACTION FEES FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS CREATED BY POLICE BODY-WORN RECORDING EQUIPMENT OR DASHBOARD CAMERAS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

SB 973 allows law enforcement agencies to charge fees when redacting personal information (like names or identifying details) from police body camera or dashboard camera footage provided under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It directly affects people requesting such footage (requesting parties) and individuals depicted in the recordings (involved persons). The bill creates a formal process for agencies to impose these fees, rather than providing unredacted footage at no cost, while maintaining requirements for redaction standards. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 6931: AN ACT CONCERNING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DUE TO AN EMPLOYER OTHER THAN THE STATE UNDER THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS.

HB 6931 amends the state ethics code to clarify conflicts of interest for public officials and state employees who have a non-state employer (e.g., a private business). It requires elected officials to have actual knowledge of financial gain or loss to their employer for a conflict to exist, rather than just a reasonable belief. Non-elected state employees on regulatory agencies must either recuse themselves from decisions affecting their financial interests or submit a written statement to the Office of State Ethics explaining the conflict and how they will act fairly. This bill directly affects state legislators, agency staff, and others with private-sector jobs who make public decisions.

signed · Connecticut · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 7067: AN ACT CONCERNING AN EMERGENCY CERTIFICATE OF NEED APPLICATION PROCESS FOR TRANSFERS OF OWNERSHIP OF HOSPITALS THAT HAVE FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION, THE ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR PROPERTY TAXATION, A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS WHO ARE PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED AND FUNDING OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION EXCESS COST GRANT.

HB 7067 creates an emergency process for hospitals in bankruptcy to transfer ownership more quickly. It allows potential buyers to apply for an "emergency certificate of need" through a streamlined process managed by the Health Strategy Commissioner, requiring review within 60 days to assess impacts on healthcare access, cost, and quality. This directly affects hospitals seeking bankruptcy-related ownership transfers and their potential purchasers. The bill also includes unrelated provisions about vehicle property tax assessments, veteran tax exemptions, and special education funding, but the primary focus is the hospital ownership process.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

signed · Connecticut · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 7066: AN ACT CONCERNING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES, THE PURCHASE AND OPERATION OF CERTAIN DRONES, GRANTS TO CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND STUDENT ATHLETE COMPENSATION THROUGH ENDORSEMENT CONTRACTS AND REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENTS.

HB 7066 requires all Connecticut public schools to establish clear protocols for interactions between school staff and federal immigration authorities. It mandates that each school designate at least one administrator to handle such interactions, based on new Department of Education guidance. Key provisions include requiring staff to request immigration officials' identification, verify warrants, review warrant details, and consult legal counsel before sharing information. The bill also prohibits schools from disciplining staff who follow these protocols during immigration-related requests.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 1176: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN AND AREA AGENCIES ON AGING SERVICE NAVIGATORS.

SB 1176 allocates $115,000 annually from the General Fund for hiring regional ombudsmen at the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and $390,000 annually to fund one additional service navigator per agency at five Area Agencies on Aging. The funding covers fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and 2027, starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly supports staffing for two specific state agencies that assist seniors with long-term care and aging services. It provides dedicated funding without altering existing laws or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results