HB 5228 requires new and renewing cigarette and vaping product dealers in Connecticut to obtain a license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services starting October 1, 2026. It directly affects businesses selling these products by imposing two key limits: no more than 25% of a store’s retail floor space can be dedicated to tobacco products, and tobacco sales cannot exceed 50% of the business’s total annual retail sales. The bill also mandates that applicants post license applications online and at the business location for two weeks, allowing local residents to file objections. If a business exceeds the space or sales limits, the commissioner may deny or refuse to renew the license. This bill updates licensing rules for tobacco and vaping product dealers without changing tax rates or product regulations.
This bill approves a settlement agreement reached in a lawsuit concerning the timely discharge of individuals from the state's forensic psychiatric hospital into the community. The resolution makes state funding available to cover costs associated with transitioning these patients to community mental health services, including specific payments for legal fees and independent review. By passing this measure, the General Assembly authorizes the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to implement the settlement's requirements, which involve policy changes to ensure patients ready for release are moved out of the hospital promptly. If the legislature does not approve the agreement within the specified timeframe, the settlement becomes invalid and unenforceable.
This Senate resolution approves a settlement agreement regarding a lawsuit against the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, directly affecting state funding and the treatment of individuals in forensic psychiatric facilities. The key provision requires the state to use General Fund money to help patients who are clinically ready transition from Whiting Forensic Hospital to community-based mental health services. By signing this bill, the Senate authorizes approximately $3.5 million in costs for the 2027 fiscal year and $7 million for 2028 to cover these transitions and related legal fees. If the General Assembly does not approve the agreement within the specified timeframe, the settlement becomes unenforceable.
This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Social Services to rebalance its long-term care strategy to increase home and community-based care options for Medicaid recipients and low-income individuals who currently do not qualify for Medicaid. The law requires the department to develop a strategic plan that considers regional aging trends, service gaps, and provider quality, with a specific goal of expanding access to home care for people earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the bill establishes a requirement for the Long-Term Care Planning Committee to study methods for expanding these care options and submit a report by December 2026 that includes estimated cost savings from reducing reliance on skilled nursing facilities.
SB 6 establishes a $600 annual tax credit per dependent child for eligible taxpayers with up to three children, phased out for higher-income households (e.g., $100k+ for single filers). It mandates all public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the 2027 fiscal year, funded by state grants. The bill also prohibits certain convicted individuals (e.g., for specific sex offenses) from sharing a home with a minor child unless they are the biological or adoptive parent, with exceptions for finalized adoptions. Additionally, it requires correctional facilities to notify child welfare agencies when such individuals are released, triggering case reviews for children under protective services.
This bill establishes security measures around election sites, including polling places, early voting locations, and ballot drop boxes, by restricting the presence of law enforcement, prohibiting face-obscuring masks, and banning firearm possession within 250 feet of these locations. The law defines election sites broadly to cover various voting activities and sets specific exceptions for law enforcement acting under official warrants, emergency situations, or with state official permission. Violations of these provisions are classified as class C felonies and result in loss of voting rights, while the bill includes exemptions for lawfully carried firearms on private property and for certain school-related activities.
This bill amends a previous agreement to transfer two parcels of state-owned land in New Haven to the city, with the state covering only administrative costs for the transfer. The city must use the land for economic, municipal, utility, or institutional purposes and can sell or lease portions, but must return the land to the state if it remains unused for three years. The transfer is conditional on the city or a third party developing a transportation and automotive education facility within two years, or agreeing to other terms that support higher education investments. The State Properties Review Board must approve the conveyance, and the Board of Regents retains control of the land until the transfer is completed.
This bill directs state officials to transfer an additional portion of state-owned land in Stratford to the town, completing a previous land conveyance that had retained some land for state use. The state will give the town a parcel at no cost except for administrative fees, while keeping a smaller portion for its own offices and parking under a formal agreement. The town must use the combined land for municipal and affordable housing purposes, and the land will return to state ownership if the town fails to meet these requirements or leases it to non-approved entities. State agencies must finalize a written agreement before the transfer occurs, and the State Properties Review Board will approve the process within 30 days.
This bill directs the state Comptroller to study retirement health benefits for paraeducators, who are classroom support staff in public schools. The study must examine what benefits paraeducators currently receive and gather recommendations for potential legislative improvements. The Comptroller must complete this review and submit a report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2027. This measure does not change existing laws or create new benefits immediately, but rather establishes a process to evaluate the current situation before any policy changes are considered.
This bill requires the Connecticut Commissioner of Social Services to upgrade electronic benefit transfer cards with security chip technology to help prevent fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other state benefit programs by July 1, 2026. The legislation also expands the definition of "public servant" to include unpaid advisors and consultants performing governmental functions, ensuring they are covered under state fraud and corruption laws. Additionally, the bill clarifies legal definitions for terms like "knowingly," "claim," and "material" in fraud-related statutes to improve consistency in how these offenses are prosecuted. A report on the implementation and effectiveness of the new security measures must be submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2027.
This bill proposes two main changes to Connecticut's education sector: it requires a study on whether retired teachers could return to full-time work without affecting their pensions and allows former teachers to apply for disability benefits if their condition began while employed, with results due by January 2027; and it establishes a $45,000 minimum annual salary for paraeducators starting July 2026. To help schools afford the salary increase, the state will provide subsidies to cover the difference between current and minimum pay rates for the fiscal year ending June 2028 and annually thereafter. Additionally, school boards must pay the employee portion of retirement contributions for paraeducators, with the state covering at least half of that cost. These provisions aim to improve retirement options for teachers and increase compensation and retirement security for paraeducators.
This bill requires employers in Connecticut to inform job applicants and employees when automated systems are used to make employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, or performance evaluations. Companies deploying these systems must disclose what personal data is being collected, how long it will be kept, who will access it, and provide options for applicants to opt out of data processing. The law also mandates that employees receive written notice before any employment decision is made, explaining the purpose of the automated system and the nature of the decision being made. Developers of these systems must provide necessary information to employers to ensure compliance, unless they have a contract assuming those responsibilities. The protections apply to various automated processes including resume screening, online interview analysis, and predictive assessments used in workplace decisions.
