This bill imposes a 5% surcharge on insurance policies covering fossil fuel infrastructure such as oil wells, pipelines, refineries, and coal facilities, effective January 1, 2027. The collected funds will be deposited into a new climate resilience account managed by state officials. These funds will be used to provide flood risk data to communities, run public awareness campaigns about flooding risks, and offer grants for building climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce flood damage. The policy directly affects insurance companies issuing policies for fossil fuel operations and communities that may receive funding for flood mitigation projects.
This bill establishes a state-funded caregiver respite program to assist parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled in Medicaid home and community-based services. The program would provide state-financed care for these children, giving parents temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities. The Commissioner of Social Services is authorized to seek necessary Medicaid approvals or federal waivers to implement this initiative, with funding dependent on available state appropriations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and specifically targets parents of children with autism who do not have intellectual disabilities.
This bill requires that, starting October 1, 2026, anyone performing duties as an on-site wastewater specialist in Connecticut must be certified by the Department of Public Health and appointed by a local health director. It establishes three certification levels based on the size and complexity of the sewage systems being inspected, with Phase I covering smaller residential systems, Phase II for medium-sized buildings, and Phase III for larger alternative treatment systems. Current health department agents must transition to this new certification system by October 1, 2027, while department employees retain the ability to conduct inspections without certification. The bill also creates a training program requirement and sets up a process for applicants to gain certification through approved courses and examinations.
This bill creates a new state-funded program to help veterans and other vulnerable individuals maintain food assistance benefits despite recent federal changes to work requirements. It establishes a $40 million state account to fund transitional benefits of up to $194 per month for 12 months, along with job training and case management services for those at risk of losing benefits. The legislation also requires the Department of Social Services to implement staggered benefit distributions to reduce processing delays and mandates that veterans receive the same benefit levels they had before federal work requirements were introduced. Additionally, the bill authorizes the commissioner to seek federal waivers for individuals in high-unemployment areas and standardizes utility allowance calculations for SNAP recipients.
This bill establishes two main programs to support unpaid and paid internship opportunities in Connecticut. First, it requires state higher education boards to create a program that helps small businesses with 50 or fewer employees offer paid, high-quality internships by providing training and resources on managing internship programs. Second, it creates a stipend program for college students receiving federal Pell grants to offset costs like transportation and clothing when participating in internships. The bill also mandates annual reporting on program participation and establishes a state quality seal to recognize businesses with internship programs that meet specific standards for mentorship, learning opportunities, and clear communication.
This bill establishes a 250-foot security perimeter around election sites, including polling places, early voting locations, and ballot drop boxes, where federal or state law enforcement officers are generally prohibited from entering unless specific exceptions apply. The law also bans individuals from wearing face-obscuring masks within the perimeter, prohibits requiring identification near election sites, and makes it a class C felony punishable by voter disenfranchisement to violate these restrictions. Additionally, the bill criminalizes possessing firearms or deadly weapons within 250 feet of election sites, with exceptions for unloaded weapons in locked containers on vehicles and certain school-related activities. These provisions take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to all elections, primaries, and referendums.
This bill requires the Department of Social Services to publish quarterly reports on financial and operational data for the fiscal intermediaries that manage Medicaid-funded personal care attendant programs, including timesheet accuracy, payroll errors, and customer service response times. It also mandates an annual compliance audit of these intermediaries by the Auditors of Public Accounts to ensure contract adherence. Additionally, the bill directs the Office of Policy and Management to conduct a cost-benefit analysis by October 1, 2026, to determine whether the state should take over fiscal intermediary duties from private contractors and whether personal care attendants without medical assistance eligibility should gain access to state-subsidized health insurance. These measures aim to increase transparency, improve program oversight, and evaluate potential administrative changes for self-directed home care services.
This bill modifies how members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles are compensated by removing a fixed payment amount for part-time members. The change allows the Commissioner of Administrative Services to determine per diem payments for part-time members based on available funds, while full-time members will continue to receive salaries set by the Commissioner. The bill also clarifies that the chairperson or their designated substitute must attend all board meetings and participate in all decisions. This adjustment affects the financial arrangements for board members but does not alter their duties or the board's decision-making process.
HB 5030 implements the governor's budget recommendations by creating a "Pizza State" commemorative license plate program for Connecticut vehicle owners. Vehicle owners who purchase these plates pay a $65 fee, with $50 deposited annually into a fund supporting Connecticut Foodshare. The bill also establishes a new Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and modifies fund distribution to Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut, Inc. These changes take effect on or after July 1, 2026, with the plate program requiring new fees and administrative procedures.
SB 3 requires the state to cover the full cost of health care premium increases for people enrolled in Access Health CT who have household incomes between 500% and 600% of the federal poverty level. This directly affects moderate-income residents who rely on Access Health CT for health insurance, ensuring they do not face higher out-of-pocket costs due to premium hikes. The bill mandates a state appropriation from the General Fund to pay for these increases, rather than shifting the cost to enrollees. It aims to maintain affordability amid federal subsidy reductions, without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria.
HB 5148 requires Connecticut's Department of Education to study schools statewide and submit a report to the legislature's education committee by May 20, 2026. The bill does not change existing laws or fund new programs - it only mandates this study to inform future education policy. The Department of Education is directly affected as the entity responsible for conducting the study and preparing the report. This procedural bill has no immediate policy impact beyond the mandated study and reporting.
SB 232 requires streaming video services (like Netflix or Hulu with ads) available to Connecticut consumers to match federal standards for commercial ad volume, effective July 1, 2027. This means ads cannot be louder than those on traditional TV or cable, as set by the Federal Communications Commission under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Providers facing significant financial hardship may apply for a one-year waiver from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, renewable once. The law directly affects streaming services that deliver content directly to Connecticut residents, excluding broadcast stations and cable operators. Violations are deemed unfair trade practices under state law, but no private lawsuits are allowed.
