Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5510: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING UNLICENSED INSTITUTIONS AND PRACTICES.

This bill strengthens enforcement against unlicensed health care institutions and practices by increasing penalties and expanding the Department of Public Health's authority. It raises fines for operating unlicensed facilities from $100 to a class D felony with up to $5,000 per day in fines, and allows the department to seek court injunctions to stop unlicensed operations. The law also gives state boards the power to issue immediate summary orders to halt violations posing imminent public health risks and to impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day. These changes apply to anyone running unlicensed nursing homes, residential care facilities, or medical practices, while exempting financial institutions that take over property through foreclosure and grace periods for license renewals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5225: AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN LICENSEES AND REGISTRANTS FROM SELLING, DISPENSING, TRANSFERRING OR DELIVERING ANY DRUG OR DEVICE TO EXECUTE A COURT-IMPOSED SENTENCE OF DEATH.

HB 5225 prohibits pharmacies, drug distributors, and manufacturers from selling, dispensing, transferring, or delivering drugs or devices intended for lethal injection executions. It directly affects licensed healthcare entities (like hospitals, pharmacies, and medical suppliers) that might otherwise provide these items to correctional facilities. The law specifically bans such transactions unless the correctional facility has no knowledge the drugs will be used for execution. Exemptions cover routine pharmacy operations (e.g., emergency stock for nursing homes) but exclude any supply for execution purposes. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 260: AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.

SB 260 prohibits dog owners from allowing dogs to roam freely on others' property or public highways without control (except during hunting season), directly affecting dog owners and keepers. It imposes escalating penalties: $350 for a first violation, $500 for subsequent violations, and a class C misdemeanor for a third violation within a year. The bill also specifies that owners who knowingly let a dangerous dog roam and cause injury face fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. Key mechanisms include requiring owner control, establishing prima facie evidence for violations, and enabling animal control officers to seek court injunctions.

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5228: AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND VAPOR PRODUCT DEALERS.

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.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 10: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN ISAIAH LINDSAY, ET AL. V. NANCY NAVARETTA IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, ET AL.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SR 10: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN ISAIAH LINDSAY, ET AL. V. NANCY NAVARETTA IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES, ET AL.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 21, 2026

HJ 65: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF MICHAEL R. RICCI OF GUILFORD TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

This bill confirms the governor's nomination of Michael R. Ricci from Guilford to serve as a neutral arbitrator on the State Department of Education Arbitration Panel. The resolution approves his reappointment for a term ending June 30, 2028, or until a successor is appointed and qualified, whichever occurs later. This action allows Ricci to continue his role in resolving disputes within the education system as part of the state's existing arbitration process. The measure is a procedural confirmation that does not alter policy but validates an administrative appointment.

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 21, 2026

HJ 66: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF ROBERT MEZZO OF NAUGATUCK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT PORT AUTHORITY.

This bill confirms the appointment of Robert Mezzo from Naugatuck to serve on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Port Authority. The resolution approves a nomination made by the Speaker of the House for a term ending June 30, 2028, or until a successor is appointed and qualified. This action directly affects the composition of the Port Authority's leadership by adding a new member. The bill is a procedural confirmation that does not change existing laws or policies.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 433: AN ACT EXPANDING LONG-TERM CARE OPTIONS.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 6: AN ACT CONCERNING SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SJ 64: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DENNIS C. MURPHY OF BRIDGEPORT TO BE REAPPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARBITRATION PANEL.

This bill confirms the nomination of Dennis C. Murphy of Bridgeport to serve as a reappointed member of the State Department of Education Arbitration Panel. The resolution approves his appointment as a neutral arbitrator for a term ending June 30, 2028, or until a successor is appointed and qualified, whichever occurs later. This action directly affects the State Department of Education by formalizing Murphy's role in resolving disputes related to education matters. The legislation is a procedural confirmation that does not create new policy but rather validates an existing gubernatorial nomination.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5571: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED OPERATORS AND A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE MARKET-BASED SOURCING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENT ASSETS INCOME AND CONCERNING THE ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT AND THE DEFINITIONS FOR CERTAIN TAX CREDITS.

This bill creates a tax credit for the operator of PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, providing up to $5 million annually for income years starting in 2026 if the operator signs a long-term agreement to host at least 15 state-sponsored events each year. It also establishes a working group to study how Connecticut taxes investment income for financial institutions and updates definitions for the Angel Investor Tax Credit to clarify who qualifies as an angel investor and what types of businesses are eligible. The working group will include state officials and legislative committee chairs, and it must submit its findings by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results