Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5582: AN ACT AMENDING A PRIOR CONVEYANCE TO CONVEY AN ADDITIONAL PORTION OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF STRATFORD.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 442: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF RETIREMENT HEALTH BENEFITS FOR PARAEDUCATORS.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 480: AN ACT CONCERNING PREVENTING FRAUD IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND EXPRESSLY EXTENDING FRAUD AND CORRUPTION PENALTIES TO PUBLIC SERVANTS.

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.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5446: AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHERS' DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND PARAEDUCATORS' SALARY AND RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 435: AN ACT CONCERNING AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS PROTECTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 453: AN ACT CONCERNING A CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED SURCHARGE ON CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 500: AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE-FUNDED CAREGIVER PROGRAM TO ASSIST PARENTS OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER ENROLLED IN A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5519: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ON-SITE WASTEWATER SPECIALISTS AND WATER OPERATOR APPRENTICES.

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.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 497: AN ACT PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER PERSONS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL PROGRAM CUTS, A FOOD AS MEDICINE WAIVER PROGRAM, MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDER RATE INCREASES AND ALIGNING NUTRITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 515: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT WORKFORCE AND A PRODUCTIVITY GAP SURCHARGE.

This bill creates a new tax mechanism called a productivity gap surcharge that applies to Connecticut employers who significantly reduce their workforce payroll while maintaining or increasing their gross revenue. The law defines a productivity gap as occurring when an employer cuts payroll by more than 5% while keeping revenue stable or growing, and it specifically targets efficiency gains achieved through collaborative technology like AI that augments rather than replaces workers. Employers facing this gap would pay an annual surcharge calculated on the difference between their historical productivity levels and current reduced labor costs, while simultaneously receiving a permanent tax exemption on revenue generated through workforce augmentation. All surcharge funds collected must be deposited into a dedicated account used exclusively for workforce retraining, technical education, and career transition programs for displaced employees.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 513: AN ACT CONCERNING A PAYROLL TAX AND STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY IN THE COLLECTION OF SUCH TAX AND ESTABLISHING AN ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY ACCOUNT FOR THE REDUCTION OF CERTAIN CONSUMER CHARGES.

This bill establishes a new payroll tax program effective January 1, 2027, that allows certain state employees to voluntarily reduce their taxable wages in exchange for a state tax credit. Under the program, eligible employees earning more than $50,000 annually (or $80,000 for heads of household) can elect to participate, which would lower their gross pay but provide them with a credit against their state income tax liability. Employers of participating employees would pay a higher payroll tax rate that increases with the employee's income level, ranging from 5% to 10.5% depending on earnings brackets. The bill defines covered employees as those subject to state wage withholding and includes provisions for union members who can elect participation if their collective bargaining agreement allows it. The program is designed to improve state revenue collection efficiency while giving employees a choice to participate in the tax structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 514: AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY AGREEMENTS.

This bill creates a new program that allows private investors to fund community initiatives in economically disadvantaged areas, with repayment and bonuses tied to achieving specific performance goals. The program involves partnerships between the state Department of Economic and Community Development, community development corporations, service providers, and independent evaluators to deliver education or workforce training programs. Investors receive their capital back plus a performance-based premium only after an independent evaluator verifies that agreed-upon metrics, such as kindergarten readiness or grade-level reading proficiency, have been met. The bill establishes a five-year agreement structure that outlines performance timelines, service fees, and success payment schedules contingent on measurable outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results