Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5041: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF A CONNECTICUT OPTION FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INSURER REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN GENERIC DRUGS, TAX CREDITS FOR SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH CARE ARRANGEMENTS AND WORKER PORTABLE BENEFIT ACCOUNTS.

HB 5041 requires the state to study establishing a "Connecticut Option program" designed to lower health insurance premiums. The Office of Policy and Management must analyze program design, potential cost-saving mechanisms (like provider reimbursement models and state-funded risk programs), and impacts on the insurance market. This study, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028, will evaluate whether the program could qualify for federal funding via a waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The bill itself does not change coverage or costs but sets the groundwork for potential future implementation by state agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 195: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATHS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

SB 195 creates a pilot program to establish four overdose prevention centers across Connecticut municipalities, directly serving people with substance use disorder. These centers provide free drug testing strips, overdose education, counseling, safe consumption under medical supervision, and referrals to treatment services. The bill grants legal protection to healthcare providers who administer overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) at these centers, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The pilot requires local government approval and includes an advisory committee with diverse stakeholders to guide implementation and safety measures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 356: AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRONIC FILING OF CERTIFIED PAYROLL AND DAILY LOGS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

SB 356 requires contractors working on state or local public works projects (including off-site custom fabrication for such projects) to pay prevailing wages and provide employee welfare fund contributions or equivalent wages to workers. Violations, such as underpaying wages or failing to cover benefits, trigger $5,000 fines per offense and may lead to contract termination or debarment if violations exceed $50,000 in back wages or penalties over three years. The Labor Commissioner maintains a public list of violators, including violation details and financial penalties, and can refer repeat offenders for debarment. This law directly affects contractors and subcontractors on covered public projects, ensuring compliance with wage and benefit standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 326: AN ACT CONCERNING HUSKY C ASSET LIMITS.

SB 326 gradually eliminates asset limits for Connecticut's HUSKY C health program, which provides coverage to low-income residents. Starting July 1, 2026, the asset limits for unmarried individuals will rise from $1,600 to $100,000 by 2030 (reaching $100,000 in 2030), while married individuals' limits will increase from $2,400 to $150,000 by 2030 (reaching $150,000 in 2030), with no asset limit after 2031. The bill also allows applicants with income above the program's limits to qualify by using excess income to pay for medical expenses. Annual reports will track eligibility changes and state costs related to these asset limit adjustments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 237: AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

SB 237 requires the Department of Transportation to restore Shore Line East rail service to pre-pandemic levels by July 2026 and expand bus rapid transit routes connecting Hartford to Storrs, increasing frequency on the Naugatuck Valley-New Haven route, and extending the Danbury branch to New Milford. It also establishes new programs: free bus passes for high school students (grades 9-12) through a state grant program, and free bus passes for veterans, both requiring annual reporting on usage and impact. The bill revises fare change procedures to mandate public hearings and advance notice, and allocates $3 million from the General Fund to fund the student pass program for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These provisions directly affect commuters, students, veterans, and public transit operators across Connecticut.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5358: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REBASING OF RATES OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.

HB 5358 updates how Connecticut reimburses non-Medicaid residential care facilities (private facilities and regional education centers licensed for residential care but not certified for Medicaid's intellectual disability program). It changes the calculation method for reimbursement rates by allowing actual debt service (principal, interest, and repair reserves) on facility loans instead of fixed property costs, provided terms are reasonable. The bill also reinstates historical rate stability rules, limiting annual increases to 2% for certain fiscal years and requiring rates to reflect actual operating costs. This directly affects facilities receiving state payments for residential care services, ensuring reimbursement aligns with their actual financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 7: AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.

SB 7 updates Connecticut's base funding level for public schools (called "Foundation") to increase annually from $11,525 (2014-2026) to $15,500 (2031+) with inflation adjustments. It also revises the "Regional bonus" calculation for towns sending students to regional schools or paying high school tuition. The bill's primary mechanism creates a 13-member working group (including school officials, teachers, students, and community representatives) to study the state's equalization aid formula and recommend improvements for equity and fiscal soundness. This group will examine how state education funding is distributed, aiming to address disparities between school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the working group established immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5342: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND OTHER MEANS TO GENERATE DECEPTIVE SYNTHETIC MEDIA AND AFFECT ELECTIONS.

HB 5342 bans the distribution of AI-generated or manipulated images, audio, or video (called "deceptive synthetic media") during the 90 days before an election if it misleads people into thinking a real person said or did something they didn’t. It specifically targets content intended to harm a candidate or influence election results without the depicted person’s consent. The bill allows exceptions for news organizations (like TV stations or newspapers) that add clear disclaimers (e.g., "This video has been manipulated") and cite the original source, provided they follow specific formatting rules. This law directly affects political campaigns, social media platforms, and media distributors during election seasons, aiming to prevent deceptive content from swaying voters.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 394: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RISK-LIMITING AUDITS WORKING GROUP.

This bill requires election officials to conduct risk-limiting audits of state election results within 15 days after voting but before the official vote canvass. It mandates randomly selected audits for all state offices, at least one congressional seat, and 5% of state legislative seats (selected by the Secretary of State), with a maximum 5% risk limit to verify results. If an audit is inconclusive, it triggers a full manual recount of all ballots for that race. All audit processes must be public, and results can be used in election challenges, while preserving paper ballots for verification.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5539: AN ACT CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS FOR AND PENALTIES ON HOLDERS OF DEALER REGISTRATIONS REGARDING ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND VAPOR PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTS.

This bill updates Connecticut's licensing requirements for cigarette and tobacco product distributors and dealers, requiring new applicants to provide manufacturer supply affidavits, detailed ownership information, criminal background checks, and proof of compliance with federal and state laws. It mandates separate licenses for distributors and dealers, requires license display at business locations, and allows the commissioner to refuse licenses based on false statements, unpaid taxes, or relevant criminal convictions. The legislation also establishes penalties for unlicensed sales, including fines up to $1,000 or six months imprisonment per offense, with reduced fines for expired licenses used within 90 days, and authorizes seizure of illegally sold tobacco products.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5444: AN ACT CONCERNING THE INDEXING OF CERTAIN PERSONAL INCOME TAX THRESHOLDS AND EXEMPTION AMOUNTS.

This bill updates Connecticut's personal income tax thresholds and exemption amounts to reflect inflation and economic changes, directly affecting state residents who file individual income tax returns. The key mechanism involves adjusting the income levels at which different tax rates apply based on filing status, such as single filers, heads of households, married couples filing jointly, and trusts or estates. By modifying these specific income brackets, the legislation ensures that the tax brackets remain relevant over time without requiring constant legislative intervention. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to taxable years beginning on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 522: AN ACT CONVEYING A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH.

This bill authorizes the state to transfer a ten-acre parcel of land on Roast Meat Hill Road to the Town of Killingworth for a fair market price determined by independent appraisers. The transfer requires approval from the State Properties Review Board, which must complete its review within 30 days of receiving the proposed agreement. The town of Killingworth will be responsible for covering any survey costs if the commissioner deems them necessary, and the state will handle all other administrative aspects of the conveyance.

Bill results