Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5424: AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES OF THE GENERAL FUND.

HB 5424 requires the Office of Fiscal Analysis to review state General Fund spending for the 2026-2027 budget cycle, specifically identifying areas where appropriations increased by 10% or more compared to the previous biennium. The office must submit this review to the Appropriations committee by February 1, 2027. This bill does not change spending levels or directly affect residents or programs; it only mandates a data-gathering report for lawmakers. The review focuses solely on identifying significant spending increases for legislative consideration. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key facts as requested.)

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5300: AN ACT CONCERNING COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS' PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE.

HB 5300 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients living in long-term care facilities to $75, effective July 1, 2026. It requires annual adjustments to this allowance each July 1, increasing it by 25% of the federal SSI cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. The bill directly affects residents in licensed nursing homes, chronic disease hospitals, and similar facilities who receive Medicaid or SSI benefits. Funds will be paid to the facilities to deposit into residents’ personal accounts, ensuring the allowance keeps pace with inflation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5304: AN ACT CONCERNING LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PREMIUM RATES.

This bill (HB 5304) is mislabeled in its title; it does not address long-term care insurance premiums. Instead, it amends Connecticut’s income tax code by repealing and replacing a specific subsection (12-701(a)(20)(B)) that details allowable adjustments to gross income for tax calculation. The key provision adds detailed deductions for items like Social Security benefits (based on income thresholds), state bond interest, and certain federal tax refunds. It directly affects Connecticut taxpayers who itemize deductions under state law, particularly those with income subject to federal tax exemptions. The changes apply to taxable years starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5305: AN ACT CONCERNING ADULT DAY CENTER TRANSPORTATION.

HB 5305 increases payment rates for adult day care services in Connecticut by 10% starting July 1, 2026, specifically to fund transportation services. It mandates annual cost-of-living adjustments (based on the consumer price index) beginning July 1, 2027, for these services. The bill directly affects adult day care centers and elderly clients who rely on these transportation services, ensuring providers receive adjusted funding to cover transportation costs.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 410: AN ACT CONCERNING FIREFIGHTER CANCER.

This bill establishes a new lump sum death benefit of $100,000 for surviving families of first responders who die from firefighter cancer while performing their duties. It creates a dedicated "Fallen Hero Fund" to finance these payments and expands the definition of firefighter cancer to include various types of cancer affecting multiple body systems. The law applies to first responders including firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, and ensures these benefits are paid in addition to any other compensation or survivor benefits they may receive.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5540: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MITIGATION OF BENEFITS CLIFFS.

This bill updates Connecticut's Temporary Family Assistance program to help prevent families from losing benefits when they earn more money, a situation known as a benefits cliff. It allows the state to run a separate, fully state-funded version of the program to avoid federal financial penalties while keeping the same eligibility rules as the federal program. The legislation also creates specific exemptions from the 36-month time limit for families with incapacitated or elderly caretakers, pregnant women, and minor parents finishing high school, and permits up to two six-month extensions for families facing barriers like domestic violence or low income.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 434: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE CIVIL PROCEDURE LAWS IN THE STATE.

This bill establishes a working group to review and study the state's civil procedure laws, specifically examining Titles 51 and 52 of the general statutes. The group will be composed of six members appointed by various legislative leaders, including the Speaker, Senate president pro tempore, and both majority and minority leaders from each chamber. By January 1, 2027, the working group must submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the judiciary committee. The group will dissolve after submitting its report or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes later. This measure does not change any existing laws but creates a temporary committee to evaluate potential future reforms.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5551: AN ACT CONCERNING PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITING COUNCIL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CERTAIN UTILITY EXPENDITURES.

This bill restructures the Connecticut Siting Council to oversee utility projects and hazardous waste facilities, requiring specific state officials and public members to participate in review proceedings. It establishes new membership rules that include designated representatives from state agencies, legislative leaders, and five public members appointed by the Governor who must have no financial ties to utilities or related facilities. The bill also creates ad hoc members from local municipalities for specific projects and requires the council to include staff dedicated to engaging the public and providing plain language summaries of proceedings.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5564: AN ACT CONCERNING VICTIM STATEMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR VICTIM NOTIFICATION.

This bill updates Connecticut law to ensure crime victims have a formal opportunity to address the court before a defendant is sentenced or charges are dismissed. It allows victims, their families, or legal representatives to submit oral or written statements regarding the impact of the crime and their views on penalties. Prosecutors must notify victims of sentencing hearings if they wish to make a statement, and for cases involving peace officer assaults, the officer must be personally notified. Additionally, the bill requires prosecutors to provide victims with written details of proposed plea agreements, including potential prison terms and eligibility for sentence reductions or parole. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 506: AN ACT CONCERNING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR INTENTIONAL DAMAGE TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

This bill updates Connecticut's criminal penalties for intentionally damaging critical infrastructure and public safety systems. It directly affects individuals who damage utilities, transportation systems, communication networks, emergency services, or state-owned safety equipment. The law creates two new felony and misdemeanor offenses that apply when someone damages these systems with intent to cause harm or create a risk of service interruption, regardless of whether the damage causes actual disruption. Key provisions include increasing penalties for damaging electronic monitoring equipment, fire alarm systems, emergency dispatch systems, and fire suppression equipment, while also raising the monetary threshold for criminal mischief to $1,500 for state property and $250 for municipal property. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Energy ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5542: AN ACT CONCERNING CRIMINAL AND SIMPLE TRESPASS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

This bill updates Connecticut's trespass laws to specifically include school grounds, parking lots, athletic fields, and school buildings as protected areas. It creates three levels of criminal trespass offenses for unauthorized entry onto school property, ranging from first-degree criminal trespass for those who ignore direct orders to leave to third-degree for entering posted or fenced school areas. Additionally, it establishes simple trespass as a minor infraction for unauthorized entry onto school premises without intent to harm property. The changes apply to all individuals who enter or remain on school property without permission and take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5535: AN ACT CONCERNING REVIEW OF WRONGFUL INCARCERATION AWARDS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

This bill modifies the Office of the Claims Commissioner's authority to allow it to decide certain state claims for damages up to $15,000 that were previously required to be filed in Superior Court. It also changes the review process for wrongful incarceration compensation awards by requiring the General Assembly to review awards over $35,000 or those requested by claimants within 60 days instead of 45 days. The Claims Commissioner would still handle smaller awards directly, while larger or contested cases would be submitted to the General Assembly for confirmation or denial. These changes affect how citizens file claims against the state and how the legislature oversees compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

Bill results