Connecticut Bills

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5291: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING IMPROVED OPIOID MONITORING.

This bill updates the Department of Public Health's requirements for reporting and monitoring opioid overdoses to help prevent future incidents. It mandates that hospitals and emergency medical services report all opioid overdose cases to the state and requires mental health screenings for nonfatal overdoses starting in 2020. Additionally, the law introduces a requirement for toxicology screenings for patients with nonfatal overdoses beginning in 2025, covering substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, and xylazine. All data collected under these new rules must be shared with local health departments to support community prevention efforts while remaining confidential.

Irene Haines (R) Jeff Gordon (R) Lisa Seminara (R) Holly Cheeseman (R) Robin Comey (D)

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5304: AN ACT DESIGNATING THE STATE DOG AND STATE CANDY AND CREATING A WORKING GROUP CONCERNING REDESIGNATING THE STATE INSECT.

This bill designates the Siberian Husky as the official state dog and the lollipop as the official state candy, effective October 1, 2024. It directly affects state symbols by formally recognizing these specific items through new legal sections. The legislation does not create a working group or address insect redesignation, as that portion of the title appears to be unrelated to the actual text of the act.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5293: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES STATUTES.

This bill creates a new Oral Health and Dental Services Unit within the Department of Developmental Services to support people with intellectual disabilities in maintaining their oral health. The unit will provide access to specialized dental care, offer education to patients and families, and conduct related research. Additionally, the legislation expands the ability of dental school graduates and foreign-trained dentists to practice temporarily in state clinics and the new unit. It also establishes a grant program to help developers build supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5262: AN ACT CONCERNING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

This bill requires Connecticut school districts to implement a statewide program focused on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and assault. The program includes mandatory training for school staff, age-appropriate educational materials for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and a uniform policy for reporting and supporting victims. While the curriculum must be delivered to all students, parents have the option to opt their children out of the program entirely or from specific parts of it. If a student is exempted, the school must provide alternative academic activities during that time. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a new survey to measure awareness and prevention efforts within schools.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5285: AN ACT CONCERNING VETERANS' SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR CERTAIN FORMER ARMED FORCES RESERVISTS.

This bill allows certain former military reservists and Hmong Laotian special guerilla units members to receive official veteran status for the purpose of obtaining specialty license plates and driver's licenses. It requires these individuals to submit service documentation to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which must verify their eligibility within thirty days before notifying the Motor Vehicles Commissioner. The law also clarifies that receiving these plates does not guarantee eligibility for other veteran benefits and mandates that plates be returned if the owner is dishonorably discharged.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5399: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

This bill creates a Sexual Assault Criminal Justice Response, Enhancement and Model Policy Advisory Council to evaluate and improve how Connecticut handles sexual assault cases. The council will examine current practices by law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and correctional facilities, including data accuracy, risk assessments, and training for officials. It establishes a diverse group of members appointed by government leaders, including representatives from police, victim advocates, and community organizations, to guide these efforts. The council is tasked with developing a new model policy by July 2025 and updating it annually, which will then be distributed to all law enforcement units in the state.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5382: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

This bill requires the Child Advocate to examine the laws, policies, and procedures of the Department of Children and Families by January 1, 2025. The Advocate must then submit a report to the relevant legislative committee detailing findings and suggestions for improvements aimed at enhancing child safety. This process directly involves the Child Advocate office and the Department of Children and Families, while the report is intended for review by lawmakers overseeing child-related issues.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5273: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING DIVISION WITHIN THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, AUDITS AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE.

This bill requires town assessors, tax collectors, and special services districts to submit annual reports to the Office of Policy and Management detailing their mill rates and tax levies for the upcoming fiscal year. It establishes a deadline of July 1st for these submissions and imposes a $250 or $100 fine on municipalities or officials who fail to file the required documents correctly. Additionally, the legislation allows towns conducting property revaluations to gradually phase in assessment increases over time rather than applying them all at once. These changes aim to improve the collection and review of financial data from local governments while providing a mechanism for managing property tax burdens.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5353: AN ACT CONCERNING THE GAS CYLINDER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill allows a gas cylinder stewardship organization to file a civil lawsuit against a producer if the producer fails to follow the program's rules and causes the organization to incur more than $500 in costs related to handling, recycling, or disposing of cylinders. The law defines these costs to include administrative expenses, education efforts, and legal fees, ensuring that non-compliant producers pay for the financial burden their actions place on the stewardship program. Importantly, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is not required to participate in or assist with these lawsuits, giving the stewardship organization the authority to take legal action independently. This change aims to provide a direct legal mechanism for enforcing compliance within the gas cylinder stewardship framework without relying on state agency intervention.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 5, 2024

SB 372: AN ACT CONCERNING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY PAYMENTS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DEPOSIT INTO THE INSURANCE FUND.

This bill requires domestic insurance companies and related entities to make annual payments into the state Insurance Fund to cover specific government expenses. The payments are calculated based on the actual costs incurred by the Insurance Department, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, the Office of Health Strategy, and the fall prevention program, while excluding foreign insurers and fraternal benefit societies. To ensure accuracy, the bill establishes a process where the Insurance Commissioner sends each liable company a detailed statement listing the specific amounts owed and their proportionate share of total taxes before the due date. Any company that disagrees with its assessment can appeal the decision through the existing legal procedures outlined in the state statutes.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 5, 2024

SB 459: AN ACT CONCERNING A CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT.

This bill directs the state to transfer a 1.5-acre parcel of land in Bridgeport to Island Brook Joint Venture, LLC for $155,000, fulfilling a lease agreement originally signed in 2001. The transfer includes specific conditions such as retaining utility easements for the city and requires final approval from the State Properties Review Board. Until the official deed is issued, the land will remain under the management of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which also handles the financial and administrative aspects of the sale.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5277: AN ACT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT WATER AUTHORITY.

HB 5277 amends the charter of the South Central Connecticut Water Authority to allow the organization to invest in or conduct noncore businesses, provided such investments stay within specific financial limits approved by its policy board. The bill also updates the legal definitions used in the authority's governing documents to clarify terms like "customer," "properties," and "water supply system." These changes directly affect the regional water authority and its members by expanding its operational flexibility while maintaining oversight on financial activities.

Bill results