Connecticut Bills

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5518: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND IN THE TOWN OF CANTON.

This bill authorizes the state to transfer a 1.53-acre parcel of land in Canton to the town for use as parking, recreation, or economic development. The transfer is free of charge except for administrative fees and requires approval from the State Properties Review Board. The town must keep the land for its intended purposes or return it to the state if it fails to do so, leases it improperly, or sells off most of the property.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 5, 2024

SB 407: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR STUDENTS OF REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS.

This bill expands the legal definition of an "employee" to include students enrolled in vocational agricultural programs at regional science and technology centers. Specifically, it grants these students access to workers' compensation coverage if they participate in approved public work-study programs or official internships. The change takes effect on October 1, 2024, and applies only to students who are actively working under these specific educational arrangements.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5517: AN ACT REPEALING THE PRIOR CONVEYANCE OF AND RECONVEYING A PARCEL OF STATE LAND IN THE TOWN OF WILTON.

This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Transportation to sell a specific 3.15-acre parcel of state land in Wilton to Hoffman Properties, LLC, at its fair market value. The sale price will be determined by averaging appraisals from two independent experts selected by the transportation commissioner, and the transaction requires approval from the State Properties Review Board. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous special act that had originally conveyed this land to the town of Wilton, effectively reversing that prior transfer.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 5, 2024

SB 349: AN ACT CONCERNING DYSLEXIA SCREENING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

This bill requires the Commissioner of Correction to create a system for screening incarcerated individuals for dyslexia. Starting July 1, 2024, the Department of Correction must screen every person entering a correctional facility who has not been screened before, completing the process within 60 days of their intake. The department must also implement procedures to screen all currently incarcerated individuals who have not yet been tested by that same deadline. Additionally, the commissioner must report annually to the General Assembly on the department's progress in meeting these screening requirements.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5199: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE SHORTAGE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN THE STATE.

This bill creates a temporary task force to investigate the shortage of athletic trainers within the state. The group will be composed of representatives from both chambers of the legislature and the Commissioner of Public Health, who will work together to examine ways to recruit more professionals into the field. Appointed members must be selected within thirty days, and the task force is required to hold its first meeting within sixty days. By January 1, 2025, the group must submit a final report containing their findings and recommendations to the relevant public health committee before the task force officially ends.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5369: AN ACT CONCERNING A BENEFITS CLIFF STUDY.

This bill establishes a one-year pilot program to help people gradually lose government benefits as their earnings increase, rather than losing all support at once. It directly affects recipients of state assistance programs such as temporary family aid, food stamps, child care subsidies, and rental assistance. Under the plan, selected participants would see their benefits reduced slowly over time once their income exceeds eligibility limits, aiming to encourage work without causing a sudden financial drop. The program must follow federal rules and conclude by September 1, 2025, with a final report detailing how many people participated and whether the approach helped them become more financially independent.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 5, 2024

HB 5428: AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO REPORT ON PROGRAM UTILIZATION.

This bill requires the Department of Children and Families to conduct a study on how its various programs are being used and submit a report by July 1, 2024. The report must cover the previous two years and include details on how many people participated in each program, the quality controls in place, and how much money was spent relative to the number of participants. The findings will be shared with the state legislature's committees responsible for children's services and budget matters. This legislation aims to provide the government with clearer data on the effectiveness and efficiency of social services without changing how those programs currently operate.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5196: AN ACT EXPANDING THE PODIATRIC SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

This bill expands the surgical scope of practice for licensed podiatrists in Connecticut to allow them to perform specific ankle surgeries independently. Effective October 1, 2024, qualified podiatrists who meet specific residency and board certification requirements will be permitted to conduct procedures such as total ankle replacements and treat tibial pilon fractures. The law also clarifies that podiatrists can now surgically address complications related to external fixation pins within the tibial diaphysis. To qualify for these expanded privileges, practitioners must have graduated from an accredited residency program and hold current board certification in reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 336: AN ACT CONCERNING THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT OF HARTFORD COUNTY'S INDEPENDENT CONSUMER ADVOCATE.

This bill updates the rules for the Independent Consumer Advocate, a role designed to protect the interests of customers served by the Metropolitan District of Hartford County. The new provisions allow the Advocate to independently represent consumers in matters involving rates, water quality, and wastewater services, with all related costs covered by the district. To ensure independence, the Advocate must be a lawyer appointed by an external Consumer Counsel rather than the district's board, and the Advocate has the right to access district records and legal experts. The bill also requires the Advocate to submit quarterly activity reports and hold an annual public forum to gather feedback from the community.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5157: AN ACT REPEALING PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE STATE-ASSISTED HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY FUND.

This bill repeals the legal provisions that created the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Fund in Connecticut. The change directly affects the Department of Housing and the owners of specific eligible housing developments previously funded through this program. By removing the fund, the legislation eliminates the state's ability to provide grants for comprehensive physical needs assessments and related energy or accessibility evaluations. The repeal takes effect on October 1, 2024, ending the specific financial support mechanism for these housing sustainability projects.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 439: AN ACT CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR PERSONS WHO ARE WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED.

This bill establishes a compensation program for individuals who were wrongfully incarcerated in the state after their convictions were overturned due to innocence or serious misconduct by state officials. To qualify, a person must have served time for a crime that was later vacated or reversed on specific grounds, and they must file a claim with the Claims Commissioner to prove their eligibility. The law sets a minimum compensation amount equal to twice the state's median family income for each year of incarceration, though the final award can be adjusted based on factors like the severity of the original crime and the individual's circumstances. In addition to monetary damages, the bill authorizes the Claims Commissioner to provide reintegration services such as housing assistance, education funding, healthcare, and child support payments. For awards exceeding twenty thousand dollars, the bill requires the General Assembly to review and potentially modify the amount within forty-five days.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 192: AN ACT CONCERNING DAM SAFETY.

This bill strengthens dam safety regulations by giving the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection the authority to immediately act on dams that pose an imminent threat to public safety or the environment. Under the new rules, the commissioner can enter private property to inspect structures, hire experts to assess risks, and issue emergency orders to owners without waiting for a prior hearing to stop dangerous conditions. If a dam owner fails to comply with these emergency orders, they become financially liable for all investigation and repair costs, plus an additional penalty equal to twice those costs. The legislation also updates penalty provisions to allow for quicker legal action against violations that endanger lives or property.

Bill results