Connecticut Bills

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 194: AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN FARMING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

This bill updates Connecticut's agricultural laws to streamline how farmland can be removed from agricultural restrictions and creates a new funding account for farm programs. It allows landowners or local towns to petition the Commissioner of Agriculture to lift land restrictions, but this requires approval from the town government, a public hearing, and a vote by local voters in a referendum. If the majority of voters approve the change, the owner must pay the state the full value of the development rights before the restriction is lifted. Additionally, the bill establishes an expand and grow Connecticut agriculture account to fund specific farming initiatives and extends the official harvest season for agricultural transport vehicles to be year-round.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 393: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE TREASURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

This bill updates Connecticut laws regarding unclaimed property to include virtual currency and modernizes definitions for various financial entities. It establishes a three-year inactivity rule, presuming virtual currency held by banks, businesses, or financial organizations is abandoned if the owner has not accessed their secure system within that period. The legislation also expands the scope of covered property to explicitly include digital assets and clarifies terms like "gift certificate" to cover electronic cards while excluding certain prepaid services. These changes aim to streamline how the state identifies and processes abandoned funds held by a wide range of institutions.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 264: AN ACT CONCERNING THE BONDING AUTHORITY OF THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE REPORTING OF MATERIAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS BY STATE AGENCIES, TAX-EXEMPT PROCEEDS FUND REFERENCES AND THE NOTIFICATION OF THE SALE OR LEASE OF PROJECTS FINANCED WITH BOND PROCEEDS.

This bill updates the rules for the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority regarding how it issues bonds and manages its finances. It clarifies that bonds issued by the authority are not state debt and will be paid only from the authority's own funds, not from taxpayer money. The legislation also establishes that money raised from these bonds must be held in trust and outlines how the authority can repay the federal government if bond interest is tax-exempt. Additionally, the bill provides legal protection for the authority's directors and employees from personal liability while performing their official duties.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 154: AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS AND ASSORTED REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.

This bill requires the state Department of Education to conduct a study on schools and submit a report to the education committee by May 20, 2024. The study will examine the current state of schools, though the specific topics or metrics for the investigation are not detailed in this text. Once completed, the findings will be presented to lawmakers to inform future decisions regarding education policy.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5002: AN ACT CONCERNING EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION.

This bill creates the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, a separate financial entity designed to collect and manage money specifically for early childhood education and child care needs. The fund is established as an independent source of money that cannot be mixed with state funds, meaning the state has no claim to the money inside it and is not responsible for any debts the fund might incur. The Treasurer is authorized to invest these funds in various financial instruments to grow the account, while a new Advisory Commission will oversee the fund's financial health and create a ten-year spending plan. This commission includes a diverse group of appointed members representing parents, businesses, philanthropies, and various types of child care providers to guide how the money is used.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 220: AN ACT CONCERNING CLARIFYING THE APPEALS PROCESS UNDER THE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE STATUTES.

This bill clarifies the appeals process for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Connecticut, affecting employees denied benefits and individuals facing penalties. It establishes a 21-day window for filing appeals with the Labor Commissioner, allowing the commissioner to decide based on existing documents or to hold a hearing with witnesses if necessary. The law also outlines the steps for further appeal to the Superior Court, specifying how records are transferred and ensuring the court reviews only the certified administrative record without retrying facts.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 250: AN ACT CONCERNING THE GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM.

This bill establishes the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program, a three-year pilot initiative led by the University of Connecticut to support international students and graduates in starting new businesses. Under the program, eligible non-U.S. citizens pursuing advanced degrees in fields like science, engineering, or business would work part-time for designated employers, such as public universities or nonprofit organizations, while receiving a market-rate salary. In exchange for their employment, these individuals would be eligible to apply for a specific nonimmigrant visa allowing them to remain in Connecticut to launch their ventures after graduation. The bill also requires the university to submit annual reports to the state legislature detailing the program's progress, participant numbers, and a cost-benefit analysis by the end of 2024.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 324: AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION.

This bill modifies how Connecticut Probate Courts handle document acknowledgments, fee billing for government entities, and notice procedures in cases involving Native American children. It prohibits the remote acknowledgment of wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents, requiring them to be signed in person to prevent fraud. The legislation also ensures that state agencies and the Department of Veterans Affairs are exempt from upfront filing fees, allowing courts to bill these agencies directly for costs. Additionally, it strengthens protections for Indian children by mandating specific notification steps and waiting periods before certain foster care or adoption proceedings can occur. Finally, the bill clarifies service of process rules to ensure proper notice is given to respondents and their families in involuntary representation cases.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 235: AN ACT CONCERNING MILITARY LEAVE PROVISIONS UNDER THE STATE PERSONNEL ACT.

This bill updates the language in the State Personnel Act regarding military leave for state employees who serve in the armed forces. It removes outdated terms like "field training" and clarifies that eligible personnel are entitled to up to fifteen days of paid leave per year for required military training. The changes also allow these employees to attend training during their regular vacation time if they choose. These revisions take effect on July 1, 2024, and aim to make the rules easier to understand and apply for state workers serving in the military.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 396: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ELDERLY NUTRITION PROGRAM.

This bill updates the state's Elderly Nutrition Program by directing additional funding to area agencies that have spent at least half of their initial contract allocation and requiring these agencies to create plans that prevent service disruptions if providers leave. It also mandates that agencies notify officials of significant changes in service levels and apply for future funding through a specific grant portal. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Department of Aging and Disability Services to streamline the program's contracting and reporting processes to reduce administrative burdens for providers. Additionally, the bill modifies existing privacy laws to allow the sharing of social services applicant data with specific state agencies for purposes such as fraud investigation and locating absent parents.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 201: AN ACT CONCERNING UNFAIR REAL ESTATE LISTING AGREEMENTS AND THE CONNECTICUT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT.

This bill prohibits real estate service providers from entering into unfair agreements that attempt to bind future property owners or create liens on residential real estate. It defines these unfair agreements as contracts that do not require services to be completed within one year and allows providers to assign rights or create security interests without the owner's consent. The legislation bans the recording of such agreements and declares them unenforceable, while also requiring existing agreements to be publicly recorded by July 31, 2024, or they will become void. Violations of these rules are classified as unfair trade practices under state law, and affected property owners may seek damages and legal fees from the service provider.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 426: AN ACT CONCERNING COURT OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

This bill updates Connecticut court procedures and contractor requirements to ensure fair treatment and efficient case management. It mandates that contractors working with the courts must not discriminate against individuals based on various protected characteristics, such as race, disability, or veteran status. The legislation also changes how courts handle cases where defendants fail to appear or pay fines, requiring these failures to be reported to the commissioner and automatically dismissing certain infractions after seven years. Additionally, the bill clarifies the process for issuing risk protection orders by specifying that judges must base these decisions on sworn affidavits detailing threats of violence or cruelty toward people and animals.

Bill results