Connecticut Bills

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 420: AN ACT CONCERNING ILLEGALLY PASSING A SCHOOL BUS.

This bill updates laws regarding how drivers must behave when passing school buses and introduces new technology to enforce these rules. It requires all vehicles to stop at least ten feet away from a school bus with flashing red lights, while allowing traffic on divided highways to proceed without stopping. The legislation also permits municipalities and school districts to install digital camera systems on school buses that automatically record and report violations to police. If a violation is detected, the system can trigger a fine of $250, and the bill outlines how these fines can be used to pay for the monitoring equipment and services. Additionally, the law mandates that these cameras only record license plates to protect the privacy of passengers and other people nearby.

Dave Rutigliano (R) Jeff Gordon (R) Fred Gee (D) Lucy Dathan (D) Kara Rochelle (D)

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 296: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL STATUTES CONCERNING ROAMING LIVESTOCK AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTES CONCERNING ROAMING LIVESTOCK.

This bill creates a temporary task force to study how well current laws are enforced regarding roaming livestock, specifically focusing on interactions between pigs and cattle. The group will include representatives from both legislative chambers, law enforcement, the agriculture department, and experts in livestock management. Members must submit a report with their findings and recommendations by January 1, 2025, after which the task force will end. The legislation does not change existing laws but instead sets up a review process to improve enforcement of current regulations.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5190: AN ACT CONCERNING THE HISTORIC HOMES REHABILITATION TAX CREDIT.

HB 5190 updates Connecticut's historic home rehabilitation tax credit program to provide a 30% tax credit for owners who renovate eligible historic buildings. To qualify, the home must be listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places, and the owner must spend at least $15,000 on approved construction costs while pledging to live there as their primary residence for five years. The Department of Economic and Community Development will administer the program by reviewing renovation plans before work begins and issuing vouchers based on verified expenses after completion. This bill replaces the previous version of the law and will take effect on January 1, 2025.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5198: AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH.

HB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 272: AN ACT CONCERNING ADOPTION OF THE CONNECTICUT UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT.

This bill, known as the Connecticut Uniform Trust Decanting Act, allows trustees to move assets from an existing trust into a new trust or modify the original trust's terms to better serve the interests of beneficiaries. The law specifically authorizes "authorized fiduciaries," such as current trustees, to redistribute property that is subject to a power of appointment without needing court approval in most cases. By adopting this uniform standard, the legislation aims to provide a clear legal framework for managing complex family trusts while ensuring that distributions adhere to defined standards for qualified beneficiaries. The act takes effect on January 1, 2025, and applies to trusts governed by Connecticut law.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2024

SB 428: AN ACT CONCERNING BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE.

This bill updates the information required on official registration documents for corporations, nonprofits, limited partnerships, and foreign entities filing with the Secretary of the State. It mandates that these filings include a valid email address and a North American Industry Classification System Code to better categorize businesses. Additionally, the law allows foreign corporations to submit only business addresses instead of personal residence addresses for their directors and officers if they can demonstrate that public disclosure would pose a significant security risk. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to all new business registrations and renewals processed after that date.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5200: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY.

This bill updates state laws to improve healthcare accessibility for people with disabilities by requiring facilities to consider federal accessibility standards when buying medical equipment. It mandates that healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics, purchase diagnostic equipment like X-ray machines and examination tables that comply with these standards. Starting in 2025, facilities with two or more exam rooms must ensure at least one room is spacious enough for wheelchairs and is equipped with lifts to help patients reach medical devices. The Department of Public Health will also send annual notifications to providers about these accessibility requirements and post the information online.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5235: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.

HB 5235 updates the legal definitions of key terms within Connecticut's cannabis and drug control statutes to ensure clarity for law enforcement and regulators. The bill specifically amends the definition of "cannabis-type substances" to include various chemical compounds similar to cannabinoids while explicitly excluding mature stalks, fiber, oil, cake, and hemp as defined by federal standards. Additionally, the act clarifies the meanings of related terms such as "abuse of drugs," "distribute," and "dispense" to align with current regulatory practices. These changes directly affect the Department of Consumer Protection and other agencies responsible for enforcing state drug laws by providing a more precise framework for identifying controlled substances.

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2024

HB 5046: AN ACT PROMOTING NURSING HOME RESIDENT QUALITY OF LIFE.

This bill establishes new physical safety standards for nursing homes, requiring facilities to arrange beds with at least three feet of clearance to prevent entrapment and hazards, while also phasing in a rule that limits resident rooms to a maximum of two beds. The legislation creates a voluntary "Centers of Excellence" program designed to recognize and incentivize nursing homes that adopt evidence-based, person-centered care practices through a process involving state officials and various stakeholders. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of an online consumer report card to provide families with comprehensive information about nursing home quality and industry best practices.

signed · Connecticut · House May 30, 2024

HB 5128: AN ACT REQUIRING DISCLOSURE OF SCHOLARSHIP DISPLACEMENT POLICIES AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

This bill requires colleges and universities to inform students about their policies on scholarship displacement, which occurs when a student's financial aid is reduced because they receive an outside scholarship. Institutions must include this information in the initial financial aid package given to current and prospective students. Additionally, each school must submit a written report on its specific policies to the state's higher education committee by January 1, 2025. The law aims to increase transparency regarding how outside funding affects a student's total financial aid award.

signed · Connecticut · House May 30, 2024

HB 5146: AN ACT CONCERNING DISCLOSURES OF FINANCIAL RECORDS.

This bill updates the rules for when Connecticut financial institutions must share customer financial records with government officials. It specifically requires banks and similar institutions to provide records to the Commissioner of Social Services or their designated agents within twenty calendar days of receiving a formal request. The law also clarifies that failing to comply with these specific disclosure mandates will no longer be treated as a criminal misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill outlines other situations where financial records can be legally shared, such as in response to court orders or requests from tax authorities.

signed · Connecticut · House May 30, 2024

HB 5455: AN ACT CONCERNING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE.

This bill requires the Commissioner of Social Services to conduct a study on how efficiently the department handles medical assistance eligibility checks and answers phone calls. By October 1, 2024, the commissioner must submit a report to the legislature detailing how often eligibility decisions are made within required time limits and how long callers wait for responses. The report will also include specific recommendations to improve these processes. This legislation directly impacts the Department of Social Services and the individuals seeking medical assistance or information from the agency.

Bill results