SB 220 requires school districts to create individual reading plans for students in grades 4-9 who scored at Level 1 or 2 on English Language Arts exams or missed growth targets. Each plan must identify specific reading gaps, outline evidence-based interventions (like small-group tutoring with a 4:1 student-to-tutor ratio), and include parent communication. The bill also establishes a state grant program to fund high-dosage tutoring for these students, prioritizing districts in alliance towns or with detailed implementation plans. It updates required reading assessments for kindergarten through grade 3 to include frequent screening and progress monitoring.
HB 5247 establishes a test bed technologies program to help state agencies evaluate cost-saving technologies through temporary pilot programs. The bill creates an advisory board (with members appointed by the Governor, agency heads, and a nonprofit leader) to review technology proposals, ensuring they are safe, commercially viable, and not developed by businesses already eligible for other state programs. State agencies can run 30-60 day pilot tests using approved technologies, but applicants (technology providers) must cover all costs, provide independent market assessments, and maintain records. The program requires a 2030 report on pilot effectiveness to the legislature, with no mention of changes to the JobsCT tax rebate program in the provided text.
SB 191 establishes a state-run pilot program for psychedelic-assisted therapy using MDMA and psilocybin, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects qualified patients in Connecticut who are 18+ and meet specific criteria (veterans, retired first responders, or healthcare workers), providing them access to therapy administered by a state-selected medical school. The program requires federal FDA approval under 21 CFR 312 for research purposes and will terminate once MDMA/psilocybin receive DEA approval for medical use. The bill repeals an existing statute and creates a structured framework for this therapeutic pilot program.
HB 5259 requires Connecticut school districts to provide educational services to homeless children and youth in alignment with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.). It prohibits school districts from denying enrollment based on residency and guarantees homeless students a hearing if denied accommodations. The bill also ensures unaccompanied homeless youth (those without a parent or guardian) can access their educational and medical records held by the school. These changes directly affect homeless students, their guardians, and school districts across Connecticut.
HB 5256 removes a requirement for local governments to file certified copies of resolution or petition requests with the Secretary of the State before the General Assembly session. Instead, local governments (towns, cities, boroughs) seeking special legislation must now only file these documents with their local clerk. This change simplifies the process for initiating local legislation by eliminating the state-level filing step, effective October 1, 2026. The bill directly affects any municipality requesting special legislation under current law.
HB 5287 makes technical updates to three Connecticut statutes related to municipal planning and development. It revises rules for designating tier IV municipalities (effective October 1, 2026), modifies how Municipal Restructuring Fund money can be used for arbitrators, and updates the definition of "planning region." These changes primarily affect local governments, particularly those classified as tier II, III, or IV municipalities. The bill focuses on clarifying existing statutes rather than creating new policies.
HB 5282 requires state agencies to align major projects costing over $1 million (up from $200,000) with Connecticut's State Plan of Conservation and Development. This affects all state agencies using state or federal funds for property acquisition, development, or public transportation projects exceeding the threshold. The bill mandates agencies to submit conformity notices to the secretary and establishes an annual inflation adjustment for the $1 million threshold using the Producer Price Index. Municipalities must also reference the state plan in new conservation and development plans adopted after 2026.
HB 5163 establishes a state task force to study ways to improve affordability for children, families, and young professionals. The task force will examine existing programs (like cash assistance, child care, and job training), analyze systemic barriers (such as housing costs, transportation access, and racial disparities), and identify funding sources and collaboration opportunities between state agencies. Composed of agency commissioners, legislative leaders, and experts in relevant fields, the task force must submit a preliminary report by June 2027 and a final report by June 2028 to the legislature. The bill does not create new programs but aims to provide data-driven recommendations for future affordability initiatives.
SB 335 prohibits landlords from charging tenants extra for utilities (like heat or electricity) if the rental unit lacks an individual meter for those services. It directly affects tenants in residential rental properties where utilities are included in rent but not separately metered. The bill amends rental agreement laws to make any clause requiring such payments unenforceable. Landlords must now charge only for utilities when a tenant has a dedicated meter, preventing "pass-through" fees for shared building systems. This takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 5340 establishes a new program to expand access to residential renewable energy by requiring electric distribution companies to offer tariffs for purchasing energy from small-scale, on-premise renewable systems (under 25 kilowatts). It directly affects low-income residential customers and those in affordable housing developments (defined as households earning ≤60% of area median income or meeting specific housing affordability criteria). The bill mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to create this program by July 2027, setting rates and terms that consider grid reliability, installation costs, and benefits to both participants and non-participants. The program will allow residential customers to sell excess renewable energy back to utilities under standardized terms for up to 20 years.
SB 375 creates a state grant program for municipalities and police departments to develop standardized school mapping data. The bill requires this data to be compatible with emergency services software, include verified floor plans and hazard locations, and be provided free permanently to schools and public safety agencies. Municipalities can apply for grants to create maps meeting specific technical standards, such as true north orientation, printable/digital formats, and integration with emergency response systems. The Department of Emergency Services must establish application criteria by October 2026 and report annually on grant usage starting in 2028. This directly affects schools, local police, and emergency responders by standardizing access to critical campus layout information during emergencies.
SB 346 modifies Connecticut's Governor's Workforce Council membership to align with federal law. The bill specifies that the council must include 30 business representatives (with at least one representing small businesses and one an expert in residential construction), four labor organization representatives, and members from education, community organizations, vocational schools, local government, and workforce training programs. It requires all appointments to reflect state diversity (geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic) and mandates quarterly meetings. The changes aim to comply with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
