Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5245: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAMS.

HB 5245 establishes a legal framework for municipalities (towns, cities, or boroughs) to create "public aggregators" that group residential and business electricity customers to collectively purchase power. The bill requires municipal approval by both the legislative body and chief executive, sets rules for automatically enrolling eligible customers (who can opt out), and excludes specific protected customers like those with financial assistance or arrears. It defines key terms for the program, ensures public aggregators operate without being classified as utilities, and permits procurement of energy products including renewable options and community demand response incentives.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5337: AN ACT CONCERNING DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEM INCENTIVES.

HB 5337 requires gas companies to create incentive programs for customers connecting to district heating systems that capture and distribute waste heat (minimum 30 million BTUs annually). These incentives, based on projected natural gas demand reductions using historical usage data, pay end-use customers for switching to district heating systems. The program must operate by March 2016 through June 2027, with the state Commissioner of Energy establishing a replacement program by July 2027. Funding is capped at $9 million total, collected through utility rates from gas customers in the system's service area, with payments limited to equivalent savings from existing conservation programs. This directly affects gas companies, district heating operators, and residential/commercial end-users who connect to qualifying systems.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5338: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR PURPOSES OF THE FEDERAL LIFELINE SERVICE BENEFITS.

HB 5338 clarifies Connecticut's process for designating which telecommunications service providers can offer federal Lifeline benefits to eligible low-income households, individuals with disabilities (including those hard of hearing or speech impaired), and people in rural areas. It requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to determine which providers qualify to participate in the program and which customers meet eligibility criteria, based on factors like provider revenue in Connecticut. The bill ensures funding for Lifeline services - covering basic phone and internet access - comes from a fair share of telecommunications providers' gross revenues generated within the state. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, streamlining how Connecticut administers the federal program without altering benefit levels or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 351: AN ACT ESTABLISHING STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR TEACHER TERMINATION DECISIONS AND REQUIRING TERMINATION HEARINGS TO BE BEFORE A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR.

SB 351 establishes a "just cause" standard for terminating both tenured and non-tenured teachers' contracts in Connecticut, requiring school boards to provide specific, documented reasons for termination. It mandates that teachers who receive termination or nonrenewal notices may request a hearing before a neutral arbitrator (chosen by the teacher and superintendent) within 10 days, with the hearing starting within 15 days. The law also requires school boards to provide written reasons for termination upon request and ensures teachers can be represented by legal counsel during hearings. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, apply directly to public school teachers and school boards across the state.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 353: AN ACT CONCERNING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE FOR CONDITIONS RELATED TO MENOPAUSE.

SB 353 amends Connecticut law to require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees experiencing conditions related to menopause, directly affecting working women in the state. It expands existing anti-discrimination protections by adding menopause to the list of conditions requiring accommodations, such as allowing seated work, flexible breaks, modified schedules, or temporary light-duty assignments. The bill defines "reasonable accommodation" and clarifies that employers cannot claim "undue hardship" for minor, low-cost adjustments. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all employers covered under Connecticut’s anti-discrimination law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5327: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DISCLOSURE OF AN OPEN INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, INJURY OR RISK OF INJURY TO OR IMPAIRING THE MORALS OF A MINOR DURING THE HIRING PROCESS OF A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE.

HB 5327 requires schools to verify if job applicants are under investigation for abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct before hiring staff with direct student contact. It applies to all public and charter schools, as well as nonpublic school operators. The bill mandates applicants to provide written authorization allowing schools to contact prior employers about pending investigations and requires employers to respond within 5 business days. Schools must also check with the state education department about any open cases involving applicants.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 352: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE AND PERSONS EMPLOYED AT CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS.

SB 352 requires cannabis businesses (including dispensaries and producers) to enter into "labor peace agreements" with approved labor unions as a condition for obtaining or renewing licenses. To qualify as a "bona fide labor organization," unions must apply to the state department, meet specific criteria (like representing cannabis workers or having active organizing efforts), and maintain compliance with reporting standards. The bill establishes a process for the department to maintain a list of eligible unions and mandates binding arbitration for disputes over agreements, with license suspension as a penalty for violations. It directly affects cannabis employers and unions seeking to represent workers in the state’s cannabis industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 348: AN ACT CONCERNING PORTAL-TO-PORTAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.

SB 348 extends workers' compensation coverage to public works department employees for their commutes to and from work under specific conditions. It adds public works employees to the list of workers whose "departure from place of abode directly to duty" and "return directly to place of abode after duty" count as employment time for coverage purposes. This applies when employees are subject to emergency calls off-duty, responding to direct work orders during excused nonessential staff periods, or following two or more consecutive mandatory overtime shifts. The law, effective October 1, 2026, directly affects state and municipal public works employees who perform construction, maintenance, or regulatory work on public infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 324: AN ACT CONCERNING GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT OVER FRAUD AND WASTE AND ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND EFFICIENCY.

SB 324 establishes a permanent Office of Government Oversight and Efficiency to detect fraud, waste, and abuse in state agency operations, including personnel management, property use, and fund handling. It also creates a temporary 10-member working group (with legislative leaders, agency representatives, and auditors) to study cost-saving partnerships with private providers and recommend anti-fraud measures, requiring a report by December 31, 2026. The office will evaluate the efficiency of state agencies and private contractors providing government services, while the executive director - appointed by auditors with legislative approval - will lead these efforts. This bill directly affects all state and quasi-public agencies and their private contractors that handle public funds or services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5249: AN ACT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY CONCERNING THE POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF A WATER COMPANY.

HB 5249 amends the charter of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to adjust its board composition if it acquires Aquarion Water Company. The bill reduces the number of South Central district-appointed board members from six to five and increases Aquarion Regional Water District-appointed members from five to six, totaling eleven members. All board members must be Connecticut residents without political affiliation, appointed by local boards under specific voting rules, with staggered terms (including a 3-year initial term). The changes only apply after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority approves the acquisition, requiring written notice to relevant entities upon approval. This is a procedural adjustment to governance structure, not a policy change affecting water rates or service.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5351: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.

HB 5351 establishes a 17-member Social Equity Council within the Department of Economic and Community Development to oversee cannabis regulation equity efforts. The council directly affects minority-owned cannabis businesses and communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis enforcement policies. Key mechanisms include allocating funds from a dedicated social equity account to provide capital access, technical assistance, workforce training, and community investments in affected areas. The council’s composition requires diverse representation across racial, gender, and geographic lines, with specific appointment requirements for members. Its primary role is to develop funding plans that advance equity principles in the state’s cannabis industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 345: AN ACT CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING IN THE WORKPLACE, PRE AND POST-SHIFT HOURS AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY WORKPLACE HEAT SAFETY STANDARDS.

SB 345 requires employers to provide reasonable break times and private, non-toilet spaces (with refrigeration access) for nursing employees to express breast milk during work hours, including before or after shifts. It also prohibits discrimination against employees using these rights and defines "undue hardship" based on business size and resources. The bill establishes a task force to study workplace heat safety standards and recommend best practices, including examining other states' approaches. This law applies to all employers in the state, including government entities, and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results