Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5303: AN ACT ALLOWING DENTAL HYGIENISTS TO PROVIDE DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES IN PRIVATE RESIDENCES.

HB 5303 allows licensed dental hygienists with at least two years of experience to provide dental hygiene services (like cleanings, sealants, and preventive care) in private residences, expanding where they can work beyond public health facilities. It requires hygienists practicing in homes to refer patients to dentists for issues outside their scope and coordinate those referrals. The bill amends existing law to clarify this new practice location, effective October 1, 2026, and directly affects qualified dental hygienists seeking to offer in-home services. This change does not alter the specific services hygienists may perform, only the permitted locations for those services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Michael Quinn (D) Steven Winter (D) Jill Gilchrest (D) Eleni DeGraw (D) Nick Gauthier (D)

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5403: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR SURVIVORS OF UNPAID VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND STATE MARSHALS.

HB 5403 ensures health insurance coverage for survivors of certain public safety workers killed in the line of duty. It requires nonstate public employers to continue health coverage for survivors of unpaid volunteer firefighters, correction officers, or state marshals for one year (renewable annually up to five years) if coverage existed before death. If no coverage existed, employers must help survivors enroll in a partnership plan under the Comptroller’s program for up to five years. The bill specifically defines "unpaid volunteer firefighter" and expands eligibility under existing health insurance provisions for these workers’ survivors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5459: AN ACT CONCERNING THE VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT OF FIREARMS.

This bill allows any individual to voluntarily turn in firearms they own to a police department or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. While existing laws already permit the surrender of assault weapons with advance arrangements, this measure clarifies that all other firearms can be relinquished at any time without prior scheduling. The legislation also updates related statutes to ensure consistency in how these voluntary turn-ins are processed and to maintain existing rules about transferring assault weapons to licensed dealers or through inheritance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5461: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CONNECTICUT PORT AUTHORITY TO ELIMINATE THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARINE PILOT LICENSE.

This bill eliminates the $105.48 fee charged to marine pilots when they receive or renew their state licenses, directly affecting the seven currently licensed pilots in Connecticut. The legislation repeals specific sections of state statutes that required payment of this fee and adjusts the definition of license revenues to exclude the pilot licensing charges. Effective October 1, 2026, the Connecticut Port Authority will no longer collect this fee, resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of less than $1,000 for the agency.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5503: AN ACT REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO REPORT EXCESS WASTEWATER CAPACITY.

This bill requires Connecticut municipalities and their water pollution control authorities to submit annual reports to the Office of Policy and Management detailing current wastewater capacity and any expected excess capacity for the following year. The first report is due by January 1, 2027, and must follow a format specified by the state agency. If a municipality or authority fails to submit the required report, the state may withhold allocated funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements until compliance is achieved. This measure aims to improve state oversight of local wastewater systems without changing overall funding levels available for such projects.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5504: AN ACT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CORNFIELD POINT ASSOCIATION.

This bill amends the governing charter of the Cornfield Point Association, a special district in Old Saybrook, to allow the association to increase property tax assessments on its properties. The key change permits the board of governors to recommend higher annual tax assessments, with a maximum limit of $1,000 per lot with a dwelling and $200 per vacant lot, while also giving the association the authority to decrease recommended rates. The association's tax collector would then collect these assessments, which would become liens on the properties and be recorded with the town. This legislation directly affects property owners within the Cornfield Point Association by potentially increasing their annual tax payments to the district.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5128: AN ACT CONCERNING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER GENETIC TESTING.

HB 5128 gives Connecticut consumers legal ownership of their genetic test results and biological samples (like saliva or blood) collected by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. It requires companies to obtain clear, active consent before collecting, using, or sharing genetic data, and to disclose their data policies prominently online. Companies must get separate consent for sharing data with third parties, using data for new purposes beyond the original test, or retaining samples after testing. The law ensures consumers control how their genetic information is handled, with exceptions only for court orders or subpoenas.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 131: AN ACT CONCERNING MANUFACTURING.

SB 131 requires the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study the needs of manufacturers in the state. The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, with results reported to the General Assembly's commerce committee. This bill does not create new regulations or funding but mandates an analysis to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects state administrative processes and the legislative committee overseeing commerce, without altering existing laws for manufacturers.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 227: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS AND SUPPLEMENTS AND PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF PRESCRIBERS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE.

SB 227 restricts the sale of over-the-counter weight loss or muscle-building products (including diet pills and specific supplements) to individuals under 18 years old. Retail stores and online sellers must verify a buyer’s age using valid ID (like a driver’s license) or a transaction scan that checks identity against government databases. Sellers may skip ID checks only if a buyer appears to be 25 or older, but they must still comply with age verification for minors. The bill also limits how sellers can use age verification data, requiring them to store only basic information (name, DOB, ID number) and prohibiting its use for marketing or sharing with third parties.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 258: AN ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE.

SB 258 requires Connecticut's Insurance Department to study issues related to property and casualty insurance within the state. The department must complete this study and submit a report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change existing insurance laws or directly affect consumers or insurers; it only mandates a study to inform future policy decisions. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the requirement for the department to conduct and report on the study.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 118: AN ACT CONCERNING BABY FOOD PRODUCTS AND TOXIC HEAVY METALS.

SB 118 prohibits the sale of baby food products (excluding infant formula) containing toxic heavy metals - arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury - above federal limits set by the FDA, starting January 1, 2027. It requires manufacturers to test each production batch monthly using accredited labs, publicly post test results on their websites with product details, and include a QR code on packaging linking to the results and FDA health guidance. The law directly affects baby food manufacturers in Connecticut and empowers consumers to report violations to the Consumer Protection Commissioner. Key mechanisms include mandatory testing, public disclosure of metal levels, and QR code transparency for shoppers.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5400: AN ACT REVISING THE DEFINITION OF "POLICE PATROL VEHICLE".

HB 5400 revises the legal definition of "police patrol vehicle" to clarify which vehicles are covered under statutes requiring body-worn recording equipment and dashboard cameras. The bill explicitly excludes administrative vehicles with body cameras, bicycles, scooters, ATVs, mobility devices, and animal control vehicles from the definition. This change directly affects how police departments classify vehicles for compliance with recording equipment requirements. The definition update takes effect October 1, 2026, and aims to eliminate ambiguity in existing statutes.

Bill results