HB 5264 prohibits insurers from canceling, refusing to renew, or denying homeowners or renters insurance based solely on a dog's breed (if it's a service animal for disabled individuals) or ownership of a therapy animal, effective October 2026. It requires courts to appoint independent advocates in pet welfare or custody cases to monitor proceedings and provide information about the animal's condition, using a list maintained by the Department of Agriculture. The bill also upgrades animal cruelty to a class D felony and expands assault laws to include intentional harm to domestic animals, making such acts punishable by up to one year in prison. These changes directly affect pet owners, insurance companies, courts, and animal welfare proceedings.
HB 5280 prevents employers from being charged for unemployment benefits paid to employees participating in the state's voluntary shared work program during periods of high unemployment or extended benefit periods. It directly affects employers using the shared work program and employees receiving benefits through it during designated high-unemployment periods. The key mechanism requires that no employer experience account be charged for such benefits starting January 1, 2027, until the federal government ends the high-unemployment designation. This change shifts the cost of these benefits from employers to the state unemployment fund during qualifying periods.
SB 215 changes how banks determine when certain accounts or funds are deemed abandoned. It presumes deposits, time deposits, investments, checks, and safe deposit box contents are abandoned if owners don’t show activity for 3 years (5 years for safe deposit boxes). Owners can prevent this presumption by making transactions, writing to the bank, or having tax forms (1099s) not returned by the postal service within the timeframe. The bill directly affects individuals or entities with dormant bank accounts in Connecticut, modifying existing abandonment rules effective October 1, 2026.
HB 5213 establishes a working group to evaluate how financial institutions process paychecks and the time required for payroll checks to clear. The group, including banking committee members, the Banking Commissioner, and representatives from banks and credit unions, must submit findings by January 1, 2027. This bill creates a study process but does not change current payroll processing rules or impose new requirements on financial institutions.
HB 5258 protects tenant organizing rights by requiring landlords to permit specific activities related to tenant organizations. The bill mandates that landlords allow tenants, tenant organizers, and their agents to distribute materials, conduct door-to-door surveys, hold meetings in common areas, and post information - without requiring prior permission - provided these activities are reasonable and lawful. It directly affects tenants seeking to form or join tenant organizations and landlords managing residential properties. Key provisions define "tenant organization" as tenant-led groups addressing housing issues and prohibit landlords from blocking these activities, except for standard community space reservation rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 245 eliminates tax exemptions for new data center projects in the state by ending eligibility for tax breaks under Chapters 203 and 219 of the law. It directly affects data center owners, operators, or colocation tenants planning to establish new facilities after July 1, 2026. The bill repeals a provision allowing applications for tax exemptions, making such applications ineligible after the effective date. Existing agreements remain unaffected, as the change only prohibits new applications starting July 1, 2026. This is a procedural tax code adjustment with no new funding or programs.
This bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications based solely on credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined by state law. Landlords may charge a capped fee (up to $50 plus annual inflation adjustment) for tenant screening reports but must provide applicants with a copy of the report or instructions to obtain it, along with a receipt. To qualify for the protection, applicants can submit a counselor letter, police report, or valid court order related to domestic violence. Violating this rule requires landlords to reimburse applicants for fees paid and cover attorney costs.
HB 5365 modifies Connecticut's affordable housing moratorium rules by increasing the required "housing unit-equivalent points" municipalities must achieve to qualify for a moratorium on new affordable housing applications. It sets new thresholds: municipalities must create points equal to 2% of their total housing units (or 75 points) for most areas, or 1.75% (or 65 points) for larger municipalities with housing growth plans. The bill directly affects local governments developing affordable housing, exempting projects with 95% low-income units, under 40 dwelling units, or pre-existing applications from the moratorium. It establishes a certification process where municipalities must document completed housing developments meeting these point requirements to extend moratorium periods.
This bill defines "mortgage loan" as a loan secured by a first mortgage on one-to-four-family residential property in the state, used to purchase that property. It directly affects mortgage lenders and homebuyers by requiring lenders to provide specific written notices at least 10 days before closing. The notice must explain that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, floods can occur anywhere (even outside designated zones), and buyers should consider flood insurance. Lenders must use plain language, have buyers sign for receipt, and keep copies in records. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill requires Connecticut banks seeking branch approvals or acquisitions to demonstrate strong community reinvestment performance. Before granting such approvals, the Banking Commissioner must confirm banks have met federal community reinvestment standards and submit a public plan detailing how they'll serve low-income neighborhoods. The plan must include specific strategies for credit access, nondiscriminatory services, and branch distribution in underserved areas, and be reviewed by the public for 30 days. This applies to branch applications under sections 36a-125 and 36a-145 of Connecticut law.
SB 303 requires Connecticut banks and credit unions to offer secured credit cards to all their customers or members. A secured credit card is one where the customer provides funds as security for the credit extended. The bill also mandates that institutions must provide account information for these cards to the account holder and any third party authorized by the holder to report to credit rating agencies. This law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects financial institutions operating in Connecticut by changing their product offerings. The policy change ensures consumers have access to a credit-building tool and simplifies reporting to credit agencies.
HB 5326 increases reimbursement rates paid to providers delivering early intervention services under Connecticut's Birth-to-Three Program. The bill replaces existing rate-setting language with a requirement to establish state-wide rates based on phase two of a 2023 rate study (Public Act 23-186), effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects service providers (such as therapists and clinics) who work with infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays. The key change is raising payment rates to better align with the study's findings, without altering eligibility for families. The bill does not change program eligibility or service requirements.
