Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5451: AN ACT CONCERNING POSSESSION OF A FIREARM ON SCHOOL GROUNDS BY A CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER.

This bill allows certified police officers to carry firearms on school grounds at any time, regardless of whether they are performing official duties. It directly affects law enforcement officers certified under section 7-294d and modifies existing rules that previously restricted firearm possession on school property to only those actively performing official duties. The legislation creates an exception to the felony charge for unauthorized firearm possession on school grounds, which remains a class D felony for all other individuals. The change takes effect on October 1, 2026, and does not impose additional costs on state or municipal budgets.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5456: AN ACT CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION.

This bill changes the staffing structure of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection by increasing the number of deputy commissioners the department head can appoint from two to three. The change takes effect on October 1, 2026, and allows the commissioner to appoint an additional deputy to assist with administering the department under their direction. The legislation does not alter the existing requirement that two deputy commissioners lead specific divisions, but simply adds the option for a third deputy position. Implementing this change will require state funding for salary and benefits costs in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5458: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE AND MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS FROM ACCEPTING CERTAIN FEDERAL GRANTS RELATED TO CANNABIS GROWN ON PRIVATE LAND.

This bill prohibits the Division of State Police and municipal police departments from accepting federal grants to conduct programs related to the surveillance, search for, or destruction of cannabis grown on private land. The law directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies by restricting their ability to use federally funded resources for these specific activities. It does not prevent police from performing these duties using state or local funds, nor does it change existing laws regarding cannabis enforcement. The restriction takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies only to grant-funded programs rather than general police operations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 426: AN ACT CONCERNING GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT OF ENERGY REGULATION IN THE STATE.

This bill requires the Department of Administrative Services to hire a national consultant to conduct an impartial study of the state's energy regulation structure. The study will examine whether the current Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority are meeting legislative goals and compare the state's approach with other states that have deregulated utilities. The consultant must submit findings and recommendations by January 1, 2028, to relevant legislative committees. The bill authorizes up to $1.6 million in funding for this one-time evaluation, which aims to identify potential improvements to the state's energy policy framework.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5474: AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF MEDICAL CARE FOR PERSONS WHO ARE INCARCERATED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION.

This bill establishes new oversight requirements for medical care provided to incarcerated individuals at the Department of Correction, directly affecting prisoners and correctional facilities. It mandates that the Commissioner of Correction develop a health care plan by October 1, 2025, ensuring sufficient mental health therapists at each institution and requiring specific protocols for psychotropic medication prescriptions, including thorough medical history reviews and benefit-risk assessments. The legislation also requires annual physical examinations, initial health assessments within 14 days of intake, and appropriate placement in medical or mental health housing units when recommended by medical professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5505: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSES FOR THE HOUSING OR SHELTER OF PERSONS.

This bill requires municipalities to issue permits before any large commercial warehouse can be used to house or shelter people for more than 24 hours. To get a permit, applicants must prove the facility meets strict standards, including providing sanitary facilities, clean water, proper sleeping arrangements, temperature control, and enough personal storage space for each person. The law also mandates that each individual housed in the warehouse has at least 200 square feet of space and that the building complies with state health and safety codes. Local governments can choose to ban this type of use entirely, and permits can be revoked if the facility fails to meet requirements.

Topics ✗ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5251: AN ACT CONCERNING REPORTING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN CONSULTANT REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS.

HB 5251 requires state agencies that contract with consultants for reports costing $100,000 or more (to be submitted to a General Assembly committee under Section 11-4a) to report annually on implementation. Specifically, agencies must submit to the government oversight committee within one year of receiving the report: a summary of findings, which recommendations were implemented, and future implementation plans with dates. This applies to all state agencies using consultant services for studies with actionable recommendations. The bill focuses on transparency, mandating clear reporting on how agency decisions align with external consultant advice.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5254: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS AND TIMETABLE FOR THE REVIEW OF EXISTING REGULATIONS OF CONNECTICUT STATE AGENCIES.

HB 5254 requires Connecticut state agencies to regularly review their existing regulations every seven years, starting with submissions due by February 1, 2027. The bill mandates agencies to assess whether regulations are obsolete, unused, inconsistent with laws, or ineffective, and to propose reductions or repeals. It establishes a review process where committees of oversight must schedule public hearings on review summaries and can step in if agencies fail to comply. This directly affects all Connecticut state agencies by creating a structured, recurring evaluation system for their regulations. The bill does not change agency powers but sets deadlines and criteria for regulatory reviews.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 250: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF STATE AGENCY RESPONSE TIMES TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS.

SB 250 requires Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management to study how quickly state agencies respond to public records requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The study must track average response times, document complaints about unreasonable delays, and include recommendations for improving timeliness. The Office must submit a report to the legislature's government oversight committee by January 15, 2027, detailing these findings. This bill does not change FOIA rules but aims to identify potential delays in public access to government records.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 363: AN ACT ALLOWING MUNICIPALITIES TO IMPOSE COMMERCIAL VACANCY ASSESSMENTS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

SB 363 allows municipalities to charge commercial property owners a fee of $5 per square foot annually for properties that remain vacant in designated districts for more than 180 days in a year. It directly affects commercial property owners in specific zones (like downtown areas) who leave properties unused, while exempting properties under active renovation, facing regulatory delays, or impacted by disasters. The fee is due alongside regular property taxes and can be appealed through existing legal channels. This bill creates a direct financial incentive for property owners to occupy or develop vacant commercial spaces in targeted areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 368: AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE EXPLOSIVES, BLASTING AND PYROTECHNIC CODE.

SB 368 establishes a new State Explosives, Blasting and Pyrotechnic Code to replace existing regulations, directly affecting fire departments, pyrotechnics businesses, and local officials who handle explosives and fireworks. The code, based on nationally recognized standards, covers explosives, blasting, gunpowder, fireworks, pyrotechnics, and rockets, and will be updated alongside the State Building Code. It requires the Commissioner of Emergency Services to create an advisory committee with fire marshals, police representatives, and industry experts, and mandates a 45-day public comment period with a hearing before adopting or changing the code. The bill also requires publishing all proposed changes, public feedback, and responses online for transparency.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 371: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE WHILE ON PUBLIC DOCKS, WHARVES AND PIERS.

SB 371 requires children under 12 to wear a life jacket (defined per federal safety standards) while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies statewide, overriding local regulations. It directly affects parents or guardians of young children visiting public waterfront areas. The bill establishes a clear safety requirement without specifying enforcement details.

Bill results