Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5396: AN ACT CONCERNING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

HB 5396 allows religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their owned land with streamlined approval. It requires that at least 30% of units be rent- or mortgage-qualified for 40 years at or below 30% of 60% of state or area median income. The bill mandates "summary review" for such projects, bypassing standard zoning restrictions on density and height, while requiring a decision within 90 days. Exemptions include properties owned less than three years, flood zones, oil/gas sites, or historic areas needing demolition approval.

Topics ✓ Housing

Steven Winter (D) M.D. Rahman (D) Gary Turco (D) Laurie Sweet (D) Josh Elliott (D)

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5316: AN ACT PROHIBITING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS FROM ACQUIRING OR INCREASING OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER HOSPITALS OR HEALTH SYSTEMS AND PROHIBITING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS FROM ENTERING INTO SALE-LEASEBACK FINANCING TRANSACTIONS.

HB 5316 prohibits real estate investment trusts (REITs) from acquiring or increasing operational control over hospitals or health systems, and bans hospitals/health systems from entering into sale-leaseback transactions involving their main hospital campus property. "Operational control" is defined as influencing daily operations or appointing key leadership, while a "sale-leaseback" involves selling and leasing back the main campus. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting REITs and hospitals/health systems that might engage in these transactions. It targets specific real estate financing practices without altering hospital ownership or care standards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5404: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A JOB CLASSIFICATION FOR PART-TIME FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTORS.

HB 5404 establishes a new job classification for part-time fire service instructors within the state's fire services department. The bill requires the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioners of Emergency Services and the State Fire Administrator, to define this classification by October 1, 2026. This classification will set clear standards for the role, responsibilities, and compensation of part-time instructors who train firefighters. The change directly affects part-time fire service instructors and the state agencies that employ them.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 366: AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIFORM INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT REPORT AND CERTAIN REPORTS BY PEACE OFFICERS.

SB 366 standardizes reporting requirements for motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies involving peace officers. It requires police to complete accident reports within five days for incidents causing injury, death, or over $1,000 property damage, and make them available to involved parties within thirty days. For medical emergencies where a person is unstable while under a peace officer's custody or in contact with them, the officer must create a report within five days and provide a copy to the person upon request within five days. This bill directly affects police departments, peace officers, and individuals involved in accidents or medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5318: AN ACT CONCERNING COMMITTEE BANKING ACCOUNTS.

HB 5318 requires Connecticut banking institutions to offer standard banking accounts specifically for candidate committees (used by local election candidates) starting October 1, 2026. These accounts must include basic features like debit cards, ATM access, check cashing, deposits, and monthly electronic statements. Banks must accept a candidate committee’s registration form from the State Elections Enforcement Commission plus a federal employer identification number (EIN) to open such an account. The Banking Commissioner will credit banks that comply when evaluating their performance under existing law. This bill directly affects candidate committees and their banking relationships, with no additional features like rewards programs required.

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

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

Bill results