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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 5346 establishes the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board within Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development. The board, consisting of 15 members including legislative leaders, caucus representatives, finance committee chairs, and agency heads, will review projects for state funding and provide input on economic development initiatives. Key provisions require the board to meet quarterly, allow proxy voting for absent members, and operate under specific bylaws. This procedural bill creates a new oversight body to manage community investment funding, directly affecting state agencies and legislative bodies involved in economic development decisions.
HB 5387 requires all employers in Connecticut (including public and private entities) to include a wage range and general description of benefits in every public and internal job advertisement. It mandates that employers provide applicants with the wage range for a position upon request or before discussing compensation, and give current employees the wage range for their role when hired, changing positions, or upon request. The bill prohibits employers from banning wage discussions, requiring secrecy waivers, or retaliating against employees who discuss pay. It also bans asking about salary history during hiring, except where permitted by federal or state law. This law takes effect October 1, 2026, aiming to increase pay transparency for job seekers and workers.
HB 5395 requires municipalities to allow modular or prefabricated homes (fully assembled structures made off-site) as of right on any lot zoned for single-family homes, meaning they can be built without special approval. It directly affects local governments, which must revise zoning rules to permit this development, and developers building such homes. The bill awards municipalities one-quarter housing unit-equivalent point for each qualifying home issued a certificate of occupancy, to incentivize construction. This policy change aims to increase housing options by streamlining approval for these specific home types, excluding mobile manufactured homes.
HB 5390 establishes a $7 million annual fund to support regional planning councils in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, each council formed under Section 4-124j will receive funding based on a population formula, plus a fixed $200,000 to hire housing planning staff and another $200,000 to fund either a stormwater/flood mitigation coordinator or a waste/recycling coordinator position. The bill clarifies that councils may allocate the second $200,000 to fund both coordinator roles if needed. This directly affects regional councils by providing dedicated funding for specific planning and infrastructure roles.
This bill authorizes the Connecticut Department of Transportation to transfer two parcels of state-owned land to the Town of Branford. The first parcel covers approximately 7.2 acres and the second covers about 11.66 acres, both located near Route 1 and Route 146 in Branford. The town will pay fair market value for the land, determined by averaging appraisals from two independent experts selected by the Transportation Commissioner. The State Properties Review Board must approve the transfer within 30 days of receiving the proposed agreement, and the State Treasurer will handle the legal documentation for the conveyance.
This bill authorizes the transfer of a 6.85-acre state-owned parcel in Easton to The Congregational Church of Easton, Inc., for use as open space and pollinator gardens. The church must use the land for these specific purposes, and if it fails to do so, loses ownership and the land reverts to the state. The transfer requires approval from the State Properties Review Board and will cost the church only administrative fees. State officials will oversee the process until the deed is officially executed.
HJ 29 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Lamont's nomination of Janis C. Jerman of New Britain to be reappointed as a neutral arbitrator on the State Department of Education Arbitration Panel. The resolution approves her reappointment for a term ending June 30, 2028, or until her successor is confirmed. This resolution does not create new policy but formally confirms an existing nomination to resolve education-related disputes. It directly affects the State Department of Education's arbitration process and Janis Jerman's official role.
