Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5294: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SERVICE IN THE MILITIA.

HB 5294 updates Connecticut's military statutes to remove gender-specific language. It replaces outdated terms like "male citizens" and "female residents" with neutral language (e.g., "persons between 18-45 years who are citizens or residents"), eliminating the separate voluntary women's unit provision. The bill modernizes definitions of the militia structure (unorganized, organized, National Guard, naval militia) and clarifies the Governor's military staff appointments, effective October 2026 for most provisions. This affects all residents aged 18-45 meeting citizenship/residency requirements who are not exempt under current law. The changes align statutes with contemporary military service practices without altering who is subject to duty.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 275: AN ACT REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO ASSIST MUNICIPALITIES IN PUBLISHING CERTAIN BUDGET INFORMATION.

SB 275 requires Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management to create a program helping local municipalities publish budget and financial information online. The program would provide technical assistance and funding to help towns and cities post their budgets on their official websites, along with establishing best practice guidelines for this process. Municipalities would need to apply to participate, with the Office setting eligibility criteria and rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, aiming to standardize how local government finances are shared publicly.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5296: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR NATIONAL GUARD STATE ACTIVE DUTY PAY.

HB 5296 creates a new personal income tax deduction for Connecticut National Guard members who serve on active duty. The bill modifies Connecticut's tax code to allow these service members to subtract their active duty pay from their taxable income, reducing their state tax burden. This deduction applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and affects National Guard members whose active duty pay would otherwise be subject to state income tax. The policy change directly benefits Connecticut's National Guard personnel by providing tax relief for their active duty compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5284: AN ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR CERTAIN FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS.

HB 5284 authorizes Connecticut municipalities to reduce property taxes by up to $500 annually for up to five years for qualified first-time homebuyers. It directly affects buyers who obtain loans from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) for a single-family home serving as their primary residence. The bill requires municipal approval (via legislative body or board of selectmen) to implement the tax abatement, which applies only to properties encumbered by a CHFA mortgage. This policy creates a concrete tax relief mechanism for eligible homebuyers without mandating participation from all municipalities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5379: AN ACT REQUIRING MEDICAL EMERGENCY DRILLS AT CERTAIN CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND YOUTH CAMPS.

HB 5379 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Children and Families to study the effectiveness of programs administered by the Department of Children and Families. The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, with findings reported to the legislature's Children's Committee. This bill does not change existing programs but mandates an evaluation of their current efficacy. The direct effect is on the Department of Children and Families, which must conduct and report the study.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5359: AN ACT CONCERNING PROVISIONS IN RESIDENTIAL RENTAL AGREEMENTS.

HB 5359, effective October 1, 2026, requires landlords in Connecticut to provide at least one no-fee payment method (like cash or check) for rent, prohibiting electronic funds transfer as the exclusive payment option. It bans specific unfair clauses in rental agreements, including excessive late fees, rent hikes for lease breaches, post-lease rent increases, and waivers of tenant rights under housing law. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing to create a bilingual (English/Spanish) standardized rental summary form by July 2026, clearly listing key terms like rent amount, landlord contact, and late fee details. This directly affects residential tenants and landlords by increasing transparency and limiting exploitative contract terms.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5407: AN ACT CONCERNING STATE REIMBURSEMENT TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR REVENUE LOST DUE TO THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS WITH A ONE HUNDRED PER CENT PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY RATING.

HB 5407 creates a state reimbursement program for Connecticut municipalities that lose property tax revenue when veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) receive property tax exemptions. Municipalities must annually submit certified claims by July 1 to the Office of Policy and Management, detailing lost tax revenue from this exemption. The state will review claims and pay municipalities by December 31 each year, starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects towns, cities, and boroughs that administer local property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5372: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE.

HB 5372 requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on health insurance issues within the state, with a final report due to the legislature by January 1, 2027. The bill does not change existing insurance laws or directly affect consumers, insurers, or healthcare providers. Instead, it mandates a formal review process to identify potential policy gaps or challenges in the current system. The study's findings will inform future legislative decisions but will not implement new regulations or benefits.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5329: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT EDUCATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

HB 5329 creates Connecticut's Education Innovation Grant Program, which provides competitive funding to local school districts, charter schools, and approved nonprofits to develop and scale educational projects. The program prioritizes initiatives improving early literacy (birth-grade 8), high-dosage tutoring, college/career navigation, and family engagement. Grants support planning (up to 1 year) or implementation (up to 3 years), with waivers allowed for non-essential barriers (excluding safety, civil rights, or special education rules). Recipients must report annual outcomes, and districts receiving grants are exempt from counting those funds toward future education budget calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 365: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT AND RECOVERY NAVIGATION FOR PERSONS WITH AN OPIOID USE DISORDER.

SB 365 requires all licensed hospitals in the state to provide immediate opioid use disorder treatment in emergency departments starting January 1, 2027. Specifically, hospitals must offer buprenorphine medication (a standard treatment for opioid addiction) without requiring patients to be admitted, provide naloxone (an overdose reversal drug) at discharge, and connect patients to local treatment programs. This directly affects patients presenting to emergency rooms with opioid use disorder symptoms. The law aims to streamline access to life-saving care during acute crises by removing barriers to initial treatment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5409: AN ACT CONCERNING TROOPS-TO-TRADES INITIATIVES.

HB 5409 creates a state program to help military members transition to civilian careers. It requires the Labor Department to provide career counseling and maintain an online hub listing job training resources, veteran-friendly employers, and state transition programs. The state military leadership must develop a follow-up program tracking veterans' education and employment outcomes after discharge, while the Veterans Affairs department will host an annual job fair connecting veterans with employers. The bill directly affects active-duty personnel, reserves, National Guard members, and veterans seeking civilian workforce opportunities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 311: AN ACT CONCERNING DISCONNECTED YOUTH.

SB 311 modifies Connecticut school suspension policies to better support vulnerable students. It requires schools to consider homelessness when determining suspensions (per McKinney-Vento Act definitions) and limits suspensions to 45 days per school year without a formal hearing. The bill also allows first-time suspensions to be waived if students complete free school-specified programs, and mandates that suspension records be removed from student files upon graduation or program completion. These changes directly affect students in Connecticut public schools, particularly those experiencing homelessness or facing disciplinary action. The bill does not address "disconnected youth" as implied by its title, focusing instead on school discipline procedures.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results