Appropriations

This bill directs state officials to establish working groups focused on eating disorder treatment and food insecurity, requiring them to compile public resources and develop best practice guidelines by July 2026. It also mandates a feasibility study for a new inpatient psychiatric facility serving children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, with results due by January 2027. Additionally, the bill increases Temporary Family Assistance benefits to at least 55% of the federal poverty level and requires annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to consumer price index increases when funding lapses.

This bill creates a dedicated state fund called the "health care facility durable medical equipment account" to provide grants for healthcare facilities. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to help facilities purchase equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and patient lifts for elderly patients or people with disabilities. The Department of Public Health will manage the fund and issue grants, deducting no more than 2% of the account balance annually for administrative costs. The account will hold ongoing state appropriations, gifts, and investment earnings, with funds available starting July 1, 2026.

HB 5381 creates a dedicated "funeral service compensation account" to provide financial restitution to individuals who paid for funeral services under fraudulent or unlawful practices. The account, funded initially with $1 million from the state General Fund and future donations, will be administered by the Department of Consumer Protection to issue grants to eligible victims or their families. Funds may not exceed the available balance in the account, and the department may retain up to 2% of the account balance annually to cover administrative costs. The bill requires the department to establish application procedures by January 1, 2027, with the account becoming operational July 1, 2026.

This bill proposes the approval of a collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the Graduate Employee Union, which represents graduate student employees at the university. The agreement covers a four-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030, and includes provisions for wage increases, adjustments to health insurance premiums, and changes to university fee credits. By ratifying this contract, the Connecticut General Assembly formally authorizes the university to implement these terms, which are expected to result in net costs to the university's operating fund totaling approximately $29.6 million over the agreement's duration.

This resolution approves a four-year agreement between the State of Connecticut and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition covering approximately 42,000 state employees. The deal includes a 2.5% general wage increase and annual increments for most workers in fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with a wage re-opener clause for the final year. The agreement also incorporates specific provisions for salary adjustments, healthcare savings, and various fringe benefits costs totaling over $722 million across the four-year period.