Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5075: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT AT WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL.

HB 5075 allows the town of Windham to use a 95% reimbursement rate for the renovation project at Windham High School (Project Number 163-0079 RNV), overriding standard state rules that typically limit reimbursement rates for school building projects. This specifically affects Windham's local board of education for this single project, changing the reimbursement percentage from the usual rate under Section 10-285a of the general statutes. The bill directly modifies funding terms for this specific high school renovation without altering broader state education funding policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rate for Windham High School renovation, directly funding school infrastructure improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 112: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LISBON CENTRAL SCHOOL IN THE TOWN OF LISBON.

SB 112 authorizes the state to issue up to $820,000 in bonds to fund physical upgrades at Lisbon Central School in Lisbon, New Hampshire. The funds will be provided as a grant-in-aid to the Lisbon school district through the Department of Education for specific improvements: remodeling the gym and associated areas, and upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The bill directly affects Lisbon Central School students, staff, and the local school district by addressing facility infrastructure needs. This legislation enables the state to finance these capital improvements without requiring immediate general fund appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $820k in state bonds for Lisbon Central School infrastructure, directly allocating public funds for essential public education infrastructure via state budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $820k bonds for Lisbon Central School infrastructure upgrades (gym, HVAC), directly funding K-12 facility improvements through state grant-in-aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5201: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR CERTAIN TRANSITION SERVICES OFFERED TO STUDENTS.

HB 5201 allocates $150,000 to the Department of Developmental Services to purchase software licenses for local school districts. The software will support Project SEARCH, a program helping students with disabilities transition to employment or further education. This funding directly affects students participating in Project SEARCH by expanding access to coordinated transition services. The bill’s key mechanism is providing schools with shared software tools to improve service delivery, as stated in its purpose. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $150,000 for Project SEARCH software, increasing state funding for student transition services and advancing public service appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $150,000 for software supporting Project SEARCH transition services, expanding educational access for students with disabilities through coordinated school programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds software for Project SEARCH, aiding students with disabilities in employment transition, directly supporting workforce entry and employment standards.90% confidence

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signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 220: AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENT LITERACY, ASPIRING EDUCATORS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AS PART OF THE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM AND THE PARAEDUCATOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

SB 220 requires school districts to create individual reading plans for students in grades 4-9 who scored at Level 1 or 2 on English Language Arts exams or missed growth targets. Each plan must identify specific reading gaps, outline evidence-based interventions (like small-group tutoring with a 4:1 student-to-tutor ratio), and include parent communication. The bill also establishes a state grant program to fund high-dosage tutoring for these students, prioritizing districts in alliance towns or with detailed implementation plans. It updates required reading assessments for kindergarten through grade 3 to include frequent screening and progress monitoring.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates literacy interventions and funds high-dosage tutoring for struggling students, directly strengthening K-12 literacy programs through targeted funding and evidence-based requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 351: AN ACT ESTABLISHING STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR TEACHER TERMINATION DECISIONS AND REQUIRING TERMINATION HEARINGS TO BE BEFORE A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR.

SB 351 establishes a "just cause" standard for terminating both tenured and non-tenured teachers' contracts in Connecticut, requiring school boards to provide specific, documented reasons for termination. It mandates that teachers who receive termination or nonrenewal notices may request a hearing before a neutral arbitrator (chosen by the teacher and superintendent) within 10 days, with the hearing starting within 15 days. The law also requires school boards to provide written reasons for termination upon request and ensures teachers can be represented by legal counsel during hearings. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, apply directly to public school teachers and school boards across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects teachers via just cause termination standard and neutral arbitration hearings, strengthening educator job security and due process in Connecticut schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes just cause standard and neutral arbitration for teacher terminations, protecting against arbitrary dismissal per labor/employment rights indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5323: AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.

HB 5323 requires school-based health centers in Connecticut to use evidence-based screening tools for disordered eating behaviors during annual health assessments for students in grades 9-12, starting January 1, 2028. The bill also creates two new groups: a task force to develop recommendations for identifying and treating disordered eating in children, and a Holistic Food Education Working Group to create a state-wide food education roadmap and nutrition curriculum. Both groups include representatives from education, health, advocacy, and school organizations. The screening is optional for students or their parents/guardians, and the task force must report by January 1, 2028. The bill directly affects schools, health centers, and students in grades 9-12 through these new requirements and planning efforts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates nutrition curriculum and disordered eating screening in schools, expanding student health education programs under educational statutes.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school health centers to screen for disordered eating (mental health) and creates task force/working group to improve treatment and nutrition education, advancing public health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 325: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DISCLOSURE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE CONCERNING MASS REQUESTS UNDER THE ACT.

SB 325 prohibits public agencies from disclosing the residential address of public school teachers (those holding a professional educator certificate) under the Freedom of Information Act, effective October 1, 2026. It also establishes a task force to study how public agencies handle mass information requests generated using artificial intelligence and to recommend legal changes if needed. The task force, composed of appointed members including government officials, open government experts, and AI specialists, must submit a report by January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects public school teachers by adding their home addresses to a list of protected personal information under FOIA, while the task force focuses on addressing AI-driven request patterns.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects public school teachers' residential addresses from FOIA disclosure, directly supporting educator privacy and safety as a key education policy component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5159: AN ACT FUNDING JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB 5159 creates a state-funded program to support journalism careers by providing at least 12 annual fellowships for recent graduates of in-state public university journalism programs. The fellowships, administered through a student journalism collaborative, require participation at local news organizations (as defined in state law) and include mandatory mentorship, hands-on work experience, and professional networking. Eligible applicants must graduate from a public higher education journalism program in the state and secure approval from the hosting news organization. The program must post all details - including funding amounts, requirements, and application forms - online by September 1, 2026, with funding starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state-funded program allocating government resources to journalism fellowships, directly increasing public spending on education/innovation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds journalism fellowships for public university graduates, directly supporting higher education career pathways and expanding educational opportunities through state-funded professional development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 6: AN ACT CONCERNING SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

SB 6 establishes a $600 annual tax credit per dependent child for eligible taxpayers with up to three children, phased out for higher-income households (e.g., $100k+ for single filers). It mandates all public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the 2027 fiscal year, funded by state grants. The bill also prohibits certain convicted individuals (e.g., for specific sex offenses) from sharing a home with a minor child unless they are the biological or adoptive parent, with exceptions for finalized adoptions. Additionally, it requires correctional facilities to notify child welfare agencies when such individuals are released, triggering case reviews for children under protective services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $600 annual tax credit per dependent child for eligible lower/middle-income families and funds universal school meals via state grants, advancing fiscal support for families and public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state-funded free school meals for all students (2027), directly increasing access and funding for K-12 schools through state grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Student Health

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5093: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REBASING OF THE EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT FORMULA FOR PURPOSES OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

HB 5093 increases the state's base funding for public schools from $11,525 to $18,681 per student over five years, with automatic annual adjustments for inflation. This change directly affects local school districts and municipalities, as it increases state education grants (equalization aid) that school districts receive. The bill allows towns to lower property tax rates by the exact amount of the increased state funding, reducing the tax burden on homeowners. It aims to provide immediate property tax relief by aligning local tax revenue reductions with the new state grant levels. The policy change is triggered solely by the increased state funding, without requiring new local tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state education funding to enable property tax relief for homeowners, directly reducing local tax burdens through higher state aid.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-student state funding from $11,525 to $18,681 over 5 years with inflation adjustments, directly boosting school district resources and enabling property tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue School Funding

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