Rep. John-Michael Parker

Maddy summarySB 380 establishes the Office of Postsecondary Success within the Department of Education to support scholarship programs for students pursuing higher education. The office will fund existing "promise programs" (scholarships paired with mentoring and career support) at $3,000 per enrolled student, require annual reporting on student outcomes like graduation and job placement, and work to create eight new promise programs by 2031, prioritizing students in designated alliance districts. It also mandates tracking student data - including net cost of attendance, demographics, and academic progress - to improve program effectiveness. The bill directly affects students in Connecticut’s public colleges and universities, particularly those from low-to-moderate income backgrounds.

Maddy summaryHB 5306 allows courts to reduce sentences for individuals convicted of felonies who were survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, provided the abuse was a contributing factor to their offense. Defendants must submit documented proof (such as court records, protective orders, or counselor affidavits) demonstrating their survivor status and the abuse's role in the crime. Courts must then determine if the abuse was a contributing factor before applying sentence reductions. This applies to all felony convictions where the abuse contributed to the offense, without requiring it to be the sole cause, and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5157 delays the requirement for retailers to join Connecticut's tire stewardship program until July 1, 2027. The bill amends Section 22a-905i of the general statutes to add a new subsection (s) that postpones the participation deadline. This directly affects tire retailers who would otherwise need to join the program sooner. The change provides a one-year extension from the original requirement date, giving retailers additional time to comply. The bill does not alter the program's structure or requirements, only the implementation timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Medicaid program to pay for peer support services, which are recovery-focused behavioral health services provided by individuals with lived experience in mental illness or substance use recovery. Starting July 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Social Services must update Medicaid rules to include these services in care teams and begin reimbursing certified peer support specialists for their work. The law also mandates a report by August 1, 2027, detailing how many specialists receive payment, how many Medicaid enrollees they serve, and any treatment outcome data collected from their services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's laws to require fish passage facilities at dams and artificial obstructions, affecting dam owners, municipalities, and property owners upstream of these structures. It establishes a process where ten or more property owners can petition the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to require a fishway, while also allowing any person to petition for safe and effective fish passage at hydroelectric dams not regulated by federal agencies. The commissioner must hold public hearings, publish draft orders, and consider public comments before issuing final decisions, with requirements to maintain water flows and remove harmful obstructions if necessary.

Maddy summaryHB 5154 allows Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue general permits for certain activities instead of individual permits, reducing administrative steps for businesses and projects. It automatically renews solid waste facility permits after 90 days if a complete renewal application is submitted and the agency takes no action. The bill also establishes a new process for approving solid waste management demonstration projects, requiring a $1,000 fee and ensuring projects meet environmental safety standards. These changes streamline permitting while maintaining environmental protections for affected entities.

Maddy summaryHB 5330 establishes a state conservation program for wildlife species not traditionally harvested, requiring Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to implement actions like habitat protection, climate impact monitoring, and assistance for private landowners. The bill creates a legislative working group with representatives from conservation groups, universities, local governments, water utilities, and agricultural organizations to develop a funding plan for the program, with a report due by January 15, 2027. It also authorizes the sale of wildlife-themed merchandise (e.g., stamps, posters) to generate revenue for the program, which will be allocated to the conservation efforts. The program takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5037 requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 or obtain parental consent before showing them personalized content recommendations (like feeds or suggested posts). It applies to platforms that prioritize media based on user data, excluding shopping sites and purely educational tools. Platforms must delete age verification data after use and cannot charge more or degrade service for compliance. Exceptions include private messages, search results, or content from accounts users follow. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 5158 prohibits colleges in the state from reducing a student's financial aid package simply because the student receives a scholarship from any source (private or public). It directly affects students receiving scholarships and public/private institutions of higher education. The bill defines "financial aid" to include scholarships, grants, and federal/state aid (but excludes student loans), and allows reductions only if total aid already covers the student's full cost of attendance or to comply with athletic aid rules for NCAA athletes. This takes effect July 1, 2026.