Rep. Kara Rochelle

Maddy summarySB 4 establishes a data broker registration system in Connecticut, requiring businesses that sell or license personal data to register with the Department of Consumer Protection by October 1, 2026. It directly affects data brokers (businesses collecting and selling personal data) and Connecticut consumers, who gain new rights to request data deletion. Key provisions include mandatory $600 annual registration fees, a requirement for data brokers to provide an "accessible deletion mechanism" for consumer requests, and definitions clarifying terms like "brokered personal data." The law aims to increase transparency and control over personal data handling while imposing specific compliance obligations on data brokers.

Maddy summarySB 5 (AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE SAFETY) requires subscription-based AI providers (e.g., companies offering AI tools via paid plans) to give consumers clear, written disclosures about subscription terms before signing or renewing. This includes detailing any usage limits, such as restrictions based on user behavior or changes to prior terms. The bill also establishes new safety rules for "frontier developers" of advanced AI systems ("foundation models"), defining "catastrophic risk" as scenarios where AI could cause mass harm (e.g., aiding weapon creation or severe physical injury) and mandating risk assessments by covered employees. It does not ban specific AI uses but sets transparency and safety protocols for high-risk systems. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5406 establishes a new ribbon and medal to honor Connecticut veterans and reserve members who served during wartime while residing in the state or being domiciled there at the time of the award. It creates eligibility for veterans called to active duty in wartime or reserve members serving during wartime, with awards potentially given posthumously to those who died after November 12, 1918. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Adjutant General will administer the award process, including designing the ribbon/medal and distributing it using existing military funds. This bill amends Connecticut General Statute §27-73e to implement the honorific award, with no financial or benefit changes beyond the ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes sales tax on clothing under $100, school supplies, and appliances, and eliminates a 1% tax on meals sold by grocery stores. It creates new tax credits for homeowners (increasing the existing credit), caregivers of elderly or disabled family members, and renters earning $75,000 or less for primary residence costs. These changes directly lower tax burdens for Connecticut residents, particularly lower- and middle-income households. The bill modifies sales tax rules and expands income tax credits to improve affordability.

Maddy summaryHB 5143 requires homemaker-companion agencies to provide mandatory training to their employees. New employees must complete 10 hours of initial training within 90 days of hire, covering topics like CPR, safety, abuse reporting, and dementia care. Existing employees must complete 10 hours of annual continuing education from a state-approved training list, and agencies must maintain records of all training for state review. This bill directly affects homemaker-companion agencies and their staff, aiming to improve service quality and client safety through standardized training.

Maddy summaryHB 5039 requires state agencies to provide greater transparency and oversight when distributing funds specifically directed by the legislature to particular organizations (not state agencies, disaster relief, competitive grants, or bond funds). It mandates that recipients prove financial responsibility and secure written approval from agencies before sharing funds with subrecipients. State agencies must submit annual reports on fund usage by November 1, and the state will publish a public database of all such funds by January 1. This bill directly affects state agencies managing these funds and the organizations receiving them, focusing on accountability through reporting and public access.

Maddy summarySB 268 authorizes Connecticut's Comptroller to withhold payments from contractors or subcontractors who violate prevailing wage laws (specifically section 31-53) on public works projects. If the Labor Commissioner issues a stop work order for such violations, the Comptroller must notify the contractor and give them 10 business days to comply. If they remain non-compliant, the Comptroller may withhold payments until the violation is resolved or penalties are paid. This directly affects contractors working on state or local government construction projects who fail to pay prevailing wages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare facilities and schools to cover medical costs and pay full salary for staff injured during work-related assaults or aggressive incidents. It creates a system for reporting patient violence in digital health records (with patient appeal options) and ensures absences due to such incidents don’t count against paid leave. Directly affects healthcare workers, teachers, and school staff who face workplace violence while performing job duties.

Maddy summaryHB 5127 prohibits healthcare and veterinary providers in Connecticut from promoting or facilitating medical credit cards to patients. Specifically, it bans providers from advertising these cards using their name/logo, receiving financial incentives for doing so, helping patients apply for them, or charging medical credit cards for services before they’re provided or for add-on products without written consent. The law also prevents providers from charging medical credit cards for services that are covered by insurance (like HUSKY Health) unless the patient has declined coverage. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting providers who previously offered or promoted such credit options.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires providers offering sales-based commercial financing (repayments tied to a business's sales/revenue) to disclose four specific details to recipients: the total financing amount, disbursement amount (excluding finance charges), finance charge, and an estimated annual percentage rate (APR) based on projected sales. This applies to financing under $250,000 not intended for personal use, directly affecting small businesses and the providers (like brokers or non-bank lenders) offering this financing. The APR must be calculated using either historical sales data or an opt-in method, with providers notifying the Banking Commissioner of their chosen method. Banks, credit unions, and certain large lenders are exempt from these requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.