Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Maddy summaryHB 7021 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Commodities Assistance Program, effective July 2025. The program funds Connecticut Foodshare (formerly the Connecticut Food Bank) to buy bulk nutritious food in-state and distribute it free to soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. It requires at least 15% of annual funds to purchase produce from Connecticut farmers and mandates a 3% annual funding increase starting July 2026. The bill allows, but does not require, these organizations to charge a 5-cent-per-pound handling fee to cover distribution costs.

Maddy summaryHB 6267 prohibits declawing or tendonectomy procedures on cats for non-medical reasons, defining "declawing" as surgical removal of claws or modification to impair claw function. The law allows exceptions only for medically necessary procedures addressing infections, injuries, or health issues (not cosmetic or convenience reasons). Violations carry civil penalties: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,500 for third or subsequent violations. The law, effective October 1, 2025, applies to veterinarians and pet owners performing or facilitating non-therapeutic claw removal.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5112 prohibits pet stores from buying or obtaining dogs, cats, or rabbits for sale starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects pet store owners who must stop purchasing these animals, though they may still host licensed animal shelters for adoption events under strict conditions. The law allows pet stores to provide space for 501(c)(3) shelters to showcase animals for adoption without compensation, but bans any sale or transfer of these animals by stores. Violations carry a maximum $500 fine. The bill does not restrict private breeders or pet owners.

Maddy summarySB 1190 requires nursing homes and managed residential communities (MRCs) serving primarily older adults (55+) to equip their facilities with an automated external defibrillator (AED) by January 1, 2026. Facilities must keep the AED in a central, accessible location for staff, residents, and visiting family, and maintain it per manufacturer guidelines. Additionally, they must ensure at least one staff member trained in CPR and AED use (per American Red Cross or American Heart Association standards) is present during all operating hours. This applies to all licensed nursing homes and MRCs, excluding state-funded congregate housing. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 5117 requires Connecticut's Department of Veterans Affairs to designate or acquire land by July 1, 2026, as a final resting place for deceased Connecticut veterans. The bill mandates that the land must already be owned by the department or newly acquired, with no specific location or size specified. This procedural bill directly affects Connecticut veterans and their families by establishing a formal process for creating a state-run veterans cemetery.

Maddy summaryHB 6761 prohibits individuals charged with severe animal cruelty - specifically cases involving violence, starvation, or death of an animal - from using accelerated rehabilitation programs. These programs typically allow offenders to avoid criminal penalties through rehabilitation instead of trial. The bill amends Section 54-56e of the general statutes to explicitly exclude such serious animal cruelty charges from eligibility for this alternative. It directly affects defendants facing these specific felony-level animal cruelty charges in court. The change ensures these cases proceed through standard judicial processes rather than alternative resolutions.

Maddy summaryHB 6599 would amend Connecticut's statutes to facilitate the establishment of source plasma donation centers within the state. The bill enables these centers to operate by allowing regulatory waivers and other supportive measures. It directly affects plasma donation centers seeking to open or expand operations in Connecticut, potentially reducing administrative barriers. The legislation focuses on creating a clearer legal pathway for these facilities without specifying new requirements or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 6606 revises Connecticut's requirements for esthetician licensure, directly affecting individuals seeking or renewing their licenses in the state. The bill amends Section 20-265b of the general statutes to change specific provisions related to required study hours, coursework content, and application fees. These are concrete policy changes focused on the licensing process itself. The bill does not alter the scope of practice for estheticians or introduce new public health regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 6600 eliminates most Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for healthcare facilities in Connecticut, directly affecting hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and health practices seeking to expand, relocate, or change services. The bill removes approval barriers for most new facilities or service additions but retains CON requirements for specific situations, including transfers of facility ownership to non-physician entities, termination of mental health/substance abuse services, relocation of certain outpatient services, and private equity acquisitions of healthcare facilities or large physician practices. Key provisions streamline approval processes for routine expansions while maintaining oversight for transactions involving ownership changes, service cuts, or private equity control. This policy change aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for healthcare providers without altering oversight for high-impact facility or service changes.