Rep. Marty Foncello

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for the Department of Consumer Protection regarding landscape architect licensing and home improvement contractor oversight. For landscape architects, it clarifies that licensure requires passing a specific exam and allows applicants with degrees from non-accredited schools or civil engineering experience to qualify under certain conditions. Regarding home improvement contractors, the law expands the commissioner's authority to revoke or suspend licenses for a broader range of violations, including unfair business practices and felony convictions. Additionally, the bill establishes a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund and sets annual fees for salesmen and contractors to help reimburse owners for unpaid work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Correction to create and submit a detailed plan for improving commissary services for youth in state facilities. The plan must replace the current monetary system with one that rewards positive behavior and ensures equitable access for vulnerable groups, such as those with disabilities or no family support. It also mandates the inclusion of menstrual products, strategies for transferring saved funds when youth move to adult facilities, and regular feedback sessions with the incarcerated youth. The Department must begin implementing these equitable access procedures immediately and fully adopt the new plan by November 1, 2023. Finally, the Commissioner of Correction is required to report on the plan's progress and any necessary changes to the legislature by July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 updates Connecticut's financial regulations by repealing and replacing the definitions within the state's money transmission laws to include virtual currency and related digital assets. The bill directly affects money transmission businesses, their owners, and employees by formally defining terms such as "virtual currency," "money transmission," and "authorized delegate" to ensure these modern financial activities are covered under existing rules. A key provision clarifies who counts as a "control person" or "key individual" by specifying ownership thresholds and family relationships, while also distinguishing between active managers and passive investors. These changes aim to provide clear legal guidelines for how licensed entities must operate and report transactions involving digital currencies and electronic payment instruments.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut election laws to enhance security and transparency for absentee voting. It requires municipalities to install video recording devices on secure drop boxes to capture footage of ballot deposits, with these recordings made public within five days of the election. The legislation also mandates that clerks record exactly how each absentee ballot was returned - whether by mail, drop box, or in person - and retain unopened envelopes to prevent tampering. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for voters requesting additional absentee ballots and ensures that any rejected ballots are properly logged and stored.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for Connecticut's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to improve how fuel vendors are paid and to ensure fair pricing for heating services. It requires the state to create a plan that includes criteria for emergency aid, outlines how to handle fuel deliveries, and establishes a timeline for reimbursing vendors within ten business days after they submit invoices. Additionally, the legislation mandates that starting in 2025, the state must set new pricing standards to fairly compensate vendors for their costs while keeping the maximum funding available for recipients. The bill also directs the state to purchase fuel directly for low-income households and prohibits vendors from discriminating against recipients based on their payment or delivery plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private career schools to include student surveys when applying to renew their operating licenses. Starting in January 2025, an evaluation team must ask students to rate the quality of the courses they took and how well the school prepared them for the job or license they advertised. The survey results will become a mandatory part of the state's review process for these schools, aiming to gather direct feedback from students on their educational experience.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the president of the University of Connecticut to secure spots at accredited out-of-state veterinary schools for up to five state residents each year. To support this initiative, the legislation appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the university for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and are designed to expand educational opportunities for Connecticut residents in veterinary medicine.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Planning Commission for Higher Education in Connecticut to develop and oversee a strategic master plan for the state's colleges and universities. The commission will be composed of voting members representing public and private institutions, faculty, and various local industries, along with nonvoting ex-officio members from state agencies. Its primary task is to update the existing 2015 strategic plan by analyzing current demographic and workforce trends to guide future higher education policy. The commission will operate without compensation, use available state funds to hire consultants if needed, and rely on legislative committee staff for administrative support. Initial appointments are scheduled to begin by June 1, 2024, with the first meeting expected by July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes law enforcement officers from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York to arrest individuals for boating or fishing violations that occur on the waters bordering these states. It allows officers from any of the three states to make arrests in the bordering waters and transfer the arrested person to the state where the violation took place for prosecution. The law specifically applies to interior bodies of fresh water located between Rhode Island and its neighboring states.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the State Code of Ethics for public officials by defining a "dependent child" as a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter who qualifies as a dependent under federal tax laws. It also clarifies the authority of the Office of State Ethics to investigate nonresidents, limiting such jurisdiction to cases where the nonresident or their agent makes an illegal payment to a public official or seeks prequalification as a lobbyist. These changes aim to standardize how family relationships are counted for ethical reporting and to specify when out-of-state individuals can be held accountable under state ethics rules.