Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo

Maddy summarySB 1542 prohibits law enforcement from handcuffing children under 12 years old in most situations, directly affecting officers and youth in custody. The law bans the use of handcuffs on children under 12 unless there is an immediate threat of harm to others. This legislation, now Public Act 25-163 after being signed by the governor on July 8, 2025, focuses on preventing unnecessary physical restraint of young children during interactions with police.

Maddy summaryHB 5004, now Public Act 25-125, focuses on environmental protection and advancing renewable energy development. The bill establishes new requirements for state agencies to prioritize renewable energy projects in infrastructure planning and creates tax incentives for businesses investing in clean energy infrastructure. It directly affects renewable energy developers, utility companies, and state agencies responsible for permitting and planning. The law became effective upon the governor's signature on July 1, 2025. (Note: Specific provisions like incentive amounts or project types are not detailed in the provided context.)

Maddy summarySB 8 would have amended unemployment benefit rules to protect workers during labor disputes by removing a provision that previously denied benefits if a dispute lasted 14 days after December 2026. It directly affected workers who lost jobs due to strikes or lockouts, ensuring they could retain benefits unless they participated in or financially supported the dispute. The bill changed eligibility rules to clarify that lockouts (defined as employers refusing work during negotiations) wouldn’t automatically disqualify workers from benefits. However, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed the bill on June 23, 2025, preventing these changes from taking effect. The veto means current unemployment rules remain in place for workers facing labor disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 6883 protects the addresses of domestic violence and sexual assault victims living in shelters or transitional housing. It prohibits housing providers from disclosing these locations without the victim’s explicit consent. This law directly affects victims seeking safety and their housing providers, preventing abusers from locating them through address sharing. The key provision requires confidentiality around housing addresses to enhance victim safety. The bill became law after Governor’s signature on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7214 mandates a study to improve maternal mental health care in Connecticut. The bill requires the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to examine perinatal mental health services, racial disparities in care, and hospital policies regarding doulas. The committee will assess evidence-based treatments, cultural competency, funding models, and barriers affecting vulnerable populations - including Black individuals, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, and those experiencing homelessness. The study will specifically evaluate how doula support impacts birth outcomes and equity, with reports due by 2027. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6229 bans polystyrene foodware (like foam containers) and most single-use plastic items (including straws, stirrers, and food accessories) for food vendors, government agencies, schools, and businesses starting July 1, 2027. Exceptions include biodegradable straws provided upon request (especially for people with disabilities) and specific packaging uses like pre-sealed food or meat storage. The bill also requires state/municipal buildings and schools to install reusable water bottle filling stations when replacing drinking fountains, effective January 2027. A task force will study sustainable alternatives and report by February 2026, but the law itself focuses on direct restrictions and infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6263 requires Connecticut's Departments of Administrative Services, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Transportation to replace gas-powered landscaping equipment (like leaf blowers and mowers) with equivalent electric models for state property maintenance. Starting September 1, 2027, agencies must purchase or lease electric equipment when gas-powered machines reach the end of their useful life and electric alternatives work just as well. By September 1, 2029, these departments must also require contractors performing state landscaping work to use electric equipment if functionally equivalent options exist. Exceptions allow continued use of gas-powered equipment for emergencies, fire management, forest/riparian area maintenance, or public safety operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would grant all Connecticut residents an enforceable right to clean air, water, soil, ecosystems, a healthy environment, and a stable climate. It requires the state to protect these rights equitably, avoid unreasonable infringement, and actively conserve natural resources like water, air, and wildlife for current and future generations. If passed by three-quarters of both legislative chambers, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval to become part of Connecticut's constitution. The amendment would not create new regulations but would establish a legal foundation for residents to seek court enforcement of environmental protections.

Maddy summarySB 774 requires car dealers in Connecticut to include all fees (federal tax, delivery, preparation, and dealer conveyance/processing fees) in advertised vehicle prices. Dealers must clearly state in bold type that state/local taxes and registration fees are excluded, and separately list the exact amount of any dealer conveyance fee. This applies to all new and used car sales, affecting both dealers (who must comply with pricing transparency rules) and consumers (who see clearer, all-in pricing). The bill also mandates specific details on sales documents, including deposit terms and guarantee statements, in ten-point bold type. It takes effect October 1, 2025, with minimal expected state revenue impact.

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.