Rep. Bill Heffernan

Maddy summaryHB 6958 prohibits publishers from including certain terms in digital book and audiobook license agreements with libraries. It bans clauses that block libraries from lending digital materials (including interlibrary loans), limit how many times a book can be lent, prevent making preservation copies, or restrict sharing contract terms with other libraries. Libraries may still set reasonable limits on simultaneous users or use technology to control access periods. The law applies to new or renewed contracts after July 1, 2026, affecting public, school, and academic libraries in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 6889 protects specific tenants from no-cause evictions in multi-unit buildings (5+ units) or mobile home parks. It applies to seniors (62+), people with qualifying disabilities, or tenants who've lived there 13+ months. Landlords may only evict for reasons like nonpayment, serious lease violations affecting health/safety, or specific "for personal use" scenarios (requiring 90-day notice and proof no other units are available). The bill also requires rent increases for protected tenants to be "fair and equitable," with disputes resolved through local commissions or courts. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6892 limits rent increases for residential properties sold within the past year. If a new owner raises rent by more than 10% of the previous lease amount, a fair rent commission must presume this increase is excessive - unless the owner completed major renovations to at least two primary building systems (like plumbing, electrical, or heating). This bill directly affects landlords selling properties and tenants in those units, particularly in municipalities with fair rent commissions. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and modifies how commissions evaluate rent hikes after ownership transfers.

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 summarySB 1271 requires all school districts to adopt three specific policies for school libraries: collection development (ensuring diverse materials accessible to all students), display and program guidelines (promoting free expression), and a reconsideration process for challenging materials. The bill prohibits removing library materials, displays, or programs based on the creator's background, viewpoint, or protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion. Only removals for legitimate educational reasons (e.g., outdated content or lack of relevance) or following professionally accepted collection standards are permitted. This directly affects school boards, librarians, and parents/students who may request material reviews under the new process.

Maddy summaryHB 5474 requires social media platforms operating in the state to create an online safety center by January 1, 2026. These centers must provide minors (users under 18) with resources to prevent cyberbullying, identify mental health services, explain how to report harmful behavior, and share educational content about social media's mental health impacts. The bill also mandates that platforms establish a cyberbullying policy detailing how they handle reports of harmful behavior. These requirements apply to all social media platforms with users who are minors in the state, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 consecutive days of strike, effective for labor disputes beginning December 14, 2026. Currently, most striking workers are ineligible for benefits during labor disputes. The change applies to workers not involved in the dispute (e.g., non-union employees) or who have not participated in the strike for 14+ days, but excludes situations involving employer lockouts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, though the eligibility rule starts in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5017 requires tire retailers in Connecticut to join a state-approved tire recycling program by January 1, 2026. Retailers who fail to participate will be prohibited from selling tires in the state after that date. The law builds on a 2023 law requiring tire producers to join such programs by 2025, mandating that retailers participate in the same statewide system. The program must establish free public tire drop-off, ensure discarded tires are recycled or resold, and provide public education - financed solely by tire producers. This directly affects all tire retailers operating in Connecticut, making participation mandatory for continued sales.

Maddy summarySB 17 provides funding to reimburse Connecticut municipalities for increased election administration costs resulting from early voting. It appropriates money from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover expenses municipalities incur when implementing early voting. The bill directly affects all municipalities that administer elections and must pay for early voting infrastructure, staffing, or other related costs. This is a reimbursement mechanism, not a new voting requirement, designed to offset existing cost increases.

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.