Rep. Bill Heffernan

Maddy summaryHB 5403 ensures health insurance coverage for survivors of certain public safety workers killed in the line of duty. It requires nonstate public employers to continue health coverage for survivors of unpaid volunteer firefighters, correction officers, or state marshals for one year (renewable annually up to five years) if coverage existed before death. If no coverage existed, employers must help survivors enroll in a partnership plan under the Comptroller’s program for up to five years. The bill specifically defines "unpaid volunteer firefighter" and expands eligibility under existing health insurance provisions for these workers’ survivors.

Maddy summaryHB 5037 requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 or obtain parental consent before showing them personalized content recommendations (like feeds or suggested posts). It applies to platforms that prioritize media based on user data, excluding shopping sites and purely educational tools. Platforms must delete age verification data after use and cannot charge more or degrade service for compliance. Exceptions include private messages, search results, or content from accounts users follow. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 5407 creates a state reimbursement program for Connecticut municipalities that lose property tax revenue when veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) receive property tax exemptions. Municipalities must annually submit certified claims by July 1 to the Office of Policy and Management, detailing lost tax revenue from this exemption. The state will review claims and pay municipalities by December 31 each year, starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects towns, cities, and boroughs that administer local property taxes.

Maddy summarySB 285 creates a tax credit for family caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible relatives. It allows caregivers with incomes under $50,000 (individual) or $100,000 (couple) to claim a credit covering 50% of qualifying expenses - such as home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care - up to $2,000 annually. Expenses like general home repairs (e.g., painting, plumbing) are excluded, and the total credit pool is capped at $1.8 million per year. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it only reduces tax liability but cannot result in a cash refund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires eligible Connecticut school districts to provide free breakfasts to all students and free or reduced-price lunches to students already qualifying under federal meal programs, starting July 1, 2026. It applies to local/charter schools and magnet operators participating in federal School Breakfast or Lunch Programs but not using the federal Community Eligibility Provision. Schools providing these meals will receive state grants from the Department of Education to cover costs, replacing previous funding mechanisms. The policy directly affects school districts serving students in grades K-12 who meet federal eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5413 establishes a state program to help eligible veterans access dental care by covering specific services (like cleanings, fillings, and dentures) up to $3,500 annually. It targets state-resident veterans with service-connected disabilities under 100% and household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, who aren’t receiving VA dental care. The program requires veterans to apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which refers them to participating dentists, reviews treatment plans, and pays providers directly after veterans’ insurance is exhausted. The program begins October 1, 2026, and includes annual performance reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 5320 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study the feasibility of creating a Connecticut Bridge Authority, which would oversee funding and construction of a bridge connecting Connecticut to Long Island. The commissioner must complete this study and submit a report to relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2027. This bill does not establish the authority itself but mandates a formal assessment to inform future legislative decisions. The study directly affects the commissioner's office and the General Assembly committees overseeing commerce and transportation.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Maddy summaryHB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 adjusts the state's budget management rules by changing how the threshold for transferring revenue to volatility funds is calculated, shifting to an inflation-adjusted five-year moving average instead of the current method. It also increases the maximum capacity of the Budget Reserve Fund to 20% of net General Fund appropriations. These changes aim to stabilize state budgeting by better accounting for inflation and allowing a larger reserve for fiscal uncertainty. The bill affects the state's budgeting procedures and the legislature's oversight of the Budget Reserve Fund.