Rep. Kathy Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator within the Office of Policy and Management to oversee state efforts to prevent human trafficking. The coordinator will work with various state agencies and law enforcement to develop prevention strategies, create a confidential database for reporting trafficking incidents, and maintain a directory of victim service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the coordinator to develop training programs for state agencies, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on identifying and responding to trafficking cases. A Trafficking in Persons Council will also be updated to include the new coordinator and representatives from multiple state departments to coordinate statewide response activities.

Maddy summarySB 148 clarifies the process for closing shellfish harvesting areas due to contamination or pollution. It requires the department to establish exact boundaries for closed areas and ensure closures take effect only after publishing notices in local newspapers, filing documents with town clerks and health directors, posting signs at the site, and updating the department’s website. The bill also specifies that during a health emergency, the Commissioner of Agriculture can immediately close affected areas by notifying health authorities and publishing a public notice. This directly affects shellfish harvesters, coastal communities, and health departments by standardizing how closure information is communicated. The bill repeals outdated language in existing statutes to modernize the notification system.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts most Connecticut hospitals from selling and leasing back their main campus property (a "sale-leaseback") after October 1, 2026, except for hospitals in financial distress that obtain board approval and notify the state health commissioner and attorney general. It requires all hospitals to annually submit a written attestation confirming no private equity firm controls the hospital or interferes with clinical decisions, such as patient care timing, discharge policies, or medical diagnoses. The attestation must cover specific areas like emergency department triage, patient discharge decisions, and medical record entries. Hospitals must use a standard form developed by the state health commissioner to comply.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Connecticut real estate agents to complete 12 hours of approved continuing education every two years, pay an $8 processing fee for license renewals, and face fines ($315 or $625) for missing deadlines. It defines "actively marketed" properties as those with visible signage, broker listings in the multiple listing service, or weekly print/electronic ads containing contact information. The bill also updates licensing terminology by changing "real estate salesperson" to "real estate agent" throughout state law. These changes directly affect all licensed real estate professionals in Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 5406 establishes a new ribbon and medal to honor Connecticut veterans and reserve members who served during wartime while residing in the state or being domiciled there at the time of the award. It creates eligibility for veterans called to active duty in wartime or reserve members serving during wartime, with awards potentially given posthumously to those who died after November 12, 1918. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Adjutant General will administer the award process, including designing the ribbon/medal and distributing it using existing military funds. This bill amends Connecticut General Statute §27-73e to implement the honorific award, with no financial or benefit changes beyond the ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 5142 allows residents in nursing homes and residential care facilities to use their own technology for virtual visits with family or for third-party monitoring, provided they cover all costs (purchase, maintenance, etc.). Residents must follow privacy rules, including placing a door notice, obtaining roommate consent in shared rooms, and filing written notice with the facility. Facilities must provide free internet and power for this technology, though they may charge private-pay residents for unreimbursed infrastructure costs. The bill exempts basic phones or tablets used primarily for calls and requires written roommate consent for shared-room monitoring.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates various days and months throughout the year to commemorate specific cultural, historical, health, and community-related topics. It requires the Governor to officially proclaim these observances, which may include suitable exercises at the State Capitol and other locations. The designated dates include Indigenous Peoples' Day, Lobster Roll Day, Hartford Whalers Day, Topical Steroid Withdrawal Awareness Day, 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day, Henry Breault Day, Eid al-Fitr, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Good Neighbor Day, and Military Suicide Remembrance and Awareness Day. These designations aim to raise public awareness, honor historical contributions, and promote community connection and health education.

Maddy summaryHB 5229 regulates online gaming and sports wagering operators in Connecticut. It requires operators to implement measures like limiting accounts per person, setting daily spending caps, providing clear withdrawal processes, and offering voluntary self-exclusion options. The bill also mandates advertising restrictions, including prohibiting targeted promotions to minors, requiring age disclosures, and banning ads in college facilities or social media appealing to underage users. Operators must conspicuously display responsible gambling resources, time spent on platforms, and account balances on their websites.

Maddy summarySB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety reporting and emergency response requirements for energy generation and storage facilities in Connecticut. It mandates that facility operators report major incidents, such as those requiring emergency shutdowns or hospitalizations, within five days and minor shutdowns within 30 days to the Connecticut Siting Council. Starting in 2027, operators must designate an emergency contact person available to respond within one hour and post their contact information at facility entrances. Beginning in 2028, the council will annually report all incident data to the state legislature, and the council may require applicants to provide emergency services training to local firefighters at the applicant's expense.