Rep. Kaitlyn Shake

Maddy summaryHB 5002 updates Connecticut's foundational education funding formula. It sets a base funding amount of $11,525 per student for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024-2026, then adjusts this amount annually based on the higher of personal income growth or inflation (as defined in state law) for all subsequent years. This change directly affects public school districts statewide by altering how state education funding is calculated and distributed. The bill does not modify specific programs for special education or early childhood services, as referenced in its title, but updates the core funding mechanism used to determine district allocations. The new formula takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Connecticut's address confidentiality program to provide a substitute mailing address for individuals seeking to protect their residential addresses due to safety concerns. It directly affects victims of family violence, stalking, sexual assault, kidnapping, child abuse, and other specified crimes, as well as those providing reproductive health care or gender-affirming services. The key provisions include adding reproductive health care and gender-affirming care providers as eligible participants, requiring application assistants to help most applicants complete forms, and expanding the types of crimes that qualify someone for program participation. The bill also adds new definitions for terms like "reproductive health care services" and "gender-affirming health care services" to clarify eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 295 defines "legally protected health care activity" in Connecticut to include reproductive health care services (like contraception and pregnancy-related care) and gender-affirming health care services (such as treatment for gender dysphoria) permitted under state law. It allows healthcare providers, patients, or insurers to recover damages - including legal fees - if they face lawsuits or judgments in other states based on these services. The bill also states that Connecticut law governs all cases related to these services within the state, overriding conflicting out-of-state laws. This directly affects healthcare providers, patients receiving these services, and insurers offering coverage for them within Connecticut.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipal utility and public works employers to assess workplace violence risks for employees who interact directly with customers, such as those working in customer homes or during late hours. Employers must complete these risk assessments by January 2027 and implement prevention training by July 2027, covering topics like conflict resolution, minimizing cash on hand, and reporting aggressive behavior. The law also mandates that employers keep records of any workplace violence incidents and submit annual reports to the state Labor Department detailing the number and locations of such events. These requirements apply to electric, gas, and water utilities, regional water and sewer authorities, public service companies, and municipal public works departments.

Maddy summaryHB 5279 expands workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSD) by adding "witnessing a serious physical injury" as a qualifying event. It directly affects eligible public safety and healthcare workers - including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional employees, telecommunicators, and health care providers - who witness such injuries while on duty. The bill amends existing law to include this new qualifying event (effective October 1, 2026), specifying it covers serious physical injuries that do not result in death or permanent disfigurement. This change ensures these workers can access PTSD-related workers' compensation benefits for trauma stemming from witnessing non-fatal but severe injuries.

Maddy summaryHB 5278 requires the state to add uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (minimum $1 million for bodily injury or death) to the State Fleet Insurance Policy for Department of Transportation employees. This coverage specifically protects DOT workers who are outside vehicles during job duties and are injured by drivers without insurance or insufficient coverage. The policy change must be implemented by July 1, 2027, and applies only to these state employees, not the general public. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new fund to provide a one-time $100,000 death benefit to the surviving families of correction officers and investigators from specific state agencies who are killed in the line of duty. The fund is financed through available appropriations and interest earnings, with payments distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible survivors including spouses, dependent children, and other family members listed on beneficiary forms. The bill also defines key terms such as "killed in the line of duty" and "dependent child," and requires the Comptroller to submit annual reports on fund expenditures and balances to relevant legislative committees. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing tax provision related to income derived from the death benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Correction and other state facilities that detain offenders to adopt and follow national standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse. It mandates specific policies including zero tolerance for abuse, enhanced privacy protections for transgender individuals, improved surveillance coverage, and specialized training for staff and volunteers. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements, mandates investigations within 30 days of abuse reports, and requires regular compliance certifications to be submitted to state oversight committees.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 allows religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their owned land with streamlined approval. It requires that at least 30% of units be rent- or mortgage-qualified for 40 years at or below 30% of 60% of state or area median income. The bill mandates "summary review" for such projects, bypassing standard zoning restrictions on density and height, while requiring a decision within 90 days. Exemptions include properties owned less than three years, flood zones, oil/gas sites, or historic areas needing demolition approval.