Rep. Dave Rutigliano

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires providers offering sales-based commercial financing (repayments tied to a business's sales/revenue) to disclose four specific details to recipients: the total financing amount, disbursement amount (excluding finance charges), finance charge, and an estimated annual percentage rate (APR) based on projected sales. This applies to financing under $250,000 not intended for personal use, directly affecting small businesses and the providers (like brokers or non-bank lenders) offering this financing. The APR must be calculated using either historical sales data or an opt-in method, with providers notifying the Banking Commissioner of their chosen method. Banks, credit unions, and certain large lenders are exempt from these requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5035 requires all public K-12 school districts in the state to ban students from using wireless communication devices (like cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day, except for instructional purposes or specific exceptions. The law mandates devices be powered off and stored securely, with exceptions for students needing them under individualized education plans (IEPs) or for medical reasons approved by healthcare providers. It also prohibits access to social media during school hours unless for classroom instruction. School districts must create and share policies with parents about these rules, including emergency communication procedures and disciplinary steps for violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 5324 repeals several existing education-related mandates in Connecticut. It removes requirements for schools to implement human trafficking training for staff (previously mandated for educators, law enforcement, and healthcare workers), mandates for school composting of organic waste, and a rule allowing school districts to exclude certain insurance losses from budget calculations. The bill directly affects public and nonpublic schools, district administrators, and school personnel who previously had to comply with these specific requirements. This legislation aims to reduce administrative burdens by eliminating these statutory obligations, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 381 requires all public colleges and universities in the state to offer at least one annual on-campus program addressing problem gambling starting July 1, 2026. These programs must provide information about campus and community resources for treatment and rehabilitation of problem gambling, defined as compulsive or uncontrollable gambling causing life disruption. Institutions may partner with nonprofits to deliver the programs, but must prioritize nonprofit organizations already receiving state funding under section 17a-713 of the general statutes. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions and students by mandating accessible resources for gambling-related issues.

Maddy summaryHB 5228 requires new and renewing cigarette and vaping product dealers in Connecticut to obtain a license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services starting October 1, 2026. It directly affects businesses selling these products by imposing two key limits: no more than 25% of a store’s retail floor space can be dedicated to tobacco products, and tobacco sales cannot exceed 50% of the business’s total annual retail sales. The bill also mandates that applicants post license applications online and at the business location for two weeks, allowing local residents to file objections. If a business exceeds the space or sales limits, the commissioner may deny or refuse to renew the license. This bill updates licensing rules for tobacco and vaping product dealers without changing tax rates or product regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's Temporary Family Assistance program to help prevent families from losing benefits when they earn more money, a situation known as a benefits cliff. It allows the state to run a separate, fully state-funded version of the program to avoid federal financial penalties while keeping the same eligibility rules as the federal program. The legislation also creates specific exemptions from the 36-month time limit for families with incapacitated or elderly caretakers, pregnant women, and minor parents finishing high school, and permits up to two six-month extensions for families facing barriers like domestic violence or low income.

Maddy summaryHB 5149, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits students in Connecticut public schools (grades K-12) from possessing or using personal mobile electronic devices (like cell phones, tablets, or laptops) during the regular school day, except for students requiring device use for an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. School boards must create policies covering device storage, discipline for violations, and exceptions for special needs accommodations. The bill also prohibits school districts from using social media as the sole method to communicate with families about school matters. This directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 5010 would amend state tax law to exclude tips or gratuities and overtime pay from taxable personal income. This change directly affects workers who earn these specific income types, such as servers, hospitality staff, and hourly employees receiving overtime. The bill's key provision requires updating the tax code to remove these earnings from the base used to calculate personal income tax. As a result, individuals would pay income tax only on their regular wages, not on declared tips or overtime earnings.

Maddy summaryHB 5212 requires Connecticut banks and credit unions to accept and credit periodic (full) and partial (less than full) payments on new residential mortgage loans issued on or after October 1, 2026. It directly affects borrowers with these loans and the financial institutions that issue them. The bill mandates that payments must be accepted and credited on the business day received if the borrower follows written payment instructions and provides sufficient account details. This applies only to loans for personal, family, or household use on residential properties, effective October 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5091 changes eligibility for Connecticut's medical assistance program by requiring undocumented immigrants to have lived in the state for at least one year and applied for legal immigration status to qualify. It also increases asset limits for the HUSKY C Medicaid program to $5,000 for single individuals and $7,500 for married couples. The bill directly affects undocumented residents seeking medical aid and low-income households enrolled in HUSKY C. These changes aim to target state medical assistance toward residents meeting specific residency and immigration status criteria.