Rep. Tone Felipe

Maddy summaryHB 5284 authorizes Connecticut municipalities to reduce property taxes by up to $500 annually for up to five years for qualified first-time homebuyers. It directly affects buyers who obtain loans from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) for a single-family home serving as their primary residence. The bill requires municipal approval (via legislative body or board of selectmen) to implement the tax abatement, which applies only to properties encumbered by a CHFA mortgage. This policy creates a concrete tax relief mechanism for eligible homebuyers without mandating participation from all municipalities.

Maddy summarySB 311 modifies Connecticut school suspension policies to better support vulnerable students. It requires schools to consider homelessness when determining suspensions (per McKinney-Vento Act definitions) and limits suspensions to 45 days per school year without a formal hearing. The bill also allows first-time suspensions to be waived if students complete free school-specified programs, and mandates that suspension records be removed from student files upon graduation or program completion. These changes directly affect students in Connecticut public schools, particularly those experiencing homelessness or facing disciplinary action. The bill does not address "disconnected youth" as implied by its title, focusing instead on school discipline procedures.

Maddy summarySB 219 establishes that if Connecticut's Banking Commissioner finds a landlord violated rules about rental security deposits (specifically sections (b), (d), (h), or (i) of the law), the commissioner can order the landlord to pay a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per violation. The bill also requires landlords to stop violating these rules and comply with security deposit laws. This applies directly to landlords who fail to follow state deposit regulations, such as returning deposits or providing required notices. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and gives the commissioner enforcement authority under existing statutes.

Maddy summarySB 216 establishes a program allowing Connecticut's State Treasurer to invest up to $300 million of state operating cash with eligible community banks and credit unions. It sets asset limits for participation: initially prohibiting institutions with over $2 billion in assets (July 2023-Sept 2024), then adjusting the limit annually based on the median loan growth of participating institutions. The bill requires the State Treasurer to report eligible institutions to the Department of Banking annually and mandates that investment rates for participating institutions cannot exceed 100 basis points below comparable Treasury yields. This program directly affects community financial institutions seeking to manage state funds through a structured investment process.

Maddy summaryHB 5258 protects tenant organizing rights by requiring landlords to permit specific activities related to tenant organizations. The bill mandates that landlords allow tenants, tenant organizers, and their agents to distribute materials, conduct door-to-door surveys, hold meetings in common areas, and post information - without requiring prior permission - provided these activities are reasonable and lawful. It directly affects tenants seeking to form or join tenant organizations and landlords managing residential properties. Key provisions define "tenant organization" as tenant-led groups addressing housing issues and prohibit landlords from blocking these activities, except for standard community space reservation rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications based solely on credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined by state law. Landlords may charge a capped fee (up to $50 plus annual inflation adjustment) for tenant screening reports but must provide applicants with a copy of the report or instructions to obtain it, along with a receipt. To qualify for the protection, applicants can submit a counselor letter, police report, or valid court order related to domestic violence. Violating this rule requires landlords to reimburse applicants for fees paid and cover attorney costs.

Maddy summarySB 303 requires Connecticut banks and credit unions to offer secured credit cards to all their customers or members. A secured credit card is one where the customer provides funds as security for the credit extended. The bill also mandates that institutions must provide account information for these cards to the account holder and any third party authorized by the holder to report to credit rating agencies. This law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects financial institutions operating in Connecticut by changing their product offerings. The policy change ensures consumers have access to a credit-building tool and simplifies reporting to credit agencies.

Maddy summarySB 239 requires hospitals in Connecticut to examine the nutrition needs of community members with diabetes or congestive heart failure during their community health needs assessments. Hospitals must include these needs in their assessments and prioritize food-based health programs for these patients in their community benefits plans. The law, effective October 1, 2026, applies to all hospitals conducting such assessments under state law. It does not mandate specific dietary changes but directs hospitals to integrate nutrition support into their community health strategies, consistent with federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 5272 requires the Commissioner of Children and Families to study whether policy or procedural changes within the Department of Children and Families could improve the health of children in the department's care and custody. The study must be completed and reported to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Department of Children and Families and children under its supervision, but it does not implement new policies - only mandates a study to identify potential improvements. The bill is procedural, focusing on gathering information rather than making immediate changes to programs or services.

Maddy summaryHB 5268 allows the Department of Public Health (DPH) to share parentage documents - like legal acknowledgments of parentage - with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This change directly affects parents who signed such documents, children (if 18+), and child welfare services. The bill modifies existing rules to explicitly permit DPH to release this information to DCF staff, improving coordination between health and child welfare agencies. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not create new obligations but streamlines information sharing for child safety and support services.