Rep. Sarah Keitt

Maddy summaryHB 6913, now Public Act 25-17, bans long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) from discriminating against residents. It directly affects residents in these facilities by prohibiting unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, or other personal factors. The law requires facilities to follow non-discrimination standards in all resident services and care decisions. This policy change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 3, 2025, ensuring residents are treated fairly under state law.

Maddy summarySB 7 primarily sets a standard for fluoride levels in public water systems. It requires water companies serving 20,000+ people to maintain fluoride at 0.7 milligrams per liter, with a tolerance of ±0.15 milligrams per liter, aligning with federal recommendations for dental health. The bill also creates a nonbinding advisory committee for the Commissioner of Public Health to review CDC and FDA guidance using scientific evidence. While titled to address health care access, the bill’s main provisions focus on water fluoridation standards and public health advisory processes, not direct health care service restrictions. This affects municipal water providers but does not change patient access to reproductive or gender-affirming care services.

Maddy summarySB 1481 is an act that prohibits discrimination in services funded under the Medicaid program. This bill aims to ensure that individuals receiving care supported by Medicaid are not subjected to discriminatory practices. It directly affects both Medicaid beneficiaries and the healthcare providers who offer services covered by Medicaid, by requiring non-discriminatory access to care.

Maddy summarySB 5 establishes the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship program to provide need-based and merit-based financial aid for Connecticut residents pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree at public or independent colleges in the state. The program allocates funds across three grant types: a need/merit grant (20-30% of funds or $10 million, whichever is greater), a need-based grant (up to 80% of funds), and a minimum $100,000 Charter Oak grant. Eligibility is determined using the student aid index (replacing family contribution calculations) and academic achievement, with awards distributed via a sliding scale based on financial need and available funding. Recipients of the need/merit grant cannot also receive a need-based grant, ensuring distinct funding pathways for students with varying financial and academic profiles.

Maddy summarySB 6 requires Connecticut's Office of Early Childhood to lead administration of federal child care food programs, encouraging child care centers, group homes, and family homes to participate through annual outreach and data sharing. It also creates a new child nutrition outreach program under the Department of Education to boost participation in school breakfast, summer food, and child care food programs, including innovative methods like classroom breakfasts. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on "disconnected youth" (youth not in school or work) using shared data from early childhood, health, and education agencies. These provisions directly affect child care providers, schools, and youth service agencies by expanding access to nutrition support and improving data-driven policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 7009 establishes a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement for high school diplomas, requiring students to complete two years of social studies (including a U.S. government or civics course), participate in a civic engagement project, and demonstrate civics proficiency through assessments. It mandates expanded transparency in school data tracking, requiring public schools to collect and report detailed information about multilingual learners (including home language and bilingual program participation) starting in 2026. The bill also creates a parent bill of rights for multilingual learners to protect their educational rights and requires school districts to make Islamic and Arab studies curriculum materials available. These provisions directly affect Connecticut public schools, students, and families, focusing on civic education standards, data transparency, and equitable resource access.

Maddy summaryHB 7104 modifies eligibility rules for Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) by disregarding specific income sources when determining eligibility. It adds two key provisions: (1) income from approved pilot cash transfer programs (studying direct cash payments) is disregarded for up to 24 months, and (2) stipends from approved job training programs (like those run by the Office of Workforce Strategy or rehabilitation services) are disregarded for up to 36 months. This directly affects TFA applicants and recipients whose family members participate in these programs, preventing such income from reducing or eliminating their benefits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires the Department of Social Services to maintain a public list of approved programs.

Maddy summaryHB 7273 establishes a working group to study how to fund a universal free school meals program for all public school students. The group will examine required funding amounts, potential sources like dedicated taxes, program rules, and other relevant factors. The working group, made up of legislative committee chairs, school representatives, and nutrition experts, must submit its report to the legislature by January 1, 2026, with no immediate cost to the state or municipalities.

Maddy summaryHB 6975 requires the Commissioner of Health Strategy to conduct a biennial study comparing payment rates for mental health services versus general health care services under specific private health insurance policies and Connecticut's HUSKY Health program. The study will examine whether mental health providers receive equal payment rates compared to other health providers under these plans, with reports due to legislative committees starting January 1, 2026. This bill does not change current payment rates but mandates ongoing analysis to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1428 allocates $500,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and another $500,000 for 2026-2027 to fund the Domestic Workers Education and Training Grants Program under Connecticut law. The program, administered by the Labor Department, provides grants to support training and education for domestic workers, such as caregivers and housekeepers. This funding directly helps domestic workers access skills development opportunities through approved providers. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not change existing laws but allocates specific funds for this targeted program.