Rep. Anne Hughes

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes parole eligibility rules for individuals convicted of crimes committed after July 1, 1981, who were under 26 years old at the time of the offense. It creates two main categories: those who may be eligible for parole after serving half their sentence, and those convicted of serious violent crimes who must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible. The legislation requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold hearings for certain offenders before releasing them on parole and mandates that the board document specific reasons for denying parole if a hearing is not held. The bill applies to people already incarcerated as of October 1, 1990, and sets specific conditions for residential placement and supervision during parole.

Maddy summaryHB 5289 changes how municipalities must publish legal notices currently required by law. It replaces the requirement for daily newspaper publication with an option to use weekly newspapers, while mandating that all notices must also be published on the municipality’s official website. Municipalities must retain a physical copy of each online notice for one year. This affects all towns, cities, and boroughs (municipalities) that require legal notice publication in newspapers under existing statutes, ordinances, or charters. The bill does not change the required notice timing or the rule for selecting newspapers based on local circulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded bridge program designed to help vulnerable individuals maintain access to food, housing, and healthcare benefits while they transition through changes in federal work requirements. The program would target veterans, homeless persons, adults with autism, foster care aging out, and older adults at risk of losing Medicaid or nutrition assistance, requiring state agencies to develop a plan by October 2026. Key provisions include supplementing existing job support programs, providing temporary state-funded assistance equivalent to current benefits, recommending long-term housing solutions, and documenting employability for potential federal waivers. The plan must be submitted to legislative committees by January 2027 along with funding estimates and implementation timelines.

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 requires employers in Connecticut to inform job applicants and employees when automated systems are used to make employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, or performance evaluations. Companies deploying these systems must disclose what personal data is being collected, how long it will be kept, who will access it, and provide options for applicants to opt out of data processing. The law also mandates that employees receive written notice before any employment decision is made, explaining the purpose of the automated system and the nature of the decision being made. Developers of these systems must provide necessary information to employers to ensure compliance, unless they have a contract assuming those responsibilities. The protections apply to various automated processes including resume screening, online interview analysis, and predictive assessments used in workplace decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 5% surcharge on insurance policies covering fossil fuel infrastructure such as oil wells, pipelines, refineries, and coal facilities, effective January 1, 2027. The collected funds will be deposited into a new climate resilience account managed by state officials. These funds will be used to provide flood risk data to communities, run public awareness campaigns about flooding risks, and offer grants for building climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce flood damage. The policy directly affects insurance companies issuing policies for fossil fuel operations and communities that may receive funding for flood mitigation projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main programs to support unpaid and paid internship opportunities in Connecticut. First, it requires state higher education boards to create a program that helps small businesses with 50 or fewer employees offer paid, high-quality internships by providing training and resources on managing internship programs. Second, it creates a stipend program for college students receiving federal Pell grants to offset costs like transportation and clothing when participating in internships. The bill also mandates annual reporting on program participation and establishes a state quality seal to recognize businesses with internship programs that meet specific standards for mentorship, learning opportunities, and clear communication.

Maddy summarySB 195 creates a pilot program to establish four overdose prevention centers across Connecticut municipalities, directly serving people with substance use disorder. These centers provide free drug testing strips, overdose education, counseling, safe consumption under medical supervision, and referrals to treatment services. The bill grants legal protection to healthcare providers who administer overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) at these centers, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The pilot requires local government approval and includes an advisory committee with diverse stakeholders to guide implementation and safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 2-cent-per-ounce tax on distributors of sweetened beverages, syrups, and powders sold to retailers within the state, with the revenue dedicated to funding a universal free school meals program. The tax applies to products containing added sugar or nonnutritive sweeteners but excludes milk-based beverages, 100% fruit or vegetable juices, water, infant formula, and medical beverages. Distributors must file monthly tax returns electronically and make payments by electronic funds transfer, while sales to government entities and certain resellers are exempt from the tax. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and establishes specific definitions for covered products to clarify which items are subject to taxation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Connecticut's organic materials composting requirements by gradually lowering the waste volume threshold for businesses that must separate and recycle food scraps. It affects food wholesalers, supermarkets, industrial processors, resorts, and schools located within twenty miles of composting facilities, starting with larger generators in 2014 and progressively including smaller operations by 2025. The law requires these entities to separate organic materials from other waste and ensure they are sent to authorized composting facilities with available capacity, while also establishing a voluntary pilot program for municipalities to begin similar separation efforts. Facilities that compost on-site or treat materials through permitted equipment are exempt from these requirements, and composting facilities must report fees charged for receiving organic materials to the state environmental agency.