Rep. Ken Gucker

Maddy summaryHB 6040 establishes two new commissions: the State Historical Commission (to develop a process for adding statues and creating historical placards explaining existing statues) and the State Commission on Capitol Preservation and Restoration (to implement that process and oversee Capitol preservation). The Historical Commission must submit its plan for statues and placards by February 1, 2026, to the Preservation Commission and the Joint Committee on Legislative Management. The Preservation Commission will then carry out statue additions and Capitol restoration efforts while following artistic standards that respect the building's historical character. Both commissions must meet quarterly, report annually to the Joint Committee, and work to enhance the Capitol's safety and historical integrity.

Maddy summaryHB 6073 requires Connecticut state agencies to regularly review their existing regulations every seven years, starting from a specified date. Agencies must identify obsolete rules (unused for seven years, inconsistent with laws, or no longer effective), propose reductions, and report findings to legislative committees and the public. The bill mandates public hearings on review results and gives legislative committees authority to push for regulatory changes or introduce new laws if agencies fail to comply. This affects all state agencies with regulatory authority, aiming to streamline and modernize state rules.

Maddy summaryHB 7158 requires health care providers who create safety plans for minors receiving inpatient behavioral health treatment for 12+ consecutive days to obtain written consent from parents/guardians (or the minor if 16+) before sharing these plans with schools. Schools must set up secure messaging systems by January 2026 and designate staff like school nurses or counselors to receive these plans confidentially, separate from academic records. The bill ensures safety plans can only be shared with consent and adheres to existing privacy laws like HIPAA, without forcing providers to create plans or override minor patient confidentiality. It directly affects health care providers, schools, and minor patients by establishing a secure, consent-based process for sharing mental health crisis plans.

Maddy summaryHB 6477 requires the Governor's office to create a plan by January 1, 2026, for translating state forms and applications - such as those for vital records and identification - into the 12 most common non-English languages in the state, based on the latest U.S. Census data. This directly affects limited-English proficient residents who need to access state agency services or benefits. The bill mandates the plan's development but does not require immediate translation, focusing instead on a structured review process. It has no fiscal impact on state or local governments, as noted in official analyses.

Maddy summaryHB 7182, effective October 1, 2025, regulates ticket resellers for entertainment events (excluding movies). It requires resellers to either have the ticket in hand or provide clear written disclosure if they cannot guarantee supply at the contracted price. The bill also bans websites from using venue names, event names, or similar terms in their domain names for ticket sales, except for venue-operated sites. This directly affects ticket resellers and online ticket platforms, aiming to prevent deceptive practices by mandating transparency in transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 7248 modifies well water reporting requirements and allows temporary policy implementation. It requires private well test results to be reported to local health authorities and the Department of Public Health (DPH), maintaining confidentiality except for specific disclosures. The bill adds a new exception permitting DPH or local health authorities to share test results with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) when approved by the commissioner. It also establishes a process for DPH to implement temporary policies on water supply connections while final regulations are drafted, requiring public posting of these policies and a 20-day notice before final adoption. The bill directly affects private well owners, health authorities, and state environmental agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 6852 waives the $75 fee for criminal history record checks required when applying for a pardon, specifically for low-income individuals. It directly affects people seeking pardons who cannot afford the fee, requiring them to submit an indigency form to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The bill modifies existing law to allow fee waivers for this specific purpose, without changing the pardon process itself. The waiver applies only to the criminal history record search fee, not other related costs. This change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5012 prohibits the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins in the state, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses selling shark fin products and consumers purchasing them, while exempting licensed fishermen who separate fins from lawfully landed sharks during food preparation (requiring immediate destruction of fins unless used for personal consumption or taxidermy). The bill also allows permits for scientific or educational use of shark fins through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This law excludes rays and smooth-hound sharks from its definition of "shark," aligning with existing regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1426 expands Connecticut's Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to provide benefits for firefighters diagnosed with cancer affecting specific body systems (skin, brain, respiratory, etc.). Eligible firefighters must meet strict criteria: no prior cancer evidence at hire, no smoking for 15 years before diagnosis, at least five years of qualifying service (as interior structural firefighters or related roles), and annual health screenings. The bill ensures these firefighters receive workers' compensation-style benefits and retirement/survivor benefits from the relief account, covering uncovered treatment costs, while offsetting any existing benefits from workers' compensation or retirement systems. It becomes effective October 1, 2025, and administers claims like standard workers' compensation under Chapter 568.

Maddy summaryHB 6248 increases the penalty for illegally taking striped bass in Connecticut waters to a flat $250 fine per violation, replacing previous tiered fines ($154 for inland waters, $75 for marine waters). It applies directly to anglers who violate state regulations on striped bass size limits, daily catch limits, or seasonal restrictions. The bill classifies violations as non-criminal infractions, allowing offenders to pay the fine by mail instead of facing court. This change affects anyone fishing for striped bass in Connecticut's waters who exceeds legal limits or harvests fish illegally.