Rep. Ken Gucker

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's public health statutes to clarify which facilities are considered "institutions" and expands the state's investigation process for abuse and neglect involving people with intellectual disabilities. It redefines "institution" to include various healthcare and care facilities while explicitly excluding most state-operated mental health and substance use disorder facilities, with specific exceptions. The bill also strengthens the Department of Developmental Services' authority to investigate abuse reports by allowing record reviews without full psychological exams, granting subpoena powers, and requiring electronic record-keeping of abuse reports. Additionally, it establishes protocols for investigating deaths of individuals with intellectual disabilities where abuse or neglect may be involved and clarifies confidentiality rules for investigation reports.

Maddy summarySB 268 authorizes Connecticut's Comptroller to withhold payments from contractors or subcontractors who violate prevailing wage laws (specifically section 31-53) on public works projects. If the Labor Commissioner issues a stop work order for such violations, the Comptroller must notify the contractor and give them 10 business days to comply. If they remain non-compliant, the Comptroller may withhold payments until the violation is resolved or penalties are paid. This directly affects contractors working on state or local government construction projects who fail to pay prevailing wages.

Maddy summarySB 246 requires Connecticut's Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner to study natural gas rates for commercial and agricultural customers with intermittent peak demand. The study will examine whether demand charges - fees based on peak usage - unfairly increase costs for these customers. If the commissioner finds such charges are unfair, they must recommend how to adjust them. The commissioner must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2027. This bill does not change current rates but mandates an evaluation to inform potential future adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare facilities and schools to cover medical costs and pay full salary for staff injured during work-related assaults or aggressive incidents. It creates a system for reporting patient violence in digital health records (with patient appeal options) and ensures absences due to such incidents don’t count against paid leave. Directly affects healthcare workers, teachers, and school staff who face workplace violence while performing job duties.

Maddy summaryHB 5288 modifies zoning and utility rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly called "granny flats" or secondary units on the same property as a main home. The bill requires municipalities to allow ADUs on single-family lots "as of right" (without special approval) and prohibits local governments from charging separate utility connection fees for ADUs connected to the main house's existing utilities. It also bans requirements like separate utility billing, extra parking, or restrictions on tenant relationships. This directly affects homeowners seeking to create ADUs and local governments managing zoning and utility regulations.

Maddy summarySB 89 requires all state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers) to adopt and follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards effective January 1, 2024, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and staff. Key provisions include a strict zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, mandatory staff and contractor training, enhanced protections for vulnerable detainees, standardized reporting protocols for incidents, and access to medical/mental health services for victims. Facilities must annually certify compliance to the state, and the Corrections Commissioner must report yearly on training, incident data, and investigation outcomes starting January 2027. The bill mandates specific mechanisms like cross-gender search limits, risk screening, and victim support services to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Maddy summarySB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5127 prohibits healthcare and veterinary providers in Connecticut from promoting or facilitating medical credit cards to patients. Specifically, it bans providers from advertising these cards using their name/logo, receiving financial incentives for doing so, helping patients apply for them, or charging medical credit cards for services before they’re provided or for add-on products without written consent. The law also prevents providers from charging medical credit cards for services that are covered by insurance (like HUSKY Health) unless the patient has declined coverage. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting providers who previously offered or promoted such credit options.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety reporting and emergency response requirements for energy generation and storage facilities in Connecticut. It mandates that facility operators report major incidents, such as those requiring emergency shutdowns or hospitalizations, within five days and minor shutdowns within 30 days to the Connecticut Siting Council. Starting in 2027, operators must designate an emergency contact person available to respond within one hour and post their contact information at facility entrances. Beginning in 2028, the council will annually report all incident data to the state legislature, and the council may require applicants to provide emergency services training to local firefighters at the applicant's expense.

Maddy summaryHB 5283 authorizes Connecticut municipalities to ban pet shops from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill amends state law to allow local governments to prohibit these sales in pet shops (defined under section 22-327) without requiring them to do so. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects pet shops currently selling these animals and local governments choosing to adopt such restrictions. The policy change provides municipalities with a specific legal mechanism to regulate pet shop sales, focusing on dogs, cats, and rabbits.