Rep. Tom Delnicki

Maddy summarySB 312 allows Connecticut's Department of Education to approve machine-learning literacy tools that listen to students read, analyze performance in real time, and provide immediate individualized feedback, provided they align with reading science research and meet effectiveness standards. It also requires educator preparation programs to include mandatory behavior management courses for graduates and establishes an American Sign Language (ASL) working group to develop curriculum standards, teacher certification pathways, and training programs for ASL educators. The bill mandates the Department to issue ASL curriculum guidance by 2030 to support schools implementing world language requirements. These provisions directly affect public school students, educators, and school districts through new instructional tools and educator training requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new lump sum death benefit of $100,000 for surviving families of first responders who die from firefighter cancer while performing their duties. It creates a dedicated "Fallen Hero Fund" to finance these payments and expands the definition of firefighter cancer to include various types of cancer affecting multiple body systems. The law applies to first responders including firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, and ensures these benefits are paid in addition to any other compensation or survivor benefits they may receive.

Maddy summarySB 386 requires the use of ranked-choice voting in certain elections starting in 2028, including most primaries (except presidential preference primaries until April 2028), municipal elections, and presidential preference primaries. This system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd) rather than voting for just one candidate. Ballots must be designed to let voters rank all candidates, and tabulation occurs in rounds: the least-preferred candidate is eliminated each round until one candidate achieves a majority of votes. The bill applies to elections for single-office positions and mandates that the Secretary of the State approves ballot formats and instructions.

Maddy summaryHB 5166 updates Connecticut's social work licensure rules, effective July 1, 2026. It requires master social workers to hold a master's degree from an accredited or candidate-status social work program (with specific timeline limits) and pass a national exam, while clinical social workers must have a master's or doctorate from an accredited program, 3,000 hours of post-master's experience (including 100 supervised hours), and pass a clinical exam. The bill also creates pathways for out-of-state license holders to practice via endorsement if their state's requirements match Connecticut's standards, and mandates exam accommodations for applicants with disabilities. These changes directly affect social workers seeking initial licensure or moving to Connecticut from other states.

Maddy summaryHB 5306 allows courts to reduce sentences for individuals convicted of felonies who were survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, provided the abuse was a contributing factor to their offense. Defendants must submit documented proof (such as court records, protective orders, or counselor affidavits) demonstrating their survivor status and the abuse's role in the crime. Courts must then determine if the abuse was a contributing factor before applying sentence reductions. This applies to all felony convictions where the abuse contributed to the offense, without requiring it to be the sole cause, and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 5378 requires a study to determine if Connecticut can establish a state-run health insurance program (the "Connecticut Option Program") that would allow multiple employers to pool health coverage. The bill also updates definitions related to self-funded health plans shared by multiple employers (known as multiple employer welfare arrangements, or MEWAs) and other insurance terms. It does not create new programs but mandates a feasibility study by the state's insurance department. The study will examine whether such a program could provide affordable coverage options for employers and employees. This bill directly affects employers using self-funded health plans and future participants in the Connecticut Option Program, if established.

Maddy summaryHB 5314 updates Connecticut's "Homes for CT" loan program to set a clear interest rate cap: loans from participating financial institutions must charge a rate not exceeding The Wall Street Journal's published prime rate (replacing a previous Federal Home Loan Bank reference). It also expands the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's role, allowing it to provide additional loans or forgivable grants-in-aid to eligible borrowers beyond those from banks, with these new loans being subordinate to bank loans. The changes directly affect Connecticut homebuyers (particularly first-time buyers) who qualify for the program through participating lenders. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and aims to streamline program administration while maintaining affordability.

Maddy summaryHB 5157 delays the requirement for retailers to join Connecticut's tire stewardship program until July 1, 2027. The bill amends Section 22a-905i of the general statutes to add a new subsection (s) that postpones the participation deadline. This directly affects tire retailers who would otherwise need to join the program sooner. The change provides a one-year extension from the original requirement date, giving retailers additional time to comply. The bill does not alter the program's structure or requirements, only the implementation timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals appointed as conservators in Connecticut Probate Court proceedings to complete an annual training program starting October 1, 2026. The training, funded by the Probate Court Administrator, covers legal duties, ethical responsibilities, court procedures, and available support resources. Conservators who fail to complete the training without good cause may face removal from their position. The program will also be available to conservators appointed before the deadline, with a potential fee of up to $35 for those early participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state Treasurer to study whether unclaimed gift certificates should be treated as abandoned property that belongs to the state after a certain period. The study will examine the practical benefits and drawbacks of this change and must be completed by January 1, 2027. The Treasurer will then submit a report with findings and recommendations to the relevant legislative committee. This measure does not change any current laws but would only consider future policy adjustments if the study supports them.