Rep. Tom Delnicki

Maddy summaryHB 6091 requires Connecticut's Department of Social Services to stop denying Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements based on data extrapolation from minor clerical or technical errors in audits. It mandates that pharmacies receive confirmation of all notices (like billing alerts) and creates a real-time, accessible database showing which drugs are approved for the state's preferred drug list. The bill also establishes a formal grievance process by October 1, 2025, allowing pharmacies to challenge reimbursements that don't cover their actual cost to dispense drugs to Medicaid patients. This directly affects community pharmacies participating in Connecticut's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSD) to include witnessing a serious physical injury that does not result in death or permanent disfigurement. It directly affects first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs), correction employees, telecommunicators, and healthcare workers - specifically broadening eligibility for PTSD claims beyond existing qualifying events like viewing a death or severe disfigurement. The key change adds "witnessing a serious physical injury" to the list of qualifying traumatic events under Section 31-294k, effective October 1, 2025. This allows eligible workers to file for PTSD-related compensation after observing such injuries during their duties, without requiring the injury to be fatal or cause permanent disfigurement.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change the term lengths for state legislators. Currently, members of the state legislature serve two-year terms. The amendment would establish a new cycle where, after each U.S. Census redistricting, the first two elected terms would be four years long, followed by a two-year term. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, this change would affect all state senators and representatives elected in subsequent cycles. The resolution must first pass the legislature with a three-quarter vote to appear on the ballot.

Maddy summarySB 1156 changes how minor political parties qualify for statewide ballot access via nominating petitions. It revises the definition of a "minor party" to require that such a party's candidate received at least 1% of votes cast for a state office in the previous election. This means minor parties must meet this vote threshold to legally submit petitions for their candidates, directly affecting their ability to appear on ballots without party designation. The bill does not alter the 20% threshold for "major parties" but clarifies that minor parties must satisfy this specific 1% requirement to use nominating petitions.

Maddy summarySB 1507 prohibits private equity firms and real estate investment trusts (REITs) from owning or controlling hospitals and health systems starting October 1, 2025, and bans any interference with doctors, nurses, and other clinicians’ independent medical decisions. The bill specifically prevents hospitals or management organizations from directing clinical choices - such as patient discharge timing, diagnoses, or treatment options - through tactics like excessive pressure or retaliation. It also voids any agreements (e.g., non-disparagement clauses) that restrict clinicians’ professional judgment, making such contracts unenforceable. Additionally, the bill requires the state to evaluate appointing a financial receiver to manage hospitals in severe financial distress.

Maddy summarySB 1236 exempts certain solar installation and maintenance work from standard electrical licensing requirements in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects solar contractors, installers, and workers performing specific solar-related tasks, such as mounting racks, installing panels, and setting ground supports. The bill creates a new exemption (section 17) allowing licensed solar contractors and their employees to handle uncrating, hoisting, placement, and anchoring of solar equipment without full electrical licensing. This streamlines the process for small-scale residential solar installations by removing licensing barriers for defined installation activities. The change applies only to work limited to these specific solar tasks, not broader electrical work.

Maddy summaryHB 6953 requires all Connecticut municipalities to provide police officers and firefighters with a defined pension plan by June 30, 2027, either through the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) or a comparable alternative offering equal or better benefits. This affects approximately 87 municipalities that currently do not offer such pensions to these public safety workers, with an estimated annual cost of $98.6 million if all enroll in MERS. The bill mandates municipalities to transition employees from existing retirement systems into compliant plans, while directing the Comptroller to study transition requirements and submit a report by January 1, 2026. The legislation imposes a state-mandated cost on local governments without requiring new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 7039 prevents health insurers from demanding repayment of authorized healthcare payments due to administrative errors after 12 months (previously 18 months), except in cases of fraud, duplicate payments, or if another insurer should have paid. It requires insurers to give providers 30 days' notice before demanding repayment and allows providers to appeal within 30 days, with appeals favoring providers if insurers miss deadlines. The bill also creates a working group (to convene by July 2025) to study pharmacist compensation for services like vaccinations and HIV tests, including input from independent pharmacies, chain pharmacies, insurers, and pharmacy benefits managers. This directly affects healthcare providers (clinics, hospitals, pharmacies) who receive insurance payments and insurers handling claims.

Maddy summaryHB 6955 requires construction contractors to pay workers directly if subcontractors fail to pay their wages, effective October 1, 2025. It applies to most commercial construction projects (excluding public works and most residential renovations, like single-family homes or small apartment complexes under 15 units). Contractors become jointly liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, though they may include contract terms for subcontractor nonpayment as long as workers' legal rights remain intact. The bill updates wage recovery laws to clarify contractor responsibility and strengthen enforcement for unpaid labor on covered projects.

Maddy summaryHB 6973 allows towns, cities, or boroughs to negotiate with volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members how much they pay toward group health insurance premiums, instead of requiring volunteers to cover 100% of the cost. It applies to active members of volunteer fire/ambulance organizations in municipalities that already offer employee group health plans. Volunteers must still elect coverage, meet active-status requirements, and pay a negotiated share of the premium (not 100%). The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not require municipalities to offer this option.