Rep. Tom Delnicki

Maddy summaryHB 5004 requires child welfare agencies to conduct background checks before placing a child with a relative or non-licensed caregiver in an emergency situation. Specifically, agencies must complete a federal criminal history search and check the child abuse registry within 10 days, followed by state/national criminal records checks; refusal to provide fingerprints triggers immediate child removal. The bill also mandates that courts prioritize placing children with relatives or "fictive kin" (close family friends) over other options when safety allows, and requires written documentation for all placement decisions. This directly affects child welfare agencies, relatives/fictive kin caregivers, and courts handling emergency child safety cases.

Maddy summaryHB 5406 establishes a new ribbon and medal to honor Connecticut veterans and reserve members who served during wartime while residing in the state or being domiciled there at the time of the award. It creates eligibility for veterans called to active duty in wartime or reserve members serving during wartime, with awards potentially given posthumously to those who died after November 12, 1918. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Adjutant General will administer the award process, including designing the ribbon/medal and distributing it using existing military funds. This bill amends Connecticut General Statute §27-73e to implement the honorific award, with no financial or benefit changes beyond the ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 5313 requires the Chief Court Administrator to develop a plan by January 1, 2027, creating uniform state-wide case identification codes for domestic violence cases across three state systems: the Judicial Branch, Division of Criminal Justice, and Department of Emergency Services. The codes must consistently track all domestic violence cases (defined as family violence between household members under state law) in electronic case files, improving statewide data collection for reporting and policy analysis while maintaining confidentiality. This plan must be reported to legislative committees by February 1, 2027. The bill directly affects how state agencies track and manage domestic violence case data, aiming to standardize identification without changing legal definitions or services.

Maddy summaryHB 5431 updates Connecticut's laws for cooperative corporations, directly affecting new businesses forming as cooperatives under this framework. It replaces outdated terms like "association" with "corporation" and reduces the required board size from seven to at least three directors, who must be elected annually by members. The bill also clarifies that each member gets one vote, sets membership requirements (including holding at least one share), and allows corporations to adopt staggered director terms for stability. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, modernizing governance for cooperative businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 5291 requires municipal fire departments to notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESP) within 10 business days of appointing a new or interim fire chief, providing specific contact details like name, address, and phone numbers on a form prescribed by DESP. The bill also updates evidence rules for chemical tests in DUI and related criminal cases, mandating that test results be admissible only if the defendant had a chance to contact a lawyer before testing, results were delivered within 24 hours, approved equipment was used, and a second test was performed within 10 minutes. These changes directly affect fire departments that must report appointments and law enforcement/courts handling such prosecutions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5401 updates how Connecticut adopts and revises its State Building Code. It requires the State Building Inspector and Codes Committee to base the code on a nationally recognized model, limits revisions to once every six years (or per two model cycles), and mandates provisions for energy conservation and EV charging circuits in new residential garages. The bill also imposes a temporary pause on new building standards from October 2026 to October 2032, except for safety, federal funding, or accessibility needs, and prohibits local municipalities from enforcing stricter rules than the state code during this period. Additionally, it requires mandatory training for building code officials and professionals like architects and contractors on the State Building Code and Fire Safety Code.

Maddy summarySB 369 requires owners of residential buildings with elevators used by people with disabilities to maintain elevator safety and accessibility. It mandates 24-hour written maintenance notices, adherence to manufacturer standards, installation of approved emergency key safes (Knox boxes), and prompt repairs if elevators are inoperable for more than 48 hours or exceed two outages in 30 days. Owners must post bilingual emergency signage inside/outside elevators and provide annual written tenant notifications about their rights. Violations incur daily fines up to $250, enforced by the Department of Administrative Services, which can order repairs, issue citations, or relocate tenants if safety is compromised. This directly affects residential building owners with qualifying elevators, excluding municipal/state properties and renovation sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Connecticut schools to create flexible eligibility policies for advanced courses like dual enrollment, allowing multiple pathways beyond just academic grades to determine student participation. It also establishes a new coordinator role to track dual enrollment courses and outcomes across the state while developing a model agreement between high schools and colleges for these programs. Additionally, the bill expands a fee-waiver grant program to help high-need students access advanced courses without charging their parents, with funding potentially shifting from local school districts to higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rapid response program to quickly address new or spreading aquatic invasive plant species in Connecticut waterbodies, primarily affecting state agencies and property owners near affected lakes and ponds. It requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to expedite permits for containment efforts, especially for hydrilla, and allows the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species to coordinate immediate treatment without requiring separate notices to waterfront property owners. The legislation creates an interagency task force to develop response protocols and a statewide management plan, while also mandating that public health officials review permits for treatments near drinking water sources.

Maddy summaryHB 5215 makes technical updates to existing education and early childhood statutes. It clarifies that school boards must conduct annual indoor air quality inspections using EPA guidelines (effective 2024), requiring evaluations of HVAC systems, radon, mold, chemicals, pest control, and building maintenance. The bill also revises rules for the Early Childhood Education Endowment, changing annual fund transfers from the General Fund and adjusting release percentages (12% for 2026-2027, 10% thereafter) based on budget calculations. These changes primarily affect school districts, state education administrators, and the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board through updated administrative procedures.