Rep. Tracy Marra

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 5058, adopts the Nurse Licensure Compact into Connecticut law to allow nurses to hold a single license that permits them to practice in any other state that has also joined the agreement. Starting in October 2025, the state will issue multistate licenses to qualified nurses, eliminating the need to apply for separate permits in each neighboring jurisdiction. The agreement establishes a system where nurses must meet uniform standards and allows state boards to share information about disciplinary actions or investigations to protect public safety. While the bill simplifies the process for nurses to work across state lines, it also ensures that any violations of nursing laws in one participating state can be enforced by the boards in all other member states.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework to address debts incurred by victims of domestic violence under duress, intimidation, or threats. It defines a "coerced debt" as any unsecured personal debt taken out by an individual who is a victim of domestic violence and was forced into the obligation through coercion. Under the new law, debt collectors and buyers must immediately stop all collection efforts once they receive specific documentation, such as police reports, restraining orders, or certified statements from qualified professionals like counselors or attorneys, confirming the debt was coerced. The legislation also imposes civil liability on individuals who cause others to incur such debts, holding them responsible for repaying the amount and covering associated legal fees. These protections apply to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and are designed to prevent further harassment of victims while they seek to resolve the underlying abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for wheelchair dealers in the state to ensure timely repairs and better customer service for people who use wheelchairs. Effective October 1, 2024, dealers selling or leasing wheelchairs must fix them within ten days of a request and provide home repairs for specialized medical wheelchairs upon demand. The law also requires dealers to maintain a phone line for repair requests, respond within one business day, and keep enough parts in stock to complete repairs efficiently. Dealers can charge fees for out-of-warranty repairs but cannot penalize customers for defects caused by abuse or neglect. Violations of these requirements will be treated as unfair trade practices and may result in penalties for those who contract with the Department of Social Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals who intentionally injure or kill police animals or dogs in volunteer search and rescue teams to pay financial restitution. The law mandates that these payments cover veterinary costs for injuries and the expenses of purchasing and training a replacement animal if the original one is unable to work. Anyone found guilty of harming these working dogs faces felony charges, potential fines or imprisonment, and the obligation to reimburse the owning unit or individual. The financial penalties are designed to ensure that the costs of replacing injured or killed service animals are borne by the person responsible for the harm.

Maddy summarySB 133 updates the definitions used in Connecticut's prescription drug regulations to clarify roles and processes for pharmacies and healthcare facilities. The bill specifically introduces new categories such as "advanced pharmacy technician" and "automated prescription dispensing machine" to modernize how medications are prepared and managed in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. By redefining terms like "dispense" and "direct supervision," the legislation aims to provide clearer guidance on who can perform specific tasks and under what oversight, without changing the core requirement that licensed pharmacists must verify prescriptions. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and primarily affect pharmacy staff, nursing facilities, and the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Maddy summaryHB 5150 updates the legal definitions for cannabis and hemp products within Connecticut's regulatory framework to clarify how different items are classified. The bill specifically adjusts the THC concentration limits for high-THC hemp products, setting new thresholds for edibles, tinctures, concentrates, and other items based on per-serving or per-container amounts. It also revises the definition of "cannabis flower" to exclude leaves and stems, while separately defining "cannabis trim" as all other harvested plant parts. These changes directly impact manufacturers, retailers, and regulators by standardizing terminology and measurement criteria used across the state's adult-use cannabis and hemp industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut law to require law enforcement agencies to actively participate in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, a federal system used to compare fired ammunition components. The legislation mandates that when police seize a firearm or find spent cartridge cases at a crime scene, they must test fire the weapon or submit the evidence to a state laboratory as quickly as possible. These fired components are then entered into the national database to help investigators link different crimes to the same gun or identify the specific firearm used. Additionally, the bill requires that any new handguns issued to officers be test-fired before distribution, with the resulting evidence collected and uploaded to the network. By centralizing this data, the law aims to improve the ability of local, state, and federal agencies to solve crimes involving firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires railroad companies to notify the state Department of Transportation and local town officials at least 21 days before spraying herbicides along their tracks. It also mandates that these companies submit an annual vegetation management plan by February 1st, detailing which plants they intend to treat and how they plan to manage them. Local municipalities must then post these plans on their websites if they have an online presence. Finally, the bill ensures that all such plans align with the existing requirements set by the state of Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-run registry to help connect seniors and their families with qualified home care providers while improving oversight of these workers. Starting in 2025, the registry will allow users to search for caregivers based on specific skills like language proficiency and certifications, and it will also assist providers with recruitment, training, and benefits. The legislation mandates that agencies hiring home companions require new employees to complete training on recognizing and responding to harassment, abuse, and discrimination by clients. Additionally, the bill directs a state council to develop plans for better recruiting, training, and wage standards for personal care attendants to ensure higher quality care.

Maddy summaryHB 5436 updates the requirements for obtaining an initial educator certificate in Connecticut by mandating that applicants complete specific preparation pathways approved by the State Board of Education. The bill also extends the validity of initial educator certificates issued on or after July 1, 2024, to ten years, up from the previous three-year term, and allows for limited extensions of up to three years for good cause. Additionally, it clarifies the conditions under which temporary ninety-day certificates can be issued to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and have completed an approved alternate route to certification program. These changes directly affect current and prospective teachers, paraeducators, and other educators seeking certification to work in public schools.