Rep. Hubert Delany

Maddy summaryHB 5399 redefines supervision requirements for dental assistants and establishes new standards for expanded function dental assistants in Connecticut. It requires expanded function dental assistants to pass national exams, complete accredited programs, maintain certification, display credentials, and carry $500,000 professional liability insurance. The bill allows dental assistants to take x-rays, impressions, and apply fluoride varnish under direct supervision, while expanded function assistants may place temporary restorations, apply sealants, and perform coronal polishing under direct or indirect supervision. These changes directly affect dental assistants, expanded function dental assistants, and dentists who supervise them, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 91) is a definitional update, not a substantive policy change. It repeals and replaces existing legal definitions in the statutes (specifically Section 53a-3) to standardize terms like "person," "physical injury," "deadly weapon," and "peace officer" for consistent legal interpretation. The bill does not create new laws, affect specific groups, or establish "protected areas" as its title suggests - those terms do not appear in the actual text. It solely clarifies terminology used in criminal and legal contexts across Connecticut statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 5330 establishes a state conservation program for wildlife species not traditionally harvested, requiring Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to implement actions like habitat protection, climate impact monitoring, and assistance for private landowners. The bill creates a legislative working group with representatives from conservation groups, universities, local governments, water utilities, and agricultural organizations to develop a funding plan for the program, with a report due by January 15, 2027. It also authorizes the sale of wildlife-themed merchandise (e.g., stamps, posters) to generate revenue for the program, which will be allocated to the conservation efforts. The program takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5156 establishes a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to fund climate adaptation projects by holding fossil fuel entities accountable for historical emissions. It targets fossil fuel companies (defined as entities extracting or refining fossil fuels during 1995-2024 that caused over 1 billion metric tons of emissions) to pay into a fund, rather than using taxpayer money. The fund finances specific climate adaptation projects, including coastal wetland restoration, stormwater system upgrades, urban heat mitigation, and protecting food systems from climate impacts, with priority for environmental justice communities. Projects must align with "nature-based solutions" like green infrastructure and energy-efficient retrofits for public buildings. The program is administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, starting October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5206 establishes a tax credit of up to $2,500 against personal income tax for volunteer firefighters who meet specific service requirements. The credit directly affects volunteer firefighters certified by their fire chief as having completed the required service hours. Key provisions require fire chiefs to verify qualifying service, with the credit applying against the individual's state income tax liability. This policy change provides direct financial relief to eligible volunteer firefighters without altering tax rates or creating new obligations for the state.

Maddy summarySB 8 creates a new Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program administered by Connecticut's Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority. It provides state-funded loans to graduate students enrolled in eligible programs (requiring a bachelor's degree) starting July 1, 2026, with funding secured through a $10 million state bond issue. The program uses a dedicated account to issue loans for graduate education, with repayment terms established by the loan authority. This directly affects Connecticut graduate students seeking financial support for advanced degree programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Federal Cuts Response Fund" to help the state address reductions in federal funding for state programs. It transfers $330,811,954 from the state's Budget Reserve Fund into this new fund, which can be used by the Office of Policy and Management to respond to federal policy changes (like P.L. 119-21) that reduce funding for state programs. Unspent funds can carry over to the next fiscal year, but the state legislature must be notified of all spending or transfers and has 24 hours to disapprove any action. Any remaining balance in the fund must be returned to the Budget Reserve Fund by June 30, 2027, ending the fund's operation.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child for families with up to three children. It directly affects low-to-moderate income households, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families may receive the full credit amount even if it exceeds their income tax liability. This policy change reduces tax burden for qualifying families with children, using the state’s personal income tax system to provide direct financial support.