Rep. Matt Blumenthal

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to conduct a study on the state's "blue economy" and methods to boost economic activity along the coastline and waterways. The commissioner must complete this research and submit a report to the commerce committee no later than January 1, 2025. The legislation does not authorize funding or create new programs but instead mandates an analysis to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates funding rules for the Citizens' Election Fund to provide financial grants to candidates running for Governor and other state offices. It establishes specific dollar amounts for primary and general election campaigns, including special provisions for court-ordered primaries and adjourned elections. The legislation also sets deadlines by which candidates must apply for their general election grants, with the amount received decreasing if they apply later in the election cycle. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and include automatic adjustments for future years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipal assessors to send written notice to owners of residential buildings with defective concrete foundations when a general property revaluation is scheduled. It allows these owners to submit professional engineering reports to trigger a one-time reassessment of their property value and ensures their homes are included in future revaluations to reflect current worth. Additionally, the law mandates that if a foundation is repaired or replaced, the owner must inform the assessor within thirty days so the property value can be adjusted again. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure accurate tax assessments for homeowners affected by structural concrete issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires barber, hairdressing, and cosmetology schools in Connecticut to include training on working with textured hair, which is defined as hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy. The Commissioner of Public Health, in consultation with the state's examining board, will update curriculum standards to cover techniques for various curl patterns, hair thicknesses, and volumes. These new educational requirements are set to take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring that students learn to provide services to individuals with diverse hair types.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit program that allows Connecticut businesses to receive a 50% credit against state taxes for making direct payments toward employees' student loans. To qualify, employers must hire full-time residents who earned a bachelor's degree within the last five years and use those loans for their higher education. The state has set a yearly cap of $10 million for these credits, which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and small businesses can choose to convert their unused credits into cash refunds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to create an online prevention education program for anyone seeking to register or renew as a dealer for electronic nicotine delivery systems. To obtain or renew a dealer license, the authorized owner of the business must successfully complete this specific online course before the Department of Consumer Protection can issue the registration. The law also sets a $75 nonrefundable application fee for new dealers and mandates that dealer licenses be renewed annually, while maintaining the existing authority for the department to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses based on false statements, unpaid taxes, or failure to complete the education program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Connecticut-Ireland Trade Commission, a new body within the state legislature dedicated to strengthening economic and academic ties between Connecticut and Ireland. The commission will consist of 20 members appointed by various legislative leaders, the governor, and representatives from higher education and business sectors, all of whom must have ties to Irish affairs or trade relations. Its primary duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, initiating joint policy actions, and promoting business and academic exchanges between the two regions. Members will serve without pay but can be reimbursed for expenses, and the commission is required to submit annual reports on its activities to state officials. The commission is scheduled to hold its first meeting by November 1, 2024, with initial appointments to be made by October 1 of that year.

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 updates Connecticut public health laws to clarify how birth certificates are filed for children born outside hospitals and to tighten who can access birth records. It allows parents who cannot immediately file a birth certificate to petition a court for one, with the option of using genetic testing to prove parentage if needed. Additionally, the bill restricts access to birth and fetal death records under 100 years old to specific eligible parties, such as the individual themselves, their close family, and certain government officials. Finally, it requires developers filing plans in water company watersheds to notify the water company and the Department of Public Health before proceeding.

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.