Rep. Anabel Figueroa

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting election-related crimes by allowing authorities to pursue cases for six months after the State Elections Enforcement Commission refers evidence to prosecutors, whichever deadline is later. It applies to offenses involving violations of election laws and takes effect on October 1, 2024, covering both future crimes and certain past cases where the original prosecution window had not yet closed. The change ensures that referrals made after April 1, 2024, do not expire prematurely, giving law enforcement a defined period to act on new information.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Path Program to help middle and high school students from low-income families and first-generation college students prepare for higher education. It allows nonprofit organizations to compete for state grants alongside colleges to provide skills development and motivation to these students. The program uses a competitive application process with a March deadline, and funds are awarded for one-year periods starting in August. Additionally, the bill appropriates $4.8 million to the Office of Higher Education to support this initiative for the 2025 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Connecticut school districts to implement a statewide program focused on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and assault. The program includes mandatory training for school staff, age-appropriate educational materials for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and a uniform policy for reporting and supporting victims. While the curriculum must be delivered to all students, parents have the option to opt their children out of the program entirely or from specific parts of it. If a student is exempted, the school must provide alternative academic activities during that time. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a new survey to measure awareness and prevention efforts within schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, a separate financial entity designed to collect and manage money specifically for early childhood education and child care needs. The fund is established as an independent source of money that cannot be mixed with state funds, meaning the state has no claim to the money inside it and is not responsible for any debts the fund might incur. The Treasurer is authorized to invest these funds in various financial instruments to grow the account, while a new Advisory Commission will oversee the fund's financial health and create a ten-year spending plan. This commission includes a diverse group of appointed members representing parents, businesses, philanthropies, and various types of child care providers to guide how the money is used.

Maddy summaryHB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to improve healthcare accessibility for people with disabilities by requiring facilities to consider federal accessibility standards when buying medical equipment. It mandates that healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics, purchase diagnostic equipment like X-ray machines and examination tables that comply with these standards. Starting in 2025, facilities with two or more exam rooms must ensure at least one room is spacious enough for wheelchairs and is equipped with lifts to help patients reach medical devices. The Department of Public Health will also send annual notifications to providers about these accessibility requirements and post the information online.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new physical safety standards for nursing homes, requiring facilities to arrange beds with at least three feet of clearance to prevent entrapment and hazards, while also phasing in a rule that limits resident rooms to a maximum of two beds. The legislation creates a voluntary "Centers of Excellence" program designed to recognize and incentivize nursing homes that adopt evidence-based, person-centered care practices through a process involving state officials and various stakeholders. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of an online consumer report card to provide families with comprehensive information about nursing home quality and industry best practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the eligibility requirements for Connecticut's Workforce Housing Opportunity Development Program by adjusting the mix of rental units in new housing projects. Specifically, it changes the rule so that 50% of the units in a project must be rented to the workforce population, while 40% must be rented at market rates, reversing the previous allocation. The legislation also updates the legal definition of a "business firm" to include various regulated industries and clarifies what constitutes "substantial rehabilitation" for existing buildings. These changes directly affect developers, nonprofit housing organizations, and municipalities that apply for funding to build or renovate affordable rental housing.

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 requires state agencies to create a streamlined process that helps children enrolled in the HUSKY A health program easily access other nutrition benefits like WIC and SNAP. Starting in January 2025, the Departments of Public Health, Social Services, and Agriculture must work together to simplify enrollment, provide clear fact sheets, and make application forms available online and by phone. The legislation also directs these departments to coordinate specifically for children over six who are transitioning from the WIC program to SNAP, while prohibiting the governor from reducing funding for these specific nutrition programs.