Rep. Eleni DeGraw

Maddy summarySB 5 (AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE SAFETY) requires subscription-based AI providers (e.g., companies offering AI tools via paid plans) to give consumers clear, written disclosures about subscription terms before signing or renewing. This includes detailing any usage limits, such as restrictions based on user behavior or changes to prior terms. The bill also establishes new safety rules for "frontier developers" of advanced AI systems ("foundation models"), defining "catastrophic risk" as scenarios where AI could cause mass harm (e.g., aiding weapon creation or severe physical injury) and mandating risk assessments by covered employees. It does not ban specific AI uses but sets transparency and safety protocols for high-risk systems. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5312 establishes a private right for victims and a civil action for Connecticut's Attorney General to address unlawful sharing of synthetically created intimate images (like deepfakes). Victims can sue in Superior Court for damages, emotional distress, and attorney fees, while the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties up to $50,000 per day against online platforms that fail to remove such content after knowing it violates the law. The law specifically protects minors under 18, even if the image is synthetic, and applies to platforms like social media or apps that host user-generated content. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and complements existing legal remedies without limiting other rights.

Maddy summaryHB 5043 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of "convertible pistols" - semiautomatic pistols that can be rapidly converted into machine guns using common household tools like screwdrivers. It defines these as pistols with a specific "cruciform trigger bar" that can be modified with a "pistol converter," excluding certain shielded designs. Selling or distributing such weapons would be classified as a class D felony, with exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and licensed gun dealers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

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 5143 requires homemaker-companion agencies to provide mandatory training to their employees. New employees must complete 10 hours of initial training within 90 days of hire, covering topics like CPR, safety, abuse reporting, and dementia care. Existing employees must complete 10 hours of annual continuing education from a state-approved training list, and agencies must maintain records of all training for state review. This bill directly affects homemaker-companion agencies and their staff, aiming to improve service quality and client safety through standardized training.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs state officials to establish working groups focused on eating disorder treatment and food insecurity, requiring them to compile public resources and develop best practice guidelines by July 2026. It also mandates a feasibility study for a new inpatient psychiatric facility serving children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, with results due by January 2027. Additionally, the bill increases Temporary Family Assistance benefits to at least 55% of the federal poverty level and requires annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to consumer price index increases when funding lapses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated state fund called the "health care facility durable medical equipment account" to provide grants for healthcare facilities. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to help facilities purchase equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and patient lifts for elderly patients or people with disabilities. The Department of Public Health will manage the fund and issue grants, deducting no more than 2% of the account balance annually for administrative costs. The account will hold ongoing state appropriations, gifts, and investment earnings, with funds available starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 89 requires all state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers) to adopt and follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards effective January 1, 2024, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and staff. Key provisions include a strict zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, mandatory staff and contractor training, enhanced protections for vulnerable detainees, standardized reporting protocols for incidents, and access to medical/mental health services for victims. Facilities must annually certify compliance to the state, and the Corrections Commissioner must report yearly on training, incident data, and investigation outcomes starting January 2027. The bill mandates specific mechanisms like cross-gender search limits, risk screening, and victim support services to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Maddy summarySB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes parole eligibility rules for individuals convicted of crimes committed after July 1, 1981, who were under 26 years old at the time of the offense. It creates two main categories: those who may be eligible for parole after serving half their sentence, and those convicted of serious violent crimes who must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible. The legislation requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold hearings for certain offenders before releasing them on parole and mandates that the board document specific reasons for denying parole if a hearing is not held. The bill applies to people already incarcerated as of October 1, 1990, and sets specific conditions for residential placement and supervision during parole.