Rep. Eleni DeGraw

Maddy summarySB 10 requires health insurance companies (health carriers) to annually certify by March 1 that their policies comply with state and federal mental health and substance use disorder benefit parity laws. If noncompliant, they must detail specific policy gaps and correction plans in their certification. The Insurance Commissioner can impose fines of up to $625,000 annually for failures to file certifications or meet reporting requirements, with penalties paid into the state General Fund. Reports on compliance are shared with legislative committees and health officials, but company identities remain confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Developmental Services to file annual reports by January 15, 2026, detailing abuse and neglect investigations, including complaint numbers, substantiation rates, and actions taken. It also mandates quarterly spending reports starting September 30, 2025, tracking how funds for disability services are used and waiting lists for those services. Additionally, the bill creates two working groups: one to study Southbury Training School operations and another to examine an interagency case team for young adults with disabilities, both due to report by February 1, 2026. These provisions aim to improve transparency, accountability, and service planning for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Maddy summarySB 1377 implements several transportation-related policy changes. It regulates transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services) by requiring them to meet specific driver background check and insurance standards, directly affecting drivers and operators. The bill also prohibits projecting lasers at aircraft or flight paths to enhance aviation safety and authorizes automated traffic enforcement devices for speed and red-light violations. Additionally, it funds small harbor improvement projects and establishes a Connecticut Public Transportation Council to oversee bus services. The bill became law (Public Act 25-65) after the governor signed it on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7156 revises Connecticut's developmental services statutes to clarify medication administration rules and update definitions of abuse and neglect. It specifically permits the use of auto-injectors for epinephrine or insulin to treat acute allergic reactions or diabetes in residential facilities, but only when administered by trained staff following physician orders. The bill also standardizes key terms like "abuse," "neglect," and "financial exploitation" to ensure consistent investigations and reporting across facilities. These changes directly affect individuals receiving developmental services in licensed facilities and the staff providing care.

Maddy summarySB 8 would have amended unemployment benefit rules to protect workers during labor disputes by removing a provision that previously denied benefits if a dispute lasted 14 days after December 2026. It directly affected workers who lost jobs due to strikes or lockouts, ensuring they could retain benefits unless they participated in or financially supported the dispute. The bill changed eligibility rules to clarify that lockouts (defined as employers refusing work during negotiations) wouldn’t automatically disqualify workers from benefits. However, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed the bill on June 23, 2025, preventing these changes from taking effect. The veto means current unemployment rules remain in place for workers facing labor disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 6883 protects the addresses of domestic violence and sexual assault victims living in shelters or transitional housing. It prohibits housing providers from disclosing these locations without the victim’s explicit consent. This law directly affects victims seeking safety and their housing providers, preventing abusers from locating them through address sharing. The key provision requires confidentiality around housing addresses to enhance victim safety. The bill became law after Governor’s signature on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1239 creates the Fallen Hero Fund to provide ongoing health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and dependents of first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) who die while performing their duties. The bill establishes a permanent program where the fund covers the full cost of health insurance premiums for these survivors. This law, now Public Act 25-61 after being signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, directly affects the families of fallen first responders by ensuring they maintain health coverage without out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summaryHB 7214 mandates a study to improve maternal mental health care in Connecticut. The bill requires the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to examine perinatal mental health services, racial disparities in care, and hospital policies regarding doulas. The committee will assess evidence-based treatments, cultural competency, funding models, and barriers affecting vulnerable populations - including Black individuals, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, and those experiencing homelessness. The study will specifically evaluate how doula support impacts birth outcomes and equity, with reports due by 2027. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 7042 requires firearm manufacturers, distributors, and sellers (referred to as "firearm industry members") to implement "reasonable controls" to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, straw purchasers, or firearm traffickers. It prohibits knowingly directing marketing that promotes unlawful sales or risks to public safety and mandates compliance with state and federal firearm laws. Individuals harmed by violations, municipalities, or the state can sue for damages, injunctions, or penalties in superior court starting October 1, 2025. The bill does not change firearm permit requirements for ordinary gun owners but focuses on holding industry members accountable for unsafe practices.

Maddy summaryHB 6894 establishes a new interagency council within the state government to coordinate efforts addressing homelessness. The council, composed of relevant state agencies (like housing, health, and social services departments), must develop and implement a unified statewide strategy for homelessness prevention and housing solutions. This law directly affects state agencies by requiring them to collaborate and share data, rather than operating in isolation. The bill became law as Public Act 25-52 after the governor signed it on June 10, 2025.