Rep. Jill Gilchrest

Maddy summaryHB 6752 adjusts key budget calculation rules to refine how the state manages spending limits. It changes the inflation measure used for budget adjustments to include all items (not just seasonal averages), excludes certain retirement system payments from budget calculations, and requires the Treasurer to include economic impact analyses for bond projects. These changes directly affect the state's budgeting process, altering how spending caps and revenue transfers are calculated. The bill aims to make budget adjustments more stable and transparent by updating specific financial formulas and adding analysis requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 6474 authorizes the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in primary and general elections across the state. The bill requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, with tabulation eliminating the least-supported candidate in each round until one candidate achieves a majority. This directly affects voters, who will rank choices instead of selecting just one candidate, and candidates, who must now compete for ranked support. The change modifies election procedures under Title 9 of the general statutes to implement this ranked-choice system.

Maddy summaryHB 6506 would amend Connecticut law to increase criminal penalties for attacking sports officials and create new civil remedies for victims. It directly affects referees, umpires, and other sports officials facing physical threats or assaults. The bill requires enhanced criminal sentencing for such attacks and mandates a public awareness campaign to highlight the issue. It also establishes a civil cause of action for officials harmed by violence, aiming to reduce incidents and encourage more people to serve in officiating roles.

Maddy summaryHB 6596 prohibits female genital mutilation (FGM) within Connecticut and requires the Department of Public Health to create an education program about its prevention. The bill explicitly bans the practice, directly affecting individuals who perform or facilitate FGM, including medical professionals and cultural practitioners. It also allows victims or their representatives to file civil lawsuits seeking remedies for harm caused by FGM. These provisions aim to prevent the practice through legal prohibition, public education, and civil enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 6475 establishes a state task force to study and propose policies aimed at achieving 100% voter participation in elections by January 1, 2030. The task force, composed of election experts, policymakers, and community leaders, will evaluate existing practices and recommend specific changes to increase voter engagement. It also authorizes certain municipalities to test these recommended policies locally before potential statewide implementation. The bill focuses solely on creating this evaluation process, with no direct policy changes or funding specified.

Maddy summaryHB 6385 raises the minimum age for juvenile court jurisdiction in Connecticut, moving it from 10 to 12 years old effective July 1, 2026, and then to 14 years old effective July 1, 2028. This means children under 12 will no longer be subject to arrest or juvenile court processing for most offenses starting in 2026, and those under 14 starting in 2028. The bill directly affects children aged 10-13 (and younger) who might otherwise face arrest for minor offenses. It changes the legal threshold for when the juvenile justice system can intervene, without altering criminal penalties for adults.

Maddy summaryHB 6400 allows art organizations to continue classifying certain workers as independent contractors rather than employees under state law. The bill amends Title 31 of the general statutes to maintain existing classification practices specifically for art organizations. It does not change current worker classification rules but ensures these organizations can keep using independent contractors for work performed for them. The bill directly affects art organizations and the workers they engage under this classification. The purpose is to preserve flexibility for arts groups in how they structure work relationships.

Maddy summaryHB 6319 expands eligibility for municipalities to propose projects to the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board. It allows any municipality containing at least one economically distressed neighborhood (census tract) to submit projects for consideration. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these municipalities as eligible applicants. This change directly affects towns and cities with designated economically distressed areas, enabling them to access the fund for community development projects. The policy change is limited to adjusting who can apply, not altering the fund's funding mechanisms or approval processes.

Maddy summarySB 1141 eliminates all time limits for both criminal prosecution of sexual assault cases and civil lawsuits filed by survivors. This means prosecutors could bring charges at any time after the assault occurred, and survivors could file civil suits without being barred by a deadline. The bill directly affects survivors seeking justice through civil courts and prosecutors handling sexual assault cases. It removes existing statutes of limitations that previously restricted when these cases could be filed or prosecuted.

Maddy summarySB 1139 would allow judges to consider a defendant’s experience as a survivor of domestic violence, stalking, or human trafficking as a factor when determining their sentence. This bill directly affects individuals facing criminal charges who have experienced these specific forms of trauma. The key provision amends statutes to give courts greater discretion to treat these circumstances as mitigating factors during sentencing. It does not change sentencing guidelines for perpetrators but provides judges with additional context when sentencing survivors who are defendants.