Rep. Kate Farrar

Maddy summaryHB 6040 establishes two new commissions: the State Historical Commission (to develop a process for adding statues and creating historical placards explaining existing statues) and the State Commission on Capitol Preservation and Restoration (to implement that process and oversee Capitol preservation). The Historical Commission must submit its plan for statues and placards by February 1, 2026, to the Preservation Commission and the Joint Committee on Legislative Management. The Preservation Commission will then carry out statue additions and Capitol restoration efforts while following artistic standards that respect the building's historical character. Both commissions must meet quarterly, report annually to the Joint Committee, and work to enhance the Capitol's safety and historical integrity.

Maddy summaryHB 7158 requires health care providers who create safety plans for minors receiving inpatient behavioral health treatment for 12+ consecutive days to obtain written consent from parents/guardians (or the minor if 16+) before sharing these plans with schools. Schools must set up secure messaging systems by January 2026 and designate staff like school nurses or counselors to receive these plans confidentially, separate from academic records. The bill ensures safety plans can only be shared with consent and adheres to existing privacy laws like HIPAA, without forcing providers to create plans or override minor patient confidentiality. It directly affects health care providers, schools, and minor patients by establishing a secure, consent-based process for sharing mental health crisis plans.

Maddy summaryHB 6841 establishes a working group to study poverty reduction strategies in the state. The group, composed of state agency commissioners (like Social Services and Education) and appointed experts, will examine programs such as cash assistance, childcare support, housing policies, racial disparities, and inflation impacts. It must submit preliminary and final reports by mid-2026 and 2027 with recommendations for reducing poverty rates, but does not implement new policies or allocate funding. The bill has no fiscal impact, as it only authorizes a study.

Maddy summaryHB 6477 requires the Governor's office to create a plan by January 1, 2026, for translating state forms and applications - such as those for vital records and identification - into the 12 most common non-English languages in the state, based on the latest U.S. Census data. This directly affects limited-English proficient residents who need to access state agency services or benefits. The bill mandates the plan's development but does not require immediate translation, focusing instead on a structured review process. It has no fiscal impact on state or local governments, as noted in official analyses.

Maddy summaryHB 7182, effective October 1, 2025, regulates ticket resellers for entertainment events (excluding movies). It requires resellers to either have the ticket in hand or provide clear written disclosure if they cannot guarantee supply at the contracted price. The bill also bans websites from using venue names, event names, or similar terms in their domain names for ticket sales, except for venue-operated sites. This directly affects ticket resellers and online ticket platforms, aiming to prevent deceptive practices by mandating transparency in transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 7009 establishes a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement for high school diplomas, requiring students to complete two years of social studies (including a U.S. government or civics course), participate in a civic engagement project, and demonstrate civics proficiency through assessments. It mandates expanded transparency in school data tracking, requiring public schools to collect and report detailed information about multilingual learners (including home language and bilingual program participation) starting in 2026. The bill also creates a parent bill of rights for multilingual learners to protect their educational rights and requires school districts to make Islamic and Arab studies curriculum materials available. These provisions directly affect Connecticut public schools, students, and families, focusing on civic education standards, data transparency, and equitable resource access.

Maddy summarySB 1230 requires Connecticut state agencies to spend at least 15% of their annual print and digital advertising budget on in-state news publishers (defined as entities producing original news for 12+ months) starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects state agencies (excluding public universities) purchasing such advertising, with exemptions for ads targeting out-of-state audiences (e.g., tourism or economic development). Agencies may request waivers if compliance conflicts with ad purpose, and must report spending and waiver requests annually to the Commissioner of Administrative Services. The law mandates the commissioner to establish guidelines by June 2026 and submit annual reports to the legislature on ad spending and waiver decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 6229 bans polystyrene foodware (like foam containers) and most single-use plastic items (including straws, stirrers, and food accessories) for food vendors, government agencies, schools, and businesses starting July 1, 2027. Exceptions include biodegradable straws provided upon request (especially for people with disabilities) and specific packaging uses like pre-sealed food or meat storage. The bill also requires state/municipal buildings and schools to install reusable water bottle filling stations when replacing drinking fountains, effective January 2027. A task force will study sustainable alternatives and report by February 2026, but the law itself focuses on direct restrictions and infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryHB 7022 requires Medicaid to cover fertility diagnostic care, preservation services, and treatment for individuals with infertility, effective January 1, 2026. It mandates coverage for medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and at least three cycles of medication treatment to achieve pregnancy. The bill specifically defines "infertility" and requires the state to report by July 2026 on potential costs and Medicaid waivers for including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage. This expansion directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries seeking fertility care, which is currently not covered under standard Medicaid benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 6831 prioritizes state infrastructure grants for municipalities meeting specific transit access criteria. It defines "qualifying transit-oriented communities" as those with bus/rail stations within half-mile zones of designated transit districts or near downtown areas. Eligible municipalities must adopt a resolution and apply for priority access to state grants used exclusively for projects like housing, commercial spaces, or transit improvements within these districts. The bill directly affects local governments seeking state funding for transit-focused development, requiring adherence to zoning standards for denser, mixed-use projects near transit.