Rep. Amy Morrin Bello

Maddy summaryHB 5978 creates a refundable tax credit for news organizations covering local communities in the state. It provides $15,000 per existing journalist employed by such an organization and $25,000 per new journalist hired in the state, with a maximum credit of $150,000 per organization. The credit directly benefits local news outlets struggling to maintain staff, particularly those expanding coverage through new hires. This policy change aims to support community journalism by reducing operational costs through direct financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 5986 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (up to three children) against personal income tax. It directly affects low-to-moderate income families filing taxes, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive the full amount even if their tax liability is zero. This policy provides direct cash support to qualifying households with children, reducing their overall tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 6080) requires Medicaid to cover noninvasive, custom breast prostheses for individuals who have undergone mastectomies and are enrolled in Medicaid. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who have had mastectomies by mandating coverage for these prostheses, which are designed to enhance comfort and reduce physical side effects. The key provision amends state law to make this coverage mandatory, moving beyond optional or limited reimbursement. The stated purpose is to modernize and improve care options for Medicaid-covered mastectomy patients.

Maddy summaryHB 6101 would expand Medicaid coverage to include prescribed fruits and vegetables for Connecticut Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with nutrition-related chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It requires the state to seek a federal Medicaid waiver to fund these "produce prescriptions" as a treatment option. The bill also aims to remove barriers preventing low-income families from accessing Connecticut's Farmers' Market and WIC nutrition programs. These changes would directly benefit low-income residents managing chronic health conditions through improved access to healthy food.

Maddy summaryHB 6784 requires the state Department of Economic and Community Development to create a program offering incentives to contractors and subcontractors who use low-embodied carbon concrete on construction projects. This bill directly affects construction professionals working on projects within the state, providing financial or other benefits for adopting concrete with lower carbon emissions. The key mechanism is a state-administered incentive program, not a direct mandate, to encourage the use of environmentally preferable materials. The policy change focuses on modifying construction practices to reduce carbon footprints without altering existing building codes.

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 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 6589 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Public Health to create a standardized report card system for hospitals and birthing centers to evaluate their maternity care quality. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities that provide maternity services by mandating they be assessed on specific care metrics. The key mechanism involves the state developing a transparent, publicly available report card to measure performance in maternity care delivery. The stated purpose is to improve care quality and reduce maternal mortality rates through greater accountability and transparency.

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 6500 prohibits hedge funds, private equity firms, and similar large for-profit corporations from owning residential property and requires them to sell any existing residential holdings. It gives current tenants the primary right to buy these properties first when sold, and land trusts, tenant unions, or community groups the secondary right. The bill also creates a program offering low-interest loans to help tenants or eligible groups purchase these properties. This directly affects corporate landlords and tenants in properties currently owned by these entities.