Rep. Amy Morrin Bello

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.

Maddy summarySB 9 requires municipalities and state agencies to develop climate action plans focused on reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. It also bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid pesticides (harmful to bees) and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (toxic to wildlife) for public and private use. These provisions directly affect local governments, state agencies, and businesses selling or applying these pesticides. The law, now enacted as Public Act 25-33, mandates concrete policy changes in environmental planning and pesticide regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 6832 allows cities and towns to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops within their borders. It directly affects local governments, which can choose to implement such bans, and pet shops that sell these specific animals. The bill provides municipalities with the legal authority to prohibit these sales but does not require them to do so. This is a policy change granting local control over pet shop operations, focusing on specific companion animals.

Maddy summaryHB 6917 imposes a $1.50 per ton fee on owners of solid waste processing facilities (including resources recovery, waste conversion, and certain transfer stations/volume reduction plants), excluding municipal facilities and recycling operations. The fees, collected quarterly, fund a sustainable materials management account, and municipalities receiving reimbursements from these fees must spend them on waste reduction initiatives like recycling coordinators or street sweepers. The bill also requires a 2027 report on implementing extended producer responsibility for consumer packaging. This law directly affects waste processing businesses and local governments managing solid waste programs.

Maddy summaryHB 7191 requires phased increases to Medicaid provider rates in Connecticut, aiming to reach at least 75% of corresponding Medicare rates by June 30, 2028. It mandates annual rate adjustments after 2028 using Medicare rates, a five-state benchmark (Maine, MA, NJ, NY, OR), or the Medicare Economic Index. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), requiring them to file updated cost reports annually and adjust encounter rates based on service scope changes. It also consolidates fee schedules to align with Medicare rates where possible and ensures parity between pediatric and adult care rates. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with full implementation by 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 6771 establishes a state task force to develop Alzheimer's and dementia care policies, directly affecting patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. It requires health insurers to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis and creates new rules for residential care home transfers, discharges, and emergency closures. The bill also provides tuition waivers for nursing home residents taking courses at local community-technical colleges. Signed into law as Public Act 25-16 on June 3, 2025, it mandates concrete policy changes for dementia care access and facility operations.

Maddy summaryHB 6913, now Public Act 25-17, bans long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) from discriminating against residents. It directly affects residents in these facilities by prohibiting unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, or other personal factors. The law requires facilities to follow non-discrimination standards in all resident services and care decisions. This policy change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 3, 2025, ensuring residents are treated fairly under state law.

Maddy summarySB 1282 changes the minimum quarantine period for dogs and cats exposed to rabies from 10 days to 30 days. This law directly affects pet owners, veterinarians, and animal control agencies in Connecticut when handling animals potentially exposed to rabies. The key provision replaces the previous 10-day minimum with a 30-day requirement for quarantine. This policy change aims to enhance public health protection by extending the observation period for potentially rabid animals.

Maddy summaryHB 6867 creates the Universal Preschool Endowment, a dedicated fund to expand access to preschool for children aged 3-5. It is directly funded by transferring up to $300 million from the state’s unappropriated surplus into the endowment for the 2025 fiscal year, with an additional $30 million allowed for 2026. The endowment’s funds - held separately from state money - must be invested prudently and spent solely to build preschool capacity through competitive grants, prioritizing local needs and children not yet eligible for kindergarten. Annual spending is limited to 10% of the endowment’s balance (except for the initial $30 million), ensuring long-term sustainability while directing all resources toward making preschool universally available.

Maddy summaryHB 7120 creates grants to remove PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from fire apparatus, affecting municipalities, independent fire companies, and state agencies. It expands eligibility to include these groups, allows reimbursement for PFAS removal completed before July 1, 2023, and ensures unspent funds from the original $3 million allocation carry over to the next fiscal year. This prevents funds from expiring and enables continued support for PFAS removal efforts.