Rep. Kerry Wood

Maddy summaryHB 5974 would ban the use of leghold traps (which clamp an animal's leg) and body-gripping traps (which clamp an animal's body) throughout Connecticut. The bill prohibits anyone from setting or using these traps within the state, making such activity illegal. This directly affects trappers, wildlife management professionals, and businesses that currently rely on these traps for fur harvesting or pest control. The legislation focuses solely on prohibiting the traps without specifying exceptions or enforcement details.

Maddy summaryHB 6153 increases penalties for specific animal abuse offenses by reclassifying a first offense of starving, violently harming, or causing an animal's death as a class D felony (instead of a misdemeanor). It also raises penalties for performing medical procedures or experiments without a veterinarian license. This bill directly affects individuals who commit these acts or conduct unauthorized veterinary procedures. The key change is elevating the legal consequence from potential jail time of up to one year and a $1,000 fine to felony charges.

Maddy summarySB 1064 expands the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Connecticut. It allows APRNs relocating to the state with at least 2,000 hours of practice to work independently, and permits licensed APRNs to sign forms for services within their scope and provide behavioral health services they are trained for without physician supervision. The bill directly affects APRNs and aims to reduce healthcare access barriers by removing unnecessary supervision requirements for qualified providers. It does not change APRN training standards but adjusts practice permissions. The legislation seeks to increase healthcare availability, particularly in underserved areas, by enabling APRNs to deliver more services autonomously.

Maddy summaryHB 5528 requires animal owners to pay an impoundment fee for pets held by authorities during a criminal investigation. This bill directly affects individuals whose animals are seized as part of a police investigation, mandating they cover the cost of housing the animal while it remains in custody. The key provision states that owners must pay this fee for the entire duration the animal is held, as defined by the statute. The bill establishes a clear financial obligation for owners during criminal proceedings involving animal impoundment.

Maddy summaryHB 5690 makes it a misdemeanor to falsely claim a disability to receive service dog accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill directly affects individuals who fraudulently misrepresent having a disability to access service dog-related benefits, such as public accommodations or housing. It adds a criminal penalty for this specific type of fraud, targeting deceptive claims about disability status solely for service dog access. The law does not change general disability rights or broaden the definition of disability. This policy change focuses on preventing misuse of service dog accommodations through criminal enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 5557 designates the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunar calendar's month of Kartik each year as "Diwali, the Festival of Lights" for official recognition. This procedural bill amends state statutes to formally acknowledge Diwali as an annual observance without creating new policies, funding, or obligations. It directly affects state records and official calendars by specifying the date for ceremonial recognition. The bill has no substantive impact on residents, businesses, or government operations beyond this symbolic designation.

Maddy summaryHB 5481 requires that all cats and dogs sold by commercial breeders or shelters, or adopted from shelters within the state, be microchipped before the sale or adoption is completed. The bill directly affects pet sellers, shelters, and adoption agencies by mandating this identification step. Its key provision is the requirement for microchipping, which helps reunite lost pets with their owners and addresses the stated purpose of reducing abandonment. The bill does not apply to pets already owned or transferred between private individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 5138 prohibits pet shops from selling cats, dogs, and rabbits after January 1, 2026. This directly affects pet shop businesses that currently sell these animals, requiring them to stop the practice or risk having their licenses revoked by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The law aims to prevent sales originating from puppy mills and other inhumane breeding facilities, as stated in the bill’s purpose. It creates a clear deadline for compliance and enforcement through license revocation.

Maddy summaryHB 5109 would change Connecticut's rabies quarantine rules for unvaccinated dogs and cats. It sets a maximum 4-month quarantine period for these animals if they have an open wound of unknown origin and are suspected of rabies exposure. The bill directly affects pet owners and animal control agencies managing such cases. This policy change aligns with guidelines from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, reducing the previous quarantine duration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program, a three-year pilot initiative led by the University of Connecticut to support international students and graduates in starting new businesses. Under the program, eligible non-U.S. citizens pursuing advanced degrees in fields like science, engineering, or business would work part-time for designated employers, such as public universities or nonprofit organizations, while receiving a market-rate salary. In exchange for their employment, these individuals would be eligible to apply for a specific nonimmigrant visa allowing them to remain in Connecticut to launch their ventures after graduation. The bill also requires the university to submit annual reports to the state legislature detailing the program's progress, participant numbers, and a cost-benefit analysis by the end of 2024.