Rep. Nick Menapace

Maddy summarySB 89 requires all state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers) to adopt and follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards effective January 1, 2024, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and staff. Key provisions include a strict zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, mandatory staff and contractor training, enhanced protections for vulnerable detainees, standardized reporting protocols for incidents, and access to medical/mental health services for victims. Facilities must annually certify compliance to the state, and the Corrections Commissioner must report yearly on training, incident data, and investigation outcomes starting January 2027. The bill mandates specific mechanisms like cross-gender search limits, risk screening, and victim support services to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Maddy summarySB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5127 prohibits healthcare and veterinary providers in Connecticut from promoting or facilitating medical credit cards to patients. Specifically, it bans providers from advertising these cards using their name/logo, receiving financial incentives for doing so, helping patients apply for them, or charging medical credit cards for services before they’re provided or for add-on products without written consent. The law also prevents providers from charging medical credit cards for services that are covered by insurance (like HUSKY Health) unless the patient has declined coverage. These provisions take effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting providers who previously offered or promoted such credit options.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-level civil rights enforcement mechanism allowing Connecticut residents to sue individuals or entities, including government officials, for depriving them of constitutional rights. It creates a new cause of action similar to federal civil rights laws, permitting courts to award damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief when violations are proven. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to investigate and intervene in cases involving civil rights violations, seek civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and accept assurances that unlawful practices will stop. Additionally, it clarifies that these actions do not waive sovereign immunity and maintains existing rights to file complaints with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a task force to examine how artificial intelligence impacts the trades industry, specifically looking at job displacement and current training curricula. The task force will include representatives from both legislative chambers, the Labor Commissioner, and the Technical Education and Career System, with members appointed by various leadership positions. Separately, the bill requires the Commissioner of Public Health to study whether a state-wide certified nursing assistant training program is feasible. Both the task force and the commissioner must submit their reports by January 1, 2027, to the relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 5283 authorizes Connecticut municipalities to ban pet shops from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill amends state law to allow local governments to prohibit these sales in pet shops (defined under section 22-327) without requiring them to do so. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects pet shops currently selling these animals and local governments choosing to adopt such restrictions. The policy change provides municipalities with a specific legal mechanism to regulate pet shop sales, focusing on dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires providers offering sales-based commercial financing (repayments tied to a business's sales/revenue) to disclose four specific details to recipients: the total financing amount, disbursement amount (excluding finance charges), finance charge, and an estimated annual percentage rate (APR) based on projected sales. This applies to financing under $250,000 not intended for personal use, directly affecting small businesses and the providers (like brokers or non-bank lenders) offering this financing. The APR must be calculated using either historical sales data or an opt-in method, with providers notifying the Banking Commissioner of their chosen method. Banks, credit unions, and certain large lenders are exempt from these requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill implements recommendations from the State Contracting Standards Board by establishing new funding procedures and staffing requirements for the board. It mandates that the board receive its budget estimates directly from its executive director and prevents the Governor from reducing existing allotments for the board. The legislation also requires state agencies to create more detailed business cases when proposing privatization contracts, including risk assessments, transition plans for employees, and analyses of potential impacts on workers. Additionally, the bill strengthens procurement oversight by requiring agencies to ensure bidders are informed of their rights, screen contractors properly, and submit performance evaluations to a central data repository.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes parole eligibility rules for individuals convicted of crimes committed after July 1, 1981, who were under 26 years old at the time of the offense. It creates two main categories: those who may be eligible for parole after serving half their sentence, and those convicted of serious violent crimes who must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible. The legislation requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold hearings for certain offenders before releasing them on parole and mandates that the board document specific reasons for denying parole if a hearing is not held. The bill applies to people already incarcerated as of October 1, 1990, and sets specific conditions for residential placement and supervision during parole.

Maddy summaryHB 5125 regulates ticket resellers and advertising for entertainment events. It requires resellers to either possess tickets or have a written contract with the original seller before selling to customers, and to disclose in writing if they lack tickets or cannot guarantee the price. The bill also bans websites from using venue names, event names, or similar terms in their domain names (except for the venues themselves) and mandates that all ticket advertisements clearly show the total price and the exact dollar amount of any service charge. These rules apply to events like concerts and sports games but exclude movies, affecting resellers, online platforms, and venues.