Rep. Nick Gauthier

Maddy summarySB 370 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Administrative Services to adjust the hourly pay for adjunct fire instructors at the Connecticut Fire Academy each year starting July 1, 2026. The adjustment must match the percentage increase from the most recent state-wide wage agreement between the state and its employee bargaining coalition, including any cost-of-living adjustments. This directly affects adjunct fire instructors employed by the Connecticut Fire Academy, ensuring their pay rises in line with general state employee compensation changes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all subsequent fiscal years.

Maddy summarySB 318 requires Connecticut's State Veterinarian to identify and maintain a 24/7 contact person for domestic violence victims needing temporary or permanent placement of companion animals. This contact person must provide real-time information about animal rescue organizations, dog pounds, and shelters to victims, with updates shared to domestic violence groups, police, and animal facilities. The bill also clarifies the State Veterinarian's authority to issue disease prevention orders for animals and establishes a working group by July 2026 to study funding for Connecticut's animal population control program. The working group includes representatives from animal welfare groups, veterinary associations, and animal control officers. This legislation directly affects domestic violence victims and animal care providers by improving access to pet placement resources during crises.

Maddy summarySB 125 requires nursing homes with private equity ownership to disclose detailed ownership and financial information annually to the Commissioner of Social Services, including ownership entity details, financial statements, and mortgage terms. It mandates that these facilities secure a performance bond covering 90 days of operating costs when applying for or renewing licenses. The bill also prohibits selling nursing home properties within five years of acquisition without written approval from the Commissioner of Public Health, which can only be granted if the sale benefits resident care or operational stability. These provisions directly affect nursing homes owned by private equity firms, real estate investment trusts, or other investment entities.

Maddy summaryHB 5155 requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to create an online database tracking pesticide sales and use by December 2028, replacing older reporting methods. The database will make public access to historical pesticide data (from Chapter 441 of state law) and include pesticide-treated seed information collected with the Department of Agriculture. It allocates $100,000 for development in fiscal year 2027. This directly affects pesticide sellers and users (who must report through the new system) and provides the public with clearer access to where, what, and how much pesticides are used statewide.

Maddy summarySB 393 modifies procedures for filling vacancies in elected offices (Congress and state legislature) caused by an official's death. It requires the Governor to issue election writs within 7-17 days after a death-related vacancy occurs, instead of the previous default timeline. The bill also sets specific election timing rules: if a vacancy happens 125-63 days before a November election, the special election is held on that regular election day; if it occurs closer to the election (within 63 days before for state offices), no election is held unless it's a "member-elect" vacancy. For vacancies near the end of a term (last year of service), the Governor must nominate a replacement requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber. These changes directly affect governors, local election officials, and voters in districts with newly vacant seats.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises several human services statutes to improve protections and administrative processes for vulnerable populations. It requires managed residential communities to display residents' bills of rights with contact information for reporting abuse or neglect. The legislation also mandates the Department of Social Services to stagger monthly benefit distributions for the supplemental nutrition assistance program to comply with federal law. Additionally, it restricts access to a background registry to specific authorized agencies and organizations, and establishes a new network to advise state government on services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new consumer protections for long-term care insurance policies in Connecticut, affecting insurance companies, policyholders, and state agencies. It requires the Office of Policy and Management to create an outreach program educating consumers about long-term care options, financing, and asset protection rules. The bill mandates that insurance policies must offer home and community-based services, include inflation protection, and cannot tie executive compensation to rate increases. Additionally, insurers must maintain a minimum 60% loss ratio, and any premium increases of 20% or more must be spread over at least three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands state Medicaid coverage to include room and board costs for patients receiving hospice care at short-term hospice specialty hospitals or licensed hospice facilities. Starting July 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Social Services will use available state funds to reimburse these specific care settings for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. The legislation requires a report by January 15, 2027, to document any cost savings achieved by treating patients in these facilities compared to acute care hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for supported decision-making, allowing adults to voluntarily choose supporters who help them understand and communicate their personal and financial decisions without removing their decision-making authority. The law requires a written agreement signed by the adult, their chosen supporters, and two witnesses, and mandates that businesses, government agencies, medical providers, and schools must recognize and respect these agreements. Supporters can assist with accessing information, making appointments, and advocating for the adult's wishes, but they are prohibited from making decisions on behalf of the adult or exerting undue influence. The Department of Aging and Disability Services will create a program to educate adults and families about this option, and third parties who rely on these agreements in good faith will be protected from liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new Medicaid payment rates and service limits for adult dental care and cognitive assessments in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, it requires prior authorization for nonemergency dental services while exempting basic preventive care and medically necessary procedures from a $1,000 annual spending cap. The legislation also directs the state to update Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare standards for cognitive assessments and care planning for patients under 65 showing signs of cognitive impairment. Additionally, it creates a structured advisory council with representatives from various healthcare sectors to oversee Medicaid service modifications and ensure balanced oversight of dental benefit limitations.