Rep. Derell Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 5004 requires child welfare agencies to conduct background checks before placing a child with a relative or non-licensed caregiver in an emergency situation. Specifically, agencies must complete a federal criminal history search and check the child abuse registry within 10 days, followed by state/national criminal records checks; refusal to provide fingerprints triggers immediate child removal. The bill also mandates that courts prioritize placing children with relatives or "fictive kin" (close family friends) over other options when safety allows, and requires written documentation for all placement decisions. This directly affects child welfare agencies, relatives/fictive kin caregivers, and courts handling emergency child safety cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes sales tax on clothing under $100, school supplies, and appliances, and eliminates a 1% tax on meals sold by grocery stores. It creates new tax credits for homeowners (increasing the existing credit), caregivers of elderly or disabled family members, and renters earning $75,000 or less for primary residence costs. These changes directly lower tax burdens for Connecticut residents, particularly lower- and middle-income households. The bill modifies sales tax rules and expands income tax credits to improve affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands absentee voting eligibility in Connecticut to allow any eligible voter who will not appear at their polling place on election day to vote by absentee ballot, removing previous restrictions based on specific reasons like military service, illness, or religious observance. It also strengthens accountability by requiring individuals who distribute five or more absentee ballot applications to register with municipal clerks and maintain records of recipients, while prohibiting candidates and political committees from mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications without clear eligibility warnings. Additionally, the bill mandates that absentee ballot envelopes include a sworn statement confirming the voter will not appear at their polling place, and requires the Secretary of the State to post notices online clarifying that applications are for personal or immediate family use only. These changes aim to increase voting access while implementing safeguards to prevent misuse of the absentee voting system.

Maddy summarySB 156 establishes a task force to study Connecticut's existing laws and procedures regarding the voluntary surrender of infants. The task force will examine provisions in state statutes (sections 17a-57 to 17a-61), policies of the Department of Children and Families, and hospital emergency room protocols, with a specific focus on whether these systems create or perpetuate disparities based on race, ethnicity, health, or economic status. The group will include diverse members such as public health experts, child welfare specialists, hospital staff, parents who surrendered infants, and legal advocates. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by May 1, 2027, but the bill itself does not change any current laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare facilities and schools to cover medical costs and pay full salary for staff injured during work-related assaults or aggressive incidents. It creates a system for reporting patient violence in digital health records (with patient appeal options) and ensures absences due to such incidents don’t count against paid leave. Directly affects healthcare workers, teachers, and school staff who face workplace violence while performing job duties.

Maddy summaryHB 5002 updates Connecticut's foundational education funding formula. It sets a base funding amount of $11,525 per student for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024-2026, then adjusts this amount annually based on the higher of personal income growth or inflation (as defined in state law) for all subsequent years. This change directly affects public school districts statewide by altering how state education funding is calculated and distributed. The bill does not modify specific programs for special education or early childhood services, as referenced in its title, but updates the core funding mechanism used to determine district allocations. The new formula takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5189 authorizes the state to issue up to $500,000 in bonds to provide a grant to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Norwich for capital improvements, such as building repairs or upgrades. The funds would be managed by the Department of Economic and Community Development. This is a targeted grant for a specific religious institution in Norwich, not a general funding program. The bill directly affects the church as the recipient of the capital improvement grant.

Maddy summarySB 180 authorizes the state to issue up to $4.6 million in bonds to fund capital improvements at the Integrated Day Charter School in Norwich. The funds would be provided as a grant-in-aid through the Department of Education for school facility upgrades. This bill directly affects the Integrated Day Charter School, enabling capital projects like building repairs or equipment. It does not alter school operations or student eligibility, focusing solely on physical infrastructure funding. The legislation is a straightforward financial authorization with no broader policy changes beyond the specified grant.

Maddy summaryHB 5182 authorizes the state to issue up to $9.2 million in bonds to fund capital improvements for three fire departments in Norwich. The funds will provide a $2 million grant to Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Company, $1 million to East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department, and $6.2 million to Norwich Fire Department. These grants will cover capital improvements and new equipment acquisition for each organization. The bill directs the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to administer the funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5193 authorizes the state to issue up to $3.8 million in bonds to fund capital improvements at Camp Oakdale in Montville. The funds will be provided as a grant to Montville through the Department of Economic and Community Development for specific facility upgrades at the camp. This bill directly affects Montville residents and Camp Oakdale users by enabling physical improvements to the local facility. The key mechanism is the state bond authorization, with funds flowing to the town for designated capital projects only.