Rep. Jimmy Sánchez

Maddy summarySB 395 establishes a task force to study strategies for achieving 100% voter participation in the state by 2030, including examining policies requiring voting as a civic duty and assessing election administration needs. The task force, composed of legislative leaders, state officials, and gubernatorial appointees, must report findings and recommendations by February 2027, including potential funding for municipal efforts. The bill also authorizes local governments to create pilot programs - within existing resources - to boost voter engagement, such as outreach campaigns, without mandating new voting requirements. It focuses on research and local experimentation, not direct policy changes to election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Basic Health Program in Connecticut to provide health coverage to state residents aged under 65 who earn between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level but do not currently qualify for state medical assistance programs. The program would be funded primarily through federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, with the state seeking federal approval to administer it starting October 1, 2026. A working group comprising state officials, legislative leaders, and health insurance experts would design the program, while the Commissioner of Social Services would coordinate its administration and submit regular reports to the legislature. Any excess federal funds received would be used to reduce premiums, lower cost-sharing, or provide additional benefits to eligible participants.

Maddy summaryHB 5149, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits students in Connecticut public schools (grades K-12) from possessing or using personal mobile electronic devices (like cell phones, tablets, or laptops) during the regular school day, except for students requiring device use for an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. School boards must create policies covering device storage, discipline for violations, and exceptions for special needs accommodations. The bill also prohibits school districts from using social media as the sole method to communicate with families about school matters. This directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Connecticut.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new fund to provide a one-time $100,000 death benefit to the surviving families of correction officers and investigators from specific state agencies who are killed in the line of duty. The fund is financed through available appropriations and interest earnings, with payments distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible survivors including spouses, dependent children, and other family members listed on beneficiary forms. The bill also defines key terms such as "killed in the line of duty" and "dependent child," and requires the Comptroller to submit annual reports on fund expenditures and balances to relevant legislative committees. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing tax provision related to income derived from the death benefit.

Maddy summarySB 351 establishes a "just cause" standard for terminating both tenured and non-tenured teachers' contracts in Connecticut, requiring school boards to provide specific, documented reasons for termination. It mandates that teachers who receive termination or nonrenewal notices may request a hearing before a neutral arbitrator (chosen by the teacher and superintendent) within 10 days, with the hearing starting within 15 days. The law also requires school boards to provide written reasons for termination upon request and ensures teachers can be represented by legal counsel during hearings. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, apply directly to public school teachers and school boards across the state.

Maddy summarySB 353 amends Connecticut law to require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees experiencing conditions related to menopause, directly affecting working women in the state. It expands existing anti-discrimination protections by adding menopause to the list of conditions requiring accommodations, such as allowing seated work, flexible breaks, modified schedules, or temporary light-duty assignments. The bill defines "reasonable accommodation" and clarifies that employers cannot claim "undue hardship" for minor, low-cost adjustments. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all employers covered under Connecticut’s anti-discrimination law.

Maddy summarySB 348 extends workers' compensation coverage to public works department employees for their commutes to and from work under specific conditions. It adds public works employees to the list of workers whose "departure from place of abode directly to duty" and "return directly to place of abode after duty" count as employment time for coverage purposes. This applies when employees are subject to emergency calls off-duty, responding to direct work orders during excused nonessential staff periods, or following two or more consecutive mandatory overtime shifts. The law, effective October 1, 2026, directly affects state and municipal public works employees who perform construction, maintenance, or regulatory work on public infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 5046 modifies existing tuition waiver policies at Connecticut's community colleges and universities to specifically support public safety personnel. It waives tuition for current police officers (with 5+ years service) and firefighters (with 5+ years service), as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter was killed in the line of duty. The bill also expands waivers to include students enrolled in state fire school programs and police academy coordination courses. These changes apply to Connecticut State Community College and Connecticut State University System programs, effective July 1, 2026. The policy directly affects active and retired public safety workers and their families by reducing education costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5404 establishes a new job classification for part-time fire service instructors within the state's fire services department. The bill requires the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioners of Emergency Services and the State Fire Administrator, to define this classification by October 1, 2026. This classification will set clear standards for the role, responsibilities, and compensation of part-time instructors who train firefighters. The change directly affects part-time fire service instructors and the state agencies that employ them.

Maddy summaryHB 5403 ensures health insurance coverage for survivors of certain public safety workers killed in the line of duty. It requires nonstate public employers to continue health coverage for survivors of unpaid volunteer firefighters, correction officers, or state marshals for one year (renewable annually up to five years) if coverage existed before death. If no coverage existed, employers must help survivors enroll in a partnership plan under the Comptroller’s program for up to five years. The bill specifically defines "unpaid volunteer firefighter" and expands eligibility under existing health insurance provisions for these workers’ survivors.