Rep. Jane Garibay

Maddy summarySB 13 establishes an Elder Abuse Task Force within the State Police and requires the Chief State's Attorney to create an Elder Justice Unit within the Division of Criminal Justice. The bill directly affects elderly residents in Connecticut who are victims of abuse by creating dedicated law enforcement units to investigate and prosecute such cases. Key provisions include authorizing the Task Force to investigate elder abuse statewide, coordinate with the Elder Justice Unit, request assistance from other agencies or states, and enter mutual cooperation agreements. The changes take effect October 1, 2025, and amend existing statutes (51-279 and 51-279b) to formalize these units and their responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 7021 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Commodities Assistance Program, effective July 2025. The program funds Connecticut Foodshare (formerly the Connecticut Food Bank) to buy bulk nutritious food in-state and distribute it free to soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. It requires at least 15% of annual funds to purchase produce from Connecticut farmers and mandates a 3% annual funding increase starting July 2026. The bill allows, but does not require, these organizations to charge a 5-cent-per-pound handling fee to cover distribution costs.

Maddy summarySB 1271 requires all school districts to adopt three specific policies for school libraries: collection development (ensuring diverse materials accessible to all students), display and program guidelines (promoting free expression), and a reconsideration process for challenging materials. The bill prohibits removing library materials, displays, or programs based on the creator's background, viewpoint, or protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion. Only removals for legitimate educational reasons (e.g., outdated content or lack of relevance) or following professionally accepted collection standards are permitted. This directly affects school boards, librarians, and parents/students who may request material reviews under the new process.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 consecutive days of strike, effective for labor disputes beginning December 14, 2026. Currently, most striking workers are ineligible for benefits during labor disputes. The change applies to workers not involved in the dispute (e.g., non-union employees) or who have not participated in the strike for 14+ days, but excludes situations involving employer lockouts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, though the eligibility rule starts in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1332 prohibits private equity companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs) from acquiring or increasing ownership or operational control of nursing homes after October 1, 2025. It requires nursing home license applicants to disclose ownership structures, provide evidence of compliance with this law, and submit financial statements. The bill directly affects nursing home owners (particularly private equity/REITs) and applicants seeking new licenses, mandating transparency about ownership and financial accountability. Key provisions include banning new investments by these entities and requiring detailed disclosures about ownership interests, financial health, and criminal history for key personnel.

Maddy summarySB 1175 requires assisted living facilities (ALSAs) to hold public hearings for any fee increase exceeding 10% of the previous fee. The hearing must occur at least 30 days before the increase takes effect and allow input from residents, family members, the press, or the public. This applies to all standard fee increases, while exceptions remain for immediate adjustments tied to care changes during scheduled meetings or resident condition changes. The bill amends existing law (19a-564(e)) and takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Maddy summarySB 1280 establishes a Community Ombudsman program within Connecticut's Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to support individuals receiving home and community-based long-term services and supports (like in-home care for elderly or disabled adults). The program investigates complaints about home care services, promotes access to these services, provides referrals for legal/housing support, and advocates for system improvements - all while protecting client data under HIPAA rules with proper consent. The Ombudsman must report annually to the legislature on program activity, complaints handled, and service gaps. This bill directly affects home care clients and providers by creating a new independent advocate for their concerns, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6912 establishes a state Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Task Force to examine the needs of individuals with these conditions and their caregivers, along with available services and healthcare capacity. The task force must develop a comprehensive State Alzheimer's Plan covering long-term care options, family caregiver support, early detection strategies, healthcare provider availability, home-based services, and public awareness initiatives. The plan will specifically address fiscal impacts on public health programs, dementia care costs, training requirements for healthcare workers, and safety needs. The task force, composed of 11 governor-appointed members (including people living with early-stage dementia and family caregivers) plus state agency representatives, must complete its work by October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6972 updates rules for transferring or discharging residents from Connecticut residential care homes. It requires facilities to provide residents with a 30-day written notice (with specific details) before involuntary transfers or discharges, except in emergencies, and mandates facilities to create a discharge plan addressing the resident's needs. Residents or their legal representatives can appeal transfers to the Commissioner of Public Health within 10 days, with the transfer paused during the appeal. The bill directly affects care home residents, their families, and facilities, ensuring clearer procedures and protections during moves. It becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1279 establishes new minimum staffing requirements for Connecticut nursing homes, effective July 1, 2026. It mandates a minimum of 3.6 hours of direct care (e.g., hands-on assistance with daily activities) per resident per day, requires one full-time social worker per 60 residents, and increases recreational staff requirements beyond prior standards. Nursing homes failing to meet these standards will face classified violations under state law, potentially leading to disciplinary actions or citations. The bill directly affects all licensed nursing homes in Connecticut by changing their staffing obligations and enforcement mechanisms.