Rep. Jane Garibay

Maddy summaryHB 6986 establishes a "Senior Citizens' Bill of Rights" for all state residents aged 65 or older, affording them five specific rights: the right to live where they choose, maintain independence, participate in care decisions, live with dignity, and be treated respectfully as their authentic selves. The bill requires state-licensed nursing homes, managed residential communities, and elder care facilities to post these rights in 14-point type at their entrances, while municipalities may choose to display them publicly. It clarifies that these rights must be implemented within existing state, federal, and constitutional frameworks, with no new costs or programs required. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact on state or local governments per the analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 7080 establishes a Center of Excellence for Neuromodulation Treatments for Veterans at the University of Connecticut Health Center. The bill directly affects Connecticut veterans by creating access to targeted nerve stimulation treatments (like electrical or chemical therapies for neurological conditions) through this new center. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to establish the center and provide these treatments. The center may also collaborate with other state hospitals to deliver these services to veterans.

Maddy summarySB 1176 allocates $115,000 annually from the General Fund for hiring regional ombudsmen at the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and $390,000 annually to fund one additional service navigator per agency at five Area Agencies on Aging. The funding covers fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and 2027, starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly supports staffing for two specific state agencies that assist seniors with long-term care and aging services. It provides dedicated funding without altering existing laws or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Connecticut's tax code to add a new deduction for interest on debt used to purchase tax-exempt securities (item (viii) in the revised section). It allows individuals to subtract interest expenses that aren't deductible under federal tax law, but only if the debt relates to business activities involving tax-exempt securities. The provision applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects Connecticut taxpayers with business-related investments in state/local tax-exempt bonds. The bill does not include the caregiver deduction referenced in its title, as the text focuses solely on modifying existing interest deduction rules.

Maddy summaryHB 6772 mandates the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity to study senior citizens' needs in Connecticut, directly affecting older residents statewide. The study must examine five key areas: long-term care, transportation, housing assistance, nutritional support, and socialization opportunities. The Commission must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2026, with no new funding or programs created by this bill. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes beyond the mandated research.

Maddy summaryHB 6774 requires long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, residential care homes, hospices, and assisted living agencies) to conduct background checks on employees, contractors, and volunteers with "direct access" to residents - meaning physical access that could enable abuse or neglect. The bill mandates checks against criminal history records and patient abuse registries before hiring or contracting, with results reported to the Department of Public Health. Facilities may accept background checks completed within the past three years if no disqualifying offenses were found, and the Department may temporarily suspend requirements during emergencies. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, updating existing background check standards for facility staff.

Maddy summaryHB 5065 exempts sales of tangible personal property and services to military and veterans-related organizations (specifically those classified under IRS 501(c)(19)) from the state's sales and use taxes. This directly affects qualifying groups like veterans' posts, auxiliary organizations, and similar entities. The bill amends existing tax law to remove the tax burden on purchases these organizations make for their operations within the state. It does not create new funding or alter eligibility for existing tax exemptions. The policy change is limited to sales, storage, use, or consumption of property or services by these specific organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 6916 bans the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on most public and private turf (like golf courses, lawns, and municipal properties) and for corn, wheat, and soybean crops starting January 1, 2028. It also prohibits selling or distributing neonicotinoid-treated agricultural seeds for these crops after January 1, 2029, unless a waiver is granted. The bill allows temporary exceptions for environmental emergencies (approved by the Environmental Protection Commissioner) and requires farmers seeking waivers for seed treatments to undergo pest risk assessments, complete integrated pest management training, and prove less harmful alternatives aren't feasible. These provisions directly affect property managers, municipalities, and farmers in Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 6773 (effective October 1, 2025) allows trained nurse's aides and assisted living aides to administer medication in nursing homes and assisted living facilities under specific conditions. The bill permits registered nurses to delegate this task to these trained staff members, provided they’ve completed required training. Facilities must protect the nurses who delegate through indemnification for non-wanton negligence claims. This change directly affects nursing homes, assisted living agencies, and their trained aides by expanding medication administration responsibilities while maintaining oversight by licensed nurses.