Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of approximately one acre of state-owned land to the Town of Woodbury for use as a commemorative memorial green. The parcel, currently part of a state highway right-of-way containing veterans monuments and Veterans Lane, will be conveyed at no cost to the town beyond administrative fees, subject to approval by the State Properties Review Board. The legislation includes conditions requiring the town to maintain the land for its intended memorial purpose, with provisions for the land to revert to state ownership if the town fails to use it appropriately, retains only part of the parcel, or leases it. The Department of Transportation retains responsibility for the land until the transfer is completed, with the State Treasurer handling the legal deed execution.

Maddy summaryHB 5323 requires school-based health centers in Connecticut to use evidence-based screening tools for disordered eating behaviors during annual health assessments for students in grades 9-12, starting January 1, 2028. The bill also creates two new groups: a task force to develop recommendations for identifying and treating disordered eating in children, and a Holistic Food Education Working Group to create a state-wide food education roadmap and nutrition curriculum. Both groups include representatives from education, health, advocacy, and school organizations. The screening is optional for students or their parents/guardians, and the task force must report by January 1, 2028. The bill directly affects schools, health centers, and students in grades 9-12 through these new requirements and planning efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut school health regulations to allow trained school personnel to administer opioid overdose reversal medication to students experiencing an opioid-related overdose without prior written authorization. The legislation requires the State Board of Education to establish specific conditions and procedures for storing and administering these medications, similar to existing rules for epinephrine in allergic reaction emergencies. School staff must complete annual training to administer the medication, and the rules apply to both intramural and interscholastic athletics settings. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to ensure students have access to life-saving treatment during opioid overdoses at school.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Connecticut as the birthplace of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, recognizes the spring peeper as the state amphibian, names the town of Enfield as the gateway to Connecticut, and designates Housatonic marble as the state rock. The legislation directly affects state symbols and official designations by adding these new titles to Connecticut's list of recognized emblems. Each provision becomes effective on October 1, 2026, and establishes permanent official recognition for these historical and natural elements. The bill does not create new programs or funding, but rather codifies existing historical facts and local identities into state law.

Maddy summaryHB 5039 requires state agencies to provide greater transparency and oversight when distributing funds specifically directed by the legislature to particular organizations (not state agencies, disaster relief, competitive grants, or bond funds). It mandates that recipients prove financial responsibility and secure written approval from agencies before sharing funds with subrecipients. State agencies must submit annual reports on fund usage by November 1, and the state will publish a public database of all such funds by January 1. This bill directly affects state agencies managing these funds and the organizations receiving them, focusing on accountability through reporting and public access.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated state fund called the "health care facility durable medical equipment account" to provide grants for healthcare facilities. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to help facilities purchase equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and patient lifts for elderly patients or people with disabilities. The Department of Public Health will manage the fund and issue grants, deducting no more than 2% of the account balance annually for administrative costs. The account will hold ongoing state appropriations, gifts, and investment earnings, with funds available starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's public health statutes to clarify which facilities are considered "institutions" and expands the state's investigation process for abuse and neglect involving people with intellectual disabilities. It redefines "institution" to include various healthcare and care facilities while explicitly excluding most state-operated mental health and substance use disorder facilities, with specific exceptions. The bill also strengthens the Department of Developmental Services' authority to investigate abuse reports by allowing record reviews without full psychological exams, granting subpoena powers, and requiring electronic record-keeping of abuse reports. Additionally, it establishes protocols for investigating deaths of individuals with intellectual disabilities where abuse or neglect may be involved and clarifies confidentiality rules for investigation reports.

Maddy summaryHB 5292 exempts sales of tangible personal property or services to qualifying military and veterans' organizations from state sales and use taxes. The bill specifically targets organizations recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(19) (veterans' organizations) and requires them to provide documentation, such as a Treasury Department determination letter or an existing exemption permit, to prove eligibility at the time of purchase. This exemption applies to items used exclusively for the organization's established purposes, with the organization liable for taxes if items are misused. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, for all sales occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 373 would allow volunteer firefighters, volunteer fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members in Connecticut to deduct stipends they receive for their service from their state personal income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to add these stipends as a deductible expense, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects individuals who serve on volunteer emergency response teams and receive monetary stipends for their work. The provision aligns with existing tax deductions for certain income types but specifically targets volunteer emergency service compensation. It does not change federal tax treatment of these stipends.

Maddy summarySB 377 creates a personal income tax deduction in Connecticut for military personnel who receive compensation for serving on funeral honor guard details. It directly affects active-duty and reserve military members who are paid for this duty, allowing them to deduct that specific compensation from their taxable income. The deduction applies to amounts already counted as federal taxable income, reducing Connecticut tax liability for this income. The change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.