Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes

Maddy summaryHB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.

Maddy summaryHB 5072 allocates state funds from the General Fund to support vocational agricultural programs in public schools. It provides $___ for the 2027 fiscal year to help school districts cover costs at regional agricultural science centers. The bill directly affects school districts and regional centers by funding career-focused agricultural education programs. This appropriation aims to assist schools with operational expenses for these vocational training initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 7231 allows Sunday hunting on private lands, directly affecting landowners and hunters who use private property for recreational hunting. It lifts the previous prohibition on Sunday hunting in these areas, changing existing restrictions. The bill became law on July 8, 2025, after being signed by the governor as Public Act 25-138.

Maddy summarySB 1380 prohibits healthcare providers in the state from discriminating against patients when delivering care. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and individual healthcare providers by requiring them to offer services without bias based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation. The law establishes that discrimination in treatment, access, or referrals is illegal, with enforcement likely handled through state health department oversight. As signed by the governor on July 8, 2025, this bill is now effective state law.

Maddy summarySB 1358 adjusts funding rates for state-contracted nonprofit human services providers (such as childcare centers, mental health clinics, and elder care agencies) to match annual inflation. This prevents their budgets from shrinking as costs rise, ensuring they can maintain services without cuts. The law directly affects these nonprofits by requiring state agencies to update contract payments each year based on the official inflation rate. It became law as Public Act 25-151 after the governor signed it on July 8, 2025. The change applies retroactively to contracts renewed or adjusted in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Connecticut to issue up to $125 million in state bonds (for fiscal years 2026-2027) to reduce energy cost protections for low-income households to pre-pandemic levels (2016-2020). It also allocates $50 million in bonds ($30M for 2026, $20M for 2027) to fund electric vehicle charging infrastructure and customer wiring upgrades. The funds will support programs administered by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, including residential EV charging for households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. These provisions aim to lower energy costs for vulnerable residents and expand clean energy access through specific infrastructure investments.

Maddy summarySB 1179 establishes Connecticut's Community Makerspace Initiative Program to fund community spaces where entrepreneurs can access tools, technology, and training to create physical products and develop business skills. The program provides financial assistance (grants or loans) to eligible entities for establishing or expanding makerspaces, with a $5 million total cap and a $250,000 annual limit per entity. Funding cannot cover personnel costs and requires applicants to detail their makerspace plans, while recipients must submit progress reports within two years. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development must evaluate the program annually and report findings to the legislature by 2027. This directly affects community organizations, educational groups, and small businesses seeking to launch or grow makerspaces across Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 7139 clarifies the specific duties of state marshals and defines the operational activities of the State Marshal Commission and State Marshals Advisory Board. The bill establishes clear requirements for the Commission's oversight responsibilities and outlines the Advisory Board's role in providing recommendations on marshal-related matters. This legislation directly affects state marshals, the Commission, and the Advisory Board by standardizing their processes and responsibilities within the state's judicial system.

Maddy summaryHB 6883 protects the addresses of domestic violence and sexual assault victims living in shelters or transitional housing. It prohibits housing providers from disclosing these locations without the victim’s explicit consent. This law directly affects victims seeking safety and their housing providers, preventing abusers from locating them through address sharing. The key provision requires confidentiality around housing addresses to enhance victim safety. The bill became law after Governor’s signature on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1239 creates the Fallen Hero Fund to provide ongoing health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and dependents of first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) who die while performing their duties. The bill establishes a permanent program where the fund covers the full cost of health insurance premiums for these survivors. This law, now Public Act 25-61 after being signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, directly affects the families of fallen first responders by ensuring they maintain health coverage without out-of-pocket costs.