Rep. Ron Napoli

Maddy summaryHB 5037 requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 or obtain parental consent before showing them personalized content recommendations (like feeds or suggested posts). It applies to platforms that prioritize media based on user data, excluding shopping sites and purely educational tools. Platforms must delete age verification data after use and cannot charge more or degrade service for compliance. Exceptions include private messages, search results, or content from accounts users follow. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 5409 creates a state program to help military members transition to civilian careers. It requires the Labor Department to provide career counseling and maintain an online hub listing job training resources, veteran-friendly employers, and state transition programs. The state military leadership must develop a follow-up program tracking veterans' education and employment outcomes after discharge, while the Veterans Affairs department will host an annual job fair connecting veterans with employers. The bill directly affects active-duty personnel, reserves, National Guard members, and veterans seeking civilian workforce opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 5275 requires construction contractors to be jointly responsible for paying unpaid wages owed to workers by their subcontractors on covered projects. It directly affects construction workers, contractors, and subcontractors working on most private construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects (excluding public works and small residential homes). The key provision makes contractors liable for subcontractors' unpaid wages, effective October 1, 2026, while allowing contractors to include wage payment clauses in contracts - provided these don’t limit workers’ legal rights. The bill also updates wage recovery procedures under existing law, ensuring workers can seek double wages plus fees for unpaid compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 5321 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study workforce shortages, workforce development programs, and training availability across the state. The study must analyze how these factors impact commercial activity and submit a report to the General Assembly's Commerce committee by January 1, 2027. This bill does not create new programs or policies - it solely mandates a fact-finding study to inform future decisions.

Maddy summarySB 285 creates a tax credit for family caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible relatives. It allows caregivers with incomes under $50,000 (individual) or $100,000 (couple) to claim a credit covering 50% of qualifying expenses - such as home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care - up to $2,000 annually. Expenses like general home repairs (e.g., painting, plumbing) are excluded, and the total credit pool is capped at $1.8 million per year. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it only reduces tax liability but cannot result in a cash refund.

Maddy summarySB 158 authorizes the state to issue up to $2 million in bonds to fund capital improvements and technology upgrades at StayWell Health Center in Waterbury. The State Bond Commission would issue these bonds, with proceeds directed to the Department of Economic and Community Development, which would then provide a grant-in-aid to the health center. The bill directly affects StayWell Health Center, enabling facility modernization and technology enhancements. This is a funding mechanism, not a new policy, focused solely on providing capital support for the Waterbury facility.

Maddy summarySB 184 would exempt from state sales and use taxes the purchase of clothing items priced under $100. This directly affects consumers buying affordable clothing, as they would no longer pay tax on these items. The bill amends tax law to remove the tax requirement for clothing costing less than $100, applying to both in-store purchases and online orders within the state. It does not change tax rates for other goods or services. The exemption applies to all eligible clothing items sold within the state.

Maddy summarySB 139 increases the state appropriation for the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant by $191 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This funding directly supports students with special education needs and helps school districts manage unpredictable costs associated with special education services. The bill amends existing law to boost the grant amount, aiming to stabilize school district budgets and ensure consistent support for these students. It does not alter eligibility or service requirements but provides additional financial resources for existing programs.

Maddy summarySB 188 revises the hospital tax calculation to base it on the number of Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured patients served by a hospital, rather than the current method. This directly affects hospitals subject to the tax, as their tax liability would now be determined by these specific patient counts. The bill replaces the existing calculation formula with a new one that uses these patient categories as the sole basis for determining tax amounts. This policy change represents a concrete adjustment to how hospital tax obligations are computed.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child for families with up to three children. It directly affects low-to-moderate income households, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families may receive the full credit amount even if it exceeds their income tax liability. This policy change reduces tax burden for qualifying families with children, using the state’s personal income tax system to provide direct financial support.