Rep. Geraldo Reyes

Maddy summaryHB 6905 requires Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Commission to study the state's workers' compensation system and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The bill does not change existing workers' compensation laws or allocate new funding, as the Commission has the existing capacity to conduct the study. This procedural measure directly affects the Commission (which must complete the study) and the legislature (which will receive the report). The study aims to inform potential future legislative action, but the bill itself makes no policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 1243 exempts veterans with a state-issued veteran ID (like a driver's license marking veteran status) from paying bus fares on state-operated routes. It also creates a program allowing public high schools (grades 9-12) to obtain discounted or free bus passes for students, requiring schools to negotiate contracts with the Department of Transportation to cover costs. The DOT must publish program details online by August 2025 and report annually on pass usage and expenses. This directly affects veterans seeking free bus access and school districts participating in the student pass program.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would grant all Connecticut residents an enforceable right to clean air, water, soil, ecosystems, a healthy environment, and a stable climate. It requires the state to protect these rights equitably, avoid unreasonable infringement, and actively conserve natural resources like water, air, and wildlife for current and future generations. If passed by three-quarters of both legislative chambers, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval to become part of Connecticut's constitution. The amendment would not create new regulations but would establish a legal foundation for residents to seek court enforcement of environmental protections.

Maddy summaryHB 7172, titled "AN ACT CONCERNING THE SEWAGE RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT," requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to create a real-time public notification system for sewage spills and permitted bypasses. The system, effective by December 1, 2026, will allow residents to choose alerts via phone, email, or text within two hours of DEEP receiving a report - without relying on social media. It directly affects the public by providing faster, accessible information about sewage incidents impacting waterways or communities. The bill amends statute 22a-424a(c)(4) to mandate this transparency, ensuring timely updates for residents near wastewater systems.

Maddy summarySB 806 expands Medicaid coverage to include specific emergency medical conditions, such as high-risk pregnancy, Type 1 diabetes emergencies in minors, severe hypertension, unstable seizures, and acute psychiatric treatment. It directly affects individuals with these qualifying conditions who previously might not have received emergency Medicaid coverage for outpatient care. The bill requires the state to create an online application system by July 2026 for advance eligibility for outpatient emergency treatment, replacing emergency room visits where possible. This change aligns with federal Medicaid rules and aims to improve access to timely care for these critical health issues.

Maddy summarySB 1433 adds employees of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to the list of state workers whose home addresses cannot be disclosed under Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill prohibits OAG from releasing these addresses from personnel or medical files and allows employees to request address confidentiality from other agencies using existing procedures. This exemption applies only to home addresses in specific records (like personnel files), not all agency documents, and does not override disclosures required by election laws or land records. The change takes effect October 1, 2025, with no expected fiscal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 6889 protects specific tenants from no-cause evictions in multi-unit buildings (5+ units) or mobile home parks. It applies to seniors (62+), people with qualifying disabilities, or tenants who've lived there 13+ months. Landlords may only evict for reasons like nonpayment, serious lease violations affecting health/safety, or specific "for personal use" scenarios (requiring 90-day notice and proof no other units are available). The bill also requires rent increases for protected tenants to be "fair and equitable," with disputes resolved through local commissions or courts. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6724 creates a special Connecticut motor vehicle license plate honoring "The Borinqueneers," the primarily Puerto Rican members of the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment. The bill, effective January 1, 2026, requires the Motor Vehicle Commissioner to issue these plates for a $60 fee (in addition to standard registration costs), with $15 covering plate production and $45 funding bilingual veteran services through Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut, Inc. The plates will be available to any Connecticut resident who chooses to purchase them, and funds deposited to the designated account will support services for veterans and military members. The bill establishes a new account within the General Fund to manage these funds, which will be distributed quarterly to the nonprofit organization.

Maddy summaryHB 6893 appropriates $33.5 million from the General Fund for the Department of Housing to fund existing programs assisting homeless persons, effective July 1, 2025. The funds are specifically designated for services supporting homeless individuals during fiscal year 2026 (ending June 30, 2026). This bill does not create new programs but provides dedicated funding for current homelessness assistance efforts. The allocation has no impact on municipalities and is focused solely on state-level funding for housing-related support services.

Maddy summaryHB 7033 prohibits municipalities from fining or penalizing homeless individuals for performing daily activities like sleeping, eating, or seeking shelter on public land (e.g., sidewalks, parks, plazas), provided these activities don’t obstruct traffic or create hazards. It specifically protects rights to access hygiene facilities, receive donations, use vehicles legally parked in public spaces, and practice religion without discrimination based on housing status. The bill allows the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties of $50-$100 against municipalities or individuals violating these protections, but exempts cases where "adequate alternative indoor space" (like shelters) has been offered and accepted. This law applies to all public spaces except school grounds and takes effect July 1, 2025.