Rep. Geraldo Reyes

Maddy summaryHB 5149, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits students in Connecticut public schools (grades K-12) from possessing or using personal mobile electronic devices (like cell phones, tablets, or laptops) during the regular school day, except for students requiring device use for an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. School boards must create policies covering device storage, discipline for violations, and exceptions for special needs accommodations. The bill also prohibits school districts from using social media as the sole method to communicate with families about school matters. This directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 5154 allows Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue general permits for certain activities instead of individual permits, reducing administrative steps for businesses and projects. It automatically renews solid waste facility permits after 90 days if a complete renewal application is submitted and the agency takes no action. The bill also establishes a new process for approving solid waste management demonstration projects, requiring a $1,000 fee and ensuring projects meet environmental safety standards. These changes streamline permitting while maintaining environmental protections for affected entities.

Maddy summarySB 269 requires the Labor Commissioner to study employees' rights in the state and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027. The study will examine current employee rights, and the report may include recommendations for future legislation. This bill does not create new rights or laws but directs a formal review process. It directly affects the Labor Commissioner and the legislative committee handling labor matters. The bill is procedural, focusing on gathering information rather than implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Correction and other state facilities that detain offenders to adopt and follow national standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse. It mandates specific policies including zero tolerance for abuse, enhanced privacy protections for transgender individuals, improved surveillance coverage, and specialized training for staff and volunteers. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements, mandates investigations within 30 days of abuse reports, and requires regular compliance certifications to be submitted to state oversight committees.

Maddy summarySB 221 establishes a state scholarship program to support aspiring educators in Connecticut. It provides up to $10,000 annually to diverse students who graduated from public high schools in designated "alliance districts" and are enrolled in teacher preparation programs at four-year colleges. Recipients must teach as certified educators in Connecticut, particularly in identified shortage areas (like specific subjects or geographic regions), or repay the scholarship. The program requires annual reporting on scholarship recipients' demographics and program data, with implementation effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 324 establishes a permanent Office of Government Oversight and Efficiency to detect fraud, waste, and abuse in state agency operations, including personnel management, property use, and fund handling. It also creates a temporary 10-member working group (with legislative leaders, agency representatives, and auditors) to study cost-saving partnerships with private providers and recommend anti-fraud measures, requiring a report by December 31, 2026. The office will evaluate the efficiency of state agencies and private contractors providing government services, while the executive director - appointed by auditors with legislative approval - will lead these efforts. This bill directly affects all state and quasi-public agencies and their private contractors that handle public funds or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new oversight requirements for medical care provided to incarcerated individuals at the Department of Correction, directly affecting prisoners and correctional facilities. It mandates that the Commissioner of Correction develop a health care plan by October 1, 2025, ensuring sufficient mental health therapists at each institution and requiring specific protocols for psychotropic medication prescriptions, including thorough medical history reviews and benefit-risk assessments. The legislation also requires annual physical examinations, initial health assessments within 14 days of intake, and appropriate placement in medical or mental health housing units when recommended by medical professionals.

Maddy summarySB 131 requires the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study the needs of manufacturers in the state. The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, with results reported to the General Assembly's commerce committee. This bill does not create new regulations or funding but mandates an analysis to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects state administrative processes and the legislative committee overseeing commerce, without altering existing laws for manufacturers.

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 5367 allows property owners (or their authorized agents) to request immediate police removal of unauthorized occupants from residential properties. To qualify, owners must prove the person entered without consent, was told to leave, isn’t a tenant, family member, or owner, and there’s no pending lawsuit. The request requires a signed affidavit verifying these conditions and the owner’s title, after which police must serve a "vacate" notice or arrest the occupant. Unauthorized occupants harmed by wrongful removal can sue for triple the fair market rent, plus legal fees. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to evict trespassers and unauthorized occupants facing removal.