Rep. Mary Fortier

Maddy summarySB 829 clarifies that "hours worked" includes time employees spend undergoing required security screenings at work. This change ensures employees are paid for this time, which was previously inconsistently treated under the law. The bill directly affects all workers required to pass through security screenings as part of their job duties, including retail, healthcare, and office staff. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact as the Department of Labor already enforces this practice.

Maddy summaryHB 7010 provides health and retirement benefits support for paraeducators (school support staff) in Connecticut. It creates two subsidy programs: (1) a health savings account subsidy for paraeducators enrolled in high-deductible plans, and (2) a subsidy for school boards covering 10% of health insurance premiums to reduce employee payroll deductions. The bill also requires school boards to cover the full employee share of retirement contributions (capped at municipal retirement levels), with the state reimbursing 50% of that cost annually. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, using existing education funds.

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 summarySB 13 establishes an Elder Abuse Task Force within the State Police and requires the Chief State's Attorney to create an Elder Justice Unit within the Division of Criminal Justice. The bill directly affects elderly residents in Connecticut who are victims of abuse by creating dedicated law enforcement units to investigate and prosecute such cases. Key provisions include authorizing the Task Force to investigate elder abuse statewide, coordinate with the Elder Justice Unit, request assistance from other agencies or states, and enter mutual cooperation agreements. The changes take effect October 1, 2025, and amend existing statutes (51-279 and 51-279b) to formalize these units and their responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 consecutive days of strike, effective for labor disputes beginning December 14, 2026. Currently, most striking workers are ineligible for benefits during labor disputes. The change applies to workers not involved in the dispute (e.g., non-union employees) or who have not participated in the strike for 14+ days, but excludes situations involving employer lockouts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, though the eligibility rule starts in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1175 requires assisted living facilities (ALSAs) to hold public hearings for any fee increase exceeding 10% of the previous fee. The hearing must occur at least 30 days before the increase takes effect and allow input from residents, family members, the press, or the public. This applies to all standard fee increases, while exceptions remain for immediate adjustments tied to care changes during scheduled meetings or resident condition changes. The bill amends existing law (19a-564(e)) and takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 6972 updates rules for transferring or discharging residents from Connecticut residential care homes. It requires facilities to provide residents with a 30-day written notice (with specific details) before involuntary transfers or discharges, except in emergencies, and mandates facilities to create a discharge plan addressing the resident's needs. Residents or their legal representatives can appeal transfers to the Commissioner of Public Health within 10 days, with the transfer paused during the appeal. The bill directly affects care home residents, their families, and facilities, ensuring clearer procedures and protections during moves. It becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summarySB 1176 allocates $115,000 annually from the General Fund for hiring regional ombudsmen at the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and $390,000 annually to fund one additional service navigator per agency at five Area Agencies on Aging. The funding covers fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and 2027, starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly supports staffing for two specific state agencies that assist seniors with long-term care and aging services. It provides dedicated funding without altering existing laws or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 6772 mandates the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity to study senior citizens' needs in Connecticut, directly affecting older residents statewide. The study must examine five key areas: long-term care, transportation, housing assistance, nutritional support, and socialization opportunities. The Commission must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2026, with no new funding or programs created by this bill. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes beyond the mandated research.