Rep. Dave Yaccarino

Maddy summarySB 373 would allow volunteer firefighters, volunteer fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members in Connecticut to deduct stipends they receive for their service from their state personal income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to add these stipends as a deductible expense, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects individuals who serve on volunteer emergency response teams and receive monetary stipends for their work. The provision aligns with existing tax deductions for certain income types but specifically targets volunteer emergency service compensation. It does not change federal tax treatment of these stipends.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program to train high school students as American Sign Language interpreters and increases funding for specialized services for individuals who are both blind or visually impaired and deaf. The program will provide up to $1 million to fund high school courses in ASL at select school districts, which must partner with colleges to offer college credit for the training. Additionally, the bill raises the annual state assistance limit for community inclusion services for dual-blind and deaf individuals from $10,000 to $14,000 per person. These changes aim to build a future workforce of interpreters and improve support for people with multiple disabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 5077 increases the base state education grant amount (the "foundation") for municipalities over five years, raising it from $11,525 to $18,681 per student. It also requires annual inflation adjustments to this base amount. The bill allows municipalities to lower local property tax rates by the exact amount of increased state equalization aid they receive under this new formula. This directly affects local governments and taxpayers by providing a mechanism to reduce property tax burdens through state funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5093 increases the state's base funding for public schools from $11,525 to $18,681 per student over five years, with automatic annual adjustments for inflation. This change directly affects local school districts and municipalities, as it increases state education grants (equalization aid) that school districts receive. The bill allows towns to lower property tax rates by the exact amount of the increased state funding, reducing the tax burden on homeowners. It aims to provide immediate property tax relief by aligning local tax revenue reductions with the new state grant levels. The policy change is triggered solely by the increased state funding, without requiring new local tax revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 5061 would increase Connecticut's property tax credit against personal income tax for primary residences or motor vehicles. It raises the maximum credit from $300 to $1,000 per year, increases the minimum credit threshold, and expands eligibility by raising the income limits for qualifying residents. The bill directly affects Connecticut homeowners and vehicle owners who pay property tax and meet the updated income thresholds. This change would reduce eligible taxpayers' annual income tax bills by up to $1,000.

Maddy summaryHB 5048 would remove the "public benefits charge" currently added to electricity bills for residential and business customers. This charge, which funds programs like energy assistance, would no longer appear on customer bills. Instead, the state would pay for these programs using funds from the General Fund (taxpayer money), not from electricity bills. The bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific line item on their monthly bills.

Maddy summaryHB 6921 implements state recommendations to improve school health protocols by requiring schools and early childhood programs to establish clear procedures for administering epinephrine (for severe allergic reactions) and glucagon (for low blood sugar emergencies). The law directly affects public and private schools, childcare centers, and early education programs serving children. Key provisions mandate staff training, medication storage protocols, and parent consent procedures for these emergency treatments. The bill, signed into law on June 30, 2025, creates concrete policy changes to enhance student safety during medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 7200 requires public schools and municipal buildings to provide bleeding control training and maintain emergency kits for severe bleeding incidents. It mandates that staff receive instruction on using tourniquets and hemostatic dressings to manage life-threatening wounds. The law applies to all public schools and high-traffic public facilities, replacing voluntary programs with mandatory requirements. Signed into law on June 30, 2025, it became Public Act 25-160.

Maddy summarySB 1216 requires all public schools in the state to establish and regularly update comprehensive emergency response systems. These systems must include clear communication protocols for emergencies and detailed evacuation plans. The law, now Public Act 25-102, directly affects every public school by mandating standardized safety procedures for staff and students. It focuses on practical, actionable measures to improve school safety preparedness.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Developmental Services to file annual reports by January 15, 2026, detailing abuse and neglect investigations, including complaint numbers, substantiation rates, and actions taken. It also mandates quarterly spending reports starting September 30, 2025, tracking how funds for disability services are used and waiting lists for those services. Additionally, the bill creates two working groups: one to study Southbury Training School operations and another to examine an interagency case team for young adults with disabilities, both due to report by February 1, 2026. These provisions aim to improve transparency, accountability, and service planning for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.