Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryHB 5005 allocates $1.017 million from the General Fund for the 2025 fiscal year to fund specialized training for law enforcement officers in crime scene processing and scientific evidence handling. The program, administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, will cover forensic investigation techniques and proper evidence collection procedures. This funding directly affects all state law enforcement officers who will receive this mandatory training. The bill creates a concrete policy change by establishing a dedicated state-funded training initiative focused on improving investigative standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 creates a personal income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and ambulance members who receive stipends from their municipality, volunteer fire department, or volunteer ambulance association. The deduction applies to stipends paid for "other duties performed," limited to $15,000 annually per recipient. This directly affects eligible volunteers whose income includes these stipends, reducing their taxable income. The bill modifies existing tax law to provide this specific deduction for qualifying volunteer service payments.

Maddy summarySB 26 prohibits collective bargaining and arbitration agreements from overriding state law. It repeals a provision allowing labor contracts to bypass conflicting state statutes, regulations, or public acts. This requires all such agreements to fully comply with existing state law. The bill directly affects unions, employers, and government workers negotiating contracts, ensuring their agreements cannot conflict with state legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5061 would require the Connecticut Department of Transportation to establish a new commuter rail line connecting Hartford Union Station to Bradley International Airport. The rail line would include stops in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor Locks, directly affecting airport travelers, regional commuters, and residents in those communities. The bill aims to improve airport accessibility and support the airport's competitiveness by creating a direct rail link. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as specified.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Correction to create and submit a detailed plan for improving commissary services for youth in state facilities. The plan must replace the current monetary system with one that rewards positive behavior and ensures equitable access for vulnerable groups, such as those with disabilities or no family support. It also mandates the inclusion of menstrual products, strategies for transferring saved funds when youth move to adult facilities, and regular feedback sessions with the incarcerated youth. The Department must begin implementing these equitable access procedures immediately and fully adopt the new plan by November 1, 2023. Finally, the Commissioner of Correction is required to report on the plan's progress and any necessary changes to the legislature by July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes law enforcement officers from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York to arrest individuals for boating or fishing violations that occur on the waters bordering these states. It allows officers from any of the three states to make arrests in the bordering waters and transfer the arrested person to the state where the violation took place for prosecution. The law specifically applies to interior bodies of fresh water located between Rhode Island and its neighboring states.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for a pretrial family violence education program to include individuals charged with certain crimes involving risks to children, provided the court finds good cause to allow their participation. Under the new provisions, defendants must agree to have their trial timeline paused and waive their right to a speedy trial while attending the program and complying with court-ordered conditions for up to two years. If a participant successfully completes the education program and meets all requirements, the court may dismiss the charges and erase the associated criminal records. The legislation also requires courts to notify victims when a defendant requests placement in the program and gives them a chance to be heard before the decision is made.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the intentional addition of PFAS chemicals to a wide range of consumer products, including mattresses, clothing, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies, effective October 1, 2024. It defines specific categories such as children's products, outdoor apparel, and cookware to clarify which items are subject to the new limits while excluding certain uses deemed essential for health and safety. Manufacturers must ensure that PFAS are not deliberately included in these goods unless they are unavoidable for the product's function and no safer alternative exists. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for terms like "intentionally added" and "currently unavoidable use" to guide regulatory enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commissioner of Correction to create a system for screening incarcerated individuals for dyslexia. Starting July 1, 2024, the Department of Correction must screen every person entering a correctional facility who has not been screened before, completing the process within 60 days of their intake. The department must also implement procedures to screen all currently incarcerated individuals who have not yet been tested by that same deadline. Additionally, the commissioner must report annually to the General Assembly on the department's progress in meeting these screening requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Children and Families to conduct a study on how its various programs are being used and submit a report by July 1, 2024. The report must cover the previous two years and include details on how many people participated in each program, the quality controls in place, and how much money was spent relative to the number of participants. The findings will be shared with the state legislature's committees responsible for children's services and budget matters. This legislation aims to provide the government with clearer data on the effectiveness and efficiency of social services without changing how those programs currently operate.