Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary task force to study how well current laws are enforced regarding roaming livestock, specifically focusing on interactions between pigs and cattle. The group will include representatives from both legislative chambers, law enforcement, the agriculture department, and experts in livestock management. Members must submit a report with their findings and recommendations by January 1, 2025, after which the task force will end. The legislation does not change existing laws but instead sets up a review process to improve enforcement of current regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.

Maddy summaryHB 5235 updates the legal definitions of key terms within Connecticut's cannabis and drug control statutes to ensure clarity for law enforcement and regulators. The bill specifically amends the definition of "cannabis-type substances" to include various chemical compounds similar to cannabinoids while explicitly excluding mature stalks, fiber, oil, cake, and hemp as defined by federal standards. Additionally, the act clarifies the meanings of related terms such as "abuse of drugs," "distribute," and "dispense" to align with current regulatory practices. These changes directly affect the Department of Consumer Protection and other agencies responsible for enforcing state drug laws by providing a more precise framework for identifying controlled substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal confidentiality protections for private conversations between Department of Correction officers and peer support team members. It defines "first responders" to include DOC officers and ensures that their discussions within peer support programs remain private unless the officer voluntarily waives this privilege. While the law generally prohibits sharing these details in legal proceedings or with third parties, it allows for disclosure in specific situations, such as when there is an immediate threat to safety or when the peer support member was directly involved in the incident. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and aim to encourage officers to seek mental health support without fear of their communications being used against them.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework to address debts incurred by victims of domestic violence under duress, intimidation, or threats. It defines a "coerced debt" as any unsecured personal debt taken out by an individual who is a victim of domestic violence and was forced into the obligation through coercion. Under the new law, debt collectors and buyers must immediately stop all collection efforts once they receive specific documentation, such as police reports, restraining orders, or certified statements from qualified professionals like counselors or attorneys, confirming the debt was coerced. The legislation also imposes civil liability on individuals who cause others to incur such debts, holding them responsible for repaying the amount and covering associated legal fees. These protections apply to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and are designed to prevent further harassment of victims while they seek to resolve the underlying abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals who intentionally injure or kill police animals or dogs in volunteer search and rescue teams to pay financial restitution. The law mandates that these payments cover veterinary costs for injuries and the expenses of purchasing and training a replacement animal if the original one is unable to work. Anyone found guilty of harming these working dogs faces felony charges, potential fines or imprisonment, and the obligation to reimburse the owning unit or individual. The financial penalties are designed to ensure that the costs of replacing injured or killed service animals are borne by the person responsible for the harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut election laws by adding specific definitions for terms like "foreign national," "foreign principal," and "foreign owner" to clarify who is subject to foreign political spending restrictions. It establishes that entities with significant foreign ownership or control, including certain non-U.S. citizens and specific types of organizations, are now explicitly covered under these regulations. Additionally, the bill repeals and replaces existing sections of the general statutes that outline illegal practices related to campaign contributions and voting inducements. These changes aim to provide clearer legal boundaries for foreign entities engaging in political activities without altering the fundamental rules governing campaign finance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a system for the annual random auditing of professional bondsmen to ensure compliance with fee regulations. It requires licensed bondsmen to submit detailed reports of their bail transactions by February 1 each year, allowing the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to randomly select three individuals for an audit of their records by March 1. The legislation also sets specific limits on the commissions bondsmen can charge based on the bail amount and clarifies how fees are credited for subsequent bail on the same person within a criminal proceeding. These measures are designed to increase transparency and oversight within the professional bondsman industry without changing the fundamental fee caps already in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes technical corrections to several existing state statutes, primarily updating definitions and administrative procedures without changing the underlying laws. It clarifies the definition of "emergency medical condition" to include behavioral and substance use disorders, updates the list of services provided by youth bureaus, and corrects a spelling error in a community planning provision. Additionally, the bill adjusts reporting requirements for mental health commitment records and exempts specific state agencies from certain labor laws. These changes are intended to improve the accuracy and clarity of the state's legal code for effective implementation starting October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 5491 establishes a new property tax exemption for Connecticut veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill allows these veterans to exempt their primary residence from taxation, or if they lack a home, one motor vehicle garaged in the state. To qualify, veterans must submit proof of their disability rating to their local town assessor, with retroactive refunds available for up to three years if they missed the initial filing deadline. Additionally, the act modifies an existing lower-level disability exemption, increasing the property value threshold for veterans with non-permanent-and-total disabilities and adjusting amounts based on age and disability severity.