Rep. Laurie Sweet

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 35 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the state's equal protection clause by explicitly prohibiting sex discrimination that includes pregnancy (including decisions about pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and related health care. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, this amendment would require all state laws and government actions to comply with these expanded protections. The resolution must secure a three-quarters majority vote in both legislative chambers to appear on the 2026 general election ballot for voter approval.

Maddy summarySB 1154 requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to develop a phase-out plan for helium used in filling helium-filled balloons by October 1, 2025. The plan must end all helium use for these balloons in the state by December 31, 2027, and DEEP must report progress to the Environment Committee by February 1, 2026. The bill directly affects helium manufacturers, distributors, and balloon sellers by mandating a timeline for transitioning away from helium. It does not impose direct costs or new regulations on businesses but requires DEEP to coordinate with the helium industry to create the phase-out schedule.

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 1327 allows judges to reduce sentences for certain defendants while they are serving time, specifically those sentenced to over seven years via a plea agreement after October 1, 2021. It requires courts to hold hearings for good cause, consider victim input (either in person or via written statement), and sets a two-year waiting period before a defendant can reapply for sentence reduction after a denial or partial grant. The bill also explicitly permits judges to modify sentences below mandatory minimums for eligible cases, while requiring defendants to submit applications with supporting documents and giving the state 90 days to respond. This changes existing law by expanding access to sentence reviews and streamlining the process for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Connecticut's tax code to add a new deduction for interest on debt used to purchase tax-exempt securities (item (viii) in the revised section). It allows individuals to subtract interest expenses that aren't deductible under federal tax law, but only if the debt relates to business activities involving tax-exempt securities. The provision applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects Connecticut taxpayers with business-related investments in state/local tax-exempt bonds. The bill does not include the caregiver deduction referenced in its title, as the text focuses solely on modifying existing interest deduction rules.

Maddy summarySB 1352 updates the definitions section of the state's energy efficiency code (replacing Section 16a-48) to clarify terms for lighting, refrigeration, HVAC equipment, and other energy-related products. It defines specific items like "commercial refrigerators," "fluorescent lamp ballasts," "low-voltage dry-type transformers," and "traffic signal modules" to ensure consistent application of existing efficiency standards. The bill does not establish new requirements but revises terminology to improve clarity for manufacturers, regulators, and building codes. The changes take effect October 1, 2025, and directly affect entities selling, installing, or regulating these energy-consuming products.

Maddy summaryHB 5986 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (up to three children) against personal income tax. It directly affects low-to-moderate income families filing taxes, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive the full amount even if their tax liability is zero. This policy provides direct cash support to qualifying households with children, reducing their overall tax burden.

Maddy summarySB 740 establishes a refundable child tax credit for families with up to three children in the state. Starting in 2025, it provides $150 per child, phasing up to $600 per child over three years. The credit is reduced for higher-income households, with phase-outs beginning at $100,000 for single filers, $160,000 for heads of household, and $200,000 for joint filers. This policy directly affects low-to-moderate income families with children, offering tax refunds even if they owe no income tax.

Maddy summaryHB 5615 establishes a formal procedure for municipal registrars of vital statistics to process requests identifying graves or other burial sites. It directly affects local officials who handle vital records by creating a standardized process for these requests. The bill does not change burial laws or rights but streamlines how communities can officially document interment locations. This is a procedural measure with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6101 would expand Medicaid coverage to include prescribed fruits and vegetables for Connecticut Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with nutrition-related chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It requires the state to seek a federal Medicaid waiver to fund these "produce prescriptions" as a treatment option. The bill also aims to remove barriers preventing low-income families from accessing Connecticut's Farmers' Market and WIC nutrition programs. These changes would directly benefit low-income residents managing chronic health conditions through improved access to healthy food.