Rep. Juan Candelaria

Maddy summarySB 1500 requires individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses against minors or nonviolent offenses (released after October 1, 1998) to verify their address annually through mailed forms and update changes within five business days. It mandates these registrants to maintain registration for ten years (or for life if they have prior convictions), with specific requirements to report name changes, new addresses, employment, or educational status. The bill repeals prior registration rules and adds verification steps to ensure accuracy, while allowing courts to exempt some offenders if public safety isn't at risk. Violating address reporting requirements can result in a class D felony charge.

Maddy summaryHB 5983 sets a 9.35% sales tax rate for peer-to-peer car sharing services in Connecticut, applying to rentals of 30 days or less. This directly affects car-sharing platforms (like Turo or Getaround) and their users who rent vehicles through these services within the state. The bill amends Connecticut's tax code by adding peer-to-peer car sharing to subdivision (G)(ii) of the sales tax rate section, ensuring it's taxed at the same rate as traditional short-term car rentals (previously covered under subdivision G(i)). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, for all qualifying transactions occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 7212 prohibits state law enforcement officers, bail commissioners, school security personnel, and related agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in specific ways. It directly affects police departments, correctional facilities, school security, and court personnel by banning actions like sharing release dates, home/work addresses, or allowing ICE interviews in custody facilities. Key provisions forbid providing "ICE access" (such as notification of release times, nonpublic data, or facility use for immigration enforcement) while clarifying that routine fingerprinting or database checks for arrests remain permitted. The bill aims to limit state-level collaboration with federal immigration enforcement under the defined restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would grant all Connecticut residents an enforceable right to clean air, water, soil, ecosystems, a healthy environment, and a stable climate. It requires the state to protect these rights equitably, avoid unreasonable infringement, and actively conserve natural resources like water, air, and wildlife for current and future generations. If passed by three-quarters of both legislative chambers, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval to become part of Connecticut's constitution. The amendment would not create new regulations but would establish a legal foundation for residents to seek court enforcement of environmental protections.

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 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 1394 requires the state's Department of Public Health and Department of Correction to annually evaluate healthcare services for inmates in correctional facilities, comparing practices against national standards. It mandates two key reports by January 1, 2026: one from the Correction Ombuds detailing staffing needs and communication procedures for inmates' families, and another from the Commissioner of Correction on policies for medical records sharing and post-release care. The bill also establishes a task force to study healthcare staffing challenges in prisons, with members appointed from legislative leaders, corrections staff unions, and relevant state agencies. This legislation focuses on oversight and data collection to assess current practices, rather than directly changing healthcare delivery or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5579 establishes a state fund to provide grants for capacity-building support to nonprofit organizations serving Hispanic communities or communities of color. To qualify, organizations must be 50%+ Hispanic or communities of color, led by Hispanic, African-American, or Asian Pacific-American executives, have a $150,000+ annual budget, and provide culturally competent, language-accessible services. The fund will award grants for financial management training, board development, technology upgrades, and other operational improvements, with preference given to smaller organizations ($1 million budget cap) and those meeting cultural competence standards. Grants require progress reporting, staff training, and site visits to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

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 summaryHB 6490 sets a 10% annual maximum rent increase for residential leases, calculated as the local Consumer Price Index plus 5% (capped at 10%). Landlords must provide tenants with 90 days' written notice of any increase, including the original and new price and calculation method. Tenants can file complaints with the Department of Housing if they believe a rent increase violates the cap, triggering a 30-day investigation. Violations may result in landlords refunding overcharges, paying fines, and facing enhanced penalties for repeated offenses.