Sen. Martin Looney

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution approves a settlement agreement regarding a lawsuit against the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, directly affecting state funding and the treatment of individuals in forensic psychiatric facilities. The key provision requires the state to use General Fund money to help patients who are clinically ready transition from Whiting Forensic Hospital to community-based mental health services. By signing this bill, the Senate authorizes approximately $3.5 million in costs for the 2027 fiscal year and $7 million for 2028 to cover these transitions and related legal fees. If the General Assembly does not approve the agreement within the specified timeframe, the settlement becomes unenforceable.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Connecticut Department of Social Services to rebalance its long-term care strategy to increase home and community-based care options for Medicaid recipients and low-income individuals who currently do not qualify for Medicaid. The law requires the department to develop a strategic plan that considers regional aging trends, service gaps, and provider quality, with a specific goal of expanding access to home care for people earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the bill establishes a requirement for the Long-Term Care Planning Committee to study methods for expanding these care options and submit a report by December 2026 that includes estimated cost savings from reducing reliance on skilled nursing facilities.

Maddy summarySB 6 establishes a $600 annual tax credit per dependent child for eligible taxpayers with up to three children, phased out for higher-income households (e.g., $100k+ for single filers). It mandates all public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the 2027 fiscal year, funded by state grants. The bill also prohibits certain convicted individuals (e.g., for specific sex offenses) from sharing a home with a minor child unless they are the biological or adoptive parent, with exceptions for finalized adoptions. Additionally, it requires correctional facilities to notify child welfare agencies when such individuals are released, triggering case reviews for children under protective services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state-funded program to help veterans and other vulnerable individuals maintain food assistance benefits despite recent federal changes to work requirements. It establishes a $40 million state account to fund transitional benefits of up to $194 per month for 12 months, along with job training and case management services for those at risk of losing benefits. The legislation also requires the Department of Social Services to implement staggered benefit distributions to reduce processing delays and mandates that veterans receive the same benefit levels they had before federal work requirements were introduced. Additionally, the bill authorizes the commissioner to seek federal waivers for individuals in high-unemployment areas and standardizes utility allowance calculations for SNAP recipients.

Maddy summarySB 3 requires the state to cover the full cost of health care premium increases for people enrolled in Access Health CT who have household incomes between 500% and 600% of the federal poverty level. This directly affects moderate-income residents who rely on Access Health CT for health insurance, ensuring they do not face higher out-of-pocket costs due to premium hikes. The bill mandates a state appropriation from the General Fund to pay for these increases, rather than shifting the cost to enrollees. It aims to maintain affordability amid federal subsidy reductions, without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 2 exempts small businesses (with less than $10 million in annual revenue) from sales and use taxes on electricity and natural gas purchases. It redirects revenue from an additional 1% sales tax on meals: 50% to the state Tourism Fund and 50% to the municipalities where the meals were purchased. The bill aims to lower operating costs for small commercial and industrial businesses, which could reduce prices passed on to consumers. These changes directly affect small businesses and local governments through tax adjustments and new revenue allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 5041 requires the state to study establishing a "Connecticut Option program" designed to lower health insurance premiums. The Office of Policy and Management must analyze program design, potential cost-saving mechanisms (like provider reimbursement models and state-funded risk programs), and impacts on the insurance market. This study, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028, will evaluate whether the program could qualify for federal funding via a waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The bill itself does not change coverage or costs but sets the groundwork for potential future implementation by state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 326 gradually eliminates asset limits for Connecticut's HUSKY C health program, which provides coverage to low-income residents. Starting July 1, 2026, the asset limits for unmarried individuals will rise from $1,600 to $100,000 by 2030 (reaching $100,000 in 2030), while married individuals' limits will increase from $2,400 to $150,000 by 2030 (reaching $150,000 in 2030), with no asset limit after 2031. The bill also allows applicants with income above the program's limits to qualify by using excess income to pay for medical expenses. Annual reports will track eligibility changes and state costs related to these asset limit adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 7 updates Connecticut's base funding level for public schools (called "Foundation") to increase annually from $11,525 (2014-2026) to $15,500 (2031+) with inflation adjustments. It also revises the "Regional bonus" calculation for towns sending students to regional schools or paying high school tuition. The bill's primary mechanism creates a 13-member working group (including school officials, teachers, students, and community representatives) to study the state's equalization aid formula and recommend improvements for equity and fiscal soundness. This group will examine how state education funding is distributed, aiming to address disparities between school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the working group established immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows homeowners to rent up to three bedrooms in their single-family home for six months or longer without needing special municipal approval. It directly affects single-family homeowners (who can rent bedrooms without permits) and municipalities (which can no longer ban such rentals through zoning rules). The key mechanism amends zoning laws to prohibit local bans on this rental type, making it "as of right" (meaning no special permit is required). This applies only to owner-occupants living in the home, not absentee landlords.