Sen. Christine Cohen

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 summarySB 774 requires car dealers in Connecticut to include all fees (federal tax, delivery, preparation, and dealer conveyance/processing fees) in advertised vehicle prices. Dealers must clearly state in bold type that state/local taxes and registration fees are excluded, and separately list the exact amount of any dealer conveyance fee. This applies to all new and used car sales, affecting both dealers (who must comply with pricing transparency rules) and consumers (who see clearer, all-in pricing). The bill also mandates specific details on sales documents, including deposit terms and guarantee statements, in ten-point bold type. It takes effect October 1, 2025, with minimal expected state revenue impact.

Maddy summarySB 1150 waives the standard renewal fees for driver's licenses and identity cards for veterans. Veterans with documented veteran status on their current license can renew without paying the typical fee (e.g., $96 for an 8-year license). If a veteran applies for renewal more than six months before expiration, they receive a voucher for a free renewal during that six-month window. This policy directly affects veterans who are current license holders and need to renew, while non-veterans continue to pay standard fees.

Maddy summaryHB 7021 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Commodities Assistance Program, effective July 2025. The program funds Connecticut Foodshare (formerly the Connecticut Food Bank) to buy bulk nutritious food in-state and distribute it free to soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. It requires at least 15% of annual funds to purchase produce from Connecticut farmers and mandates a 3% annual funding increase starting July 2026. The bill allows, but does not require, these organizations to charge a 5-cent-per-pound handling fee to cover distribution costs.

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 summaryHB 6920 requires emergency medical providers - including emergency department physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and emergency medical services personnel - to follow patient-specific emergency care protocols for individuals with rare diseases or special health care needs. These protocols must be developed by the patient’s regular physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse and provided to the emergency provider by the patient or their parent, guardian, caregiver, or legal representative. The law applies to all relevant emergency care settings and takes effect on October 1, 2025. It has no anticipated fiscal impact, as it mandates adherence to existing patient-specific plans rather than creating new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 732 requires Connecticut's Water Planning Council to amend the state water plan to explicitly address climate change impacts. The bill mandates the council to consider climate effects on water availability, recommend infrastructure upgrades for climate resiliency, and develop strategies for extreme weather events. It also adds public input requirements, including a 120-day review period and public hearings, before finalizing the plan. The amendment directly affects the Water Planning Council, state environmental agencies, and future water management decisions across Connecticut. This is a substantive policy change to integrate climate science into water resource planning.

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 568 establishes a state task force to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing preventable illnesses and deaths caused by venous thromboembolism (VTE), a condition involving dangerous blood clots. The task force will coordinate with health experts and stakeholders to create a statewide strategy, though the bill itself does not implement new regulations or funding. This procedural bill affects all residents by setting up a process to address VTE, which contributes significantly to hospital complications and mortality. The bill’s focus is solely on developing the plan, not on mandating specific actions.

Maddy summarySB 803 modifies regulations for outpatient substance abuse treatment providers who accept Medicaid funding. It eliminates a current requirement that providers maintain on-site medical staff 24 hours a day, instead allowing them to have staff during business hours with remote peer support and after-hours access to medical consultation. This change directly affects Medicaid-funded outpatient treatment providers and aims to expand patient access by reducing operational barriers. The bill focuses on concrete regulatory adjustments without altering eligibility or funding levels.