Sen. Christine Cohen

Maddy summaryHB 6916 bans the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on most public and private turf (like golf courses, lawns, and municipal properties) and for corn, wheat, and soybean crops starting January 1, 2028. It also prohibits selling or distributing neonicotinoid-treated agricultural seeds for these crops after January 1, 2029, unless a waiver is granted. The bill allows temporary exceptions for environmental emergencies (approved by the Environmental Protection Commissioner) and requires farmers seeking waivers for seed treatments to undergo pest risk assessments, complete integrated pest management training, and prove less harmful alternatives aren't feasible. These provisions directly affect property managers, municipalities, and farmers in Connecticut.

Maddy summarySB 991 caps annual rent increases in mobile manufactured home parks at 1% plus the prior year's change in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers. This bill directly affects residents living in mobile home parks and their landlords by limiting how much rents can rise each year. The key mechanism sets a specific formula for rent adjustments, preventing sudden or excessive increases tied to inflation. The legislation aims to provide greater housing cost stability for mobile home park residents.

Maddy summarySB 763 (2025) allows municipalities to create local committees that oversee and regulate rents, fees, and charges in mobile home parks. This bill directly affects mobile home park residents and operators by giving cities or towns the authority to establish oversight mechanisms. The key provision amends state law to permit local governments to set rules for park fees and rent increases, rather than establishing specific limits. It does not set new rent caps but enables municipalities to develop their own regulatory frameworks. The bill is procedural, focusing on enabling local oversight rather than implementing specific rates or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 6707 requires state agencies issuing bids for transportation construction projects (like roads or bridges) to include three specific, detailed criteria in their invitations to bid. These criteria must specify the required bidder experience matching the project scope, project-specific bonding thresholds (financial guarantees), and proof that bidders have the necessary supplies, materials, and equipment. The bill directly affects state transportation departments and contractors bidding on public infrastructure projects by mandating objective, transparent evaluation standards. This change aims to ensure bids are assessed fairly based on clear, project-relevant requirements rather than vague criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 6322 eliminates outdated requirements in Connecticut law that mandated registrars of voters to hold in-person sessions at their offices before elections to examine voter qualifications and admit qualified voters. This bill directly affects local election officials (registrars of voters) by removing a redundant procedural step that no longer aligns with current election practices. The key mechanism is amending Title 9 of the general statutes to delete obsolete provisions related to these pre-election sessions. The change streamlines election administration without altering voter eligibility rules or registration processes.

Maddy summarySB 1130 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally misrepresent a dog as a service animal to gain accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including outfitting untrained dogs with service animal gear. It directly affects individuals who falsely claim their pets are service animals to access public spaces, businesses, or other accommodations. The key provision imposes criminal penalties for this specific fraudulent behavior, targeting the use of service animal gear without proper training or certification. The bill aims to protect genuine service animal users by preserving the integrity of ADA protections and preventing disruptions or safety risks caused by unqualified animals.

Maddy summaryHB 5888 requires the state Department of Education to review and distribute "Trust Talk for Teens" educational lesson plans developed by the Ethan Miller Song Foundation to all local and regional school boards. The bill directs schools to incorporate these specific lesson plans into required instruction under "Ethan's Law." It does not create new requirements for schools but mandates the distribution of existing, reviewed materials focused on teen trust-building. This procedural bill directly affects public schools by adding a specific resource to their mandated curriculum.

Maddy summaryHB 5831 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to Connecticut's Department of Social Services for the Nutrition Assistance Program in fiscal year 2026, with a 15% annual increase thereafter. The bill amends existing law to allow soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters to charge a handling fee of up to five cents per pound (instead of being required to pay it) to cover costs through the Connecticut Food Bank. This funding directly supports the supplemental nutrition commodities program serving low-income residents. The key change simplifies cost recovery for food assistance providers while increasing state funding for the program.

Maddy summaryHB 6145 requires health insurance companies to annually certify compliance with state and federal laws ensuring mental health and substance use disorder benefits are covered equally to physical health care. It repeals rules that previously kept insurer names confidential in compliance filings, increasing transparency. The bill creates a new state fund (the "parity advancement account") to support enforcement and public education about parity rights, and authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to impose civil penalties on companies violating these laws. This directly affects insurance providers and their customers seeking mental health or substance use treatment.

Maddy summarySB 1067 requires emergency room physicians and emergency medical personnel to follow patient-specific emergency health care protocols developed by a patient's regular physician during medical emergencies. It directly affects individuals with rare diseases or special health care needs by ensuring emergency providers use personalized care plans instead of standard protocols. The key provision mandates that these protocols, created by the patient's treating physician, must be followed by emergency staff when addressing acute health crises. The bill aims to improve medical outcomes and safety for these patients by aligning emergency care with their unique health needs, as stated in its purpose.