Sen. Jason Perillo

Maddy summaryHB 5368 requires Connecticut's Insurance Department to study automobile liability insurance laws in neighboring states, focusing on coverage practices and methods to lower premiums. The study must evaluate how other states handle these issues, and the department must submit its findings to the relevant legislative committee. This bill does not change existing insurance laws but mandates a review to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5357 repeals the "Passport to the Parks" program, which previously required an additional fee for access to Connecticut state parks. It shifts funding for state parks from this dedicated program to the General Fund, eliminating the separate park access fee. This change aims to reduce motor vehicle licensing fees while making park funding more transparent. The bill directly affects all visitors to Connecticut state parks by removing the additional fee required under the repealed program.

Maddy summaryHB 5373 repeals a requirement that state government vehicle fleets transition to electric vehicles, as established in Public Act 2022-25. This bill directly affects state agencies and departments that operate vehicle fleets by removing the mandate for electrification. The key provision simply eliminates the existing requirement, with the stated purpose of reducing demand on the electric grid. No new requirements or funding are introduced; the bill only reverses the prior mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 5352 would prohibit students identified as biological males from competing on public school female-only athletic teams or using female-only locker rooms and facilities in interscholastic and intramural sports. The bill directly affects transgender and gender-diverse students in public schools who are assigned male at birth but participate in girls' sports or access girls' facilities. It amends state law to require schools to restrict participation and facility access based on biological sex, specifically for athletic teams and locker rooms designated for females. The policy change applies to all public school athletic programs and facilities covered under the state's education statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 5355 creates a standardized process for setting and adjusting special education tuition costs paid by local school districts. It requires the Department of Education to base costs on each provider's current and prior year budgets, set uniform rates across student placements (except for customized services), and cap annual increases to the current cost plus a budget-reviewed adjustment. For-profit providers must include a predetermined profit margin in their costs. The bill directly affects school districts funding special education, special education providers (public and private), and the Department of Education, which must post all set costs online. The stated purpose is to reduce local costs through a transparent, capped tuition system.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting election-related crimes by allowing authorities to pursue cases for six months after the State Elections Enforcement Commission refers evidence to prosecutors, whichever deadline is later. It applies to offenses involving violations of election laws and takes effect on October 1, 2024, covering both future crimes and certain past cases where the original prosecution window had not yet closed. The change ensures that referrals made after April 1, 2024, do not expire prematurely, giving law enforcement a defined period to act on new information.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates laws regarding how drivers must behave when passing school buses and introduces new technology to enforce these rules. It requires all vehicles to stop at least ten feet away from a school bus with flashing red lights, while allowing traffic on divided highways to proceed without stopping. The legislation also permits municipalities and school districts to install digital camera systems on school buses that automatically record and report violations to police. If a violation is detected, the system can trigger a fine of $250, and the bill outlines how these fines can be used to pay for the monitoring equipment and services. Additionally, the law mandates that these cameras only record license plates to protect the privacy of passengers and other people nearby.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals who intentionally injure or kill police animals or dogs in volunteer search and rescue teams to pay financial restitution. The law mandates that these payments cover veterinary costs for injuries and the expenses of purchasing and training a replacement animal if the original one is unable to work. Anyone found guilty of harming these working dogs faces felony charges, potential fines or imprisonment, and the obligation to reimburse the owning unit or individual. The financial penalties are designed to ensure that the costs of replacing injured or killed service animals are borne by the person responsible for the harm.

Maddy summaryHB 5491 establishes a new property tax exemption for Connecticut veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill allows these veterans to exempt their primary residence from taxation, or if they lack a home, one motor vehicle garaged in the state. To qualify, veterans must submit proof of their disability rating to their local town assessor, with retroactive refunds available for up to three years if they missed the initial filing deadline. Additionally, the act modifies an existing lower-level disability exemption, increasing the property value threshold for veterans with non-permanent-and-total disabilities and adjusting amounts based on age and disability severity.