Sen. Julie Kushner

Maddy summarySB 12 establishes a working group to study state and local barriers (like zoning and building codes) preventing the construction of affordable single-family starter homes. It also creates a new funding incentive: school districts in municipalities meeting specific affordable housing thresholds (6-10%) will receive increased state grant money for school projects (5-20% higher, depending on the threshold). Additionally, the bill authorizes $50 million in state bonds to fund a four-year pilot program for construction projects that create jobs in affordable housing development, requiring union pension fund co-investment, project labor agreements, and workforce training. The law directly affects municipalities (via housing thresholds), school districts (via grant eligibility), and housing developers (via funding access).

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 summaryHB 6263 requires Connecticut's Departments of Administrative Services, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Transportation to replace gas-powered landscaping equipment (like leaf blowers and mowers) with equivalent electric models for state property maintenance. Starting September 1, 2027, agencies must purchase or lease electric equipment when gas-powered machines reach the end of their useful life and electric alternatives work just as well. By September 1, 2029, these departments must also require contractors performing state landscaping work to use electric equipment if functionally equivalent options exist. Exceptions allow continued use of gas-powered equipment for emergencies, fire management, forest/riparian area maintenance, or public safety operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program for overdose prevention centers in four Connecticut municipalities. These centers would allow people with substance use disorders to safely consume drugs under medical supervision while receiving counseling, drug testing strips, referrals to treatment, and basic services like showers. Municipalities must approve locations, and centers must employ licensed health providers who cannot face disciplinary action for participating. The program includes an advisory committee to address operational issues like needle disposal and legal protections for staff and participants.

Maddy summaryHB 5111 requires mobile manufactured home park owners in Connecticut to create and publicly post an itemized list of all "ancillary fees" (such as maintenance or service fees not included in rent) by October 1, 2025. Park owners must update this list regularly and display it on their website and within the park. The bill also mandates that park owners provide residents with a plain-language disclosure statement summarizing their rights and obligations under the law, developed by the Department of Consumer Protection. This directly affects park owners (who must comply with transparency requirements) and residents (who gain clearer information about fees and their rights). The law aims to increase transparency in mobile home park billing practices.

Maddy summaryHB 7077 requires Connecticut public schools to replace one quarterly fire drill with a standardized crisis response drill starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates the state Department of Emergency Services to develop a clear definition, standardized terminology, trauma-informed response protocols, and an evaluation template for these drills by April 2026. It specifically prohibits active shooter simulations with sensory elements (like fake weapons or blood) during student drills, requires age-appropriate pre-drill education, advance parent notification in their native language, and ensures accommodations for students with disabilities. The law also requires schools to prioritize psychological safety through mental health professional involvement and post-drill debriefings.

Maddy summarySB 1236 exempts certain solar installation and maintenance work from standard electrical licensing requirements in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects solar contractors, installers, and workers performing specific solar-related tasks, such as mounting racks, installing panels, and setting ground supports. The bill creates a new exemption (section 17) allowing licensed solar contractors and their employees to handle uncrating, hoisting, placement, and anchoring of solar equipment without full electrical licensing. This streamlines the process for small-scale residential solar installations by removing licensing barriers for defined installation activities. The change applies only to work limited to these specific solar tasks, not broader electrical work.

Maddy summaryHB 6517 requires all Connecticut employers (including state/local government and private businesses) to disclose the wage range and benefits description for every job opening in both public and internal job postings. It prohibits employers from asking about a job applicant’s salary history and bans retaliation against employees who discuss or inquire about pay. The law applies to all positions performed within Connecticut and takes effect October 1, 2025. Employers must provide wage ranges to applicants upon request or before salary discussions, and to current employees upon hire, role changes, or annual updates.

Maddy summarySB 806 expands Medicaid coverage to include specific emergency medical conditions, such as high-risk pregnancy, Type 1 diabetes emergencies in minors, severe hypertension, unstable seizures, and acute psychiatric treatment. It directly affects individuals with these qualifying conditions who previously might not have received emergency Medicaid coverage for outpatient care. The bill requires the state to create an online application system by July 2026 for advance eligibility for outpatient emergency treatment, replacing emergency room visits where possible. This change aligns with federal Medicaid rules and aims to improve access to timely care for these critical health issues.

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.