Sen. Pat Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-level civil rights enforcement mechanism allowing Connecticut residents to sue individuals or entities, including government officials, for depriving them of constitutional rights. It creates a new cause of action similar to federal civil rights laws, permitting courts to award damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief when violations are proven. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to investigate and intervene in cases involving civil rights violations, seek civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and accept assurances that unlawful practices will stop. Additionally, it clarifies that these actions do not waive sovereign immunity and maintains existing rights to file complaints with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

Maddy summarySB 342 requires health insurers and health care providers to use consistent reimbursement rates for outpatient services, regardless of where care is delivered (e.g., office, hospital, or telehealth) or the provider's affiliation. It prohibits insurers from automatically downcoding claims using algorithms without clinical review by a qualified peer. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for similar services within the same geographic area and includes a requirement for contracts to clearly state compliance with these rules. These changes directly affect insurers, hospitals, and clinics by standardizing payment practices for covered outpatient benefits starting July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires providers offering sales-based commercial financing (repayments tied to a business's sales/revenue) to disclose four specific details to recipients: the total financing amount, disbursement amount (excluding finance charges), finance charge, and an estimated annual percentage rate (APR) based on projected sales. This applies to financing under $250,000 not intended for personal use, directly affecting small businesses and the providers (like brokers or non-bank lenders) offering this financing. The APR must be calculated using either historical sales data or an opt-in method, with providers notifying the Banking Commissioner of their chosen method. Banks, credit unions, and certain large lenders are exempt from these requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 300 creates a new exemption from debt collection for funds in joint bank accounts where a person has no legal ownership interest (equitable interest). Specifically, it adds a provision protecting "any part of the balance of an account deemed a joint account" if the debtor lacks equitable interest in it. This directly affects individuals who co-own accounts with others (e.g., a spouse or family member) but did not incur the debt. The exemption applies to funds in such accounts, preventing creditors from seizing those specific amounts during collection efforts. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 256 requires private equity entities (firms that pool investment capital to buy residential properties) to wait 75 days after a single-family or two-family home is listed for public sale before purchasing it. The bill mandates that if the listing price changes, the 75-day clock restarts. Private equity buyers must also provide written notice confirming the waiting period was observed. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $250,000, enforced by the Attorney General. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 325 prohibits public agencies from disclosing the residential address of public school teachers (those holding a professional educator certificate) under the Freedom of Information Act, effective October 1, 2026. It also establishes a task force to study how public agencies handle mass information requests generated using artificial intelligence and to recommend legal changes if needed. The task force, composed of appointed members including government officials, open government experts, and AI specialists, must submit a report by January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects public school teachers by adding their home addresses to a list of protected personal information under FOIA, while the task force focuses on addressing AI-driven request patterns.

Maddy summarySB 373 would allow volunteer firefighters, volunteer fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members in Connecticut to deduct stipends they receive for their service from their state personal income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to add these stipends as a deductible expense, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects individuals who serve on volunteer emergency response teams and receive monetary stipends for their work. The provision aligns with existing tax deductions for certain income types but specifically targets volunteer emergency service compensation. It does not change federal tax treatment of these stipends.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded bridge program designed to help vulnerable individuals maintain access to food, housing, and healthcare benefits while they transition through changes in federal work requirements. The program would target veterans, homeless persons, adults with autism, foster care aging out, and older adults at risk of losing Medicaid or nutrition assistance, requiring state agencies to develop a plan by October 2026. Key provisions include supplementing existing job support programs, providing temporary state-funded assistance equivalent to current benefits, recommending long-term housing solutions, and documenting employability for potential federal waivers. The plan must be submitted to legislative committees by January 2027 along with funding estimates and implementation timelines.

Maddy summarySB 260 prohibits dog owners from allowing dogs to roam freely on others' property or public highways without control (except during hunting season), directly affecting dog owners and keepers. It imposes escalating penalties: $350 for a first violation, $500 for subsequent violations, and a class C misdemeanor for a third violation within a year. The bill also specifies that owners who knowingly let a dangerous dog roam and cause injury face fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. Key mechanisms include requiring owner control, establishing prima facie evidence for violations, and enabling animal control officers to seek court injunctions.

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.