Sen. Saud Anwar

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definition of intellectual disability used by the Department of Developmental Services to align with the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual, which will affect eligibility for state-administered services starting July 1, 2026. It includes a protection clause ensuring that people currently receiving services will not lose benefits or face reduced services due to changes in eligibility criteria resulting from this definition update. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Developmental Services to review and potentially adjust eligibility criteria by December 1, 2026, after consulting with stakeholders and studying best practices from other states. A report detailing recommendations, expected impacts on eligible populations, and associated costs must be submitted to the General Assembly committees overseeing human services and appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 5354 limits how Connecticut can audit Medicaid pharmacies by prohibiting the use of data extrapolation for minor clerical errors in audits. It requires the state to confirm notices to pharmacies about billing and maintain a real-time database of approved drugs on the preferred drug list. Pharmacies can challenge disputed reimbursements through a new grievance process starting October 2026, allowing them to present cost evidence. The bill directly affects pharmacies participating in Connecticut's Medicaid program and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5385 requires the Workers' Compensation Commission to study why police officers and firefighters face delays in their workers' compensation claims. The study must examine specific causes, including administrative processing, medical provider scheduling issues, and insurer authorization requirements. The Commission must complete this study and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to identify potential solutions for reducing delays. This bill does not change existing claim procedures but aims to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut school health regulations to allow trained school personnel to administer opioid overdose reversal medication to students experiencing an opioid-related overdose without prior written authorization. The legislation requires the State Board of Education to establish specific conditions and procedures for storing and administering these medications, similar to existing rules for epinephrine in allergic reaction emergencies. School staff must complete annual training to administer the medication, and the rules apply to both intramural and interscholastic athletics settings. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to ensure students have access to life-saving treatment during opioid overdoses at school.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator within the Office of Policy and Management to oversee state efforts to prevent human trafficking. The coordinator will work with various state agencies and law enforcement to develop prevention strategies, create a confidential database for reporting trafficking incidents, and maintain a directory of victim service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the coordinator to develop training programs for state agencies, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on identifying and responding to trafficking cases. A Trafficking in Persons Council will also be updated to include the new coordinator and representatives from multiple state departments to coordinate statewide response activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services handles abuse and neglect investigations by changing who can access investigation reports and requiring more frequent public reporting. It restricts access to original abuse reports and investigator findings, allowing them to be shared with parents or legal representatives of victims unless they are suspected of being the perpetrator or living with one. The bill also mandates quarterly reports on investigation statistics, including complaint numbers, investigation outcomes, and response times, which must be posted online and submitted to state committees. Additionally, it requires the department to review and update its investigation policies every quarter and improve background check procedures for staff and service providers.

Maddy summarySB 148 clarifies the process for closing shellfish harvesting areas due to contamination or pollution. It requires the department to establish exact boundaries for closed areas and ensure closures take effect only after publishing notices in local newspapers, filing documents with town clerks and health directors, posting signs at the site, and updating the department’s website. The bill also specifies that during a health emergency, the Commissioner of Agriculture can immediately close affected areas by notifying health authorities and publishing a public notice. This directly affects shellfish harvesters, coastal communities, and health departments by standardizing how closure information is communicated. The bill repeals outdated language in existing statutes to modernize the notification system.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts most Connecticut hospitals from selling and leasing back their main campus property (a "sale-leaseback") after October 1, 2026, except for hospitals in financial distress that obtain board approval and notify the state health commissioner and attorney general. It requires all hospitals to annually submit a written attestation confirming no private equity firm controls the hospital or interferes with clinical decisions, such as patient care timing, discharge policies, or medical diagnoses. The attestation must cover specific areas like emergency department triage, patient discharge decisions, and medical record entries. Hospitals must use a standard form developed by the state health commissioner to comply.

Maddy summarySB 9 provides a tax credit for Connecticut businesses with 100 or more employees in federally designated "severe nonattainment" air quality areas (as defined by the Clean Air Act). The credit covers 50% of eligible spending on commuting programs that reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips, including public transportation, carpooling, or microtransit services, up to $250 per employee annually, with a total annual cap of $1.5 million. Businesses must submit a plan to the state transportation department detailing how they will implement these programs to qualify for the credit.

Maddy summarySB 4 establishes a data broker registration system in Connecticut, requiring businesses that sell or license personal data to register with the Department of Consumer Protection by October 1, 2026. It directly affects data brokers (businesses collecting and selling personal data) and Connecticut consumers, who gain new rights to request data deletion. Key provisions include mandatory $600 annual registration fees, a requirement for data brokers to provide an "accessible deletion mechanism" for consumer requests, and definitions clarifying terms like "brokered personal data." The law aims to increase transparency and control over personal data handling while imposing specific compliance obligations on data brokers.