Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens dam safety regulations by giving the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection the authority to immediately act on dams that pose an imminent threat to public safety or the environment. Under the new rules, the commissioner can enter private property to inspect structures, hire experts to assess risks, and issue emergency orders to owners without waiting for a prior hearing to stop dangerous conditions. If a dam owner fails to comply with these emergency orders, they become financially liable for all investigation and repair costs, plus an additional penalty equal to twice those costs. The legislation also updates penalty provisions to allow for quicker legal action against violations that endanger lives or property.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.
Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 5058, adopts the Nurse Licensure Compact into Connecticut law to allow nurses to hold a single license that permits them to practice in any other state that has also joined the agreement. Starting in October 2025, the state will issue multistate licenses to qualified nurses, eliminating the need to apply for separate permits in each neighboring jurisdiction. The agreement establishes a system where nurses must meet uniform standards and allows state boards to share information about disciplinary actions or investigations to protect public safety. While the bill simplifies the process for nurses to work across state lines, it also ensures that any violations of nursing laws in one participating state can be enforced by the boards in all other member states.
Maddy summarySB 333 repeals a state law that currently prevents local governments from changing specific rules in their municipal charters. The bill allows municipalities to amend their charters to adjust how citizens file petitions to challenge planning or zoning decisions, including changes to signature counts and residency requirements. It also permits local governments to modify vote thresholds and public notice procedures related to eminent domain and the sale of municipal property. This change directly affects local legislative bodies and zoning boards by giving them more flexibility to update their internal processes without needing separate state legislation.
Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states with a single license. The agreement creates a shared data system to track licensure and disciplinary records, ensuring that professionals can move between states without needing separate permits for each location. It also establishes rules for holding social workers accountable in the state where their clients are located and includes provisions to support military families and facilitate telehealth services.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut law to allow specific agencies to access records of juvenile delinquency cases when evaluating firearm transfers to individuals under the age of 21. It expands access to these records for a wide range of officials, including law enforcement, school administrators, and state agencies, to comply with federal requirements aimed at preventing gun sales to minors. The legislation clarifies exactly which employees and authorized agents can view these files and limits the information shared to only what is necessary for the evaluation process. While the bill does not create new background check categories, it ensures that existing juvenile records are available to help determine if a minor should be allowed to receive a firearm.