Sen. John Kissel

Maddy summarySB 391 requires the Commissioner of Correction to arrange breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for women in state custody at licensed healthcare facilities closer to their correctional facility than the University of Connecticut Health Center. The bill specifically allows for on-site mammograms when possible, but if unavailable, permits arranging services at nearer facilities instead of defaulting to UConn Health Center. This applies to all women committed to correctional custody and takes effect July 1, 2026. The law directly expands access to timely breast cancer care by prioritizing proximity to correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 5349 establishes a 10-member task force to study the operations of the Department of Consumer Protection. The task force includes representatives from both legislative chambers (appointed by leadership), the Department Commissioner, and two gubernatorial appointees. It must submit a final report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations about the department's functioning. This bill does not change existing laws or regulations but creates a formal process for evaluating the department's operations.

Maddy summarySB 277 updates fire marshal qualifications by requiring certification and specific experience in fire safety, prevention, or hazardous materials response for local fire marshals and inspectors. It mandates the State Fire Marshal to publish official interpretations of the Fire Safety Code and requires the Department of Public Health to annually report on burn injuries, fireworks/explosives injuries, and related deaths using existing death certificate and hospital data. The bill also revises building code standards to ensure polling places meet accessibility requirements and sets specific vertical clearance rules for public parking garages.

Maddy summarySB 247 limits state agency payments to employees resigning or retiring, capping amounts over $50,000 unless tied to specific exceptions like disciplinary leave or collective bargaining. It prohibits agreements that restrict employees from reporting misconduct or sharing information under existing whistleblower laws. For state colleges and universities, the bill requires foundations to include elected student and faculty members as nonvoting board members, with student/faculty elections managed by institutional boards. The law directly affects state agencies, public colleges, and employees covered by these payment and foundation rules, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5323 requires school-based health centers in Connecticut to use evidence-based screening tools for disordered eating behaviors during annual health assessments for students in grades 9-12, starting January 1, 2028. The bill also creates two new groups: a task force to develop recommendations for identifying and treating disordered eating in children, and a Holistic Food Education Working Group to create a state-wide food education roadmap and nutrition curriculum. Both groups include representatives from education, health, advocacy, and school organizations. The screening is optional for students or their parents/guardians, and the task force must report by January 1, 2028. The bill directly affects schools, health centers, and students in grades 9-12 through these new requirements and planning efforts.

Maddy summarySB 367 establishes a working group to study roadside safety for wreckers and towing professionals. The group, including state safety committee leaders, emergency services and transportation commissioners, and a towing industry representative, will evaluate issues like vehicle lighting standards and worker protection methods. It must submit findings and recommendations to the relevant committee by January 1, 2027. This procedural bill does not create new laws but directs a study to inform future safety policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new consumer protections for long-term care insurance policies in Connecticut, affecting insurance companies, policyholders, and state agencies. It requires the Office of Policy and Management to create an outreach program educating consumers about long-term care options, financing, and asset protection rules. The bill mandates that insurance policies must offer home and community-based services, include inflation protection, and cannot tie executive compensation to rate increases. Additionally, insurers must maintain a minimum 60% loss ratio, and any premium increases of 20% or more must be spread over at least three years.

Maddy summaryHB 5222 clarifies and strengthens the Department of Consumer Protection's authority to investigate and enforce consumer protection laws. It specifically amends statutes to explicitly grant the Department and its board the power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, compel testimony, and request documents during investigations. The bill also establishes immunity for staff acting in good faith and requires the state to cover legal costs for such actions. Additionally, it details enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to issue orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties up to $50,000 for violations of consumer protection statutes. The bill does not affect professional licensing fees or architecture regulations, which appear to be misplaced in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 requires individual health insurance policies in Connecticut that cover chemotherapy to also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used to prevent hair loss during treatment. This applies to policies delivered, renewed, or continued on or after January 1, 2027, and mandates coverage "at least equivalent to such coverage provided under Medicare." The bill specifically targets policies covering certain chemotherapy-related treatments, directly affecting patients receiving chemotherapy who may use scalp cooling systems. It does not apply to group plans or other insurance types, focusing solely on individual health insurance policies meeting the specified coverage criteria.

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.