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Yes: 390 • No: 607
ConnecticutSB 002982026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING THE REALLOCATION OF CERTAIN STATE FUNDS AND VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, GENERAL GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES AND WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS.
Sponsored By: Martin M. Looney (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
44 provisions identified: 31 benefits, 3 costs, 10 mixed.
Stronger pension protections for municipal workers
Municipalities must count temporary total and partial disability benefits as wages when calculating pensions, but the total used cannot exceed 100% of your pre‑injury wages. This does not apply to the municipal employees plan in part II of chapter 113 and does not change collective bargaining agreements in place before July 1, 2026. Also, if you are a municipal retiree, your pension rights cannot be reduced because you received permanent partial disability benefits on or after July 1, 2026.
More school mental health in five towns
Newington, Wethersfield, Cromwell, Rocky Hill, and Middletown schools get $1.5 million in FY2026 and $1.0 million in FY2027 for high‑acuity, school‑based mental health. Services must include in‑person therapy by master’s‑level clinicians and clinical support to avoid out‑of‑district placements. Providers must be designated as outpatient psychiatric clinics for children and be able to bill Medicaid or commercial insurance.
$750,000 yearly for teacher residencies
For FY2026 and FY2027, the Capitol Region Education Council receives $750,000 each year for a teacher residency program. This supports training and hiring new teachers in the region.
Stronger protections from warehouse quotas
Starting July 1, 2026, covered warehouse employers must give you a written description of every quota. Current workers get it by August 1, 2026; new hires get it at hire. If a quota changes, your employer must give written notice within two business days. Employers cannot set quotas that block meal breaks, reasonable bathroom use, or rely only on ranking workers. They also cannot punish you for missing an illegal or undisclosed quota. If you ask for your work speed data or sue under this law, the employer cannot retaliate. Any adverse action within 90 days is presumed to be retaliation unless the employer proves otherwise.
Tighter suspension rules and learning support
From July 1, 2026, suspensions are in‑school by default. Out‑of‑school suspension is limited to danger or severe disruption. For grades 3–12, it cannot exceed 10 school days. For preschool–grade 2, it cannot exceed 5 school days and must include trauma‑informed, age‑appropriate services when the child returns. Schools must offer alternative education to expelled students under age 16, and to many 16–18‑year‑olds who want to continue. Schools must notify parents the same day if a child is restrained or secluded and should try to notify them right away.
Higher rates for ICF disability facilities
Intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities get set percentage increases. For FY ending June 30, 2026, rates use 2024 cost reports and are 3.4% higher than the calculated rate. For FY ending June 30, 2027, rates are 5.8% higher than the prior year. For FY ending June 30, 2028, rates are 6.3% higher than the prior year, and effective Jan. 1, 2028, rates are 6.3% higher than period ending Dec. 31, 2027. Some increases depend on available appropriations.
Longer early voting and more sites
Early voting now runs 15 days before regular elections and ends 2 days before. Most primaries run 8 days before to 2 days before. Special elections and presidential preference primaries generally run 5 days before to 2 days before. Towns can add same‑day registration sites with state approval. Registrars must certify early voting locations, and same‑day registration is available there.
School construction grants and deadlines
The law expands help for several school building projects. Windham can use a 95% reimbursement rate for its high school renovation. Stamford’s Roxbury Elementary project is eligible for state grant consideration for up to $130 million. New London can get 95% of an approved cost increase up to $10 million if approved by July 1, 2025. Fairfield can be reimbursed up to $600,000 for certain Mill Hill costs. Cheshire can get reimbursement for lease‑purchase energy and infrastructure projects. Middlefield Memorial is added for grant consideration (up to $76.13 million), may be treated as a renovation, and can get up to $2 million for swing-space costs. Hartford has until June 30, 2028 to start six named projects.
Child support holds and jail-time pause
If a parent owes $500 or more in IV-D child support, the state can tell banks, agencies, judgment holders, or retirement plans to hold money. They must stop payments or distributions until they get new instructions. In IV-D cases, when an obligor is jailed or institutionalized over 90 days, a support officer can file to set current support to $0 from the filing date. The officer must give the custodial parent 15 days’ notice. If the custodial parent objects within 15 days, a court hearing is held.
Required student health assessments for school
Starting July 1, 2026, local boards must require student health assessments to identify disabilities and needed school supports. Licensed doctors, APRNs, RNs, PAs, school medical advisors, or certain military practitioners may do them. Parents get written notice and can be present; if not, another school employee must attend. Boards may deny continued attendance if a required assessment is not obtained.
Warehouse workers get data rights, enforcement
Starting July 1, 2026, large warehouse employers (250+ at one site or 1,000+ statewide) must define quotas and keep true and accurate work‑speed records for three years. If you think a quota causes a legal violation, you can ask for the quota, your last 90 days of work‑speed data, and similar workers’ aggregated data. Employers must provide it in 10 calendar days, in English and your main language. Workers and the Attorney General can sue for violations. Courts can order $1,000 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second, and $3,000 for each later violation, plus attorney’s fees.
Racial imbalance actions delayed to 2030
The State Board of Education delays formal racial‑imbalance notices until July 1, 2030. Corrective plans are due by July 1, 2030 and may focus on a single school. Districts can request extra time when fewer than five students cause the imbalance. The State Board will not act on plans it receives on or after July 1, 2024 until July 1, 2030.
More staff and tech for unemployment claims
For FY2026, the state provides $1.7 million to the Labor Department for staff and IT to run unemployment claims. This helps offset lower federal funds and supports better claims processing.
New neuromodulation care at UConn Health
UConn Health establishes a Center of Excellence for Neuromodulation Treatments. The center may partner with an in‑state hospital and provide neuromodulation treatments to disabled veterans.
$1.7 million for adult education
For FY2026, the state provides $1.7 million for adult education programs. This funding supports classes and services for adult learners.
Adult education funds carry into 2027
Unspent adult education funds from FY2026 remain available in FY2027. This keeps adult education programs funded into the next year.
Annual vision checks for young students
Starting July 1, 2026, schools must give annual vision screenings to each pupil in kindergarten and grades 1 and 3–5. Schools may also screen preschoolers and grade 2. Parents get written notice if a problem is found or if the pupil missed screening, with a recommendation for an eye doctor exam.
Bill of rights for multilingual families
Beginning July 1, 2026, parents and guardians of multilingual learners get a written bill of rights. Students can attend and enroll without immigration papers. Key meetings must include translation. Families get notice in their dominant language. Bilingual programs are required when 20 or more eligible students share the same non‑English dominant language.
Safer, trauma-informed school crisis drills
Starting July 1, 2026, the state will set clear crisis‑drill terms, guidance, and an evaluation template, and study drill impacts. Beginning with the school year that starts July 1, 2027, schools must follow trauma‑informed drill rules, notify students, staff, and parents a week ahead, and involve mental health staff. Students with disabilities must get accommodations. Student drills may not include active assailant simulations or highly violent sensory simulations.
Earlier notice of polling places, moderators
Registrars must certify each polling place to the Secretary at least 31 days before an election or primary, with contact details and districts served. They must also report each moderator’s name, address, and cell number (if available) at least 14 days before early voting. This gives the state and voters earlier, clearer notice.
Election integrity and same-day registration
The Secretary of the State can disqualify moderators for serious misconduct after consulting both registrars and must share findings. Registrars must test each voting tabulator at least one hour before polls open, including devices for voters with disabilities. If a moderator spot opens, registrars must appoint and train a new one and cannot pick people convicted of certain crimes. After elections, results go to the clerk within 48 hours; officials meet by 9 a.m. on day three and fix errors by 1 p.m. that day. Town clerks must file a consolidated return within 21 days, and the Secretary keeps it for at least 10 years. Same‑day registrants must appear by 8 p.m. (or during early voting hours). Students may use a current school photo ID. You can prove address with ID that shows it, a utility bill due within 30 days, or an elector’s sworn testimony.
Faster, clearer recounts in close races
The Secretary of the State can order registrars or moderators to fix problems during elections and audits, with orders taking effect at once and enforceable in court. If a discrepancy appears within three days, the moderator must summon officials and hold a recanvass by the fifth business day. An automatic recanvass happens when the margin is under 0.5% (and not more than 2,000 votes) or under 20 votes, unless waived. Party observers may attend, and moderators can remove people who disrupt the process. The review checks tabulators and all absentee and write-in ballots.
Fines up to $2,000 for election violations
The State Elections Enforcement Commission can fine up to $2,000 per offense for election law violations after a hearing. If payment is not made within 30 days of written notice, the superior court can order payment and costs. Some Treasurer‑related fines are deposited back into the affected trust funds.
Local grants for Hartford, VFW, nonprofits
Up to $2.5 million in FY2026 is available for outdoor recreation in Hartford. New London VFW receives a $174,000 grant via an agency transfer in FY2026. The Village Initiative Project gets a $70,000 grant, and Our Piece of the Pie receives $330,000 in FY2026.
Secure handling of early voting ballots
Clerks deliver early voting ballots to registrars between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on election day. Moderators must confirm zero counts before opening, record daily totals, lock machines nightly, and seal daily ballot containers for safe storage and delivery. Early voting totals are produced and reported on election day. Polling places must post sample ballots at least 48 hours before a primary, with instructions, date, and hours, plus voter rights and fraud notices.
Stronger voter privacy and oversight rules
Ballots from elections, primaries, and referendums are not public records, protecting ballot privacy. Misusing voter registration data for private or commercial purposes can bring civil penalties. The Secretary of the State can write rules on voter‑data use, can seek court rulings in the 90 days before an election when voters allege harm, and must get notice of key voting‑rights lawsuits. Municipal counsel must also report covered court orders or enforcement actions to the Secretary.
Tighter rules for same-day registration
Registrars must certify same‑day registration sites each year by February 15 and update changes within 7 days. They must appoint trained moderators and staff, and file plans if a registrar serves as moderator. Before admitting an applicant, registrars must check the statewide voter system; if another town reports the person already voted, the process stops and is reported. Same‑day ballots are sealed, stored like absentee ballots, and counted at the central location. Campaigning is banned within 75 feet of entrances to same‑day sites. Officials serving that day may not do partisan work or visit party headquarters before closing.
Stronger privacy for voter data
Voter lists now show only your birth year by default. Full birthdates are shared only for approved state uses like jury work. Voter data can be used only for elections, research, news, politics, or government work—not for ads, marketing, or harassment. Driver’s license, ID card, and Social Security numbers stay confidential. If safety is a concern, a sworn request can keep your name and address off public lists, while poll officials can still see them when needed at the polls.
Some health facility expansions skip CON
Certain expansions do not need a certificate of need for a limited time. Mental health facilities and state hospitals can add beds through June 30, 2026 if they meet payer and behavioral health rules. Birth centers enrolled in the state medical assistance program are exempt through June 30, 2028.
Simpler rules for 3–4 unit homes
The State Building and Fire Safety Codes must be changed after June 6, 2024 to encourage safe 3‑ and 4‑unit homes. The codes may allow a single exit stairway when safety features like sprinklers and fire separation are provided. The goal is more small, safe multi‑unit housing.
Civics Seal added to diplomas
Starting July 1, 2026, the state sets rules for the Connecticut State Seal of Civics. Students need two years of social science (one must be U.S. government or civics), a civic project, and proof of civics skill by test or portfolio. For classes graduating in 2027 and after, districts may affix the Seal to diplomas and must note it on transcripts.
Middlefield school project gets higher aid
The state increases the reimbursement percentage for the Middlefield Memorial School project in Regional District 13 by 15 percentage points. This raises the state share and lowers the local share for the full project.
More school choice in Madison–New Haven
For the school year starting July 1, 2026 and each year after, Madison may join the voluntary regional enrollment program with New Haven as both a sending and receiving district. This gives families in those towns more options.
More school data and budget transparency
Starting July 1, 2026, the state school data system tracks more student, teacher, and school data, and shares higher‑ed results when available. The State Board also provides curriculum materials on many topics, including Black studies, Latino studies, Native American studies, Asian American and Pacific Islander studies, financial literacy, labor history, and climate change. Local and regional boards must show two prior years’ original and actual line‑item amounts, plus current year original and current amounts, and consider 10‑day efficiency suggestions in writing. Regional meetings may be available online, and penalties apply for fraudulent multiple voting.
School safety drills and officer agreements
Starting July 1, 2026, schools must hold a fire drill within 30 days of the first school day and monthly after. Once every three months, a crisis response drill may replace a fire drill if it follows the law’s protocols and is developed with local police. Districts that use school resource officers must have a written agreement with law enforcement; by January 1, 2027, it must be posted online and updated at least every three years. Each year, districts must submit each school’s security and safety plan to the state and share non‑exempt parts with the school community on request.
New 5¢ monthly fee per phone line
Starting July 1, 2026, you pay $0.05 per month for each phone or data access line. Providers must notify subscribers by May 1, 2026 and send the money to the state each month for the firefighters cancer relief account. Prepaid wireless service is exempt.
TANF cash assistance funding cut
For FY2026, the state reduces funding for Temporary Family Assistance (TANF) by $3.4 million. Low‑income families who get TANF may see fewer supports due to this cut.
Party enrollment cutoff before primaries
Your party enrollment takes effect when you file. But if you file in person after noon on the last business day before a primary, or the registrar receives it after the 18th day before the primary, your enrollment starts after that primary. Late filers cannot use party enrollment for that primary.
Kindergarten age and early admission rules
Starting July 1, 2026, schools must admit children who turn five by September 1. A younger child may enter only if the district has an early‑admission policy, a parent asks in writing, and the principal and certified staff find the child is ready. Starting July 1, 2027, districts can no longer use early‑admission policies for children under five.
Candidate endorsements: strict deadlines, short fixes
Party convention endorsements for state or district office must reach the Secretary by 4:00 p.m. 14 days after the convention, or the endorsement is invalid. Municipal endorsements must occur 84–77 days before the primary, and certificates must arrive by 4:00 p.m. within 14 days. State convention candidacies must be filed by 4:00 p.m. within 14 days; petition candidacies are due 63 days before the primary. Minor parties must file nominations 62 days before the election with names, signatures, addresses, and office details. Timely filings with errors can be fixed in person by 4:00 p.m. on the 19th day after the convention or meeting, and minor‑party fixes are allowed up to 57 days before the election. Some failures, like a late filing by the presiding officer or a missing candidate signature, cannot be cured.
State approval and fixes for ballots
Town clerks must file official ballots for each district at least 10 days before early voting starts, and the Secretary must approve them before use. Municipalities must prepare and pay to print primary ballots. Absentee ballots require pre‑print filing, a public layout for inspection, and a filed sample with a sworn affidavit once printed; any corrections must be refiled. The Secretary can order reprints or other fixes when a ballot has errors or omissions.
Tighter rules to return absentee ballots
Your absentee ballot counts only if it is mailed by you, a designee for illness or disability, or an immediate family member of a student applicant, and arrives by poll closing. You may return it in person by the day before the election. A designee or family member who returns it must show ID and sign the envelope in front of the clerk with their address, relationship, and the time. If the inner envelope is not signed, officials must reject and log it. Some signed ballots from ineligible voters are rejected as absentee and treated as provisional for federal offices only.
Education funding shift and one repeal
A $200,000 Department of Education grant for Free Agent Now from FY2026 does not lapse and is available in FY2027 for the same purpose. Section 10‑234gg is repealed effective on passage. Anyone covered by that section no longer has rights or duties under it.
More school transparency and support funds
Regional boards with an education reserve fund must publish the balance, deposits, and spending each year starting in FY ending June 30, 2026. Total deposits are capped at 2% of the district’s annual budget. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, superintendents must give line‑item originals and actuals for the two prior years, and the original and current amounts for the year being planned. The State Education Resource Center gets state funds to train and assist schools. A state working group will issue antisemitism guidance for schools by Jan. 1, 2027.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Martin M. Looney
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Bob Duff
Democratic • Senate
Hilda E. Santiago
Democratic • House
Jason Rojas
Democratic • House
Matthew Ritter
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 9
Yes: 11 • No: 24
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Roll Call Vote 9 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION
Yes: 96 • No: 48
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Roll Call Vote 8 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD D
Yes: 47 • No: 97
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 7
Yes: 11 • No: 24
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 10
Yes: 11 • No: 24
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 6
Yes: 11 • No: 24
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Roll Call Vote 6 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD B
Yes: 47 • No: 97
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Roll Call Vote 5 HOUSE AMD A
Yes: 54 • No: 90
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 13
Yes: 25 • No: 10
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 12
Yes: 9 • No: 25
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 11
Yes: 11 • No: 24
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 8
Yes: 11 • No: 24
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Roll Call Vote 7 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD C
Yes: 46 • No: 96
Actions Timeline
Public Act 26-1
3/5/2026legislatureSigned by Governor in Original
3/3/2026legislatureLine Item Vetoed by the Governor, Section(s): 5A,6,7,11,12,13
3/3/2026legislatureRules Suspended, Transmitted to the Governor
2/27/2026legislatureIn Concurrence
2/26/2026legislatureHouse Passed
2/26/2026HouseHouse Rejected House Amendment Schedule D 2413
2/26/2026HouseHouse Rejected House Amendment Schedule C 2371
2/26/2026HouseHouse Rejected House Amendment Schedule B 2348
2/26/2026HouseHouse Rejected House Amendment Schedule A 2367
2/26/2026HouseImmediate Transmittal to the House
2/25/2026HouseSenate Passed
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule F 2297
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule E 2293
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule D 2258
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule C 2244
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule B 2242
2/25/2026SenateSenate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule A 2239
2/25/2026SenateEmergency Certification
2/24/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-1
2/27/2026
New Bill
2/24/2026
Bill Analysis for SB-298
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2239 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2241 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2242 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2243 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2244 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2258 (Eliminates Cost In Bill)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2261 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2262 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2263 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2293 (Potential Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2295 (Revenue Loss)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2297 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2299 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2345 (Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2347 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2348 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2349 (Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2350 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2351 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2356 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2359 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2367 (Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2371 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2413 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for SB-298
House LCO Amendment #2345 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2347 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2349 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2350 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2351 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2356 (R)
House LCO Amendment #2359 (R)
House Roll Call Vote 5 HOUSE AMD A
House Roll Call Vote 6 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD B
House Roll Call Vote 7 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD C
House Roll Call Vote 8 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD D
House Roll Call Vote 9 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION
House Schedule A LCO# 2367 (R)
House Schedule B LCO# 2348 (R)
House Schedule C LCO# 2371 (R)
House Schedule D LCO# 2413 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2241 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2243 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2261 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2262 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2263 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2295 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #2299 (R)
Senate Roll Call Vote 10
Senate Roll Call Vote 11
Senate Roll Call Vote 12
Senate Roll Call Vote 13
Senate Roll Call Vote 6
Senate Roll Call Vote 7
Senate Roll Call Vote 8
Senate Roll Call Vote 9
Senate Schedule A LCO# 2239 (R)
Senate Schedule B LCO# 2242 (R)
Senate Schedule C LCO# 2244 (R)
Senate Schedule D LCO# 2258 (R)
Senate Schedule E LCO# 2293 (R)
Senate Schedule F LCO# 2297 (R)
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