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ConnecticutHB 052912026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS STATUTES RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
Sponsored By: Public Safety and Security Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To implement various recommendations of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection concerning (1) the appointment of new or interim fire chiefs, (2) chemical tests of criminal defendants' breath, (3) blood or other biological samples for DNA analysis required from certain arrested or convicted persons, (4) a study of lawfully owed DNA, (5) the membership of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, (6) standards for determining the proposed level of staffing for the Division of State Police, (7) the school security infrastructure competitive grant program, (8) certificates of competency regarding fireworks and special effects, (9) the holding of firearms or other deadly weapons and ammunition seized pursuant to certain warrants, (10) security officers, and (11) professional bondsmen, surety bail bond agents and bail enforcement agents.
public safety and security
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.
More money for school security projects
Starting July 1, 2026, the state emergency services department administers bond money for competitive school security grants. No more than $5 million can go to school projects involving shared communication systems.
More police training and investigation capacity
The state police commissioner must maintain staffing considered sufficient for efficient operations, and officers appointed on or after July 31, 2020, must earn certification within one year. A temporary investigative unit handles online sexual abuse of minors during the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2026. A police training center can be located at a Connecticut State Colleges and Universities institution, with an agreement due by January 1, 2027.
Stricter rules for display operators
Starting October 1, 2026, fireworks and special-effects operators seeking competency certificates must show good character and skill and complete state and national background checks. Certificates cannot be transferred. A supervised display permit costs $100; a competency certificate costs $200, with a $190 renewal every three years. The state commissioner can suspend or revoke a fireworks permit for a related violation.
More people must provide DNA samples
The law expands required DNA collection for people in specified criminal, custody, and supervision categories who have not already provided a sample. Depending on the person’s status, collection is due within six months after sentencing or entering custody or supervision. The state must also audit uncollected samples and report recommendations to legislative committees by July 1, 2027.
New weapon permits for bail professionals
Starting October 1, 2026, licensed bail professionals can apply for a permit to carry an electronic defense weapon for work and related travel. Applicants need approved safety training. The permit and each five-year renewal cost $62, and renewal requires an annual refresher course.
Options for seized firearms and ammunition
Starting October 1, 2026, people whose firearms or ammunition are seized under a risk protection order can arrange a transfer to a licensed dealer. After written notice from the person or representative and dealer, the state must deliver the items within 10 days. The state must keep seized items for at least two years after the hearing before destroying them and give at least 90 days’ written notice.
New rules for security officers
Starting October 1, 2026, security officer applicants must learn state search and seizure laws. Qualified applicants can work while their applications are pending, but not at specified schools or child care centers. Some current or recently separated public safety workers can skip training; eligible military members and veterans with a training waiver do not pay the license fee. Employers pay $40 to register an officer; late renewals cost $25, and licenses expired more than 90 days cannot be renewed.
New emergency planning rules for towns
Starting July 1, 2026, towns and cities must submit an emergency plan every two years and get state approval to remain eligible for related state or federal benefits. Local leaders must approve the plan first, and a town can report that its plan is unchanged. State plans prepared on or after July 1, 2027, must address targeted violence and terrorism prevention. Shoreline towns must address hazards from liquefied natural gas terminals.
New evidence rules for impaired-driving cases
Starting October 1, 2026, chemical-test evidence rules for impaired-driving and certain vessel cases require a reasonable chance to call a lawyer and consent to testing. Testing must use approved methods and generally begin within two hours; a second test must follow at least 10 minutes later. Breath-test reports must be sent within 24 hours or by the end of the next regular business day after results are known, whichever is later. Test results are presumed to reflect the person’s blood alcohol level while operating, but the state must prove that timing when a second test shows a higher level of 0.10% or less.
New licensing rules for youth camps
Youth camps generally face annual license fees of $815 for for-profit camps and $315 for nonprofit camps, with some exemptions. Camps must check employees in positions with child access against criminal, child-abuse, and sex-offender records; supervised work is allowed while checks are pending. Starting October 1, 2026, the Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol can run a camp on state-owned or state-leased property without an Office of Early Childhood license, subject to an additional statutory condition.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Public Safety and Security Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Joseph P. Gresko
Democratic • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 329
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/17/2026
House Roll Call Vote 127 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/17/2026
PS Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
5/26/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/15/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/15/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-45
5/14/2026legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
5/5/2026legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026SenateSenate Calendar Number 480
4/30/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/30/2026SenateFile Number 743
4/29/2026legislatureImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
4/29/2026SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
4/28/2026HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 4946
4/28/2026HouseFile Number 323
4/1/2026legislatureHouse Calendar Number 242
4/1/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/1/2026HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/1/2026legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/31/26 5:00 PM
3/26/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/17/2026legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/17/2026legislaturePublic Hearing 03/03
2/27/2026legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security
2/19/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-45
5/14/2026
File No. 743
4/29/2026
File No. 323
4/1/2026
PS Joint Favorable Substitute
3/17/2026
Raised Bill
2/19/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 323
Bill Analysis For File Copy 743
Bill Analysis for HB-5291, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 323
Fiscal Note For File Copy 743
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4668 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4946 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-5291, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 4946)
House LCO Amendment #4668 (J)
House Roll Call Vote 127 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 4946 (J)
PS Joint Fav. Rpt
PS Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 329
Summary for Public Act No. 26-45
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