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ConnecticutHB 055632026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROPOSALS, CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL FOR AIRPORTS, HELIPORTS, VERTIPORTS, RESTRICTED LANDING AREAS AND OTHER AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES, POLICE COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, SURVEILLANCE PRICING, EDUCATION COST SHARING AND WITHHOLDING OF TAXES FROM LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) modify statutory provisions relating to the offenses of organized retail theft and accessory to organized retail theft, (2) establish fostering the sale of stolen property and gift card crime as forms of larceny, (3) modify statutory provisions relating to the civil liability of a person eighteen years of age or older or an emancipated minor who takes possession of certain goods, merchandise or produce without the consent of the owner and with a certain intention, or who alters the price indicia of such goods or merchandise, and (4) modify statutory provisions concerning to whom the Department of Public Health may release information concerning acknowledgment of parentage.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Earlier health care help after prison
The York Correctional Institution care pilot must begin by October 1, 2026, instead of October 1, 2027. Subject to available funding, it serves people leaving the prison who have chronic disease and behavioral health needs. It provides discharge planning, care coordination, and community care through a federally qualified health center for at least two years after release. The first annual results report is due January 15, 2028, instead of January 15, 2029.
Safer prescription handling for incarcerated people
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department of Correction must accept prescription medicine an incarcerated person has with them. The department must store the medicine under written patient-safety policies. Those policies also govern whether staff give the medicine as prescribed; acceptance does not guarantee administration.
Limits on prices using personal data
Beginning July 1, 2027, Connecticut retailers and third-party delivery services cannot use personal data for covered individual price increases. Exceptions cover genuine market prices, justified cost or timing differences, specified customer discounts, qualifying loyalty programs, and error corrections. Covered online prices must show: “THIS PRICE WAS INCREASED USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA” and disclose consumers' rights. Genuine market prices and specified insurance and credit activity are exempt from disclosure. The Attorney General enforces the rules; consumers cannot bring a private lawsuit under them.
Temporary withholding relief on lump-sum payments
From July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, Connecticut residents have no required withholding on qualifying lump-sum distributions unless they request it. A distribution qualifies when it exceeds the smaller of $5,000 or 50% of the account balance. This changes when tax money is collected, not the amount of tax owed. Outside this period, the taxable portion generally faces withholding at the highest marginal rate when no request is made. Previously taxed amounts and qualifying direct transfers or rollovers remain exempt from that default withholding.
Child welfare access to parentage records
Beginning October 1, 2026, authorized Department of Children and Families staff can receive information about acknowledgments of parentage. The request must support the department's duties in a pending Superior Court juvenile matter. The child's parentage must remain unresolved.
Guidance for police and social workers
Effective June 4, 2026, the state police training council must review police–social worker programs and issue guidance. The review must consider the specified earlier evaluation. Beginning October 1, 2026, guidance must address potential effects and when collaboration is or is not practical. It must cover social workers responding to calls or accompanying officers. The law does not guarantee a social worker response to any individual call.
More court participation for crime victims
Beginning January 1, 2027, victims can speak on the record before covered charges are dismissed or prosecutors stop pursuing them. Covered charges include specified sexual offenses and family violence crimes. Prosecutors must notify victims about plea or sentencing proceedings when victims request a statement opportunity and provide current contact information. Victims no longer need to supply a stamped, self-addressed postcard for notice.
More time and appeals for DNA testing
Beginning October 1, 2026, people convicted and sentenced to incarceration can seek DNA testing while incarcerated. They can also apply after completing incarceration while still under probation, parole, or correctional agency supervision. The biological evidence must still exist, be testable, and relate to the case that led to conviction. A request does not guarantee testing. Denials of covered requests involving evidence held by law enforcement, prosecutors, laboratories, or courts become final judgments that can be appealed.
New criminal protections against gift-card fraud
Beginning October 1, 2026, the law treats specified gift-card fraud as larceny. It covers taking or keeping cards or redemption data without consent, tampering with cards or packaging, and fraudulent schemes. The person must act with intent to defraud. These protections cover both gift cards and the information used to redeem them.
Broader crimes for theft and resale
Beginning October 1, 2026, organized retail theft can combine thefts over 365 days, up from 180 days. The total must exceed $2,000, with the person acting for financial gain alongside at least one other person. Accessory conduct expressly includes online handling of stolen retail goods intended to distribute proceeds or further organized theft. Knowingly helping sell property believed to be stolen, including through online platforms, also becomes larceny. The sales-assistance offense excludes handling property for return to its owner.
Higher fees and rules for airfields
Beginning October 1, 2026, covered air facilities expecting over 36 annual landings and takeoffs need site approval and a license. Three-year licenses and renewals cost $300, up from $150. Facilities expecting 36 or fewer movements must register before operating; registration and renewals cost $100 for three years. Registrants must certify legal compliance and that expected yearly movements stay within 36. Municipalities are exempt for airports they own or operate, and federally owned facilities are exempt. Operating without required approval and licensing or registration is a class C misdemeanor.
Higher shoplifting damages, less defendant recovery
Beginning October 1, 2026, the civil shoplifting punitive-damages cap rises from $300 to $1,000; awards are not automatic. Covered defendants must be at least 18 or emancipated minors. Covered conduct includes taking goods or agricultural produce without consent and intending not to pay, or altering price markings. Owners can also seek eligible costs, attorney fees, and the value of goods not recovered in sellable condition. When owners lose, defendants can no longer receive up to $300 in statutory damages, but may still receive costs and reasonable attorney fees. No criminal conviction is required, and owners have two years to sue.
Extra state aid allows budget revisions
Effective June 4, 2026, towns and regional school boards can revise fiscal year 2027 budgets after receiving more state aid than expected. Their budgets or tax levies must have been adopted before the state budget. Changes to budgets, tax levies, and remaining tax installments must occur by July 1, 2026, and cannot exceed the extra aid. School funding cannot fall below the greater of the adopted local amount or the 2027 minimum budget requirement plus covered supplemental aid. Bridgeport is excluded.
More local flexibility over school funding
Effective June 4, 2026, qualifying towns and regional school boards can reduce their local education share for fiscal year 2027. They must have raised that share above fiscal year 2026. The floor is the greater of adopted education funding or the 2026 school-board budget plus covered supplemental state aid. Covered aid can replace local funds, but must support education and receive school-board approval. Specified supplemental grants are excluded from the 2027 budget base used to calculate the 2028 minimum school budget. Bridgeport is excluded from these changes.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Jane M. Garibay
Democratic • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 390
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
House Roll Call Vote 225 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
House Roll Call Vote 295 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-130
5/4/2026
File No. 527
4/8/2026
JUD Joint Favorable
3/24/2026
Raised Bill
3/12/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 527
Bill Analysis for HB-5563, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 527
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5014 (Minimal Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5106 (Potential Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5795 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5944 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6169 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6252 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-5563, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5944)
Fiscal Note for HB-5563, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5944), Senate "A" (LCO 6252)
House LCO Amendment #5014 (D)
House LCO Amendment #5106 (D)
House LCO Amendment #5795 (J)
House Roll Call Vote 225 AS AMENDED
House Roll Call Vote 295 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 5944 (J)
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Senate LCO Amendment #6169 (D)
Senate Roll Call Vote 390
Senate Schedule A LCO# 6252 (J)
Summary for Public Act No. 26-130
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