Bills & Legislation

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

To implement the Governor's budget recommendations.

REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 9

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION AND RECEIVERSHIP OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

To: (1) Increase the fee for investigating and processing an application for the organization of a Connecticut bank; (2) eliminate a factor considered in determining whether the public will be served to advantage by the establishment of a proposed Connecticut bank; (3) increase the amount of assets on deposit that trust banks and innovation banks are required to keep; (4) eliminate a factor considered in determining whether to approve the relocation of a Connecticut bank's main office; (5) reduce the period of time during which written objections may be made to an application made by a bank or association for permission to change its name; and (6) modify the duty of a receiver for a Connecticut bank or Connecticut credit union.

Banking Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ILLEGAL USE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES AND STREET TAKEOVERS.

To (1) revise provisions regarding forfeiture of certain illegally used vehicles, (2) authorize municipalities to adopt an ordinance related to street takeovers, and (3) revise the time period for suspension of an operator's license and to allow for revocation of a license due to violations related to a street takeover.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

To (1) require criminal history searches and records checks for relative and fictive kin caregivers upon emergency placement of children with such caregivers by the Department of Children and Families, (2) permit certain youths previously committed to the care and custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families to reenter care, (3) require disclosure of Department of Children and Families records to the Department of Developmental Services and the Office of Policy and Management for certain purposes, (4) expand the definition of "child care facility" for purposes of licensure by the Department of Children and Families to include certain congregate care settings for individuals who require special education, until the end of the school year in which such individuals turn twenty-two years of age, (5) require the Department of Children and Families to develop a Foster Parent Bill of Rights and incorporate such bill of rights into department policy, and (6) revise the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

Committee on Children

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REGARDING ACTING BUILDING OFFICIALS, CERTAIN PARKING SPACES AND ELEVATOR CERTIFICATES OF OPERATION.

To implement the recommendations of the Department of Administrative Services regarding (1) the appointment of acting building officials, (2) width and cross hatch requirements for parking spaces designated for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities, and (3) the renewal of elevator certificates of operation.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING INFLATIONARY RATE INCREASES FOR STATE-CONTRACTED NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDERS.

To provide equitable compensation for state-contracted nonprofit human services providers.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING CONFORMING ADJUSTMENTS TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO A RELEASED-BASED CLEANUP PROGRAM.

To establish a transition period from the Transfer Act to regulations that provide for release-based cleanup remediation standards.

Commerce Committee

AN ACT MODIFYING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS AND THE POWERS OF THE STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

To make several changes concerning campaign finance laws and the State Elections Enforcement Commission, including redefining organization expenditure, solicit, contribution and expenditure, modifying what disclaimers are required to contain, reducing the number of required commission audits, restricting the timing of commission declaratory rulings, requiring legislative approval of guidance documents, amending provisions concerning the timing of contribution limits and procedures for rejected contributions and requiring legislative confirmation of the executive director of the commission.

Government Oversight Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL REAL PROPERTY FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

To allow the conversion or partial conversion of any commercial building into a residential development as of right.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OF BATTERY-POWERED SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE STATE.

To prohibit the sale of smoke detection and warning equipment that is powered solely by a battery unless the equipment has a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery capable of powering the equipment for a minimum of ten years.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS.

To: (1) Make various statutory changes relating to Probate Court procedures and the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct, and (2) require the Probate Court Administrator to convene a working group to study issues relating to the use of conservators in the Probate Court system.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF THE CORRECTION OMBUDS, DISCLOSURE OF DISCIPLINARY MATTERS OR ALLEGED MISCONDUCT BY A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION EMPLOYEE, USE OF FORCE AND BODY CAMERAS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS.

To (1) lengthen the term of the Correction Ombuds, (2) modify the duties and powers of the Office of the Correction Ombuds, (3) amend the budget process for the Office of the Correction Ombuds, (4) modify provisions concerning use of force in correctional facilities, (5) require the development of a plan for use of body cameras by correctional officers, and (6) permit claimants to be granted permission to sue the state in the case of certain claims by persons who are incarcerated.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT ADDING CERTAIN PLANTS TO THE INVASIVE PLANTS LIST.

To prohibit the sale, use and distribution of certain invasive plants in the state.

Environment Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING WATER UTILITY SYSTEMS AND WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT SURCHARGES.

To allow water companies to charge a water quality and treatment surcharge to recover costs for capital projects required to comply with state and federal water regulations.

Energy and Technology Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO STATUTES RELATING TO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.

To make technical revisions to statutes relating to planning and development.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINOR AND TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO STATUTES CONCERNING LABOR.

To make minor and technical revisions to statutes concerning labor.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE COSTS TO OBTAIN TRANSCRIPTS FOR PROCEEDINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE AGENCIES.

To set parameters for the costs of obtaining transcripts of public agency proceedings.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT AMENDING A PRIOR CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF SOUTHBURY TO CHANGE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE, OWNERSHIP AND LEASING OF SAID PARCEL.

To permit the previously conveyed parcel of land to the town of Southbury to be sold, transferred or leased to a third party for housing purposes.

Government Oversight Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING A RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS REGARDING NONLAPSING ACCOUNTS.

To implement a recommendation of the Auditors of Public Accounts regarding nonlapsing accounts.

Appropriations Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING PROGRAMMING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHER FARMING AND AGRICULTURE RELATED PROVISIONS.

To streamline certain services at the Department of Agriculture while increasing access to such services.

Environment Committee

AN ACT REVISING THE EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN MUNICIPAL REFERENDA AND EQUITY JOINT VENTURES AND CONCERNING CONTRACTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION'S NETWORK OF SCHOOLS, THE REPORTING OF CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THE FAILURE TO FILE FOR CERTAIN GRAND LIST EXEMPTIONS AND THE DEFERRALS OF CERTAIN TOWNS' REAL PROPERTY REVALUATIONS.

To allow certain persons to file for a certain property tax exemption, notwithstanding certain statutory deadlines, and authorize the town of Trumbull to defer the revaluation of real property in said town by one year.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM STATUTES.

To implement the Teachers' Retirement Board's recommendations for changes to the teachers' retirement system statutes.

Appropriations Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING INCOME TAXES IMPOSED BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS ON RESIDENTS OF THE STATE.

To (1) reduce a portion of the amount of the credit for income taxes paid to other states, (2) require the Attorney General to study ways to defend residents from having income tax imposed by other jurisdictions on income derived from services rendered while such resident was within this state, and (3) provide a credit to residents who file an appeal protesting the tax imposed by such other jurisdiction.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS STATUTES CONCERNING CONSUMER PROTECTION.

To implement the Department of Consumer Protection's recommendations regarding (1) public accountancy and certified public accountants, (2) architects and the practice of architecture, (3) real estate licensees, (4) the skilled trades, (5) major contractors, (6) new home construction contractors and the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund, (7) community association managers, (8) closing-out sales, (9) mobile manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home parks, (10) the Commissioner of Consumer Protection's enforcement powers and the enforcement powers of various boards and commissions, (11) pure food and drugs, (12) the Connecticut Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, (13) bakeries, food manufacturing establishments and food warehouses, (14) health clubs, (15) donation bins, (16) acceptance of cash as a form of payment, (17) the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, (18) the Home Solicitation Sales Act, (19) new motor vehicle warranties, (20) automatic renewal and continuous services provisions, and (21) mechanical contractors.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING BROADBAND INTERNET, GAMING, SOCIAL MEDIA, ONLINE SERVICES AND CONSUMER CONTRACTS.

To (1) require the owner of a social media platform to incorporate an online safety center into, and establish a cyberbullying policy for, the owner's social media platform, (2) redefine "heightened risk of harm to minors" to include processing minors' personal data in a manner that presents any reasonably foreseeable risk of harm to minors' physical or mental health, and (3) require the controller of an online service, product or feature that is offered to minors to (A) include a default setting in such service, product or feature to prevent adults from sending unsolicited communications to minors, (B) not use any system design feature to significantly increase, sustain or extend minors' use of such service, product or feature, and (C) disclose to the Attorney General a plan established and implemented to mitigate or eliminate any heightened risk of harm to minors.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STATUTES CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

To update references in the general statutes to the regional community-technical colleges to Connecticut State Community College and to the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System and the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges to the Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES AND DRIVERS, THE PROJECTION OF A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT OR FLIGHT PATH, AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SAFETY DEVICES, SMALL HARBOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THE CONNECTICUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL, BUS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND THE NAMING OF CERTAIN ROADS AND BRIDGES.

To implement the recommendations of the Department of Transportation concerning the Connecticut Plan Coordinate System, an autonomous vehicle pilot program, crosswalks, light rail transit signals, highway service signs, federal surface transportation urban program funding, rail facilities and transit districts.

Transportation Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LOTTERY AND GAMING REGULATION.

To (1) prohibit lottery ticket resales and ticket courier services, (2) modify the Commissioner of Consumer Protection's disciplinary authority concerning certain gaming licensees, (3) require vendor and affiliate licensees to provide books and records, (4) define and redefine certain terms concerning gaming, (5) modify provisions concerning wagers on sporting events involving Connecticut intercollegiate teams, (6) restrict who may review certain criminal history records checks, (7) prohibit certain advertising, (8) authorize certain bets and wagers on boxing and mixed martial arts, (9) provide that certain persons conducting sweepstakes or promotional drawings shall not allow or facilitate participation in certain real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering, (10) provide that any person who engages in professional gambling shall be guilty of a class D felony, and (11) repeal a provision authorizing the commissioner to appoint a director to perform delegated functions.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING CONSUMER CREDIT AND COMMERCIAL FINANCING.

To: (1) Require cancellations of certain surety bonds to be submitted electronically; (2) modify procedures regarding changes to the legal names of certain licensees; (3) redefine "sales finance company"; (4) establish procedures for registering as an exempt mortgage servicer registrant; (5) establish requirements regarding private student education loan cosigner releases; (6) establish enforcement authority regarding registrants; (7) prohibit receiving fees in connection with small loans without a license; (8) redefine "mortgage servicer" and "servicing"; (9) define "private education lender" and "private education loan creditor"; (10) establish requirements regarding timelines and fees for certain registrants that are exempt from licensing; (11) modify various statutes relating to commercial financing; (12) modify registration and enforcement procedures regarding private education lenders and private education loan creditors; (13) require certain disclosures in connection with shared appreciation agreements; (14) make technical changes to various statutes regarding consumer credit; and (15) redefine "system".

Banking Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE TREASURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISIONS CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

To make revisions to provisions concerning unclaimed property, including providing when funeral service contracts are deemed abandoned, redefining "last-known address", creating a process to escheat property solely owned by a state agency, authorize a process to donate approved claims for charitable purposes and require notification for properties valued at fifty dollars or more.

Government Administration and Elections Committee

AN ACT MAKING CHANGES TO THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF PROGRAM.

To amend the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to expand coverage to conditions of cancer affecting the skin, expand benefits to firefighters employed by the state and surviving dependents of firefighters that have applied for benefits and make other clarifying changes.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

To (1) reduce the amount of time an employer can protest unemployment benefits that such employer contends to have been improperly charged, (2) change the position of the Unemployed Workers' Advocate to classified service, (3) require physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to report suspected occupational diseases to the Labor Department, and (4) make technical changes to the labor statutes.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE.

To recruit and retain health care providers in the state.

Public Health Committee

AN ACT EXPANDING THE ALLIANCE DISTRICT EDUCATOR AND COUNSELOR LOAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND THE HIGH PRIORITY OCCUPATION LOAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

To expand the (1) Alliance District Educator Counselor Loan Subsidy Program to include other high priority occupations, and (2) High Priority Occupation Loan Subsidy Program by allowing the use of existing bonding funds for such purpose.

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE FALLEN HERO FUND AND PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO SURVIVORS OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

To (1) establish that the surviving family of a firefighter killed in the line of duty shall be paid a death benefit from the Fallen Officer Fund, (2) rename such fund the "Fallen Officer and Firefighter Fund", and (3) provide health insurance coverage to the survivors of a firefighter killed in the line of duty.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD STATUTES.

To make technical revisions to the education and early childhood statutes.

Education Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING EARNED BUT UNPAID WAGE OR SALARY INCOME ADVANCES.

To establish various requirements concerning earned but unpaid wage or salary income advances.

Banking Committee

AN ACT ELIMINATING CERTAIN FUNDING PROVISIONS FROM THE HEALTHY HOMES FUND.

To remove certain funding provisions from the Healthy Homes Fund.

Housing Committee

AN ACT REQUIRING MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR FDA-APPROVED GENE THERAPIES TO TREAT SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

To require Medicaid coverage for gene therapies approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to treat sickle cell disease.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC ADJUSTERS.

To provide that any public adjuster fee charged to an insured shall be (1) based on the insurer's settlement amount paid on the account of a loss, and (2) collected by such public adjuster after such insurer has paid such settlement proceeds.

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING LIENS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE HOUSING CODE.

To specify that any unpaid penalty for a housing code violation or violation of public place ordinance shall constitute a lien upon the real estate against which the penalty was imposed from the date of such penalty.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT MAKING CHANGES TO THE CONNECTICUT RETIREMENT SECURITY PROGRAM.

To implement the recommendations of the Comptroller concerning the administration of the Connecticut Retirement Security Program.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STATUTES.

To make technical revisions to the higher education statutes.

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING FORECLOSURE, ASSIGNMENT AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FOR UNPAID SEWER ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER FEES AND CHARGES.

To prohibit foreclosure, assignment and other enforcement actions for unpaid sewer assessments and other fees and charges in the case of owner-occupied real property for which the principal of such unpaid assessments, fees and charges is less than three thousand dollars unless three years have elapsed from the date any lien was filed and such lien remains unpaid.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPAL AND STATE PLANNING, AND THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS AND SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES.

To provide municipalities certain authorities concerning climate resiliency efforts and restrict the use of neonicotinoids and second-generation rodenticides.

Environment Committee

AN ACT AUTHORIZING AND ADJUSTING BONDS OF THE STATE AND CONCERNING GRANT PROGRAMS, STATE GRANT COMMITMENTS FOR SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS, REVISIONS TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS STATUTES AND VARIOUS PROVISIONS REVISING AND IMPLEMENTING THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.

Matthew RitterDemocrat

AN ACT INCREASING RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

To improve the quality of education for the state's children.

Education Committee