Bills & Legislation

AN ACT ALLOWING A PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR STIPENDS PAID TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE MEMBERS.

To allow a personal income tax deduction for a stipend paid by a municipality to a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire police officer or volunteer ambulance member.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING LIQUOR PERMITS, FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION INSPECTIONS, THE REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION AND JUICE BARS.

To (1) delete a provision regarding certain inspections not being deemed to constitute a precondition to renewal of a liquor permit, (2) modify certain requirements relating to fire safety and prevention inspections, (3) require certain nonresident owners, project-based housing providers or agents in charge to register certain information, and (4) establish various requirements relating to juice bars.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING STATE POLICE ASSIGNED TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

To establish that for any sworn member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection assigned to a highway construction project administered by the Department of Transportation, such sworn member shall be paid at a rate established pursuant to an agreement executed between the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Commissioner of Transportation.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH COVERAGE.

To: (1) require certain health insurers, preferred provider networks and other entities to include certain provisions in contracts with health care providers regarding reimbursement for certain covered health benefits, (2) clarify the definition of "anti-steering clause" under section 38a-477i of the general statutes, (3) require the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study concerning various revisions to the insurance statutes, (4) change the time period that a health carrier and participating provider shall continue to abide by the terms of a contract under section 38a-472f of the general statutes, (5) prohibit a health carrier from using a software tool to downcode or deny certain health insurance claims, (6) establish a rebuttable presumption for purposes of the review of an adverse determination under section 38a-591e of the general statutes, and (7) prohibit certain health carriers from requiring step therapy for prescription drugs used to treat a chronic, disabling or life-threatening condition.

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

AN ACT INCREASING THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT FOR FELONY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FRAUD.

To increase the threshold dollar amount for an individual to become guilty of a felony for receiving unemployment benefits by fraudulent means.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

To (1) create a uniform definition of "health care provider" in the unemployment statutes, (2) authorize the Labor Commissioner to make or entertain an offer of compromise for or abate any payments in lieu of contributions due by a reimbursing employer under the unemployment chapter, (3) move enforcement authority for section 53-303e of the general statutes to the Labor Department, (4) repeal the Employment Security Advisory Board, (5) remove the requirement that labor organizations annually file a report with the Labor Commissioner, and (6) make other technical and conforming changes.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO ENFORCE CERTAIN BLIGHT REGULATIONS WITHOUT PROVIDING NOTICE OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDIATE.

To remove certain notice and opportunity to remediate provisions concerning repeat blight violations.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS.

To (1) require certain nonresident landlords, project-based housing providers or agents in charge of rental properties to register certain personal identifying information, and (2) increase penalties for repeat violations of building and fire codes.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DEBT COLLECTION EXEMPTION RELATING TO JOINT ACCOUNTS.

To establish an exemption from debt collection for any part of the balance of an account deemed a joint account in which the exemptioner has no equitable interest.

Banking Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.

To enhance penalties for unlawfully permitting a dog to roam at large.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

To make various changes to statutes concerning historic district commissions and historic preservation.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A TRIBAL WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ADVISORY COUNCIL.

To establish a cooperative framework between the state and Native American tribes for the shared stewardship of wildlife and fisheries resources and expand conservation participation for tribal members, while supporting tribal food sovereignty and resource management infrastructure.

Environment Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TWELVE-MONTH COVERAGE FOR CONTRACEPTION AND HORMONE THERAPY.

To require public and private insurance coverage of twelve-month contraception and hormone therapy prescriptions.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO STATUTES RELATING TO MUNICIPAL TAX COLLECTION.

To make revisions to statutes relating to municipal tax collection.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECEIPT OF FEES BY A PARTY TO A CIVIL ACTION AFFECTING TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY.

To permit a court to award a party to a civil action affecting title to real property the actual expense of an examination of the land records concerning the title to the real property in question.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAJORITY LEADER'S ROUNDTABLE.

To implement the recommendations of the Majority Leader's Roundtable on Affordable Housing and make other changes to the affordable housing statutes.

Housing Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE ACT.

To clarify that a municipality may place a lien upon a landlord's real property when the municipality has expended funds for relocation assistance to a tenant of such property.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE "HOMES FOR CT" LOAN PROGRAM.

To (1) establish that loans made by eligible financial institutions participating in the "Homes for CT" loan program shall bear interest at a rate that does not exceed the prime rate published by The Wall Street Journal, and (2) revise provisions relating to loans and grants-in-aid that are made or issued by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority under said loan program.

Banking Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ASSIGNMENT OF POST-LOSS HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE BENEFITS, CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS AND REVISING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS AND SALESPERSONS.

To: (1) Establish a process for the assignment of post-loss benefits under homeowners and commercial property insurance policies; (2) modify the required terms of home improvement contracts; (3) preclude home improvement contractors from engaging in certain conduct to induce owners to enter into home improvement contracts; (4) require home improvement contractors to notify the commissioner regarding changes in their business names, trade names and addresses; (5) require home improvement contractors to maintain additional types of insurance coverage; (6) expand the required content of the application for a certificate of registration as a home improvement contractor; (7) modify the grounds on which the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may (A) reprimand or place a home improvement contractor or salesperson on probation, or (B) revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue or renew a certificate of registration as a home improvement contractor or salesperson; and (8) require the Insurance Commissioner to create a consumer bill of rights.

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

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

To (1) transfer to the Department of Consumer Protection various duties concerning the Real Estate and Connecticut Health Club Guaranty Funds, (2) with respect to the Real Estate Guaranty Fund, (A) provide that no application to recover compensation from said fund shall be brought later than two years from final determination of, or expiration of time for appeal in connection with, a binding arbitration decision or a court order or decree, and (B) subrogate the department to the rights of the creditor under a decision, order or decree, (3) require an applicant for payment from the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund to attest that the applicant made a good faith effort to satisfy a decision, judgment order or decree against a contractor or proprietor, (4) provide that interest shall not accrue on a debt owed to the Real Estate, Home Improvement, Connecticut Health Club or New Home Construction Guaranty Fund after such debt has been referred to the Department of Administrative Services for collection, and (5) repeal a provision concerning the Connecticut Real Estate Commission's procedure following receipt of a notice concerning the Real Estate Guaranty Fund.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS.

To (1) require a regional council of governments to establish a fair rent commission if a mobile manufactured home park is located in any municipality that is a member of such council, (2) require a mobile manufactured home park owner to make available, on a disclosure statement, an enumeration of all considerations payable by a resident to the owner, including, but not limited to, all periodic fees, usage fees and penalty fees payable by the resident to the owner, (3) modify the amount of relocation expenses paid to mobile manufactured home park residents, (4) modify the process by which, and terms upon which, an association of resident owners may exercise its right to purchase a mobile manufactured home park, (5) require the Department of Consumer Protection to promptly acknowledge receipt of a complaint submitted by a mobile manufactured home park resident, and (6) require a mobile manufactured home park owner to deliver a written notice of a proposed rent increase to a resident at least ninety days before the start of a new rental agreement.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE AGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAP AND EMPLOYMENT PROMISSORY NOTES.

To (1) increase the financial assistance cap provided in section 32-462, and (2) create an exception to the employment promissory note prohibition in section 31-51r.

Commerce Committee

AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

To make revisions to the Freedom of Information Act recommended by the Freedom of Information Commission, including concerning the application of the definition of "governmental function", which statutory provisions require training by the commission, redefining "hand-held scanner", electronic notice of special meetings and appeals for denial of access to certain public records.

Government Oversight Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE.

To eliminate the examination requirement for persons seeking licensure as a master social worker.

Public Health Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING ENTERTAINMENT EVENT TICKETS.

To (1) specify the circumstances in which a ticket reseller may enter into a contract with, or accept consideration from, a purchaser for the resale of a ticket to an entertainment event, (2) establish and modify various requirements concerning the sale or resale of a ticket to an entertainment event by way of an Internet web site or online technology platform, (3) define various terms concerning tickets to entertainment events, and (4) require a ticket seller or reseller to provide a refund for a cancelled live entertainment event.

General Law Committee

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF SHARK FINNING.

To prohibit the practice of shark finning.

Environment Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A MOTOR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATE COMMEMORATING CONNECTICUT WOMEN VETERANS.

To establish a motor vehicle number plate commemorating Connecticut women veterans.

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS.

To (1) define "ancillary fee", (2) require each park owner to prepare and publish a comprehensive and itemized list of all ancillary fees payable by residents, (3) require that information concerning ancillary fees be included in the disclosure statement, (4) require the Department of Consumer Protection to establish a resident complaint process, (5) require that each park owner provide at least ninety days' advance written notice of a proposed rent increase, and (6) prohibit certain rental agreement provisions concerning ancillary fees.

General Law Committee

AN ACT PROHIBITING PET STORES FROM PURCHASING OR PROCURING DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS.

To provide that no pet shop licensee shall purchase or otherwise procure any dog, cat or rabbit for the purpose of auctioning, bartering, selling, leasing or transferring, or offering to auction, barter, sell, lease or transfer, such dog, cat or rabbit.

General Law Committee

AN ACT REQUIRING THE PLACEMENT OF TRAFFIC CONES AROUND CERTAIN LANDSCAPING VEHICLES WHEN PARKED ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY.

To require the placement of traffic cones around certain landscaping vehicles when parked on a public highway.

Transportation Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING FISHING AND HUNTING RIGHTS OF CERTAIN NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.

To affirm and expand fishing, hunting and aquaculture rights of federal and state-recognized Native American tribes.

Environment Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS.

To (1) cap rent increases and ancillary fees imposed by mobile manufactured home park owners, (2) establish additional enforcement measures and penalties concerning mobile manufactured home park owners, (3) subject certain files to the Freedom of Information Act, (4) modify the method by which mobile manufactured homes are appraised, (5) modify the amount of relocation expenses paid to mobile manufactured home park residents, and (6) require mobile manufactured home park owners to submit reports to the Department of Consumer protection concerning fire hydrant water capacity and flow.

General Law Committee

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM RESTOCKING FEE FOR RETURNED CONSUMER GOODS.

To establish a maximum restocking fee for returned consumer goods.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING REAL ESTATE WHOLESALERS AND REAL ESTATE WHOLESALE CONTRACTS.

To provide for (1) the licensing and regulation of real estate wholesalers, and (2) the regulation of real estate wholesale contracts.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR DIABETES PREVENTION, EDUCATION, SELF-MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY PROGRAMS AND ESTABLISHING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL.

To provide Medicaid coverage consistent with federal law for diabetes prevention, education, self-management and medical nutrition therapy programs and establish an advisory council.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

To prohibit employers from reducing retirement benefits due to an employee receiving workers' compensation benefits.

Labor and Public Employees Committee

AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES OF PARKING IN FRONT OF A FIRE HYDRANT.

To deter parking in front of a fire hydrant by increasing the penalty for subsequent offenses.

Transportation Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO JOIN A CHAPTER OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART AND RECEIVE A NUMBER PLATE RECOGNIZING THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART.

To reimburse veterans and members of the armed forces who may obtain a number plate recognizing the Military Order of the Purple Heart the cost to join a chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and recognize the sacrifice of such veterans and members.

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee

AN ACT EXEMPTING THE SALE AND USE OF CERTAIN TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR MIXED-INCOME DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

To exempt from the sales and use taxes the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property acquired for incorporation into or used and consumed in the development, construction, rehabilitation, renovation, repair or operation of dwelling units of a mixed-income development.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

AN ACT EXEMPTING CONVEYANCES AND SALES OR TRANSFERS OF CONTROLLING INTEREST TO PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES FROM THE REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX AND THE CONTROLLING INTEREST TRANSFER TAX.

To exempt (1) conveyances to a public housing authority in the state from the real estate conveyance tax, and (2) sales or transfers of controlling interest in an entity to a public housing authority in the state from the controlling interest transfer tax.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES RATES APPLICABLE TO PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING.

To specify that peer-to-peer car sharing for thirty days or less is subject to the nine and thirty-five-hundredths per cent sales and use taxes rate applicable to the rental or leasing of a passenger motor vehicle.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE HOME SOLICITATION SALES ACT AND RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.

To (1) amend the Home Solicitation Sales Act by (A) defining and redefining various terms, (B) prohibiting a person convicted of a disqualifying offense from engaging in an in-person solicitation for the purposes of a home solicitation sale, (C) requiring sellers to make additional disclosures and establish guidelines, (D) establishing requirements concerning sellers of residential solar photovoltaic systems, (E) requiring the Department of Consumer Protection to establish a "no home solicitation sales" listing, and (F) modifying the penalty applicable for violations of said act, and (2) require residential solar lenders and lessors to provide payoff statements and transfer documentation.

General Law Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE STUDENT LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

To specify that the volunteer service requirement for the student loan reimbursement program includes volunteering for one or more nonprofit organizations or religious organizations or volunteering as a firefighter or emergency medical personnel.

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

AN ACT EXTENDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION EXPENSES OF FOSTER YOUTH.

To require the Department of Children and Families to continue to provide financial aid for the postsecondary education expenses for foster youth until such youth reaches twenty-eight years of age.

Committee on Children

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PENALTY FOR ILLEGALLY TAKING STRIPED BASS.

To restore the population of striped bass in the lower Housatonic River.

Environment Committee

AN ACT ESTABLISHING FUNDING FOR FARMERS WHO HAVE CROP LOSS DUE TO SIGNIFICANT ACUTE WEATHER EVENTS.

To help mitigate the hardship on farmers resulting from the loss of a crop due to a devastating one-time weather event.

Environment Committee

AN ACT PERMITTING REMOVAL OF AN UNAUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL FROM REAL PROPERTY.

To allow law enforcement to remove an individual who is unlawfully occupying real property in lieu of requiring a summary process action.

Housing Committee

AN ACT EXPANDING COMPENSATION TO DEPENDENTS FOR A DEATH RESULTING FROM AN ACCIDENT.

To allow surviving family members of an employee to receive compensation for a work-related death when such employee does not have dependents.

Labor and Public Employees Committee