SB 282 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE NEGLECTED CEMETERY ACCOUNT AND CONCERNING CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF WARTIME VETERANS' GRAVES.

SB 282 requires Connecticut towns and cities to establish veteran oversight committees by January 2027 to monitor the care of veterans' graves from pre-1776 conflicts through modern U.S. military service. It mandates electronic complaint systems for both public cemeteries (managed by towns) and private cemeteries (e.g., nonprofit associations), with towns posting complaint addresses online. The bill also creates a grant program through the Department of Consumer Protection, providing funds to municipalities for grave maintenance costs starting October 2026. These provisions directly affect local governments, cemetery operators, and the ongoing upkeep of veterans' graves across Connecticut.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill VA Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was fundamentally rewritten to shift focus from a general veterans' grave upkeep program to a specific initiative for neglected cemeteries. The new version appropriates $100,000 to fund grants for towns with overgrown or decaying burial grounds, replacing the previous requirement for cities to appoint veteran committees to monitor individual graves.
Scope change
The bill's scope narrowed from a broad mandate for all municipalities to care for war veterans' graves to a targeted program for towns with neglected cemeteries containing more than six interments.
SCOPE

The primary purpose changed from appointing veteran committees to oversee individual graves to authorizing towns to clear weeds and repair fences in neglected cemeteries.

FISCAL

A specific appropriation of $100,000 was added to fund grants for municipal maintenance of neglected burial grounds.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new cemetery maintenance provisions was changed from October 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for cities to appoint a committee of three veteran citizens to monitor individual graves was removed.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for funding was changed to towns with burial grounds containing more than six interments that are overgrown or have broken fences.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2026 · House May 6, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 30, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Jun 4, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
upper
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Veterans' and Military Affairs
upper
17 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors