SB 427 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS.

This bill requires Connecticut schools to create flexible eligibility policies for advanced courses like dual enrollment, allowing multiple pathways beyond just academic grades to determine student participation. It also establishes a new coordinator role to track dual enrollment courses and outcomes across the state while developing a model agreement between high schools and colleges for these programs. Additionally, the bill expands a fee-waiver grant program to help high-need students access advanced courses without charging their parents, with funding potentially shifting from local school districts to higher education institutions.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Signed May 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → HED Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify definitions for dual and concurrent enrollment courses and to expand the eligibility for fee-waiver grants to include institutions of higher education. The amendment also adds a specific prohibition preventing higher education institutions from charging parents for courses covered by these grants. Additionally, the coordinator role was updated to track both dual and concurrent enrollment courses.

Scope change

The scope of the fee-waiver grant program was expanded to include institutions of higher education as eligible applicants, whereas the original bill only allowed local or regional boards of education to apply.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'dual enrollment course' and 'concurrent enrollment course' to align with existing state statutes.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility for the fee-waiver grant program to allow institutions of higher education to apply for reimbursement, in addition to local and regional boards of education.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that institutions of higher education receiving grants under this program cannot charge parents for the cost of the enrolled advanced courses.

Updated the title of the appointed coordinator role from 'dual enrollment program coordinator' to 'dual and concurrent enrollment course coordinator' to reflect the broader scope of tracked programs.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2026 · House May 4, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

Apr 29, 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

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

upper

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

SENATE PASSED

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Higher Education and Employment Advancement

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors