Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 5571: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM RESTOCKING FEE FOR RETURNED CONSUMER GOODS.

This bill limits restocking fees for returned consumer goods to a maximum of 5% of the original purchase price. It applies to businesses (including for-profit and non-profit entities) selling goods for personal, family, or household use within Connecticut, prohibiting them from charging more than this cap when accepting returns for regular inventory. Violations will be treated as unfair trade practices under Connecticut’s existing Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), allowing the Department of Consumer Protection to enforce the rule. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SB 1433: AN ACT EXEMPTING THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OF EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

SB 1433 adds employees of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to the list of state workers whose home addresses cannot be disclosed under Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill prohibits OAG from releasing these addresses from personnel or medical files and allows employees to request address confidentiality from other agencies using existing procedures. This exemption applies only to home addresses in specific records (like personnel files), not all agency documents, and does not override disclosures required by election laws or land records. The change takes effect October 1, 2025, with no expected fiscal impact.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SB 1451: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP TO STUDY STAFF SAFETY ISSUES AFFECTING HOME HEALTH CARE AND HOME HEALTH AIDE AGENCIES.

SB 1451 requires home health care agencies, home health aide agencies, and hospice agencies (excluding those licensed as hospices) to collect specific safety information from clients during intake, including histories of violence, substance use, domestic abuse, psychiatric conditions, and location hazards like crime rates or weapons. Agencies must implement CDC/NIOSH-endorsed safety training for workers, provide annual training, conduct monthly safety assessments, and report workplace violence incidents within seven days to qualify for Medicaid rate enhancements. The law prohibits denying services based on collected safety information or client refusal to provide it. This applies to all covered agencies starting October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 6735: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION OR ACQUISITION OF INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY UPON OR ABUTTING MILITARY INSTALLATIONS OR AGRICULTURAL LANDS BY CERTAIN FOREIGN ENTITIES.

HB 6735 prohibits foreign governments and certain entities from China or Russia from owning, possessing, or acquiring property within a three-mile radius of military installations or agricultural land in the state. It requires buyers to submit a sworn affidavit confirming they are not restricted foreign entities and mandates foreign principals to notify the Adjutant General 30 days before purchasing near military sites. Violations may result in property forfeiture, with the state able to seize and sell the property, applying proceeds to liens, fines, or returning funds to the original owner. The law directly affects Chinese and Russian government entities, political parties, and corporations operating under their control seeking to buy such properties.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 7123: AN ACT CONCERNING MILITARY FAMILIES AND EDUCATION POLICIES REGARDING ENROLLMENT FOR PURPOSES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PLACEMENT STABILITY.

HB 7123 helps military-connected children with special education needs transition smoothly when moving due to military orders. It requires schools to transfer records and complete evaluations within 30 days for children with individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, ensuring comparable services. The bill also allows these children to stay enrolled in their current school district during the school year if their parent receives military orders relocating them, accepting military orders as proof of residency. These changes apply directly to military families in Connecticut and aim to reduce disruptions in education during relocations.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 6748: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECORDING OF A MILITARY DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION UPON A STATE VETERANS REGISTRY AS "HONORABLE" AND MAKING A MINOR TECHNICAL REVISION TO A CERTAIN SUCH CHARACTERIZATION.

HB 6748 allows veterans with an "other than honorable" military discharge to apply to have their state veterans registry record updated to "honorable" if they believe the discharge was based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or a qualifying medical/service-related condition. Veterans must submit evidence supporting their claim through a standardized state application process, reviewed by a board within 30 days and decided by the state Veterans Affairs commissioner within 10 days. If approved, veterans gain eligibility for state-based veterans benefits and are recorded as having an "honorable" discharge on the state registry. The bill also updates related statutes to align with these changes, focusing solely on state registry classification - not federal discharge status.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SB 829: AN ACT CONCERNING PRE AND POST-SHIFT HOURS.

SB 829 clarifies that "hours worked" includes time employees spend undergoing required security screenings at work. This change ensures employees are paid for this time, which was previously inconsistently treated under the law. The bill directly affects all workers required to pass through security screenings as part of their job duties, including retail, healthcare, and office staff. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact as the Department of Labor already enforces this practice.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 6440: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ORGANIZED MILITIA AND THE GOVERNOR'S GUARDS.

HB 6440 updates Connecticut's military structure by allowing former Governor's Guards members to organize as a private military force focused on preserving their history and traditions, effective July 2025. It enables the Governor to reactivate historically related military units for ceremonial events (like parades) without using state funds or involuntarily activating personnel. The bill also redefines the state's militia into four classes: unorganized, organized (including the Governor's Guards), National Guard, and naval militia. These changes clarify roles and authority under state law while emphasizing ceremonial use over operational military purposes.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 6765: AN ACT CONCERNING ASSISTANCE WITH DENTAL SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS.

HB 6765 creates a dental assistance program for eligible veterans starting January 1, 2026. The program provides vouchers to cover costs of dental services at federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs), the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, and other public higher education institutions offering dental care. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs will develop eligibility rules, application procedures, covered services, and cost limits through regulations. This bill directly affects veterans meeting specific criteria (defined by future regulations) who seek dental care at participating facilities, with implementation dependent on available funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 6891: AN ACT PROHIBITING A LANDLORD FROM REQUIRING A SECURITY DEPOSIT IN EXCESS OF ONE MONTH'S RENT FROM ANY TENANT.

This bill limits security deposits for residential rentals to one month's rent for all tenants, replacing the current system where tenants under 62 could pay up to two months' rent while those 62+ were capped at one month. Landlords must return any excess deposit immediately upon tenant request, regardless of age. It applies to all new rental agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2025. The law affects all residential renters in the state by standardizing deposit requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 7168: AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

HB 7168 creates two programs to support teachers. First, it establishes a tuition assistance program covering remaining tuition costs (after other aid) for eligible high school students with a B+ average who commit to teaching in state public schools for five years. Second, it creates a scholarship for certified teachers in alternative certification programs to pursue a master's degree, awarded on a first-come basis. The bill appropriates $5 million for the tuition program and requires annual reports on participation, completion rates, and employment outcomes. These programs directly affect future and current teachers in public schools, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through financial support tied to service commitments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 1459: AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHER SALARIES.

SB 1459 establishes a minimum salary for certified teachers in Connecticut, requiring all new or amended collective bargaining agreements after July 1, 2025, to pay at least 300% of the federal poverty level for a family of two. It creates a state grant program distributing $600 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (and 20% of unappropriated surplus for 2026-2027) to municipalities based on their equalization aid share, to fund teacher salary increases. Municipalities must allocate these grants proportionally per student, with school districts using at least 75% of the funds to raise salaries for teachers not at the maximum salary level, and ensuring all teachers below the minimum salary receive the difference. The bill directly affects certified teachers in public school districts covered by collective bargaining agreements, aiming to standardize and increase their compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results