Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5220: AN ACT INCREASING THE COMPENSATION OF STATE PROPERTIES REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS.

HB 5220 increases the State Properties Review Board's membership from six to eight members, effective July 1, 2026, with appointments split between majority and minority legislative leaders. The bill raises the annual compensation for the board chair from $30,000 to $45,000 and for other members from $25,000 to $40,000. These changes aim to expand the board's capacity and adjust pay rates, while maintaining existing rules requiring expertise in relevant fields and prohibiting conflicts of interest.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5168: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SECURE TRANSMISSION OF SAFETY PLANS OF MINOR PATIENTS TO SCHOOLS BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

HB 5168 requires health care providers to securely share mental health safety plans with schools for minors who received inpatient behavioral health treatment for at least 12 consecutive days, **after obtaining written permission** from the minor’s parent/guardian or the minor (if 16+). It mandates transmission via secure digital platforms or HIPAA-compliant methods, with schools setting up designated secure accounts for school nurses, counselors, or psychologists to access these plans. The bill explicitly protects confidentiality for sensitive issues like pregnancy, mental health, or STI care, ensuring providers cannot share information without consent or in violation of existing privacy laws. This directly affects minors receiving inpatient mental health care, health care providers, and schools that must establish secure access for designated staff.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5308: AN ACT CONCERNING POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING.

HB 5308 allows individuals convicted of crimes and currently incarcerated or under supervision (probation/parole) to petition courts for DNA testing of evidence held by law enforcement, the Division of Criminal Justice, or courts. The bill requires petitioners to prove the testing could show they didn’t commit the crime, the evidence still exists and wasn’t previously tested, and the request isn’t for delay. Courts must order testing if these conditions are met, and the state covers costs for indigent petitioners while ensuring they have legal representation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and makes denials of such petitions final for appeal.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 223: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PARAEDUCATOR HEALTH CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

SB 223 creates a healthcare subsidy program for paraeducators in Connecticut public schools. It provides two key subsidies: (1) direct financial assistance to paraeducators who enroll in high deductible health plans or open health savings accounts (covering a portion of their deductible costs, minus employer contributions), and (2) subsidies to school districts that help offset employee payroll deductions for health coverage (capped at 10% of total premium costs). The bill directly affects paraeducators (school support staff like teaching assistants) and public school districts, including charter schools. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026, with funding drawn from available appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 357: AN ACT CONCERNING UNEMPLOYMENT DEPENDENCY ALLOWANCE.

SB 357 increases unemployment dependency allowances for qualifying individuals. It provides an additional $45 per week for each nonworking spouse living in the same household and for each child or disabled dependent under 18 (or under 21 in school) who was primarily supported by the claimant at the start of their benefit year. The allowance is paid on top of regular unemployment benefits, capped at 100% of the benefit rate, and limited to five dependents per claimant. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2028, directly affecting unemployed workers with dependent family members.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 354: AN ACT CONCERNING STAFFING IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS DIVISION IN THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

SB 354 requires the Labor Commissioner to employ a minimum number of staff at the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Division starting in fiscal year 2027. The bill directly affects unemployment claimants by aiming to improve processing of benefit claims through increased staffing. Its key provision mandates a specified minimum workforce level for the division, without changing benefit eligibility or amounts. This procedural bill focuses solely on staffing levels within the Labor Department's unemployment division.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5041: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF A CONNECTICUT OPTION FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INSURER REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN GENERIC DRUGS, TAX CREDITS FOR SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH CARE ARRANGEMENTS AND WORKER PORTABLE BENEFIT ACCOUNTS.

HB 5041 requires the state to study establishing a "Connecticut Option program" designed to lower health insurance premiums. The Office of Policy and Management must analyze program design, potential cost-saving mechanisms (like provider reimbursement models and state-funded risk programs), and impacts on the insurance market. This study, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028, will evaluate whether the program could qualify for federal funding via a waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The bill itself does not change coverage or costs but sets the groundwork for potential future implementation by state agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 195: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATHS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

SB 195 creates a pilot program to establish four overdose prevention centers across Connecticut municipalities, directly serving people with substance use disorder. These centers provide free drug testing strips, overdose education, counseling, safe consumption under medical supervision, and referrals to treatment services. The bill grants legal protection to healthcare providers who administer overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) at these centers, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The pilot requires local government approval and includes an advisory committee with diverse stakeholders to guide implementation and safety measures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 356: AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRONIC FILING OF CERTIFIED PAYROLL AND DAILY LOGS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

SB 356 requires contractors working on state or local public works projects (including off-site custom fabrication for such projects) to pay prevailing wages and provide employee welfare fund contributions or equivalent wages to workers. Violations, such as underpaying wages or failing to cover benefits, trigger $5,000 fines per offense and may lead to contract termination or debarment if violations exceed $50,000 in back wages or penalties over three years. The Labor Commissioner maintains a public list of violators, including violation details and financial penalties, and can refer repeat offenders for debarment. This law directly affects contractors and subcontractors on covered public projects, ensuring compliance with wage and benefit standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 326: AN ACT CONCERNING HUSKY C ASSET LIMITS.

SB 326 gradually eliminates asset limits for Connecticut's HUSKY C health program, which provides coverage to low-income residents. Starting July 1, 2026, the asset limits for unmarried individuals will rise from $1,600 to $100,000 by 2030 (reaching $100,000 in 2030), while married individuals' limits will increase from $2,400 to $150,000 by 2030 (reaching $150,000 in 2030), with no asset limit after 2031. The bill also allows applicants with income above the program's limits to qualify by using excess income to pay for medical expenses. Annual reports will track eligibility changes and state costs related to these asset limit adjustments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 237: AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

SB 237 requires the Department of Transportation to restore Shore Line East rail service to pre-pandemic levels by July 2026 and expand bus rapid transit routes connecting Hartford to Storrs, increasing frequency on the Naugatuck Valley-New Haven route, and extending the Danbury branch to New Milford. It also establishes new programs: free bus passes for high school students (grades 9-12) through a state grant program, and free bus passes for veterans, both requiring annual reporting on usage and impact. The bill revises fare change procedures to mandate public hearings and advance notice, and allocates $3 million from the General Fund to fund the student pass program for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These provisions directly affect commuters, students, veterans, and public transit operators across Connecticut.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5358: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REBASING OF RATES OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.

HB 5358 updates how Connecticut reimburses non-Medicaid residential care facilities (private facilities and regional education centers licensed for residential care but not certified for Medicaid's intellectual disability program). It changes the calculation method for reimbursement rates by allowing actual debt service (principal, interest, and repair reserves) on facility loans instead of fixed property costs, provided terms are reasonable. The bill also reinstates historical rate stability rules, limiting annual increases to 2% for certain fiscal years and requiring rates to reflect actual operating costs. This directly affects facilities receiving state payments for residential care services, ensuring reimbursement aligns with their actual financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results