Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 297: AN ACT CONCERNING COURT PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING A CHILD OR YOUTH WHO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN UNCARED FOR, NEGLECTED OR ABUSED.

This bill updates court procedures for children alleged to be uncared for, neglected, or abused. It defines key terms like "permanent legal guardianship," "caregiver" (including relatives and foster parents), and "trial home visit" (a temporary return home under supervision). The bill requires courts to order specific steps for parents to reunite with children, and allows the Commissioner of Children and Families to authorize trial home visits with 15 days' notice and a 30-day timeline. It also creates a presumption that a current caregiver (like a relative or foster parent) should receive legal guardianship if parental rights end, unless proven otherwise. These changes directly affect children in foster care, their parents, and caregivers involved in court cases.

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5393: AN ACT CONCERNING DOG LICENSES.

HB 5393 updates Connecticut's dog licensing requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It requires owners of dogs six months or older to obtain a license annually (or every three years) by June 30th, increasing the fee from $7 to $15 per dog. The bill differentiates fees based on neutering status (e.g., $15 for neutered/spayed dogs, $12 more for unneutered dogs) and directs 25% of license fees to an animal population control account. Owners must also provide rabies vaccination proof at the time of licensing, with specific rules for new owners, dog pound acquisitions, and exemptions. This affects all dog owners in Connecticut with dogs over six months old.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 333: AN ACT DEFINING ADVANCE RENTAL PAYMENTS.

SB 333 defines "advance rental payment" as a prepayment for rent not yet due (up to the remaining lease term), excluding security deposits. It sets security deposit limits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older, requiring landlords to refund excess amounts when a tenant turns 62. The bill also prohibits landlords from charging application fees, move-in/move-out fees, or other pre-tenancy charges beyond security deposits, advance payments, key deposits, or tenant screening reports. These changes directly affect residential landlords and tenants in rental agreements across the state.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 334: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.

SB 334 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities with 15,000 or more residents (as determined by the latest census) to consist of exactly 50% landlords and 50% tenants, effective January 1, 2027. These municipalities must establish such commissions or join a joint or regional commission by January 1, 2028. The commissions will investigate rental charges (excluding seasonal rentals) and address complaints about excessive rent to prevent unfair pricing. This requirement applies to all municipal, joint, and regional fair rent commissions created under the law.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 309: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A CONTINGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT, A PROHIBITION ON PRIVATE EQUITY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER INNOVATIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

SB 309 creates a new contingency grant to cover unanticipated special education costs exceeding twice a district's current per-student spending for students needing services after March 1st, effective July 2027. It prohibits the state from approving private special education providers owned or operated by private equity firms (non-publicly traded investment companies) starting July 2026. The bill also establishes a working group, including representatives from both approved and ineligible private providers, to study public-private partnership innovations and expand eligibility for private providers, with a report due by January 2027. These changes directly affect local school districts receiving grants, private education providers, and state education officials overseeing funding and approvals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5144: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS.

HB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5310: AN ACT CONCERNING AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR A CRIMINAL VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER OR A STANDING RESTRAINING ORDER.

HB 5310 adds a new defense for individuals accused of violating protective or restraining orders. It allows defendants to argue that the person protected by the order (not the defendant) initiated or encouraged the contact that led to the alleged violation. This defense applies to all covered orders, including those related to domestic violence or harassment, but does not apply if the defendant’s actions already constitute a separate crime. The bill does not change the underlying criminal penalties for violations but modifies the legal defense available during prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5159: AN ACT FUNDING JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB 5159 creates a state-funded program to support journalism careers by providing at least 12 annual fellowships for recent graduates of in-state public university journalism programs. The fellowships, administered through a student journalism collaborative, require participation at local news organizations (as defined in state law) and include mandatory mentorship, hands-on work experience, and professional networking. Eligible applicants must graduate from a public higher education journalism program in the state and secure approval from the hosting news organization. The program must post all details - including funding amounts, requirements, and application forms - online by September 1, 2026, with funding starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5309: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF NOTICE TO A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A MINOR CHILD WHO SEEKS TO RECEIVE PREGNANCY-RELATED HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

HB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 23, 2026

HJ 4: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO MICHAEL SMITH WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 4) confirms a $1,510,635.84 compensation award to Michael Smith for wrongful incarceration by the state. It directly affects Smith, who was wrongfully imprisoned, by authorizing payment from the state's General Fund adjudicated claims account. The resolution does not create new law but formally approves an existing Claims Commissioner decision without altering legal standards or procedures. This procedural action ensures the state fulfills its pre-existing obligation to compensate Smith for his wrongful imprisonment.

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 5267: AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR INCAPACITY BENEFITS UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT.

HB 5267 modifies Connecticut's workers' compensation law to clarify eligibility for incapacity benefits. It specifically prohibits employees who have elected to retire from receiving benefits if they later experience an injury or illness that causes incapacity. The key provision (Section 31-307(a), effective October 1, 2026) states that retirement eligibility eliminates future benefit claims for work-related incapacity. This directly affects workers who retire and then suffer work-related injuries, removing their access to weekly compensation payments under the current system.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SJ 7: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO MACEO STREATER WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJ 7) confirms a $5,752,798 compensation award to Maceo Streater from the state's General Fund for wrongful incarceration. It directly affects Streater, who successfully claimed the state wrongfully imprisoned him, by legally affirming the Claims Commissioner's decision. The resolution requires the state to pay this amount from the adjudicated claims account, finalizing the financial remedy for his claim.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results