SB 375 creates a state grant program for municipalities and police departments to develop standardized school mapping data. The bill requires this data to be compatible with emergency services software, include verified floor plans and hazard locations, and be provided free permanently to schools and public safety agencies. Municipalities can apply for grants to create maps meeting specific technical standards, such as true north orientation, printable/digital formats, and integration with emergency response systems. The Department of Emergency Services must establish application criteria by October 2026 and report annually on grant usage starting in 2028. This directly affects schools, local police, and emergency responders by standardizing access to critical campus layout information during emergencies.
SB 346 modifies Connecticut's Governor's Workforce Council membership to align with federal law. The bill specifies that the council must include 30 business representatives (with at least one representing small businesses and one an expert in residential construction), four labor organization representatives, and members from education, community organizations, vocational schools, local government, and workforce training programs. It requires all appointments to reflect state diversity (geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic) and mandates quarterly meetings. The changes aim to comply with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
SB 391 requires the Commissioner of Correction to arrange breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for women in state custody at licensed healthcare facilities closer to their correctional facility than the University of Connecticut Health Center. The bill specifically allows for on-site mammograms when possible, but if unavailable, permits arranging services at nearer facilities instead of defaulting to UConn Health Center. This applies to all women committed to correctional custody and takes effect July 1, 2026. The law directly expands access to timely breast cancer care by prioritizing proximity to correctional facilities.
HB 5349 establishes a 10-member task force to study the operations of the Department of Consumer Protection. The task force includes representatives from both legislative chambers (appointed by leadership), the Department Commissioner, and two gubernatorial appointees. It must submit a final report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations about the department's functioning. This bill does not change existing laws or regulations but creates a formal process for evaluating the department's operations.
HB 5343 requires all state agencies (like departments and commissions) to annually report their advertising purchases to the Commissioner of Administrative Services by December 1 each year. The Commissioner must then compile and submit a public report by February 1, detailing each agency's total spending, vendor names, advertising methods (such as digital platforms or news outlets), and the topics covered. This bill affects every state agency that buys advertising and mandates transparency about how taxpayer money is spent on promotions. The report will be organized into four specific categories to provide clear, accessible data for the public and lawmakers.
SB 277 updates fire marshal qualifications by requiring certification and specific experience in fire safety, prevention, or hazardous materials response for local fire marshals and inspectors. It mandates the State Fire Marshal to publish official interpretations of the Fire Safety Code and requires the Department of Public Health to annually report on burn injuries, fireworks/explosives injuries, and related deaths using existing death certificate and hospital data. The bill also revises building code standards to ensure polling places meet accessibility requirements and sets specific vertical clearance rules for public parking garages.
HB 5241 establishes a pilot program in a city with over 148,000 residents to test a "Triple Bottom Line Justice" approach, which integrates environmental cleanup, health equity, and community engagement. The program requires state health and environmental agencies to partner with a local community organization to use ICD-10 Z codes (which track social and environmental health factors) in healthcare billing, aiming for 20% adoption by 2030. It mandates annual reports on progress, develops educational materials for healthcare providers on these codes, and evaluates how transforming polluted sites ("Brownfields to Healthfields") can reduce long-term health costs. The pilot must conclude by January 2028 with a final report to the legislature.
SB 370 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Administrative Services to adjust the hourly pay for adjunct fire instructors at the Connecticut Fire Academy each year starting July 1, 2026. The adjustment must match the percentage increase from the most recent state-wide wage agreement between the state and its employee bargaining coalition, including any cost-of-living adjustments. This directly affects adjunct fire instructors employed by the Connecticut Fire Academy, ensuring their pay rises in line with general state employee compensation changes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all subsequent fiscal years.
SB 362 requires Connecticut towns to submit digital property files to regional councils or the Office of Policy and Management by September 1, 2027, and annually thereafter. These files must include property identifiers, sizes, addresses, land/building values, and construction years. Regional councils must then report towns failing to submit files to state officials. The bill also updates requirements for municipalities to submit assessed valuations for state grants by April 1 each year, with a $250 penalty for non-compliance and appeal processes for disputed valuations.
SB 317 exempts the Bristol Resource Recovery Facility from paying a $1.50-per-ton solid waste processing fee for five years (July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031). This exemption applies specifically to the facility, located in a Hartford County town with a population between 61,000 and 64,000, as stated in the bill's purpose. The bill replaces an existing statute requiring this fee payment for all resource recovery facilities, with the exemption period explicitly defined. The primary policy change is a temporary fee waiver for this facility, while other reporting and fund allocation provisions remain unchanged.
SB 247 limits state agency payments to employees resigning or retiring, capping amounts over $50,000 unless tied to specific exceptions like disciplinary leave or collective bargaining. It prohibits agreements that restrict employees from reporting misconduct or sharing information under existing whistleblower laws. For state colleges and universities, the bill requires foundations to include elected student and faculty members as nonvoting board members, with student/faculty elections managed by institutional boards. The law directly affects state agencies, public colleges, and employees covered by these payment and foundation rules, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 5352 sets strict deadlines for Connecticut's State Elections Enforcement Commission to handle election-related complaints. It requires the Commission to complete preliminary reviews within 14 days, make a "probable cause" determination within 60 days, and dismiss complaints if unresolved within one year (with exceptions for foreign national violations or specific election provisions). If the Commission misses deadlines, complainants or respondents can seek court orders to compel action, and the Commission must refer unresolved cases to the Chief State's Attorney after 90 days of finding probable cause. The bill directly affects voters filing complaints, election officials responding to allegations, and the Commission itself by streamlining enforcement processes.
