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.
HB 5128 gives Connecticut consumers legal ownership of their genetic test results and biological samples (like saliva or blood) collected by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. It requires companies to obtain clear, active consent before collecting, using, or sharing genetic data, and to disclose their data policies prominently online. Companies must get separate consent for sharing data with third parties, using data for new purposes beyond the original test, or retaining samples after testing. The law ensures consumers control how their genetic information is handled, with exceptions only for court orders or subpoenas.
HB 5037 requires social media platforms to verify the age of users under 18 or obtain parental consent before showing them personalized content recommendations (like feeds or suggested posts). It applies to platforms that prioritize media based on user data, excluding shopping sites and purely educational tools. Platforms must delete age verification data after use and cannot charge more or degrade service for compliance. Exceptions include private messages, search results, or content from accounts users follow. The law takes effect January 1, 2028.
HB 5036 creates a standardized, automated online system (the "smart solar permitting platform") to streamline building permits for residential solar installations under 12 kilowatts. The bill requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Administrative Services to develop or implement this platform by July 2028, enabling instant permit issuance for compliant rooftop solar systems after automated review against building codes. Municipalities must adopt this platform or an equivalent alternative by January 2029, update fee schedules to reflect reduced administrative costs, and submit compliance reports. This directly affects homeowners installing small solar systems and local governments handling solar permitting, reducing approval times from days or weeks to near-instantaneous for eligible projects.
HB 5122 authorizes the state to issue up to $2.5 million in bonds to fund technological and electrical upgrades at municipal firehouses. The bill directly affects local fire departments by providing them with state grants for infrastructure improvements. Funds will be distributed through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, specifically for non-structural upgrades like modernizing electrical systems or adding safety technology to firehouse facilities. The bill does not change existing funding mechanisms but creates a new grant program for these specific upgrades.
HB 5210 establishes new data security requirements for financial institutions operating in Connecticut, including banks, credit unions, and out-of-state institutions with a presence in the state. It mandates that these institutions create written security programs to protect customer data and comply with federal data security standards under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The bill also requires institutions to report any data security incidents involving consumer information within three business days of discovery. These requirements take effect October 1, 2026, and apply to all covered financial institutions handling Connecticut consumer data.
