HB 5413 establishes a state program to help eligible veterans access dental care by covering specific services (like cleanings, fillings, and dentures) up to $3,500 annually. It targets state-resident veterans with service-connected disabilities under 100% and household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, who aren’t receiving VA dental care. The program requires veterans to apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which refers them to participating dentists, reviews treatment plans, and pays providers directly after veterans’ insurance is exhausted. The program begins October 1, 2026, and includes annual performance reports to the legislature.
HB 5293 transfers specific land parcels in Middletown to the Veterans' Home and Hospital Commission for use as a Connecticut Veterans Cemetery, replacing an older land transfer provision. It requires the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to designate additional state-owned land for a new veterans' cemetery by July 1, 2027, in addition to the existing cemetery. The bill expands burial eligibility to include Connecticut National Guard veterans with 20+ years of service, those killed in action (including Hmong Laotian veterans who served in the Vietnam War), and veterans entitled to retirement pay under federal law. Requests for burial in these cemeteries, submitted by veterans or their next of kin, must be granted. This law directly affects Connecticut veterans and their families seeking burial options.
HB 5407 creates a state reimbursement program for Connecticut municipalities that lose property tax revenue when veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) receive property tax exemptions. Municipalities must annually submit certified claims by July 1 to the Office of Policy and Management, detailing lost tax revenue from this exemption. The state will review claims and pay municipalities by December 31 each year, starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects towns, cities, and boroughs that administer local property taxes.
SB 376 requires the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to post specific warnings and tools on its website starting July 1, 2026, to protect veterans. It mandates a plain-language warning about unauthorized individuals offering help with VA claims (without U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognition), a link to report such providers, a search tool for approved agents, access to disciplinary records for violators, and a warning against sharing login credentials. This directly affects veterans seeking assistance with VA benefits by providing clear safety information and resources. The bill focuses on enhancing transparency and security through mandatory website updates, not on altering benefit eligibility or funding.
SB 281 establishes a task force to study ways to encourage nursing homes in the state to contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veteran care. The task force, composed of legislative leaders and the Veterans Affairs Commissioner, will examine financial incentives like reimbursement supplements and tax credits to make VA contracting more attractive for nursing homes. Its goal is to increase access to VA-covered nursing home care for veterans who need it, focusing specifically on facilities meeting VA requirements. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2027.
HB 5297 requires Connecticut's Department of Veterans Affairs to annually update and publish a list of charitable organizations that serve veterans on its official website. To qualify, organizations must have operated for at least three years (as a nonstock corporation or tax-exempt 501(c) group) and focus on veteran-related causes like education, welfare, or advocacy. The published list will include each organization's website and a disclaimer stating it is for informational use only, with no state guarantee of accuracy. This replaces the current process and takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 378 provides a property tax exemption for veterans permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected injuries, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with a 100% disability rating. Eligible veterans can exempt their primary residence (including up to two acres of land) or one vehicle from property taxes, and the exemption extends to spouses living with them or surviving spouses/minor children of deceased veterans. To qualify, veterans must submit proof of their VA disability rating to their town assessor, and the exemption applies to assessment years starting October 1, 2026. This change replaces existing provisions to clarify eligibility and streamline the application process.
HB 5415 establishes a Veterans' Health Care Ombudsman within the Office of Governmental Accountability to help veterans and their caregivers navigate the federal VA health care system. The ombudsman will resolve complaints about access to VA benefits, compile data on barriers, provide education about VA resources, and make recommendations to improve coordination. The Governor must appoint an expert in veterans' health care to lead the office, which will develop an educational course and submit annual reports starting in 2028. This bill directly affects veterans eligible for VA health care and their caregivers who face challenges accessing federal benefits through state and local support systems.
HB 5298 establishes a state grant program administered by Connecticut's Department of Veterans Affairs, providing funding for capital projects benefiting veterans. It directly assists municipalities and nonprofit veterans' organizations by covering costs for repairing mechanical systems at homes of elderly, disabled, or low-income veterans, and maintaining veterans' memorials or monuments. The program, effective October 1, 2026, will be funded through state bonds (with bond details to be finalized), requiring the department to develop eligibility criteria by January 2027 and submit annual reports to the legislature. This creates a structured, state-funded mechanism to support physical infrastructure needs specific to veterans' communities.
HB 5277 requires Connecticut's Labor Department and Office of Manufacturing to post downloadable information about veterans' benefits and services on their websites by October 1, 2026. This information, defined under Connecticut law for veterans, is intended for employers to display in their workplaces. The bill does not mandate that employers display the information but makes it readily available for those who choose to do so. It directly affects employers seeking to showcase resources for veteran employees or veterans in their community. The provision is effective October 1, 2026, and is administered by the Labor Commissioner and Chief Manufacturing Officer with input from the Veterans Affairs Commissioner.
