Rep. Lucy Dathan

Maddy summaryHB 5251 requires state agencies that contract with consultants for reports costing $100,000 or more (to be submitted to a General Assembly committee under Section 11-4a) to report annually on implementation. Specifically, agencies must submit to the government oversight committee within one year of receiving the report: a summary of findings, which recommendations were implemented, and future implementation plans with dates. This applies to all state agencies using consultant services for studies with actionable recommendations. The bill focuses on transparency, mandating clear reporting on how agency decisions align with external consultant advice.

Maddy summaryHB 5254 requires Connecticut state agencies to regularly review their existing regulations every seven years, starting with submissions due by February 1, 2027. The bill mandates agencies to assess whether regulations are obsolete, unused, inconsistent with laws, or ineffective, and to propose reductions or repeals. It establishes a review process where committees of oversight must schedule public hearings on review summaries and can step in if agencies fail to comply. This directly affects all Connecticut state agencies by creating a structured, recurring evaluation system for their regulations. The bill does not change agency powers but sets deadlines and criteria for regulatory reviews.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications based solely on credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined by state law. Landlords may charge a capped fee (up to $50 plus annual inflation adjustment) for tenant screening reports but must provide applicants with a copy of the report or instructions to obtain it, along with a receipt. To qualify for the protection, applicants can submit a counselor letter, police report, or valid court order related to domestic violence. Violating this rule requires landlords to reimburse applicants for fees paid and cover attorney costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5326 increases reimbursement rates paid to providers delivering early intervention services under Connecticut's Birth-to-Three Program. The bill replaces existing rate-setting language with a requirement to establish state-wide rates based on phase two of a 2023 rate study (Public Act 23-186), effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects service providers (such as therapists and clinics) who work with infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays. The key change is raising payment rates to better align with the study's findings, without altering eligibility for families. The bill does not change program eligibility or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5156 establishes a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to fund climate adaptation projects by holding fossil fuel entities accountable for historical emissions. It targets fossil fuel companies (defined as entities extracting or refining fossil fuels during 1995-2024 that caused over 1 billion metric tons of emissions) to pay into a fund, rather than using taxpayer money. The fund finances specific climate adaptation projects, including coastal wetland restoration, stormwater system upgrades, urban heat mitigation, and protecting food systems from climate impacts, with priority for environmental justice communities. Projects must align with "nature-based solutions" like green infrastructure and energy-efficient retrofits for public buildings. The program is administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, starting October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5207 requires the state to fully fund the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant for public schools during the 2027 fiscal year. It amends state law to ensure complete state funding for this grant, which supports special education programs and school expansion initiatives. The bill directly affects school districts that receive this grant, guaranteeing consistent financial support for these services. This policy change specifies full funding without altering program requirements or adding new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5201 allocates $150,000 to the Department of Developmental Services to purchase software licenses for local school districts. The software will support Project SEARCH, a program helping students with disabilities transition to employment or further education. This funding directly affects students participating in Project SEARCH by expanding access to coordinated transition services. The bill’s key mechanism is providing schools with shared software tools to improve service delivery, as stated in its purpose. (3 sentences)

Maddy summarySB 153 expands Medicaid eligibility for older adults with disabilities who qualify as "adult disabled children" under federal Social Security rules. The bill amends state law to disregard certain income (such as Social Security benefits) that would otherwise make these individuals ineligible for Medicaid. This change directly affects older adults with disabilities meeting federal Social Security criteria who previously lost Medicaid coverage due to income thresholds. The key mechanism is excluding specific income sources from eligibility calculations, aligning state policy with a federal Medicaid provision.

Maddy summaryHB 5197 would update Connecticut's Medicaid eligibility rules for adults aged 19 and older by setting identical income standards across the HUSKY A, C, and D programs and eliminating asset tests. This means people's savings, property, or other assets would no longer affect whether they qualify for Medicaid coverage. The bill directly affects adults seeking Medicaid, particularly older adults and those with disabilities, by simplifying eligibility requirements. It aims to create a more consistent and accessible system, removing current barriers caused by varying income rules and asset considerations.