Rep. David Michel

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the intentional addition of PFAS chemicals to a wide range of consumer products, including mattresses, clothing, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies, effective October 1, 2024. It defines specific categories such as children's products, outdoor apparel, and cookware to clarify which items are subject to the new limits while excluding certain uses deemed essential for health and safety. Manufacturers must ensure that PFAS are not deliberately included in these goods unless they are unavoidable for the product's function and no safer alternative exists. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for terms like "intentionally added" and "currently unavoidable use" to guide regulatory enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Sexual Assault Criminal Justice Response, Enhancement and Model Policy Advisory Council to evaluate and improve how Connecticut handles sexual assault cases. The council will examine current practices by law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and correctional facilities, including data accuracy, risk assessments, and training for officials. It establishes a diverse group of members appointed by government leaders, including representatives from police, victim advocates, and community organizations, to guide these efforts. The council is tasked with developing a new model policy by July 2025 and updating it annually, which will then be distributed to all law enforcement units in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires town assessors, tax collectors, and special services districts to submit annual reports to the Office of Policy and Management detailing their mill rates and tax levies for the upcoming fiscal year. It establishes a deadline of July 1st for these submissions and imposes a $250 or $100 fine on municipalities or officials who fail to file the required documents correctly. Additionally, the legislation allows towns conducting property revaluations to gradually phase in assessment increases over time rather than applying them all at once. These changes aim to improve the collection and review of financial data from local governments while providing a mechanism for managing property tax burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary task force to investigate the shortage of athletic trainers within the state. The group will be composed of representatives from both chambers of the legislature and the Commissioner of Public Health, who will work together to examine ways to recruit more professionals into the field. Appointed members must be selected within thirty days, and the task force is required to hold its first meeting within sixty days. By January 1, 2025, the group must submit a final report containing their findings and recommendations to the relevant public health committee before the task force officially ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program to help people gradually lose government benefits as their earnings increase, rather than losing all support at once. It directly affects recipients of state assistance programs such as temporary family aid, food stamps, child care subsidies, and rental assistance. Under the plan, selected participants would see their benefits reduced slowly over time once their income exceeds eligibility limits, aiming to encourage work without causing a sudden financial drop. The program must follow federal rules and conclude by September 1, 2025, with a final report detailing how many people participated and whether the approach helped them become more financially independent.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, a separate financial entity designed to collect and manage money specifically for early childhood education and child care needs. The fund is established as an independent source of money that cannot be mixed with state funds, meaning the state has no claim to the money inside it and is not responsible for any debts the fund might incur. The Treasurer is authorized to invest these funds in various financial instruments to grow the account, while a new Advisory Commission will oversee the fund's financial health and create a ten-year spending plan. This commission includes a diverse group of appointed members representing parents, businesses, philanthropies, and various types of child care providers to guide how the money is used.

Maddy summaryHB 5198 updates Connecticut's telehealth laws to extend the current regulatory framework until June 30, 2027. The bill requires telehealth providers to verify patient insurance coverage, maintain access to medical history, and obtain informed consent before delivering remote care. It also restricts the prescribing of certain controlled substances via telehealth and mandates that providers share telehealth records with a patient's primary care doctor if the patient agrees. These rules apply to all healthcare professionals offering remote services to patients within the state during the specified period.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new physical safety standards for nursing homes, requiring facilities to arrange beds with at least three feet of clearance to prevent entrapment and hazards, while also phasing in a rule that limits resident rooms to a maximum of two beds. The legislation creates a voluntary "Centers of Excellence" program designed to recognize and incentivize nursing homes that adopt evidence-based, person-centered care practices through a process involving state officials and various stakeholders. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of an online consumer report card to provide families with comprehensive information about nursing home quality and industry best practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the eligibility requirements for Connecticut's Workforce Housing Opportunity Development Program by adjusting the mix of rental units in new housing projects. Specifically, it changes the rule so that 50% of the units in a project must be rented to the workforce population, while 40% must be rented at market rates, reversing the previous allocation. The legislation also updates the legal definition of a "business firm" to include various regulated industries and clarifies what constitutes "substantial rehabilitation" for existing buildings. These changes directly affect developers, nonprofit housing organizations, and municipalities that apply for funding to build or renovate affordable rental housing.

Maddy summarySB 360 updates the fees that official court reporters and court recording monitors can charge for producing legal transcripts. The bill sets a new rate of $3.60 per page for private individuals and $2.40 per page for public officials, while also establishing lower rates for subsequent copies of the same document. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that administrative law judges' staff will receive the same compensation as court reporters and ensures that the Judicial Branch covers these costs when transcripts are requested for official court proceedings. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and directly impact the financial compensation received by court reporting professionals.