Rep. Christine Palm

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 establishes a legal framework to address debts incurred by victims of domestic violence under duress, intimidation, or threats. It defines a "coerced debt" as any unsecured personal debt taken out by an individual who is a victim of domestic violence and was forced into the obligation through coercion. Under the new law, debt collectors and buyers must immediately stop all collection efforts once they receive specific documentation, such as police reports, restraining orders, or certified statements from qualified professionals like counselors or attorneys, confirming the debt was coerced. The legislation also imposes civil liability on individuals who cause others to incur such debts, holding them responsible for repaying the amount and covering associated legal fees. These protections apply to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and are designed to prevent further harassment of victims while they seek to resolve the underlying abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to create a streamlined process that helps children enrolled in the HUSKY A health program easily access other nutrition benefits like WIC and SNAP. Starting in January 2025, the Departments of Public Health, Social Services, and Agriculture must work together to simplify enrollment, provide clear fact sheets, and make application forms available online and by phone. The legislation also directs these departments to coordinate specifically for children over six who are transitioning from the WIC program to SNAP, while prohibiting the governor from reducing funding for these specific nutrition programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Commissioner of Social Services to cover biomarker testing for Medicaid recipients to help diagnose, treat, and monitor various diseases. The law defines biomarker testing as the analysis of a patient's biological samples to identify specific indicators related to their health condition. Coverage will be approved if there is scientific evidence supporting the test, such as FDA approval, Medicare coverage, or recommendations from independent medical guidelines. Additionally, the bill establishes an online system allowing patients and providers to request exceptions to prior authorization rules for these tests.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states with a single license. The agreement creates a shared data system to track licensure and disciplinary records, ensuring that professionals can move between states without needing separate permits for each location. It also establishes rules for holding social workers accountable in the state where their clients are located and includes provisions to support military families and facilitate telehealth services.

Maddy summaryHB 5005 requires the state Labor Commissioner to conduct a study of existing paid sick day laws and report the findings to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2025. The report may include recommendations for future changes to these statutes, but the bill itself does not alter current regulations or mandate new paid leave requirements. This measure is a procedural step designed to gather information and inform potential future policy decisions rather than implementing immediate changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's property tax laws to provide exemptions for solar projects and other renewable energy systems installed on or after October 1, 2024. It directly affects homeowners, farmers, and businesses by allowing them to exclude the value of these energy-generating installations from their property tax assessments. The law requires property owners to submit a written application to their local assessor to claim this tax benefit, ensuring the system only covers the value added by the renewable equipment itself. By repealing an older definition, the legislation clarifies and expands the scope of eligible solar technologies for tax relief across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-run registry to help connect seniors and their families with qualified home care providers while improving oversight of these workers. Starting in 2025, the registry will allow users to search for caregivers based on specific skills like language proficiency and certifications, and it will also assist providers with recruitment, training, and benefits. The legislation mandates that agencies hiring home companions require new employees to complete training on recognizing and responding to harassment, abuse, and discrimination by clients. Additionally, the bill directs a state council to develop plans for better recruiting, training, and wage standards for personal care attendants to ensure higher quality care.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Eelgrass Working Group to meet by January 1, 2025, to review reports on eelgrass restoration policies and evaluate changes needed for state and federal permitting rules. It also establishes a new Connecticut Seagrass Coordinator who will work with agencies and universities to develop strategies for sustainable seed harvesting, aquaculture practices, and mooring systems that protect eelgrass habitats. Additionally, the coordinator will create specific metrics to measure the success and return on investment of state-led eelgrass restoration projects.