Rep. Dan Gaiewski

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 consecutive days of strike, effective for labor disputes beginning December 14, 2026. Currently, most striking workers are ineligible for benefits during labor disputes. The change applies to workers not involved in the dispute (e.g., non-union employees) or who have not participated in the strike for 14+ days, but excludes situations involving employer lockouts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, though the eligibility rule starts in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 6078 requires colleges and universities to form campus committees - including student, administrative, and health care representatives - to assess whether emergency contraception vending machines are needed on their campuses. If a need is identified, the committee must develop an installation plan and apply for a one-time grant to cover costs, with applications due January 1, 2026. The Office of Higher Education will administer a grant program providing limited funding per vending machine, based on available funds and submitted plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with machines potentially becoming available starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 6767 establishes a dedicated revolving loan fund within Connecticut's Small Business Express program specifically for disabled veteran-owned businesses. This fund provides loans, loan guarantees, and related financial assistance to support business growth, with eligible applicants being businesses owned by disabled veterans who meet Connecticut's small business criteria. The loans can be used for equipment, improvements, working capital, or other business expenses, though specific interest rates and maximum amounts aren't detailed for this component (unlike the minority business fund). The program requires businesses receiving assistance to remain in Connecticut for at least five years, and the fund is designed to become self-sustaining through repayments and investment income over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Connecticut's tax code to add a new deduction for interest on debt used to purchase tax-exempt securities (item (viii) in the revised section). It allows individuals to subtract interest expenses that aren't deductible under federal tax law, but only if the debt relates to business activities involving tax-exempt securities. The provision applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects Connecticut taxpayers with business-related investments in state/local tax-exempt bonds. The bill does not include the caregiver deduction referenced in its title, as the text focuses solely on modifying existing interest deduction rules.

Maddy summarySB 1277 modifies Connecticut's affordable housing moratorium rules to specifically exempt housing for disabled or elderly veterans. The bill creates an exception to temporary pauses on housing appeals (typically 4-5 years) for projects where at least 95% of units are restricted to low-income households, or for smaller projects (40 units or fewer), *including* housing designated for veterans with a 30%+ VA disability rating or who are 65+ years old. This ensures veterans' housing applications won't be subject to the moratorium, directly benefiting them and the municipalities building such projects. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1191 establishes a state-run pancreatic cancer screening and treatment referral program targeting underserved populations, including those at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, without health coverage for screening, or at recommended screening age. The program, to be run by the Department of Public Health starting October 2025, provides public education on early detection, registers screening providers, tracks patients after screening, and ensures quality compliance. It prioritizes minority communities and aims to improve access to screening and treatment referrals through outreach and data systems. The program requires no new medical treatments but creates a structured referral system to connect eligible patients with existing services.

Maddy summarySB 1217 requires all public school districts to provide free breakfasts and lunches to every student, effective July 1, 2025, eliminating any student fees for these meals. The bill repeals previous language allowing schools to charge for meals and mandates that all students receive free meals regardless of income, while prohibiting disciplinary actions (like denying meals) for unpaid charges. It also establishes a new state grant program funding at least 10 cents per meal served to support implementation. This directly affects all public school students in the state, ensuring universal access to school meals without financial barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 5986 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (up to three children) against personal income tax. It directly affects low-to-moderate income families filing taxes, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive the full amount even if their tax liability is zero. This policy provides direct cash support to qualifying households with children, reducing their overall tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 6784 requires the state Department of Economic and Community Development to create a program offering incentives to contractors and subcontractors who use low-embodied carbon concrete on construction projects. This bill directly affects construction professionals working on projects within the state, providing financial or other benefits for adopting concrete with lower carbon emissions. The key mechanism is a state-administered incentive program, not a direct mandate, to encourage the use of environmentally preferable materials. The policy change focuses on modifying construction practices to reduce carbon footprints without altering existing building codes.