Rep. Kevin Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill reformers address verification requirements for individuals required to register under Connecticut sex offender laws, including those convicted of sexually violent offenses. It reduces penalties for failing to report changes in name, address, or status from a class D felony to a C misdemeanor, and allows charges to be dismissed if the person corrects the violation within 20 business days of arraignment and has no prior convictions. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense for those unable to comply due to uncontrollable circumstances and requires the state to mail address verification forms within five business days upon request. These changes aim to make the registration process more manageable while maintaining oversight of registrants.

Maddy summaryHB 5343 requires all state agencies (like departments and commissions) to annually report their advertising purchases to the Commissioner of Administrative Services by December 1 each year. The Commissioner must then compile and submit a public report by February 1, detailing each agency's total spending, vendor names, advertising methods (such as digital platforms or news outlets), and the topics covered. This bill affects every state agency that buys advertising and mandates transparency about how taxpayer money is spent on promotions. The report will be organized into four specific categories to provide clear, accessible data for the public and lawmakers.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts most Connecticut hospitals from selling and leasing back their main campus property (a "sale-leaseback") after October 1, 2026, except for hospitals in financial distress that obtain board approval and notify the state health commissioner and attorney general. It requires all hospitals to annually submit a written attestation confirming no private equity firm controls the hospital or interferes with clinical decisions, such as patient care timing, discharge policies, or medical diagnoses. The attestation must cover specific areas like emergency department triage, patient discharge decisions, and medical record entries. Hospitals must use a standard form developed by the state health commissioner to comply.

Maddy summarySB 9 provides a tax credit for Connecticut businesses with 100 or more employees in federally designated "severe nonattainment" air quality areas (as defined by the Clean Air Act). The credit covers 50% of eligible spending on commuting programs that reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips, including public transportation, carpooling, or microtransit services, up to $250 per employee annually, with a total annual cap of $1.5 million. Businesses must submit a plan to the state transportation department detailing how they will implement these programs to qualify for the credit.

Maddy summaryHB 5143 requires homemaker-companion agencies to provide mandatory training to their employees. New employees must complete 10 hours of initial training within 90 days of hire, covering topics like CPR, safety, abuse reporting, and dementia care. Existing employees must complete 10 hours of annual continuing education from a state-approved training list, and agencies must maintain records of all training for state review. This bill directly affects homemaker-companion agencies and their staff, aiming to improve service quality and client safety through standardized training.

Maddy summaryHB 5381 creates a dedicated "funeral service compensation account" to provide financial restitution to individuals who paid for funeral services under fraudulent or unlawful practices. The account, funded initially with $1 million from the state General Fund and future donations, will be administered by the Department of Consumer Protection to issue grants to eligible victims or their families. Funds may not exceed the available balance in the account, and the department may retain up to 2% of the account balance annually to cover administrative costs. The bill requires the department to establish application procedures by January 1, 2027, with the account becoming operational July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare facilities and schools to cover medical costs and pay full salary for staff injured during work-related assaults or aggressive incidents. It creates a system for reporting patient violence in digital health records (with patient appeal options) and ensures absences due to such incidents don’t count against paid leave. Directly affects healthcare workers, teachers, and school staff who face workplace violence while performing job duties.

Maddy summaryHB 5283 authorizes Connecticut municipalities to ban pet shops from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill amends state law to allow local governments to prohibit these sales in pet shops (defined under section 22-327) without requiring them to do so. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects pet shops currently selling these animals and local governments choosing to adopt such restrictions. The policy change provides municipalities with a specific legal mechanism to regulate pet shop sales, focusing on dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 requires providers offering sales-based commercial financing (repayments tied to a business's sales/revenue) to disclose four specific details to recipients: the total financing amount, disbursement amount (excluding finance charges), finance charge, and an estimated annual percentage rate (APR) based on projected sales. This applies to financing under $250,000 not intended for personal use, directly affecting small businesses and the providers (like brokers or non-bank lenders) offering this financing. The APR must be calculated using either historical sales data or an opt-in method, with providers notifying the Banking Commissioner of their chosen method. Banks, credit unions, and certain large lenders are exempt from these requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes parole eligibility rules for individuals convicted of crimes committed after July 1, 1981, who were under 26 years old at the time of the offense. It creates two main categories: those who may be eligible for parole after serving half their sentence, and those convicted of serious violent crimes who must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible. The legislation requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold hearings for certain offenders before releasing them on parole and mandates that the board document specific reasons for denying parole if a hearing is not held. The bill applies to people already incarcerated as of October 1, 1990, and sets specific conditions for residential placement and supervision during parole.