Sen. Joan Hartley

Maddy summarySB 349 modifies Connecticut's Firefighters Cancer Relief Fund by updating its reporting requirements and expanding eligibility. Starting October 1, 2026, the State Treasurer must submit an annual report detailing the fund's financial balance, actual and projected expenditures, and income sources - replacing previous requirements for beneficiary demographic data. The bill also broadens the definition of "firefighter" to include fire marshals, inspectors, and other related roles. This directly affects the fund's administration, the State Treasurer, and municipalities providing benefits under the program.

Maddy summaryHB 5265 requires common interest communities (like homeowner associations) to allow financial audits under specific conditions. It permits groups owning at least 20% of voting rights to petition a court for an audit if they provide a certified public accountant's opinion indicating potential financial fraud, along with proof of ownership and confirmation no recent audit occurred. The petitioning group must cover all audit costs, though the association may charge a reasonable fee for providing records. The bill also updates property disclosure forms to include new questions about flood zones, historic districts, HOA dues, and reserve funds for buyers. These changes take effect October 1, 2026.

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 summarySB 4 establishes a data broker registration system in Connecticut, requiring businesses that sell or license personal data to register with the Department of Consumer Protection by October 1, 2026. It directly affects data brokers (businesses collecting and selling personal data) and Connecticut consumers, who gain new rights to request data deletion. Key provisions include mandatory $600 annual registration fees, a requirement for data brokers to provide an "accessible deletion mechanism" for consumer requests, and definitions clarifying terms like "brokered personal data." The law aims to increase transparency and control over personal data handling while imposing specific compliance obligations on data brokers.

Maddy summarySB 5 (AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE SAFETY) requires subscription-based AI providers (e.g., companies offering AI tools via paid plans) to give consumers clear, written disclosures about subscription terms before signing or renewing. This includes detailing any usage limits, such as restrictions based on user behavior or changes to prior terms. The bill also establishes new safety rules for "frontier developers" of advanced AI systems ("foundation models"), defining "catastrophic risk" as scenarios where AI could cause mass harm (e.g., aiding weapon creation or severe physical injury) and mandating risk assessments by covered employees. It does not ban specific AI uses but sets transparency and safety protocols for high-risk systems. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes sales tax on clothing under $100, school supplies, and appliances, and eliminates a 1% tax on meals sold by grocery stores. It creates new tax credits for homeowners (increasing the existing credit), caregivers of elderly or disabled family members, and renters earning $75,000 or less for primary residence costs. These changes directly lower tax burdens for Connecticut residents, particularly lower- and middle-income households. The bill modifies sales tax rules and expands income tax credits to improve affordability.

Maddy summarySB 342 requires health insurers and health care providers to use consistent reimbursement rates for outpatient services, regardless of where care is delivered (e.g., office, hospital, or telehealth) or the provider's affiliation. It prohibits insurers from automatically downcoding claims using algorithms without clinical review by a qualified peer. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for similar services within the same geographic area and includes a requirement for contracts to clearly state compliance with these rules. These changes directly affect insurers, hospitals, and clinics by standardizing payment practices for covered outpatient benefits starting July 2026.

Maddy summarySB 373 would allow volunteer firefighters, volunteer fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members in Connecticut to deduct stipends they receive for their service from their state personal income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to add these stipends as a deductible expense, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects individuals who serve on volunteer emergency response teams and receive monetary stipends for their work. The provision aligns with existing tax deductions for certain income types but specifically targets volunteer emergency service compensation. It does not change federal tax treatment of these stipends.

Maddy summarySB 6 establishes a $600 annual tax credit per dependent child for eligible taxpayers with up to three children, phased out for higher-income households (e.g., $100k+ for single filers). It mandates all public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the 2027 fiscal year, funded by state grants. The bill also prohibits certain convicted individuals (e.g., for specific sex offenses) from sharing a home with a minor child unless they are the biological or adoptive parent, with exceptions for finalized adoptions. Additionally, it requires correctional facilities to notify child welfare agencies when such individuals are released, triggering case reviews for children under protective services.