Sen. Rob Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to review reporting requirements for nonprofit human services providers and eliminate those that are overly burdensome or duplicative. The review process, which begins in January 2028, will assess the number of reports, overlapping information, preparation time, and how agencies use the data, with the goal of reducing unnecessary paperwork for organizations providing health and human services. Additionally, the bill mandates that state agencies pay private providers within 45 days after receiving a completed claim or service, whichever occurs later, to improve cash flow for service providers. These changes apply to nonprofits delivering services for physical disabilities, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and behavioral health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous agreement to transfer three parcels of state land in Cheshire, Connecticut, to the town, allowing the town to sell the land for economic development, medical facilities, housing, or open space preservation. The town must sell the land at fair market value within five years, or by July 1, 2031, or the land will return to state ownership, with proceeds from any sale going to the state's Transportation Fund. The State Properties Review Board must approve the transfer within 30 days, and the Department of Transportation retains control of the land until the official conveyance is completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous agreement to transfer a 2-acre state-owned land parcel in Cheshire to the Chesprocott Health District for use as a regional health facility and emergency services center. The land will be transferred at no cost to the district, with the State Properties Review Board required to approve the deal within 30 days. The district must use the land for its specified health and emergency purposes, or it must revert to state ownership if unused, not fully retained, or leased. The Department of Correction retains control of the land until the transfer is completed, and the State Treasurer handles the legal paperwork for the conveyance.

Maddy summaryHB 5153 creates a new electric vehicle rebate program prioritizing residents in environmental justice communities and low-income households. It allows rebates or vouchers for purchasing or leasing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles, with income eligibility capped at 300% of the federal poverty level and a 200% bonus for qualifying residents. Vehicles must cost $50,000 or less, and rebates prioritize those in environmental justice communities or participating in state assistance programs. The bill also makes minor adjustments to land conservation grant rules, allowing urban agriculture or habitat restoration on publicly owned land in targeted communities, but this affects less than 20% of annual grant funding.

Maddy summarySB 247 limits state agency payments to employees resigning or retiring, capping amounts over $50,000 unless tied to specific exceptions like disciplinary leave or collective bargaining. It prohibits agreements that restrict employees from reporting misconduct or sharing information under existing whistleblower laws. For state colleges and universities, the bill requires foundations to include elected student and faculty members as nonvoting board members, with student/faculty elections managed by institutional boards. The law directly affects state agencies, public colleges, and employees covered by these payment and foundation rules, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 393 modifies procedures for filling vacancies in elected offices (Congress and state legislature) caused by an official's death. It requires the Governor to issue election writs within 7-17 days after a death-related vacancy occurs, instead of the previous default timeline. The bill also sets specific election timing rules: if a vacancy happens 125-63 days before a November election, the special election is held on that regular election day; if it occurs closer to the election (within 63 days before for state offices), no election is held unless it's a "member-elect" vacancy. For vacancies near the end of a term (last year of service), the Governor must nominate a replacement requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber. These changes directly affect governors, local election officials, and voters in districts with newly vacant seats.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers from using electronic surveillance devices like audio recorders or closed-circuit cameras in employee areas designed for comfort or safety, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and lounges. It creates a specific exception allowing third-party vendors to operate surveillance at self-service kiosks in these areas, provided the cameras do not record sound and only monitor the checkout area and product display zones. The bill also restricts employers from requesting access to this video footage except when a theft is reported by the vendor, and it establishes fines and potential jail time for violations of these rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5374 requires individual health insurance policies in Connecticut that cover chemotherapy to also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used to prevent hair loss during treatment. This applies to policies delivered, renewed, or continued on or after January 1, 2027, and mandates coverage "at least equivalent to such coverage provided under Medicare." The bill specifically targets policies covering certain chemotherapy-related treatments, directly affecting patients receiving chemotherapy who may use scalp cooling systems. It does not apply to group plans or other insurance types, focusing solely on individual health insurance policies meeting the specified coverage criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator within the Office of Policy and Management to oversee state efforts to prevent human trafficking. The coordinator will work with various state agencies and law enforcement to develop prevention strategies, create a confidential database for reporting trafficking incidents, and maintain a directory of victim service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the coordinator to develop training programs for state agencies, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on identifying and responding to trafficking cases. A Trafficking in Persons Council will also be updated to include the new coordinator and representatives from multiple state departments to coordinate statewide response activities.

Maddy summarySB 116 requires hotels, motels, and similar lodging operators to share tax payment records with consumer protection officials monthly and maintain guest transaction records for six months. It mandates employee training on recognizing human trafficking signs and conducting annual awareness campaigns, with certification required in personnel files. The bill also prohibits offering hourly discounts (12 hours or less) for rooms to prevent trafficking tactics. Violations carry $5,000 civil penalties per offense, enforced by the Consumer Protection Department through audits and inspections. The law directly affects lodging businesses and aims to strengthen trafficking prevention through transparency and staff education.