Sen. Julie Kushner

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Office of the Correction Ombuds within the Office of Governmental Accountability to oversee health care and other services for incarcerated individuals in the Department of Correction. The Ombuds will have the authority to evaluate service delivery, conduct unannounced facility visits, review nonemergency procedures, and receive complaints from incarcerated people through free telephone calls and email. The office will also publish semiannual reports on its activities and has the power to recommend policy changes while remaining independent from departmental control.

Maddy summaryHB 5043 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of "convertible pistols" - semiautomatic pistols that can be rapidly converted into machine guns using common household tools like screwdrivers. It defines these as pistols with a specific "cruciform trigger bar" that can be modified with a "pistol converter," excluding certain shielded designs. Selling or distributing such weapons would be classified as a class D felony, with exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and licensed gun dealers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5313 requires the Chief Court Administrator to develop a plan by January 1, 2027, creating uniform state-wide case identification codes for domestic violence cases across three state systems: the Judicial Branch, Division of Criminal Justice, and Department of Emergency Services. The codes must consistently track all domestic violence cases (defined as family violence between household members under state law) in electronic case files, improving statewide data collection for reporting and policy analysis while maintaining confidentiality. This plan must be reported to legislative committees by February 1, 2027. The bill directly affects how state agencies track and manage domestic violence case data, aiming to standardize identification without changing legal definitions or services.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a rapid response program to quickly address new or spreading aquatic invasive plant species in Connecticut waterbodies, primarily affecting state agencies and property owners near affected lakes and ponds. It requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to expedite permits for containment efforts, especially for hydrilla, and allows the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species to coordinate immediate treatment without requiring separate notices to waterfront property owners. The legislation creates an interagency task force to develop response protocols and a statewide management plan, while also mandating that public health officials review permits for treatments near drinking water sources.

Maddy summarySB 157 requires paid youth camp directors, assistant directors, and staff members (age 21 or older) at municipal youth camps to report suspected child abuse as mandated reporters. It also mandates the Office of Early Childhood to submit a report by January 1, 2027, listing all municipal youth camps, detailing their operations, the number and age range of children served, and whether they accept child care subsidies. The bill directly affects municipal youth camp staff (21+ in leadership roles) and the Office of Early Childhood, which must compile and submit the data. This focuses on improving child safety through clearer reporting requirements and better oversight of camp operations.

Maddy summaryHB 5334 amends Connecticut's wetlands and watercourse protection laws by clarifying key terms and expanding protections. It defines "riparian area" as land bordering watercourses (delineated by the ordinary high-water mark) and specifies "natural vegetative cover" as native plants (excluding lawns and invasive species). The bill explicitly excludes "water-dependent uses" (like marinas, fishing facilities, and waterfront industries) from "regulated activity," meaning these operations won't require permits for direct water access. This change aims to balance environmental protection with economic activities that rely on water resources, directly affecting property owners, developers, and businesses near waterways.

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 summaryThis bill expands absentee voting eligibility in Connecticut to allow any eligible voter who will not appear at their polling place on election day to vote by absentee ballot, removing previous restrictions based on specific reasons like military service, illness, or religious observance. It also strengthens accountability by requiring individuals who distribute five or more absentee ballot applications to register with municipal clerks and maintain records of recipients, while prohibiting candidates and political committees from mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications without clear eligibility warnings. Additionally, the bill mandates that absentee ballot envelopes include a sworn statement confirming the voter will not appear at their polling place, and requires the Secretary of the State to post notices online clarifying that applications are for personal or immediate family use only. These changes aim to increase voting access while implementing safeguards to prevent misuse of the absentee voting system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Connecticut's public health statutes to clarify which facilities are considered "institutions" and expands the state's investigation process for abuse and neglect involving people with intellectual disabilities. It redefines "institution" to include various healthcare and care facilities while explicitly excluding most state-operated mental health and substance use disorder facilities, with specific exceptions. The bill also strengthens the Department of Developmental Services' authority to investigate abuse reports by allowing record reviews without full psychological exams, granting subpoena powers, and requiring electronic record-keeping of abuse reports. Additionally, it establishes protocols for investigating deaths of individuals with intellectual disabilities where abuse or neglect may be involved and clarifies confidentiality rules for investigation reports.