Senate Leadership
December 31, 2007
Senate Democratic Leaders Announce New State Laws to Take Effect in 2008
Laws Focus On: Fuel Efficiency of State Fleet; Misleading Health Insurance Plans; Unlicensed Massage Therapists; and Storm Shutter Requirements
Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney are announcing that a number of new laws--aimed at saving taxpayer money and protecting consumers from unscrupulous business practices--will take effect on January 1, 2008.
"The laws mark significant advances for consumer rights, fuel efficiency standards for state vehicles, and environmentally friendly building codes," said Senate President Williams. "Perhaps most rewarding is that many of these new laws are addressing concerns raised directly by our constituents, and that is what government should be about."
"Connecticut residents should know that they will be better protected from misleading and unscrupulous business practices in 2008," said Senate Majority Leader Looney. "Whether you're buying health insurance or trying to protect your shoreline home from severe weather, there are new laws on the books to help."
Storm Shutters: Public Act 07-77 prohibits insurance companies from requiring that homeowners purchase storm shutters in order to obtain -or maintain--insurance. It also authorizes creation of a Coastal Market Assistance Program (CMAP) to help match coastal home and business owners seeking coverage with participating insurers and requires insurance companies to provide discounted premiums for homeowners who install either hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows.
The legislation was prompted by a decision made by the Connecticut Department of Insurance about 18 months ago to permit one insurance company--and then all of them by extension and precedent--to drop policyholders within less than a mile of Long Island Sound if they failed to install approved shutters. Connecticut's Insurance Commissioner at the time, Susan Cogswell, eventually issued a moratorium on the practice. Later, Senate Democrats proposed legislation that would protect homeowners from such onerous and arbitrary mandates from insurance companies.
Limited Health Insurance Plans: Public Act 07-96 requires each individual and group health insurance policy, contract or certificate issued in Connecticut that provides limited coverage must include a statement disclosing that the plan does not provide comprehensive medical coverage. It also applies to any related advertising, marketing, and enrollment material. In addition, it prohibits an insurer, HMO, or other entity from replacing an employer-sponsored comprehensive health insurance plans with a policy that provides limited coverage.
This legislation was introduced by Senate Democrats because of the problems in Connecticut with the limited or 'mini' policies. The policies had caps on payouts in the range of $7,500 to $50,000 a year and some consumers had to pay thousands of dollars for medical care. Oftentimes the consumer paid more in premiums than the policy was actually worth.
Tax Breaks For Hybrid Cars / Improved Fuel Efficiency For State Fleet: Public Act 07-242 establishes, starting January 1, 2008 a local option property tax exemption for hybrid motor vehicles and those with fuel efficiencies of at least 40 miles per gallon. It also creates a sales tax exemption from January 1, 2008 until July 1, 2010, for vehicles with city or highway fuel efficiencies of at least 40 miles per gallon.
In addition, the act modifies fuel efficiency requirements for state fleet vehicles and increases the proportion of these vehicles that must be alternatively fueled. By law, the average fuel efficiency of cars and light duty trucks must be at least 40 miles per gallon. The act additionally requires that, starting January 1, 2008, each car or light-duty truck have an efficiency rating that is in the top third of the vehicles in its class.
Under federal law, at least 75% of vehicles bought by the state (with certain exceptions) must be alternative-fuel vehicles (these include electric vehicles and vehicles capable of operating on ethanol, among others). The act requires that, between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, at least 50% of the purchased vehicles be alternative-fueled, hybrid electric, or plug in electric vehicles. This proportion must increase to 100% starting Jan. 1, 2010.
Green Building Standards in the State Building Code: Public Act 07-242 requires the state building inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee to amend the State Building Code to require (1) buildings costing $5 million or more built after January 1, 2009 and (2) renovations costing $2 million or more starting January 1, 2010 to meet the LEED silver standard or its equivalent. The requirements apply to private and public sector projects, other than residential buildings with up to four units. The act requires the inspector and the committee to waive these requirements if the Institute for Sustainable Energy finds that the cost of compliance significantly outweighs the benefits.
By law, the State Building Code requires that buildings and building elements be designed to provide optimum cost-effective energy efficiency over a building's life. The act requires the state building inspector and the committee to revise the code starting January 1, 2008, and specifically include residential buildings in this mandate.
Massage Therapists: Public Act 07-35 requires any business that advertises its services as a massage therapist, or uses the terms "massage," masseuse," "massage therapy," "massage therapist" or any other similar term implying a massage service, to have a valid Connecticut license and to require that license number to be included on all advertising materials.
The new law is a response to raids on parlors and spas around the state that have found illegal activities such as prostitution, drug distribution and human trafficking. It creates more stringent regulations regarding the advertising of massage services. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for enforcing the new regulation, and those establishments in noncompliance with the new law should be reported to the DPH or local law enforcement officials. The bill was approved unanimously in the Senate and overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives. The governor signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
For a full list of laws that take effect January 1, 2008 visit the following website: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/ActsEffective.asp.
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
