SEN. KUSHNER VOTES TO PRESERVE CONNECTICUT’S CURRENT VACCINE STANDARDS FROM TRUMP INTERFERENCE

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS BIPARTISAN PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE WORKERS’ RIGHTS BILL IN STATE SENATE

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) tonight led the bipartisan passage of a large, omnibus workforce bill that impacts labor, education, public safety, and veterans’ issues, creating new worker protections, stronger wage transparency rules, and joint liability for unpaid wages on construction sites.

House Bill 5003 passed the Senate on a bipartisan 28-7 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“It feels really important to finally get this bill done,” said Sen. Kushner, who is Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. “It contains pieces of legislation that we’ve been working on for years: teachers not being treated fairly, nurses who suffer assault, wage theft in the construction industry, people who have worked for 20 years at a company and then are given two weeks’ notice that their contract isn’t going to be renewed. These are real-life issues affecting working families in Connecticut. It’s gratifying to get this legislation passed.”

H.B. 5003 contains 75 sections of new laws, including:

Enhanced workers’ compensation for assaulted workers. Teachers, health care providers, and related employees who cannot work due to an on-the-job assault will now receive 100% of their average weekly earnings (vs. the standard 75% after-tax cap), plus medical expenses and lost wages for court appearances.

Construction contractor and subcontractor joint liability for unpaid wages. For construction contracts executed on or after January 1, 2027, general contractors are jointly and severally liable for wages that their subcontractor fails to pay its workers.

Retention of service contract workers. Entities taking over service contracts at covered locations (multifamily housing with 50+ units, commercial centers over 75,000 square feet, airports, schools, hospitals, warehouses, private colleges, and others) must retain the prior contractor’s employees for at least 90 days. After 90 days, satisfactory performers must receive an offer of continued employment.

Teacher termination process. The bill creates a fair termination process with a binding decision from an impartial hearing officer, offering the same protections provided to other public service workers such as police officers and firefighters.

Breastfeeding/expressing milk. Requires employers to provide reasonable break time for breastfeeding or pumping in addition to scheduled breaks (current law only permits use of existing meal/break time).
Wage range and benefits disclosure. The bill expands existing pay transparency law to require employers to include both a wage range and a general benefits description (health insurance, retirement, fringe, paid leave, other compensation) in all public and internal job postings.

First responder tuition and mortgage assistance: State community colleges and universities must waive tuition for eligible police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel, and the Connecticut Home Finance Authority must develop a mortgage assistance program for first responders buying homes in the communities where they serve.

National Guard fee waivers: The bill expands the existing tuition waiver for active Guard members at CT State, CSCU, and UConn to cover all mandatory fees, not just tuition.

The state Department of Labor (DOL) must update its veteran employment webpage with links to training, counseling, and veteran-friendly employers, and optimize it for search engines. The state Department of Veterans Affairs must send periodic newsletters linking to the page, and the DOL must study AI-based tools for connecting veterans and service members with employers.

SENATOR MAHER LEADS FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION INCREASING OVERSIGHT, PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER LEADS FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION INCREASING OVERSIGHT, PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN CONNECTICUT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 4, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, led the Senate’s final passage of legislation strengthening protections for children and increasing oversight of the Department of Children and Families, with the collective intent of providing common-sense improvements and protections aiding families.

“Concerning reports about the Department of Children and Families come from around our state, and there is ongoing worry that children are being harmed, despite many efforts to keep them protected,” Sen. Maher said. “I’m encouraged this legislation responds with efforts to preserve families, increase transparency and better support those in need. We can’t protect children without supporting the people who do that work and ensure they’re giving our children the best care possible.”

Senate Bill 5004 seeks to reform standards in Connecticut’s child welfare system, specifically supporting children currently in the Department of Children and Families’ care. Among other advances, it:

Requires DCF to place children with relatives or close family friends in emergencies and as options in abuse or neglect court proceedings and creates small grants supporting immediate needs for those caregivers like food and clothing.
Creates an after-school grant program for foster caregivers and creates an appeal process for denials of foster care licenses.
Requires DCF to build a public online dashboard by January 2027 showing program data; the new Child Welfare Policy and Oversight Committee will evaluate state agency performance.
Requires DCF to create mentorship programs for new social workers and internship pipelines from colleges.
DCF staff must receive mandatory training on perinatal mental health, human trafficking, and implicit bias.
DCF staff will be barred from using a parent’s voluntary mental health treatment as the sole reason to pursue action against them.
Requires a fresh investigator if three abuse or neglect reports are filed within a year for the same child or household.
When someone is convicted of certain crimes against children and lives with a minor after release, DCF must be notified.
The state will establish a new walk-in crisis center in Stamford.

Senate Bill 5004 passed the Senate unanimously after it previously passed the House and Appropriations Committee by unanimous votes and passed the Committee on Children by a 14-2 tally. With today’s approval, it now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES TO CRACK DOWN ON CONTRACTOR THEFT IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES $193 MILLION IN UPGRADES TO WATERBURY RAIL LINE STATIONS IN ANSONIA, BEACON FALLS AND DERBY

State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today applauded the groundbreaking for the start of construction on major upgrades to four stations on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line, stations that are located in Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Seymour.

The $193 million project, which is a combination of state and federal funds, is beginning now and is anticipated to be completed by spring 2028. The upgrades will transform these stations with new 350-foot platforms designed to accommodate full train boarding, along with covered canopies and enclosed windscreens to improve comfort in all weather. The new stations will also feature real-time arrival information, ticket vending, and improved lighting. Each location will be ADA accessible, with better pedestrian access and safer passenger flow.

In Derby, the project will restore the vacant historic station building to provide indoor waiting space and add new bus bays to strengthen connections with local transit services, creating a more seamless regional hub.

“My constituents in Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Derby are going to love these upgrades,” Sen. Cabrera said. “There are people moving up and down this branch line all the time, going to work or catching a Metro-North train to somewhere else. More modern stations and all their amenities will vastly improve their rail experience.”

To support construction, rail service will be temporarily replaced with bus service on the Waterbury Branch Line from July 20, 2026, through May 31, 2027. The outage also allows CTDOT to advance bridge, signal, and infrastructure upgrades between Stratford and Bridgeport where the Waterbury Branch Line connects to the New Haven Line. Coordinating this work, which is under the Track Improvement Mobility Enhancement for Connecticut (TIME FOR CT) Program, reduces the need for additional future disruptions and keeps the overall project on schedule.

By completing these efforts together, the state expects to save more than $47 million and shorten the Waterbury Station improvements by approximately one year.

Maroney, Duff, Delany Statement on House Passing Consumer Privacy Bill

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Maroney, Duff Delany Statement on House Passing Consumer Privacy Bill

Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), and state Representative Hubert Delany (Stamford) are celebrating the House passage of Senate Bill 4, ‘An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy and Protection.”

Senate Bill 4 will safeguard Connecticut residents’ personal information from exploitation by data brokers, surveillance technology companies, and federal agencies.

“Today’s passage of Senate Bill 4 by the House is a tremendous victory for every Connecticut resident,” said Sen. Maroney. “This bill puts protections on Facial Recognition, makes it easier to exercise your right to delete your data from data brokers and people tracking websites, and prevents predatory surveillance pricing. “It has been a privilege to collaborate with my colleagues in the effort to protect the residents of Connecticut.”

“As technology evolves, our laws must evolve with it. Senate Bill 4 takes critical action to strengthen privacy protections, promote transparency, and ensure Connecticut consumers are treated fairly,” said Rep. Hubert Delany. “Connecticut residents deserve to know that their personal information is protected. I want to thank my Co-Chair and members of the AI Caucus for getting this legislation across the finish line and to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.”

“The passage of Senate Bill 4 is about more than policy, it’s about protecting people’s lives,” said Sen. Duff. “I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences that can follow when personal data falls into the wrong hands. Connecticut residents deserve to know their personal information cannot be bought and sold without their knowledge. I am proud that the House joined us in passing this critical legislation.”

Senate Bill 4 introduces comprehensive privacy measures that address emerging threats to consumer data. The bill tackles critical privacy concerns, including the lightly regulated sale of geolocation data, and facial recognition technology, and the exploitative practices of data brokers.

Senate Bill 4 will target the following specific threats to consumer privacy:

Data brokers: Consumers may request, at no cost, the deletion of any personal data collected by a data broker.
Facial recognition: Businesses using facial recognition in public spaces must disclose it at each entrance and provide a process for consumers to request removal of their images.
Dynamic pricing: Strict disclosure requirements apply when businesses use algorithmic pricing to increase prices.
Geolocation data: Controllers and processors are banned from selling or sharing precise geolocation data.
Genetic Testing: Consumers would have the right to their own genetic data when using direct to consumer genetic testing services, and create more transparency in their policies.
Volume of Ads: Streaming platforms cannot transmit the audio of any commercial advertisement at a volume that is louder than the volume established by the Federal Communications Commission for television commercials.

Real-World Harm Driving the Legislation

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff submitted written testimony and explained how his friend and colleague, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were assassinated last summer. Although this terrible tragedy was widely reported in the news, what most people do not know is that the murderer, Vance Boelter, obtained Speaker Hortman’s residential address through data broker websites. For just a few dollars, anyone can gain access to personal sensitive information, including home addresses, phone numbers, and even photos of legislators’ homes and license plates.

Earlier this year, Wegmans disclosed the use of facial recognition in its stores, raising concerns that such data could be sold or shared with federal immigration agencies, a concern already realized with geolocation data, which ICE has purchased from commercial data brokers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Rappaport | Michelle.Rappaport@cga.ct.gov| 860-240-8671

SENATOR WINFIELD LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO IMPROVE PRISON HEALTH CARE

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR WINFIELD LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO IMPROVE PRISON HEALTH CARE

HARTFORD – Four months after a report blasted delayed diagnosis and medical treatments for Connecticut prison inmates, a bill to improve health care services for incarcerated people passed the state Senate today on a unanimous and bipartisan 36-0 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

A January 2026 report from the Connecticut Office of Correction Ombudsman titled “2025 Conditions of Confinement Report” documented recurring patterns of delayed diagnosis and treatment, fragmented continuity of care following transfers, inconsistent intake screening, prolonged specialty-care backlogs, and failures to timely identify and accommodate individuals with disabilities. Medical and mental health complaints constituted the largest category of complaints received by the OCO during the reporting period.

“Out of sight should never mean out of mind when it comes to our incarcerated population. Connecticut has a legal and moral responsibility to care for the people in our facilities, to ensure their health and safety. A clear-eyed assessment says we have not always done this,” said state Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), who is Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “This bill is designed to fill identified gaps in inmate care. It’s my hope that, over time, the changes made here will mean that people who are in the system, and their loved ones, can rest assured that they are receiving the care they deserve.”

House Bill 5567, “AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FACILITIES,” is a multi-pronged approach to improving inmate health care.
The bill:

Requires the correction ombuds to hire a correction mental health care clinician
Requires the state Department of Correction to provide health care to incarcerated people for free (instead of the current $3 token fee) and cancel any outstanding fees or other costs
Generally, provide medically necessary procedures (in some cases, at state Department of Public Health-licensed facilities) in a timely way
Post notices in English and Spanish about the right to access care
Upon intake, verify a person’s prescriptions and ask them to identify their primary care provider
Implement an electronic health records system, including to allow for care requests to be made electronically

Requires the DOC commissioner to update the department’s health care services plan to ensure continuity of care regarding medications upon incarcerated people’s intake, and that there is an available same-day medication delivery service

Requires DOC to create a list of time-critical medications, with timing windows, related protocols, and documentation requirements
Requires DOC to develop a health services staffing shortage contingency plan for each correctional facility
Requires DOC to begin two pilot programs: one allowing incarcerated people to keep and self-administer certain medications for chronic disease management at a minimum security facility, and another to help with discharge planning and care coordination at York Correctional Institution
Creates a Correction Medical and Health Commission to make recommendations to improve medical, nutrition, behavioral health, and health care services for incarcerated people

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WECOME HOUSE PASSAGE OF ICE BILL AND GOV. LAMONT’S FORTHCOMING SIGNATURE INTO LAW

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME HOUSE PASSAGE OF ICE BILL AND GOV. LAMONT’S FORTHCOMING SIGNATURE INTO LAW

“In the 250^th year of our independence, America is at a crossroads. Today’s House passage of Senate Bill 397 – a Senate Democrats’ priority bill – to rein in federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ repeated and horrific violations of our constitutional and human rights is evidence that the principles of federalism enunciated in the 10^th Amendment are still viable and vital, despite repeated attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to choke the life out of our national democratic tradition of dual sovereignty.

“We look forward to standing on the steps of the state Supreme Court on Monday as Governor Lamont signs this bill into law and Connecticut once again fires a shot in the fight for freedom against tyranny.”

Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lawrence Cook | lawrence.cook@cga.ct.gov | 860-604-9279

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WECOME HOUSE PASSAGE OF ICE BILL AND GOV. LAMONT’S FORTHCOMING SIGNATURE INTO LAW

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME HOUSE PASSAGE OF ICE BILL AND GOV. LAMONT’S FORTHCOMING SIGNATURE INTO LAW

Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lawrence Cook | lawrence.cook@cga.ct.gov | 860-604-9279

Stay Connected with Senate Democrats

Senator Miller Votes to Approve FY ‘27 State Budget with New Education Aid for 27th District Residents

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Miller Votes to Approve FY ‘27 State Budget with New Education Aid for 27th District Residents

HARTFORD – Senator Pat Billie Miller, D-Stamford, voted Saturday for changes to the second year of the Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to municipalities, another $100 million to cities and towns, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care – all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap.

Senate Bill 1 was passed on a 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Senator Miller voted for and welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in an additional $1.5 million in education funding for Stamford and Darien and a total of $3.25 million in additional town aid for the 27th District.

“This budget makes a clear commitment to the students and families who depend on our public schools to prepare them for success,” Senator Miller said. “The additional education funding for Stamford and Darien schools will make a real difference for the children in our classrooms and the educators who serve them every day. The budget also makes significant investments in early childhood education and child care which will help more families access the support they need during those critical early years. When we invest in education from infancy through high school graduation, we are choosing to build a more equitable Connecticut that ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:

$152 million in increased aid for local boards of education in the form of an additional ECS grant. This $152 million increase will also be built into the ECS grant in FY 28, which begins on July 1, 2027.
$20 million in additional funding to ensure that all school districts receive a minimum of a 2% increase in their ECS grant this year, regardless of student enrollment.
$18 million in additional aid for magnet schools, the Open Choice program, charter schools, and vocational-technical schools.
$100 million for state grants to cities and towns.
A $30 million increase to the state’s HUSKY health care program on top of the $45 million already budgeted, resulting in a total $75 million increase. HUSKY Health provides comprehensive, no-cost or low-cost medical coverage to eligible low-income residents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
A $300 million transfer of ‘volatile’ state revenue to the Early Childhood Endowment which helps families access child care, supports higher wages for educators, and improves child care facilities.

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Bill Protecting Residents of Private Equity-Owned Nursing Homes

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Bill Protecting Residents of Private Equity-Owned Nursing Homes

HARTFORD — Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden), Senate Chair of the Aging Committee, led passage of Senate Bill 125, requiring nursing homes with private equity ownership to disclose their financial structures to the state and prohibiting private equity firms from controlling resident care decisions.

“I’ve seen firsthand what happens in nursing homes when some of the private equity firms take control. Staffing gets cut, care suffers, and when the finances collapse, it’s the residents who are left without the support they depend on and the state is often left paying the bill,” Senator Hochadel said. “SB 125 ensures the state knows who actually owns, controls and manages these facilities. Our loved ones deserve a system that puts their care first, and this legislation helps ensure Connecticut delivers that protection.”

SB 125 includes the following provisions related to private equity ownership of nursing homes:

Requires nursing homes with private equity ownership to submit annual financial disclosures to the Commissioner of Social Services
Requires that the entity holding a nursing home’s license maintain full governance and authority over the home’s assets and activities, so that the facility has control over residents’ health, safety, or care decisions. The bill gives nursing homes until February of 2028 to comply with this provision
Requires the Department of Social Services to identify possible security instruments in the event that the nursing home is closed, enters receivership, or has any imminent financial distress
Directs the Commissioners of Social Services and Public Health to study implications of restricting real property sales within five years of acquisition, with findings due to the General Assembly by February 2028
Establishes civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation for attestation failures and $1,000 per day for financial disclosure failures

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov

WEST HARTFORD DELEGATION APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID, MUNICIPAL SUPPORT

Posted on May 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

WEST HARTFORD DELEGATION APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID, MUNICIPAL SUPPORT

HARTFORD – The West Hartford delegation, including State Senator Derek Slap and State Representatives Jillian Gilchrest, Tammy Exum, Kate Farrar, Bobby Gibson and James Sanchez, on Saturday voted to approve changes to the second year of the Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.

West Hartford will receive $2.825 million in additional educational support through the Education Cost Sharing grant and $5.03 million in total increased aid.

Specific support for West Hartford includes $600,000 for public restroom construction, $400,000 for the Trout Brook Trail/East Coast Greenway Connector, $171,100 for the Miracle League Field Bridge Replacement and $80,000 for West Hartford Pride.

“When our towns and schools need financial support, we need to deliver for our communities,” said Sen. Slap. “Today, we’re taking action to increase funding for education, municipal services, health care and child care aimed to deliver relief for taxpayers and bolster local, regional and statewide needs.”

“I’m pleased to see robust funding for West Hartford’s green spaces included in this year’s budget,” said Rep. Gilchrest. “Strategic investments like these are critical to preserving environmental sustainability, supporting recreation, and maintaining the high quality of life our residents expect. By prioritizing these resources, we are making a long-term commitment to the vitality and resilience of our community.”

“Additional state funding for West Hartford in this state budget represents a meaningful investment in our community and financial relief for our residents,” said Rep. Farrar. “By strengthening support for our public schools and increasing municipal aid, we are better equipping our students and teachers with the resources they need to succeed while also easing the burden on property taxpayers. And as the tri-chair of the Early Childhood Education Endowment, the continued investment in childcare will ensure we can continue to bring down costs for families, pay educators what they are worth, and make sure our kids have the best start.”

“I’m thrilled that we have secured additional education funding to support our students,” said Rep. Sanchez. “Investing in our children is one of the most important commitments we can make as a community, and this funding will help ensure there are more resources and opportunities for the next generation to succeed.”

“West Hartford remains the thriving town it is when its residents’ needs are being met,” Rep. Exum said. “When they call for help, we must answer. From education and health care to easing the burden on taxpayers, this additional funding delivers for the town and the people who continue to make it one of the state’s jewels.”

“This is a great victory for West Hartford. The additional funding will provide a much needed boost to our schools and other vital local services,” said Rep. Gibson.

The budget will deliver $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, another $100 million to cities and towns across the state, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care – all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap.

The investment reflects concerns legislators heard throughout this year from mayors, first selectmen and school boards. When the state funds more of the local bill, cities and towns do not have to pass costs onto property taxpayers. Running municipalities and schools costs more every year, and the burden of that growth falls disproportionately on the local property tax base. The budget provides meaningful relief to communities statewide at a moment where it will make a significant impact.

The legislation also exempts school supplies from sales taxes and expands the maximum value of an item of clothing covered by the state’s sales tax holiday from $100 to $300.

Senate Bill 1 was passed on a 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Total aid includes, in addition to ECS, Town Aid Road funding, Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding, car tax grants, Local Capital Improvements Program grants, special education funding and funding through the Mashantucket-Pequot Fund.

Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:

$152 million in increased aid for local boards of education in the form of an additional ECS grant. This $152 million increase will also be built into the ECS grant in FY 28, which begins on July 1, 2027.
$20 million in additional funding to ensure all school districts receive a minimum of a 4% increase in their ECS grant this year, regardless of student enrollment.
$18 million in additional aid for magnet schools, the Open Choice program, charter schools, and vocational-technical schools.
$100 million for state grants to cities and towns.
A $30 million increase to the state’s HUSKY health care program on top of the $45 million already budgeted, resulting in a total $75 million increase. HUSKY Health provides comprehensive, no-cost or low-cost medical coverage to eligible low-income residents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
A $300 million transfer of ‘volatile’ state revenue to the Early Childhood Endowment which helps families access child care, supports higher wages for educators, and improves child care facilities.