Senator Honig Votes to Expand Absentee Voting Access

Posted on May 6, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Honig Votes to Expand Absentee Voting Access

HARTFORD – Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton), vice chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, voted Wednesday in favor of legislation expanding absentee voting access for all Connecticut residents, fulfilling a mandate voters approved at the ballot box in November 2024, when 58% supported amending the state constitution to allow absentee voting without requiring a specific excuse.

House Bill 5001 passed the Senate today and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

HB 5001 fulfills the results of the November 2024 statewide referendum. Connecticut joins 28 other states plus Washington, D.C., that already offer no-excuse absentee voting. Previously, Connecticut voters were required to meet one of five specific excuses to cast an absentee ballot: active military service, being out of town, being sick, personal religious beliefs, or serving as an election official.

“Connecticut voters were clear in November 2024: they want broader access to the ballot, and it’s our job to deliver on that,” Senator Honig said. “Absentee voting without bureaucratic hurdles is already standard practice in 28 other states and Washington, D.C. This legislation brings Connecticut in line with a majority of the country, and that’s good for everyone I represent.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

No Excuse Absentee Voting – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
Absentee Ballot Application Distribution – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
Absentee Ballot Tracking Software – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
Automatic Absentee Ballot Application Status – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC Investigatory Authority – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
Municipal Election Frequency – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
Attorney General Action on Federal Election Interference – Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
Absentee Voting and Early Voting for Certain 17-Year-Old Voters – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
Prohibited Acts Near an Elections Site – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
Harassment of Election Workers – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
Prohibition on Sharing Tabulators or Tabulator Parts With Unauthorized Third Parties – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
Absentee Ballot Drop Box Tampering – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
Attorney General Authority to Bring an Action – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
Voter Participation Efforts – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SENATOR SLAP, MOMS DEMAND ACTION SUPPORT LEGISLATION RESTRICTING CONVERTIBLE PISTOLS AS IT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL IN SENATE

Posted on May 6, 2026 by SDO Automation

SENATOR SLAP, MOMS DEMAND ACTION SUPPORT LEGISLATION RESTRICTING CONVERTIBLE PISTOLS AS IT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL IN SENATE

Early this morning, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) supported and voted for the final passage of legislation through the State Senate seeking to restrict access to convertible pistols in Connecticut, semi-automatic handguns that can be modified for automatic fire using a device the size of a human finger, as part of an effort to improve firearm safety in the state.

The bill was introduced this year by Governor Ned Lamont in the pursuit of safety.

“When we hear something’s wrong, we need to take action, and that’s readily apparent here,” said Sen. Slap, who was a co-sponsor of the bill. “Simple, cheap pieces can be bought online and allow a pistol to fire automatically. Preventing their use is a simple, common-sense way for our state to retain the firearm safety our state is known for, as we’ve seen the horrific consequences of gun violence and continue to say ‘never again’ in our state.”

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Slap for his leadership in prioritizing our families’ safety over gun industry profits. After Sandy Hook, we made a promise to always lead on gun violence prevention and prevent future tragedies; by helping pass this bill, Senator Slap is helping us keep that promise,” said Brittany Schnurr, a West Hartford volunteer with the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This legislation is a critical step in ending the spread of ‘DIY’ machine guns and making every Connecticut neighborhood safer.”

Under House Bill 5043, as of October 1, 2026, the knowing import, advertising, selling or offering for sale of any convertible pistol will become a class D felony. That provision does not apply to retail sale or lawful transfer of a convertible pistol by someone who is not a licensed gun dealer to another person who is not a licensed gun dealer.

Under the bill, a “convertible pistol” is defined as any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar, a link between the trigger and firing pin of a pistol, that can be modified by hand or with a common household tool to be converted into a machine gun with installation or attachment of a pistol converter. It would make any pistol equipped with a device or instrument aiding rapid fire to be considered a machine gun; hammer-fired semi-auto pistols and pistols with cruciform trigger bars preventing modification would not be considered convertible pistols.

It would also be a class D felony to sell, offer or otherwise transfer a “rate of fire enhancement,” in addition to already-illegal bump stocks, that allow for rapid fire of a semi-automatic firearm.

This bill allows people who own convertible pistols to keep those firearms. These models of firearm are already illegal in states including California; firearms manufacturers like Glock will simply be required to sell alternative models they already produce for other states.

Additional advances the law makes include clarifying that parts that can be turned into the lower receiver of a firearm, referred to as unfinished frames or unfinished lower receivers, cannot be advertised or sold in Connecticut and allowing the partial refunding of a handgun permit fee if authorities don’t complete duties within established timeframes.

Pistol conversion materials like “Glock switches” can be purchased online for relatively low costs, with their installation turning a firearm from a semi-automatic to an automatic.

Groups including Moms Demand Action, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, CT Against Gun Violence, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Everytown for Gun Safety and the Newtown Action Alliance testified in support of the bill.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor testified in support of the legislation, noting the impact of automatic gunfire in local communities. “HB 5043 takes a thoughtful and targeted approach by addressing the underlying design vulnerability that allows certain pistols to be easily converted,” she said, noting the step “places responsibility where it belongs – on preventing the design flaw that enables these dangerous modifications in the first place.”

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association testified that its members have seen modified firearms increasingly throughout Connecticut in recent years, with concerns that more ammunition being fired may correlate to more risk to the public.

DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins testified these firearms can “dramatically increase the potential for mass casualty incidents” and “complicate the ability of law enforcement to respond safely and effectively.”

The Newtown Action Alliance testified that the issue is connected to the firearms used in the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012, as firearm manufacturers modify weapon designs in ways circumventing existing legal definitions while maintaining lethal capabilities.

Connecticut has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the United States. In 2024, it had the sixth-lowest gun death rate nationally and received an A rating from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Passing the Senate Wednesday morning by a 22-11 tally, the bill previously passed the House on April 22 by an 86-64 vote and the Judiciary Committee by a 24-12 vote on March 24. With its passage, the bill now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.

SEN. LESSER WELCOMES FINAL PASSAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE BILL

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. LESSER WELCOMES FINAL PASSAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE BILL

HARTFORD – State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today celebrated the House of Representatives’ final passage of his long-term care (LTC) insurance bill that restricts rate increases for policies sold in Connecticut, requires insurers to report how much they are paying out each year in long-term insurance costs, and studies the potential impact of policyholders getting their premiums back if LTC policy increases exceed the rate of inflation.

Senate Bill 478 passed the House this evening on an overwhelming and bipartisan 146-4 vote after passing the Senate on a bipartisan and nearly unanimous 35-1 vote on April 30. The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“I am humbled by the overwhelming and bipartisan support expressed for this bill in both chambers of the General Assembly. It speaks to the fact that all of us have constituents who have invested in these plans, have seen the cost of these plans skyrocket beyond their wildest dreams, and who are desperate to be able to continue this coverage in a more affordable manner,” Sen. Lesser said. “Long-term care policies have become a problem nationwide, and this bill provides options for policyholders.”

About 100,000 people in Connecticut have long-term care policies, but they have seen their annual premiums skyrocket due to failed insurance company estimates on how long they would live and how expensive medical care would be.

Senate Bill 478 seeks to rein in these premium hikes in the following ways:

A LTC policy issuer shall not use or change premium rates for a long-term care policy unless the rates have been filed with and approved by the commissioner.
A LTC issuer must file a report every year listing the losses incurred and actual paid losses for each long-term care policy they issued in Connecticut.
The Insurance Commissioner may study what the effect would be of a requirement that LTC issuers provide policyholders with the opportunity to cancel their policies — and obtain full refunds of any premiums they have paid since the start of the policy — whenever the insurer seeks a rate increase that exceeds the rate of inflation
Any insurance company that files a rate filing for an increase in its premium rates for a LTC policy for 20 percent or more must spread that increase over three years or more.
Notify its policyholders of such premium rate increase and make available to such policyholders the additional choice of reducing the policy benefits to reduce the premium rate or electing coverage that reflects the minimum set of affordable benefit options.

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SENATOR LESSSER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

SENATOR LESSER APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID FOR 9TH SENATE DISTRICT RESIDENTS

HARTFORD –State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today voted for changes to the second year of Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, 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 bipartisan 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Sen. Lesser welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in $128.98 million in total state aid this year – $12.75 million more than last year – for Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield, including an 8.55% increase of $6.37 million in education funding.

“These second-year budget adjustments are a reflection of the times, where towns are struggling in a tight economy with increased costs. We heard from parents and town leaders and came through with a pretty comprehensive investment in education, health care, and early child care that’s going to do a lot of good and which should save local taxpayers some money,” Sen. Lesser said.

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 childcare, supports higher wages for educators, and improves childcare facilities.
$50 million to begin rebuilding Vinal Tech High School in Middletown.

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SENATOR KUSHNER APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID FOR 24TH SENATE DISTRICT RESIDENTS

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

SENATOR KUSHNER APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID FOR
24^TH SENATE DISTRICT RESIDENTS

HARTFORD –State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today voted for changes to the second year of Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, 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 bipartisan vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Sen. Kushner welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in $101.14 million in total state aid this year for Danbury, New Fairfield and Ridgefield – including a 4.7% increase of $3.11 million in education funding.

“I’m so happy that this year we were able to expand on our commitment to children through increased aid to public schools, more investments in childcare, and taking care of kids on HUSKY,” Sen. Kushner said. “They say a budget is a statement of your priorities, and by focusing on pre-school children and students we’re showing our commitment to the next generation. While Washington D.C. is making things harder for working families, we’re doing the opposite here in Connecticut – we’re investing in them.”

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 childcare, supports higher wages for educators, and improves childcare facilities.

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SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES CONFIRMATION OF CHRISTINA D. GHIO AS CONNECTICUT’S CHILD ADVOCATE

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES CONFIRMATION OF CHRISTINA D. GHIO AS CONNECTICUT’S CHILD ADVOCATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of Christina D. Ghio to serve as Connecticut’s Child Advocate, confident she will serve as a strong voice who will defend and support the needs of children across the state.

Ghio, who has served as temporary Acting Child Advocate since 2022 and assumed the position of Acting Child Advocate in the fall of 2024, was recommended for the role by the Advisory Committee to the Office of the Child Advocate.

“Christina Ghio has proven herself to be a fierce and dedicated defender of Connecticut’s children, and I’m highly encouraged that her presence as the Child Advocate comes at a time when our state needs to improve current standards,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m heartened to know the children of our state will have a champion tirelessly fighting for them.”

The Child Advocate monitors and evaluates public and private agencies charged with protecting children and reviews state policies and procedures to ensure they protect children’s rights and promote their best interests.

Ghio previously worked as an attorney in her own practice, representing parents in child-related matters including special education, child abuse and neglect and mental health. She’s also served as an assistant child advocate, was director of the Child Abuse Project at the Center for Children’s Advocacy and previously worked as an attorney for the New Hampshire Public Defender.

Ghio is an alum of the Georgetown University Law Center and Central Connecticut State University and is a certified child welfare law specialist by the National Association of Council for Children.

Today’s vote passed the Senate by a 27-9 tally. Ghio previously passed the House by a 94-42 vote on March 25 and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee by a 17-4 tally on March 17.

LAWMAKERS LAUD CT LEGISLAURE’S CREATION OF FIRST STATE-LEVEL GRADUATE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

LAWMAKERS LAUD CT LEGISLAURE’S CREATION OF FIRST STATE-LEVEL GRADUATE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

HARTFORD — In response to sweeping federal changes to graduate student lending in the 2025 federal budget, State Sen. Derek Slap and State Reps. Gregg Haddad and Kaitlyn Shake announce the approval of legislation dedicating $30 million to establish the nation’s first state-level graduate student loan program. The funding and implementing language were embedded in SB1.

The initiative is designed to take the place of the federal Graduate PLUS loan program, which is being eliminated by the Trump administration, and to ensure Connecticut students can continue to afford advanced degrees in critical, high-demand fields, such as nursing and teaching.

For the entire legislative session, Sen. Slap and Rep. Haddad – co-chairs of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee – and Rep. Shake, a registered nurse, championed urgent and bold state action following federal policy changes adopted under the Trump administration.

These changes include federal loan caps that sharply restrict borrowing for graduate students. Beginning in July, new students in graduate programs face limits of just $20,500 per year (or $100,000 total). Notably, despite requiring extensive training and licensure, nursing, public health, social work, education, and other essential fields have been excluded from the “professional” designation that has been granted higher loan limits. However, these degree programs often cost more than the limits.

Compounding the issue, the federal government is eliminating the Graduate PLUS loan program entirely — forcing many students to turn to private lenders with uncertain terms and limited accessibility, particularly for those without established credit or from low- and moderate-income backgrounds. Grad PLUS loans had been critical to cover the cost of degree programs in excess of the new limits.

Connecticut has stepped in to fill the void in leadership and to provide low-interest loans that ensure the next generation of professionals – our educators, our health care providers – can attend graduate school, free from high-cost private loans.

It’s an investment in a workforce that benefits communities statewide.

“The creation of a grad student loan program will help thousands of teachers, nurses, social workers and other professionals who have seen their access to low interest loans slashed thanks to the Trump administration and national Republicans,” Sen. Slap said. “I’m so pleased Connecticut is stepping up especially at a time when we have such shortages of workers in these fields.”

“Connecticut is the first state in the nation to act to protect the workforce pipeline for dozens of occupations that require advanced graduate degrees,” Rep. Haddad said. “Teachers, nurses, social workers and physical therapists are just a few of the jobs that often require advanced degrees and we have helped students preparing for these jobs by passing this landmark program.

“President Trump ended the federal Grad PLUS loan program, which currently provides CT students with $90 million of federally subsidized loans. Grad students are scrambling to find affordable student loans as they pursue their education. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to answer the threat with an affordable state solution,” added Rep. Haddad.

“The Federal Department of Education’s November 2025 announcement to declassify certain professional degrees eligible for Federal Graduate Student Loans, has been a major concern for me and was a legislative priority as we transitioned into the 2026 session,” Rep. Shake said. “In anticipation of a final decision that would exclude predominantly women and people of color seeking higher education to pursue their professional dreams, Connecticut didn’t hesitate to act — we took action as the first in the nation to combat this harmful policy change impacting students’ long-term economic security and Connecticut’s workforce.

“I am incredibly thankful and proud of the diverse coalition of professional and union organizations that worked alongside Rep. Haddad, Senator Slap, and me in advocating for a substantial increase in CHESLA funding. As the chaos around public education in Washington, D.C., continues, Connecticut’s recent passage of the state budget reaffirms our commitment to graduate students and our future workforce.”

Senator Honig Passes Comprehensive Veterans’ Package

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Honig Passes Comprehensive Veterans’ Package

HARTFORD — Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton), Senate Chair of the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, today celebrated final passage of HB 5406, a wide-ranging package of veterans’ and military affairs measures that expands dental care access, strengthens veteran protections, and removes administrative barriers for those who served.

“Connecticut veterans have earned their benefits through service and sacrifice, and too many of them are still hitting obstacles when they try to access them,” Senator Honig said. “This bill removes a real one: veterans who fall between the cracks on dental care, who don’t qualify for VA coverage but can’t afford what they need on their own, now have a clear path to treatment. It also cuts red tape on DMV fees and renewals, strengthens protections against predatory claims agents, and takes steps to improve long-term care access. That’s what the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee has been working toward, and I’m proud to see it pass.”

The legislation includes the following provisions:

Veterans Dental Care Program: Creates a new program providing up to $3,000 per year in covered dental services, including exams, fillings, root canals, crowns, and oral surgery, for eligible veterans with a service-connected disability rating of less than 100% who do not already receive dental care through the VA and whose household income falls at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. The program is capped at $1 million annually and administered through the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund.
DMV Fee Waivers and Grace Period Extension: Waives fees for original driver’s licenses and identity cards for DVA-verified veterans, and extends the grace period for motor vehicle renewals and emissions testing from 60 to 90 days for service members returning from active duty.
Income Tax Exemptions: Establishes state income tax deductions for compensation earned serving on an honor guard detail at a veteran’s funeral, and for pay National Guard members receive when ordered out for state active duty.
Veteran Protections Against Predatory Claims Agents: Requires the state DVA to post plain-language warnings on its website about unaccredited claims agents and the risks of sharing VA account credentials, along with links to federal reporting tools.
Veterans’ Service Officer Training Expansion: Expands required training for veterans’ service officers and municipal veterans’ representatives to include resources for all veterans, with a dedicated section on issues unique to women veterans.
Nursing Home Access Task Force: Establishes a task force to study ways to encourage Medicaid-certified nursing homes to contract with the VA and provide care to eligible veterans, including potential financial incentives and tax credits.
Military Emergency Response Account: Creates a dedicated account for the adjutant general to cover state costs during emergencies when federal reimbursement is not immediately available, seeded with a $500,000 transfer for FY27.
Birth-to-Three Program Transitions: Requires the state’s early intervention system to provide minimally disruptive transitions for military-connected children relocating due to new orders, including record transfers and a family service plan meeting within 45 days.
National Guard Readiness Center Naming: Names the Connecticut National Guard Readiness Center in Putnam the John Dempsey Putnam Army National Guard Readiness Center.

The Senate passed the bill unanimously late Monday, following a bipartisan vote in the House. The bill now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for his signature.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov |

EAST HARTFORD DELEGATION WELCOMES FUNDING FOR WORLD WAR II LEGACY FOUNDATION

Posted on May 5, 2026 by SDO Automation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

May 5, 2026

EAST HARTFORD DELEGATION WELCOMES FUNDING FOR WORLD WAR II LEGACY FOUNDATION

Today, the East Hartford delegation of lawmakers including State Senator Saud Anwar, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, State Representative Patrick Biggins and State Representative Henry Genga, welcomed $200,000 in funding supporting East Hartford’s World War II Legacy Foundation.

The Legacy Foundation, with a mission to honor and remember those who served during World War II by acquiring and displaying artifacts and educating the public on veterans’ actions, operates a museum at 102 Pitkin Street, with the grant supporting continued operations.

The Foundation is operated by East Hartford’s Gary Roy and Marianna Mihalyo.

“It’s been more than 80 years since we celebrated the German surrender that ended World War II, but the sacrifices made by those in our communities and beyond must never be forgotten,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m grateful these funds will continue to support Connecticut’s efforts to preserve and educate on the importance of our country’s past and all that veterans sacrificed to support our country.”

“I am proud to support this funding for the WWII Legacy Foundation, which ensures the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten. Their courage helped define our nation’s path, and we must continue to recognize both their legacy and the enduring cost of war,” Majority Leader Rojas said.

“This is a great way to honor those who served in WWII and educate our future generations about the United States’ long history of standing up against authoritarian regimes that foster hate and genocide,” said Rep. Biggins.

“The Legacy Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring that the service and sacrifice of those who served during World War II are never forgotten. This funding will help preserve their stories, honor their legacy, and educate future generations about the courage, resilience, and unity that defined this pivotal moment in history,” said Rep. Genga. “I am proud that these resources will not only deepen our understanding of the past but also reinforce the responsibility we all share to carry these lessons forward. This is the only site of its kind in Connecticut and one of just three in New England. It offers people a meaningful opportunity to recognize their families’ service and better understand the significance of the battles they faced during one of the most defining periods in modern history.”

Connecticut Senate Passes Homeschool Oversight Bill

Posted on May 4, 2026 by SDO Automation

Connecticut Senate Passes Homeschool Oversight Bill

HARTFORD — After several tragic cases of child abuse involving children pulled from school by their parents, the Connecticut Senate voted Tuesday to pass modest new oversight of homeschooled students, requiring parents to annually notify their local school district of their intent to homeschool and pass background checks screening adults in the home for child abuse.

House Bill 5468 passed the Senate on a 22-14 vote after passing the House on April 23. It now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Connecticut currently has nearly no oversight of homeschooling, and children withdrawn from school can simply vanish from public view. The legislation will require:

Parents withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool to appear in person to sign a withdrawal form, beginning in the 2027-28 school year
Superintendents to check DCF records for every adult aged 18 or older living in the household when a parent withdraws a child to homeschool, blocking the withdrawal if any resident is on the child abuse registry or under active DCF investigation, beginning in 2027-28
Homeschool parents to file an annual form with their local school district by October 1 each year declaring their intent to educate, beginning in the 2028-29 school year
School districts that do not receive a required form by November 1 to make at least three contact attempts and notify the State Department of Education if the family cannot be reached

The bill also formally codifies “parent-managed learning” as an explicit third educational option in Connecticut law alongside public and private school, replacing the previous vague “equivalent instruction elsewhere” language.

“The vast majority of Connecticut families who homeschool strive to give their children a solid academic education, and we are grateful for the dedication they bring to that work every day. However, Connecticut has seen too many cases of children removed from school and hidden from the teachers and school staff who might have recognized the signs of abuse and been required by law to report it. Reckless driving laws were not passed to punish safe drivers. They were passed to create accountability for the few whose behavior endangers others. This bill exists for the same reason, and it is the least we can do to protect the children who are not so lucky. Children have rights independent of their parents; they are not mere possessions of their parents. The state has an obligation to see that those rights are protected,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney said.

“Most homeschooling families in Connecticut are doing right by their kids. This bill is not about them. It is about the children who are withdrawn from school and disappear, cut off from every adult outside the home who might recognize the signs of abuse and be required by law to report it. Those children deserve better, and this bill is a step toward making sure they get it,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said.

“Most families who choose to educate their children at home are doing a very good job, and this bill is not about making their lives harder,” said Senator Douglas McCrory, Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “What we could not accept, in good conscience, was a child being placed in the hands of an adult with a documented history of abusing children. We just want to know who these children are, and we want to know they are safe. If you are doing right by your child, these modest requirements will not stand in your way.”

“The Education committee listened to parents’ concerns and worked to find solutions that will bolster and benefit our state’s educational efforts for years to come,” said Senator Ceci Maher, Senate Chair of the Committee on Children. “Connecticut currently has no homeschooling standards; this bill responds to the need to understand the full scope of parent-managed learning and how many children are learning at home. I’m grateful to Education Committee co-chairs Representative Jennifer Leeper and Senator Doug McCrory for their tireless work over the last year to be responsive and thoughtful, moving toward a better understanding of parent-managed learning in Connecticut.”

While most homeschooling families work hard to prepare their children for success, Connecticut’s lack of oversight has left some children invisible to the public institutions that might have protected them. Four cases illustrate the consequences:

Eve Rogers Eve Rogers, 12, was found dead in her Enfield home in March 2026. She had been withdrawn from school in the fourth grade for homeschooling and had not been enrolled in Enfield Public Schools in the three years before her death. The cause and manner of her death remain under investigation.

Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-García Mimi Torres-García, 11, was withdrawn from school by her mother with no background check. She died within two months. Her body, showing signs of starvation and abuse, was not discovered for more than a year.

Waterbury Captivity Case A Waterbury man was withdrawn from school in the fourth grade and subjected to decades of captivity and abuse, invisible to the teachers and school staff who would have been mandated to report it. Firefighters discovered him early last year when they pulled him from a burning home. He weighed 68 pounds.

Matthew Tirado Matthew Tirado, 17, died in 2017 from what the Office of the Child Advocate called prolonged child abuse and neglect after his mother removed him and his sister from school. The OCA examined how Matthew “came to be hidden or invisible” as a result. “The safety net for children who are withdrawn from school for the purpose of home-schooling must be improved,” the OCA wrote.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193