FAMILY AFFORDABILITY PRIORITIES, INCLUDING CHILD TAX CREDIT AND FREE SCHOOL MEALS, PASS COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN

March 5, 2026

Today, the Committee on Children voted to advance Senate Bill 6, legislation seeking to improve the well-being of children and address affordability concerns for working families. The bill, which includes a child tax credit worth up to $1,800 and universal free school meals for Connecticut schoolchildren, strives to provide relief to families amid high costs.

The bill passed by an 11-6 tally.

“We know costs keep rising for Connecticut residents, with tariffs increasing prices and, most recently, gas prices spiking by 10 cents per day,” said Sen. Maher. “Working families trying to make ends meet are struggling to deal with the pressure. This legislation seeks to provide them with direct and meaningful relief through the child tax credit, putting money back in their pockets, and universal school meals, which save families money throughout the school year while ensuring no child goes hungry while they’re trying to learn. In the interests of children’s safety, it also seeks to improve oversight in certain circumstances. With today’s passage, I’m excited to introduce it on the Senate floor this year.”

Senate Bill 6, “An Act Concerning Supports For Children And Families,” one of the priority bills for Senate Democrats this year, includes a number of provisions seeking to help working families.

The bill delivers a child tax credit worth up to $600 per child, covering up to three children for working and middle-class families, with a maximum value of $1,800 per household. Cutoffs for eligibility include $100,000 for single filers, $160,000 for heads of household and $200,000 for joint filers.

This legislation also includes a provision supporting free universal school meals for children, including breakfasts and lunches. Studies show universal school meals can boost student test scores by the equivalent of more than a month of in-classroom learning on top of the financial benefit the program would have. In addition, we know school meals boost attendance and school achievement.

When Massachusetts implemented universal school meals for all public school students, it delivered 21 million more meals in just its first year, with more than 60,000 students gaining access to free breakfast and lunch. Estimates indicate more than 160,000 Connecticut students would benefit from a free breakfast program alone.

The bill also contains provisions concerning children’s safety, preventing individuals convicted of child abuse or neglect from residing with a minor child. The Department of Children and Families would establish a notification system when those individuals are released from prison to a home where children live.

As well, in response to Connecticut having the lightest homeschooling regulations in New England, and following high-profile incidents including a girl who died and a boy who was held captive after they were removed from public school, as no one outside the families saw the child, the bill seeks to make improvements to those policies. It would allow the Department of Children and Families, if a child is withdrawn from public schools, to see if that child is currently under an order for protective supervision or services; if they are, DCF would place a note in their file.

The information of any child not involved with DCF would be destroyed by state officials, according to the bill, ensuring recordkeeping is focused solely on children already under protection.