Senator Maher Applauds Final Senate Approval for State Funds to Counteract Federal Cuts, Create More Housing, Fight Ice Abuse, Purchase Waterbury Hospital, and Improve Children’s Mental Health

Connecticut Senate Democrats gave final approval today to a series of bills that will ensure state residents are financially protected from the federal cuts in Washington, D C., are protected from ICE arrests in courthouse parking lots, support children’s mental health, rescue Waterbury Hospital from its bankruptcy under private ownership, and build more housing all across the state.

“Today’s actions are the result of months of collaboration that are intended to meet the moment for some of Connecticut’s most pressing issues,” said State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton). “We took action today to make sure our state is better prepared to weather serious federal funding cuts continually announced by the Trump administration, creating uncertainty and chaos. We’re also working to make sure behavioral health support for children remains a priority, and developing constructive, incentive-based support for sorely needed new housing. In addition to addressing immigration enforcement safety concerns and preserving a key piece of state healthcare, these efforts will deliver real benefits to state residents in coming years.”

“At the same time, we are moving forward on housing solutions that will make our communities stronger. This legislation encourages towns and regional councils to create more affordable housing for families in neighborhoods they love.

“And when federal funding falls short, Connecticut is stepping in to protect our residents, ensuring families and communities continue to receive the support they need. These bills reflect our commitment to protecting residents and building a Connecticut that is fair, safe, and inclusive for everyone.”

Today’s Senate action comes one day after Connecticut House Democrats approved the same series of bills; they now go to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

Keystone legislation was $500 million set aside in the state’s budget reserve – better known as “The Rainy Day Fund” – to make up for hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding that have already been cut, or could be cut even further in the coming months – by Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

The State of Connecticut will use the funds to make up for federal shortfalls and policy changes that would financially harm hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents in every city and town with the loss of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP, which provides low-cost heating fuel over the winter), health care, school meals, child care assistance, and housing assistance.

Senate Democrats today approved new housing legislation that will see towns and regional councils of government (COGs) adopt policies to create more housing – including market-rate and affordable housing. School construction grants from the state would increase by 5% in towns that implement housing growth plans, qualify as rapid transit or transit-adjacent communities, or adopt development districts.

Senate Democrats also advanced legislation to strengthen and expand access to children’s behavioral health care across the state. The bill directs a comprehensive assessment of service gaps in hotlines, mobile crisis units, urgent care centers, and hospitals to better meet the growing demand for youth mental health support. The Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee will lead a statewide study of current services and future needs, add new members representing substance use and youth advocacy, and report its findings by 2027. The Department of Social Services will evaluate evidence-based in-home psychiatric programs such as Yale’s Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) model. Additionally, the legislation extends private-insurance coverage for autism therapies from age 21 to 26 and establishes an advisory committee to modernize regulations for Applied Behavior Analysis providers. It also calls for a review of insurance coverage for treatment at urgent crisis centers, ensuring stronger access to timely, community-based care for children and families.

In order to prevent aggressive federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting people on state property, Senate Democrats today defined “courthouse” to mean not only the interior of any facility, but also the “courthouse grounds” to include the courthouse and any garage or parking lot owned by the Judicial Branch, or under contract with the branch, for the purpose of serving the courthouse – along with any walkways or sidewalks on the grounds of the courthouse or connecting a garage to the courthouse. The bill provides a private right of action so aggrieved parties can sue ICE for any such violations, and it prohibits state agencies and towns from sharing non-public information with ICE about individuals.

Senate Democrats today passed legislation amending the bonding authority of the University of Connecticut 2000 Act (“UConn 2000”) to allow the university and its hospital to purchase and operate Waterbury Hospital, thereby saving the hospital, its 1,000 employees and 360,000 patients from Prospect Medical Holdings, the California-based private-sector operator that filed for bankruptcy protection in January.

All of the bills are effective from the date of passage, except for the housing provisions, which begin January 1, 2026.