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July 1 marks the start of over 90 new laws in CT. Here are some to know about

FILE: The legislative session opened in Hartford on February 7, 2024.
Tyler Russell
/
ǻ
Starting July 1, new measures will go into effect which track a wide array of policy, from how old a kid needs to be to start kindergarten, to which stores can sell THC-infused beverages in ǻ.

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Summer is upon us, and with it brings beaches, sunshine and many new ǻ laws.

The General Assembly passed over 170 bills in its 2024 regular session, and an omnibus bill during its special session in late June.

Starting July 1, dozens of those laws – including some from previous legislative sessions – are officially in effect in ǻ. The new measures track a wide array of policy, from how old a kid needs to be to start kindergarten, to which stores can sell THC-infused beverages in ǻ.

July 1 also marks the start of a new three-year phase-in that will require for more workers across ǻ. That law impacts workplaces of 25 employees or more this year and will expand to include smaller workplaces in coming years.

In schools, new laws now give ǻ educators more leeway on mandated ; as a result of the changes, teachers may now speak with injured students and make a judgment call over whether to report it to state authorities.

There will also be changes to health care regulations, with ǻ health care providers and hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit agencies, a law designed to shield vulnerable populations from damaging hits to their credit scores.

Here’s some of the other new measures in effect July 1:

Medicaid eligibility for more young people

Residents and undocumented children ages 15 and under in ǻ can now enroll in HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program. The previous age limit was age 12. Gov. Ned Lamont approved this expansion in 2023.

Residents, including immigrants, ages 16 to 18 are still not covered under HUSKY.

Heightened security for absentee ballot drop boxes

Changes to the election process are also coming. These include video surveillance at absentee boxes and only allowing the actual voter to request a replacement absentee ballot.

ǻ’s election security has come under scrutiny in the wake of political dysfunction in Bridgeport. But as has reported, voting irregularities are rare.

Restrictions on the sale of THC-infused drinks

Beverages infused with THC, an intoxicating compound found in cannabis, at licensed cannabis retail shops or package stores in ǻ. Under the new law, sale of these drinks to people under 21 is also banned.

Improvements to nursing and home-based care 

Sweeping granting temporary Medicaid coverage, known as “presumptive medical eligibility,” for home-based care if needed, so individuals can choose to live in a care facility or at home. It also requires the creation of a home care services provider registry so people may search for an aid.

New kindergarten cutoff age

The legislation approved in 2023 requires that kids must be at least age 5 by Sept. 1 to automatically be eligible for kindergarten in ǻ. The prior cutoff was age 5 by Jan. 1.

Parents or guardians are able to fill out a waiver to enroll their child if they don’t meet the cutoff. As the CT Mirror reported, ǻ was one of the last states to have a September cutoff date.

Mandated wheelchair repair times

There’s now in ǻ. The 10 business day limit applies if there’s insurance authorization and replacement parts are available.

Wheelchair users in the state have said they wait weeks to months for in-home repairs, which affects their quality of life.

Learn more:

New laws in ǻ usually take effect Jan. 1, July 1, and Oct. 1. The complete list of acts effective this month are

As ǻ's state government reporter, Michayla focuses on how policy decisions directly impact the state’s communities and livelihoods. She has been with ǻ since February 2022, and before that was a producer and host for audio news outlets around New York state. When not on deadline, Michayla is probably outside with her rescue dog, Elphie. Thoughts? Jokes? Tips? Email msavitt@ctpublic.org.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from ǻ, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de ǻ, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Fund the Facts

You just read trusted, local journalism that’s free for everyone, thanks to donors like you.

If that matters to you, now is the time to give. Join the 50,000+ members powering honest reporting and a more connected — and civil! — ǻ.

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ǻ’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.