Capitol Update: New Laws, Major Public Acts, Executive Order 12D, and additional information
Happy 4th of July
As we enjoy time with our family and friends over this 4th of July weekend, let us remember the many freedoms we enjoy as a result of the sacrifice of so many.
There are several events happening this weekend to commemorate the holiday, including a July 3rd parade in Sound View, a July 4th parade in Lyme, and a July 4th boat parade on Rogers Lake.
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy 4th.
Public Acts Effective July 1
Approximately 100 new laws went into effect today.
They include issues relating to the climate, education, criminal records, gambling, energy, animal welfare, opioids, human trafficking, veterans and many others.
Some examples:
- An Act Concerning the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Erasure of Criminal Records for Certain Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses, Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Erased Criminal History Record Information and Concerning the Recommendation of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with Respect to Misdemeanor Sentences
- An Act Concerning Department of Consumer Protection Licensing and Enforcement, Antitrust Issues and the Palliative Use of Marijuana and Revisions to the Liquor Control Act
- An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaption
- An Act Concerning a Just Transition to Climate-Protective Energy Production and Community Investment
- An Act Concerning Equitable Access to Broadband
- An Act Concerning the Inclusion of Black and Latino Studies in the Public School Curriculum
- An Act Concerning the Authorization, Licensing and Regulation of Online Casino Gaming, Retail and Online Sports Wagering, Fantasy Contests, Keno, and Online Sale of Lottery Tickets
- An Act Equalizing Comprehensive Access to Mental, Behavioral and Physical Health Care in Response to the Pandemic
To view the complete list of new laws, click here.
Major Public Acts
2021 Legislative Session
For anyone interested in reading up on some of the major bills passed during this session, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research puts together this annual report that contains concise summaries of all public acts passed during the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2021 Regular Session.
This document contains legislation on alcohol, education, labor, elections, housing, public health, taxes, transportation, veterans, and more.
Notice to Readers (from the Major Public Acts document):
These summaries, composed by the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) with the assistance of the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), briefly describe the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly in its 2021 regular session and June Special Session. Acts that the secretary of the state has assigned a public act (PA), special act (SA), or resolution act (RA) number are identified by that number; otherwise, we refer to the bill or resolution number. Not all provisions of the acts are included.
More detailed summaries can be found here.
Executive Order No. 12D
Governor Lamont today signed an executive order as part of his administration’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order No. 12D enacts the following provisions:
Implements certain requirements regarding evictions:
- Requires landlords to apply for the UniteCT rental assistance program prior to delivering an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent;
- Requires landlords to give tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent, for lapse of time, or whose right to occupy a unit has terminated at least 30-days’ notice prior to beginning an eviction;
- Provides those tenants an opportunity to continue all terms of the lease by paying outstanding rent within the 30-day period;
- Requires all eviction notices to be delivered with certain information about the state’s UniteCT program and the federal eviction moratorium in both English and Spanish; and
- Requires a stay in eviction proceedings of up to 30 days if either the landlord or the tenant applies to the UniteCT program.