July 2, 2024

State Rep. Martin Foncello: New Laws Effective July 1, 2024

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Several new laws take effect July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below.

A summary of some new laws include:

AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH

An Education Mandate Review Advisory Council will be created to advise and report to the General Assembly about the cost and implementation of existing education mandates on local and regional boards of education, as well as the impact of any proposals relating to additions or revisions to education mandates. The group can also recommend the repeal of or amendment to related mandates.

AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS

Social media platforms shall create a privacy notice about how a minor or, if the minor is younger than 16, the minor’s parent or legal guardian, can initiate a process to delete or unpublish an account. Not later than 15 business days after a social media platform receives a request to unpublish a minor’s social media platform account, the platform shall do so, and no later than 45 business days after receiving a request to delete such minor’s account, the social media platform shall do so.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FALLEN OFFICER FUND AND PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO SURVIVORS OF A POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Establishes a fund to provide crucial financial support to families of fallen police officers. This fund will ensure that members who were covered by insurance of a fallen officer will continue to have health insurance coverage for up to five years, and $100,000 will be provided to the surviving family members.

While it’s good we unanimously passed this law, a State Trooper’s tragic death last month raised new issues in survivor benefits. I hope in the next session the General Assembly will make changes to pension laws so if a similar situation arises, a widow and children would be able to receive a Trooper’s pension when they’re killed in the line of duty, under the age of 55.

Other major acts include:

An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here.