New Laws Taking Effect on Jan. 1

As we enter 2023, there are several new laws that will take effect that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of the major changes and new laws below.

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

A summary of some of the major changes include:

Health Insurance Coverage for Breast and Ovarian Cancer – A new law expands fully insured commercial health insurance coverage for mammograms, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), breast biopsies, certain prophylactic mastectomies, and breast reconstruction surgery, subject to certain conditions.

Among other things, the act requires these policies to also cover BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing and routine ovarian cancer screenings for certain people. The act generally requires these services be provided at no out-of-pocket cost.

Highway Use Tax – Imposes a highway use tax (HUT) on every “carrier” for the privilege of operating, or causing to be operated, certain heavy, multi-unit motor vehicles on any highway (i.e., public road) in the state. I and my fellow House Republicans have continued to call for this tax to be repealed because it will drive up the cost of products that are shipped into Connecticut.

Explanation of Benefits – This act requires certain health insurance carriers and their third-party administrators (TPAs) to provide an explanation of benefits (EOBs) to covered individuals for benefits they receive and to allow covered individuals, who may legally consent to receive covered medical services, to make a specific written selection about whether and how to receive the EOBs.

The act requires health insurance carriers and TPAs to disclose EOB delivery options to covered individuals in plain language, and display or print them clearly and conspicuously in all coverage documents, privacy communications, EOBs, and Internet websites made available to Connecticut consumers.

Bottle Refunds – Expands the list of eligible containers and increases the bottle deposit rate from $.05 to $.10.

Revisions to Certain Environment-Related Statutes – Makes several environment related changes, including wastewater treatment plant operator certification, noise control ordinances, air emission regulation, forest fire resources, forestry practitioner certification, pesticide applicator licensure and product registration.

Among those changes, requires the DEEP commissioner to complete and publish a hazardous tree mitigation policy that applies to state parks and campgrounds and report on tree replanting strategies for hazardous trees that have been removed.