Posted on June 26, 2023
Several new laws will take effect July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of the public protection laws below.
An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here. A summary of all major public acts passed this session is also available online.
A summary of some new laws include:
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTIONS AGAINST AND RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
This bill expands the Judicial Department’s electronic monitoring pilot program for family violence offenders. A program will be established in each judicial district by October 1, 2025. The monitoring is designed to warn law enforcement agencies, a statewide information collection center, and the victim when the person is within a specified distance of the victim.
AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS
This bill establishes a framework for how individuals or entities offering certain online services, products, and features manage and process personal data for minors. It also requires online dating site operators to adopt a policy for handling harassment reports by or between users and to maintain an online safety center to provide users with resources on safe dating. It also sets standards on accessing and sharing consumer health data by certain private entities that do business in Connecticut. For example, the bill generally prohibits these parties from selling this data without the consumer’s consent.
This bill prohibits public colleges and universities from profiting or receiving money from a sponsor, marketing company, or other entity for allowing it to directly solicit enrolled students to gamble through a website or mobile application. This includes contact via mail, phone, e-mail, or in-person.
Among other things, this bill attempts to ease the school bus driver shortage. It requires road test scheduling to be prioritized for people seeking or renewing a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus. Other provisions taking effect at a later date call for a study of establishing and maintaining an emergency contact information database or a revision of motor vehicle records to add emergency contact information. The bill also requires cannabis to be covered in the 8-hour safe driving practices course.