Laws Effective October 1st
Key Takeaways
- Drivers face tougher penalties for distracted driving and storm-ban violations
- E-bike rules establish a 750-watt motor limit and local path restrictions
- Eligible veterans can receive up to $3,000 annually for dental care
- Streaming services face consumer privacy and advertising volume restrictions
Hartford - Several new state laws will go into effect on October 1 and may be important to you, your family or your business.
Our priority remains protecting public safety, supporting our veterans, and keeping state government accountable to taxpayers. Key legislative updates include:
Enhanced Road Safety & Fines: Starting October 1, drivers face tougher penalties for certain violations. Distracted driving is now expanded to drivers who watch videos on their phones, and drivers who violate storm travel bans face an increase of fines to $250, among other changes.
E-Bike Guidelines (P.A. 26-24): Establishes an exact 750-watt motor limit for e-bikes, restricts Class 2 bikes on natural-surface paths without local authorization, and excludes dirt bikes and ATVs from e-bike classifications.
Expanded Dental Care for Veterans (P.A. 26-35): Under the Hero Act, eligible veterans can receive up to $3,000 per year for dental care.
Consumer Privacy Safeguards (P.A. 26-64): Among other changes, it prohibits a streaming video service from transmitting to a consumer commercial advertising audio that is louder than the video it accompanies, consistent with FCC regulations; makes violations a CUTPA violation.
All new laws can be viewed by clicking here.