New Laws that Went into Effect Oct. 1

October 2, 2025



 

 

With fall comes cooler weather, changing leaves, and a number of new laws hitting the books. Several measures passed during the 2025 legislative session took effect on Oct. 1. Below is a brief overview of some of these important changes.

We've updated our motorcycle and e-bike laws to reflect our continued efforts to promote public safety and adapt to emerging technologies on our roads.

A new law raises the age from 18 to 21 for requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet and raises the age from 16 to 18 and under for children to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, scooters and skateboards.

New regulations are also being introduced for certain high-powered electric bikes. Riders of e-bikes without pedals and equipped with batteries over 750 watts (25-28 mph) will now need a valid driver’s license to operate them. Additionally, e-bikes with batteries over 3,500 watts (35 mph to over 50 mph) will require registration and insurance, similar to motorcycles.

Follow the link below for the complete list and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
New Laws
 

Federal Shutdown

The U.S. government is officially shut down.

To help break down the impacts of the shutdown and provide some clarity during a time of uncertainty, please click on the image below for an overview of how the federal government shutdown affects students and schools in Connecticut.
 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This is the time each year we bring awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by the disease in one way or another. Throughout the month, we stress the importance of mammograms as the best way to screen for breast cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women. 

One in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer. More than 40,000 women die from breast cancer in the U.S. each year.

There is hope. Awareness is the key. Click on the image below for more details.
 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Also during this month, victim advocates, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, communities, and more come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence and acknowledge the progress made in curbing this epidemic, and connecting with others working for change. Please click on the image below for more information.. 
 

Understanding Hate Crimes

Hate crimes have been rising in Connecticut since 2021.

The Hate Crimes Investigative Unit of the CT State Police has created a resource with tips on recognizing, reporting, and preventing hate crimes. 

The unit's goal is to ensure every community is equipped with the necessary resources to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all residents. The flyers below feature a detailed breakdown of how to identify hate crimes, the steps to take if you or someone you know is a victim, and the support services available.

Please visit the Hate Crimes Advisory Council website for more information.
 
Click Here: State of Connecticut Hate Crime Laws 
 

COVID-19 Vaccine Access

 

Governor Lamont has issued executive orders to ensure that Connecticut residents have access to COVID-19 vaccines during the upcoming respiratory virus season.
 
For decades, vaccines have been proven to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and patients and their doctors should be able to decide what is the best course of treatment.

  • The Department of Public Health recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older
  • Pharmacists and providers can keep giving vaccines under the latest CDC guidance
  • State law requires most insurance plans to continue covering COVID-19 vaccines

 These steps make sure Connecticut residents can stay protected. Please click HERE for more details.
 
 

Town Aid Road Funding

Connecticut’s Town Aid Road (TAR) grant program is growing, with state support rising from $60 million under the previous state budget to $80 million in the current budget.

This funding boost represents a 33% year-over-year increase that will directly support cities and towns in covering the costs of local road paving, maintenance, and safety operations.

It is the program’s largest investment in more than a decade, and helps towns repair roads faster, improve safety, and respond better to severe weather.

I'm excited to see this significant increase in funding, and as a supporter of this year's budget, I'm proud of this increase.

For more information on the Town Aid Road program or to use the interactive map, click HERE.
 

Scam Alert

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services is alerting taxpayers to a new scam where scammers are impersonating the DRS by sending fraudulent text messages.

The texts fraudulently claim that you are owed a tax refund from the DRS and require you to provide banking and other information to receive the refund.

The DRS will NEVER send taxpayers a text message or seek to obtain information from taxpayers via text. Anyone who has information regarding a tax-related scam is urged to contact DRS by completing a referral form on the agency’s website.

Taxpayers with questions are encouraged to reach out to DRS by telephone at 860-297-5962, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. or by email at DRS@ct.gov.
 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Mike Demicco
State Representative

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