Josh Elliott

With the legislative session nearing its end, this week has brought plenty of late nights and focused effort. We’re pushing hard to move key initiatives forward and are hopeful that these final days will lead to strong outcomes for the people we serve.

Keep reading for a summary of the bills that have passed the House so far. These measures now move to the Senate, which has until May 6 to take action. We are hopeful the Senate will continue this momentum and advance this legislation so it can move closer to becoming law.

I was proud to introduce the resolution between the State of Connecticut and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) to approve a new collective bargaining agreement. This agreement reflects a commitment to fair wages, strong benefits, and stable working conditions for state employees, while ensuring the state can continue to deliver high-quality services to residents. It represents a balanced approach that supports our workforce and promotes long-term fiscal responsibility.

After several recent tragedies involving children in Connecticut and growing calls for more accountability in our child welfare system, House Democrats are taking action in the 2026 legislative session.

The Committee on Children is leading House Bill 5004: An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency, which will:

• Prioritize placing children with family members and responsible adults who are already in their lives.
• Make sure there is follow-up with sister agencies when DCF-involved children travel out of state.
• Support caregivers and children with funding for after-school programs, childcare, and incidentals.
• Uplift our child welfare workforce through improved training, stipends for mentors and mentees, and personal emergency communication devices.
•  Require additional eyes on children who are the subject of multiple reports of abuse or neglect, and those residing with someone on parole or probation after incarceration for serious crimes against children.
• Provide robust real-time data for policymakers and the public on DCF performance through a user-friendly dashboard.
• Establish a new committee to gather legislators, state agencies, experts, and stakeholders to review our child welfare policies and performance and make recommendations for improvements.

This significant legislation reflects a bipartisan effort to reform the Department of Children and Families with policies and procedures that put children first, and a commitment to continued attention to this important issue.

House Bill 5003: An Act Concerning Workforce Development and Working Conditions in the State, focuses on creating safer, more equitable workplaces while strengthening Connecticut’s workforce.

The bill makes targeted investments in the people who keep our communities running by supporting first responders, veterans, nurses, teachers, and skilled workers. It expands benefits for police, firefighters, and veterans, including assistance for families of fallen responders, housing support, and improved access to education and job opportunities.

It also enhances worker protections by providing stronger safeguards for nurses, teachers, and paraeducators, ensuring better support in the event of workplace injuries, and promoting fair pay and safer conditions across industries. Updated standards, such as protections for nursing mothers, reflect the needs of today’s workforce.

In addition, the legislation invests in workforce development through training programs and stronger partnerships between education and industry, helping connect residents to good-paying jobs while supporting business growth. It also includes measures to improve oversight in home care, strengthen hospital staffing compliance, and establish clear guidelines for remote work during severe weather.

Since 2025, masked federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, many inadequately trained, have waged a campaign of fear and intimidation with a reckless disregard for the constitutional rights of the people they encounter.
 
Parents are afraid of bringing children to medical appointments or sending them to school, court dates are skipped for fear of being detained, and congregants are afraid of going to their places of worship.
 
We as a state have an obligation to address the unprecedented breakdown in federal accountability and attacks on the rule of law. Senate Bill 397: An Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability, represents a measured and lawful response to these concerns. The legislation seeks to strengthen accountability by requiring clear identification from federal agents, restricting enforcement actions in sensitive locations, and creating a pathway for individuals to seek recourse when their constitutional rights are violated.  Specifically, Senate Bill 397 does the following:

• Enables any person the right to sue federal actors who violate their constitutional rights.
• Ensures the Inspector General has clear unrestricted authority to investigate the unauthorized use of force by state, local and certain federal agents when force results in death.
• Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves when conducting operations.
• Builds on the framework established in 2025, designating protected areas – hospitals, schools, court houses, places of worship – that will be shielded from civil immigration arrests unless a law enforcement officer presents a signed judicial warrant.
• Establishes a floor of at least 480 hours of training for law enforcement officers in Connecticut.
• Regulates automated license plate reader technologies, permitting an active hot list, but capping retention of data to 21 days absent an ongoing criminal investigation.

This legislation is not born out of partisan preference. It’s a measured response to protect the people of Connecticut. No one is above the law, and the protection of constitutional rights is not solely within the federal government’s purview.

House Bill 5035: An Act Requiring School Districts to Ban Cellular Phones in the Classroom, advances a statewide “bell-to-bell” or arrival to dismissal cellphone policy for K–12 public schools. The goal is to reduce classroom distractions and support student mental health by creating a consistent standard across all districts.

Under the proposal, all public school districts would be required to adopt and enforce the policy, with devices turned off and stored securely, such as in lockers, throughout the school day. By limiting access to cellphones during instructional hours, the measure aims to curb social media dependency, improve student focus, and address behavioral challenges.

The bill also includes reasonable exceptions, allowing cellphone use when necessary for a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), a 504 plan, or documented medical needs approved by a physician.

The House has passed key legislation that advances our efforts to support older adults across the state. These measures underscore our commitment to expanding access to essential services, strengthening protections, and enhancing quality of life for seniors and their families. We remain focused on ensuring Connecticut is a place where older residents can live with dignity, independence, and security.

House Bill 5140: An Act Concerning the Study of the Needs of Senior Citizens, which allows dental hygienists to serve underserved homebound patients in private residences, such as seniors, veterans, and the disabled, who would likely go without dental care. Dental hygienists currently are allowed by law to work in facilities such as senior centers and preschools without the oversight of a dentist, and this legislation expands upon that. The dental hygienist will have worked under the supervision of a dentist for more than two years. This change helps remove barriers to essential oral health services and ensures that vulnerable residents can receive the care they need in the comfort of their homes.

House Bill 5142: An Act Concerning the Use of Technology for Virtual Visitation and Monitoring in Nursing Homes and Residential Care Homes, extends protections for the use of technology to residents of residential care homes and sets a penalty for violation of the protections. It ensures those living in residential care homes can set up virtual monitoring systems so families have peace of mind and they can keep an eye on their loved ones. In the case of roommates, permission must sign off on paperwork, which can change at any time. With the support of many stakeholders, the legislation passed unanimously.

House Bill 5143: An Act Requiring Training for Homemaker-Companion Agency Employees, requires homemaker companion agency employees to complete eight hours of basic training each year, including training on topics such as: helping individuals with Alzheimer’s, identifying abuse, identifying when care is above capacity of a homemaker companion, and hygiene assistance. Currently, there isn’t a set training for homemaker companions.  

We also voted on several other bills including:

House Bill 5226: An Act Concerning Mobile Manufactured Homes and Mobile Manufactured Home Parks
Senate Bill 259: An Act Concerning Female Genital Mutilation
House Bill 5331: An Act Concerning Faithful Presidential Electors
House Bill 5558: An Act Concerning the Department of Developmental Services' Abuse and Neglect Investigations
House Bill 5464: An Act Implementing Recommendations from the Department of Transportation and Establishing a Pilot Program to Operate Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices on Limited Access Highways
Senate Bill 89: An Act Updating Prison Rape Elimination Standards
House Bill 5567: An Act Concerning Health Care in the Department of Correction Facilities
House Bill 5343: An Act Concerning the Reporting of Advertising Purchased by the State

National Bike & Roll to School Day takes place on May 6 and offers a chance to celebrate the benefits of active commuting while building a sense of community, safety, and school spirit.

Events can be as simple as a few families walking or biking to school together, or as elaborate as a large celebration with organized activities.

West Woods and Helen Street Schools will be taking part. Click here to check to see if your school is registered, and if not, sign up today! 

The Sleeping Giant Park Association invites you to join the Early Bird Watcher's Hike at Sleeping Giant State Park on Sunday, May 3 at 8:00 a.m.

Participants will learn about some of the early migrant bird species making their way through the region, with a focus on those that use the Giant as a stopover area. 

This will be an easy to moderate hike, 2 hours or so with stops for discussion. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable, supportive shoes with good traction. A day pack with binoculars, snacks, water, sunscreen and any other essentials is recommended.

Out of consideration for other participants, dogs are not permitted on SGPA hikes. Children must be 8 or older. This hike leaves from the kiosk at the park’s main entrance at 8am. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Please click here to reserve your spot as the hikes often fill up fast!

On Saturday, May 9, come out to Camp Mountain Laurel (2705 Downes Road) for a fun-filled day dedicated to supporting local youth through the Y’s programs and summer camp scholarships. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, connect with community members, and help ensure that every child has access to enriching experiences, regardless of financial circumstances.

Whether you’re attending with family, friends, or neighbors, your participation will make a meaningful difference, helping to expand opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the year.

Click here for more information and to register.