As we welcome a new year, several laws that we passed in the last legislative session took effect on January 1, 2026.
These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including:
- strengthening protections for workers in sensitive professions
- expanding incentives for farmers
- improved reporting requirements to better track higher education enrollment, post-secondary credits, and student opportunities
We took a major step forward in advancing policies that support new, diverse housing options across Connecticut. With some of the highest housing costs in the region, too many individuals and families are being priced out of the communities where they work, grew up, and hope to retire.
Preventative health care continues to be a priority because early detection saves both lives and long-term costs. To support this, we now require health insurers to cover certain high-priority biomarker tests that aid in early detection, prevention, and treatment.
Additionally, we have prohibited the substitution of lower-priced drugs for higher-priced medications for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and arthritis, and we have made this ban permanent for medications used to treat mental health disorders.
These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to making Connecticut more affordable, healthier, and more equitable for everyone. To learn more about these and other laws taking effect on January 1, 2026, click the button below for a complete, easy-to-read summary.
