New Laws Effective January 1, 2026

December 24, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week.

I hope you and your loved ones have a healthy and happy holiday season and best wishes for a great New Year!

Please read below for updates in our community!

As we welcome a new year, several laws passed in the last legislative session will take effect on January 1, 2026.

These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including expanded incentives for farmers, strengthened protections for workers in sensitive professions, and 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, where they grew up, and where they 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.

You can click here to see the full list of new laws taking effect on January 1, 2026. Feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions.

Last Thursday, the State Bond Commission officially approved funding for two Hamden based projects. The Town of Hamden will receive $8 million for the Newhall Foundation fund, and Eli’s Garden, a nonprofit based in Hamden, will receive $250,000 for the planning of a healing garden at DeNicola Park.

This funding was also approved by the Community Investment Fund (CIF) board in September. Click here to watch a quick video about the funding.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold a hybrid public information meeting concerning the Heroes Tunnel Project on Monday, January 12 at 5:00 p.m.

The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the proposed improvements to the Heroes Tunnel, offer comments, or ask questions. The in-person meeting will follow an open-house format from 5-8:00 p.m.; allowing attendees to review materials and speak one-on-one with the project team.

The in-person option will be held at the New Haven Fire Academy, at 230 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. in New Haven. The virtual option will be held on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online - click here for more information.

Plans are under development to support providers, who typically receive funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program, to continue homelessness prevention and support services.

These funds will come from the $500 million Emergency Fund that was approved during Special Session aimed at continuing essential programs in the face of federal cuts.

If you are looking for a career in manufacturing, I'd encourage you to apply for Skill Up for Manufacturing 2026.

Participants in this program will learn fundamentals in as little as 5 weeks, connect with employers, and start earning competitive wages. The class offers free training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials.

There are two upcoming sessions:

January 20 – March 13, 2026 | Middlesex/Vinal Technical H.S., Middletown
February 23 – March 27, 2026 | Gateway CC, New Haven

Click here for more information and to apply now. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in manufacturing!

Starting February 1st, 2026, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin charging a $45 fee for air travelers who arrive at airport security without a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport or trusted traveler card. Travelers will be charged this fee to use TSA's ConfirmID identification verification system. The verification is valid for a 10-day period, so it may cover a return trip within that window.

To avoid unnecessary costs and potential security delays, travelers without a Real ID are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

Click here to make an appointment with the CT DMV.

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), is designed to support diverse students who graduate from public high schools in priority school districts and enroll in teacher preparation programs. The program offers up to $10,000 annually for tuition, with the application deadline set for February 6, 2026. This initiative is part of the state's broader efforts to diversify the educator workforce and address the teacher shortage.

Click here to apply.

ICYMI - Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program.

The Sustainable CT Fellowship Program is a paid, full-time summer position for students who are currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree program or who will graduate during the 2025–2026 academic year. Fellows gain hands-on experience supporting municipalities in implementing Sustainable CT actions, tracking progress toward certification, and fostering community engagement in sustainability initiatives.

All applications must be submitted by Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Click here to learn more.