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Connecticut
Housing, education, paid sick days, police and more: Bills that passed in CT’s 2024 legislative session
Hundreds of bills came before Connecticut lawmakers in the 2024 session on dozens of subjects from the state insect to solving the state’s housing crisis but only a few will become law. Though many bills were put on the calendar for a vote, a lack of political will or time, as legislators worked down to the last few minutes before the mandatory session ended at midnight Wednesday, limited what was approved. Here is a look at what passed.
Budget Stabilization and Bonding
In lieu of opening up the state budget for revision, lawmakers approved a $360 million spending package that doles out millions of unspent federal pandemic aid to fund higher education, children’s mental health, municipalities and nonprofits, among others.
The legislature also authorized nearly $2.5 billion in bonding for capital projects next year. The package includes up to $625 million in bonding through 2031 for the UConn 2000 development project, on the condition that the university’s philanthropic commitments total at least $100 million over the next eight years.
Paid sick days, strikes
All employees will soon be entitled to paid sick days under House Bill 5005.
The legislation paves the way for a three-year phase-in of Connecticut’s sick leave requirements for companies with fewer than 50 employees. Under the bill, employees will accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employees become eligible for this time after working for their employer for 120 calendar days. They can use up to a maximum of 40 hours off each year.
Gov. Ned Lamont said the paid sick days expansion “makes Connecticut one of the leaders.”
“You’ve got to work hard in this day and age. Make sure that you keep your workers and make sure they’re able to stay. I don’t want people showing up to work sick. We got that done, and hats off there,” Lamont said.
The governor was not so keen on another labor win, the creation of a state fund to pay striking workers.
Lamont told reporters he would not support House Bill 5431, which would establish a $3 million fund under the direction of the State Comptroller to provide financial assistance to workers who go on strike.
“I support the right to organize, I support defined benefit plans, I support expanded healthcare and I want to make sure that we have a strong labor,” Lamont said. “Does that mean I want the taxpayers subsidizing striking workers? I don’t think I do.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney said Lamont’s opposition to the bill is something that Democratic lawmakers “regret and hope he’ll change his mind on.”
Nurses
Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1, an expansive health care bill that strengthens protections for nurses and home health care providers.
The legislation was inspired by the death of Joyce Grayson, a 63-year-old visiting nurse who was found dead in the basement of a halfway house following an at-home visit with a registered sex offender.
“S.B. 1 was really significant,” Looney said. “It provides protection for home health care workers and tries to have a system for building up security so that people who need home care can get it, but that the workers who provide it have greater protection. That’s important.”
The legislature also passed House Bill 5058, which would allow Connecticut to enter into the Nurse Licensure Compact. The move would ensure that nurses can acquire a multistate license to practice in any state that is a party to the compact.
Housing
This session, House Speaker Matt Ritter, a Hartford Democrat, said the legislature made “incremental progress” on housing but accomplished “certainly, not all that people perhaps had hoped for.”
The highlight was House Bill 5474, a proposal that incorporates numerous concepts from the Majority Leaders Affordable Housing Roundtable to encourage affordable housing development.
It requires municipalities to allow developers to convert vacant nursing homes into multifamily housing. Additionally, it allows cities and towns to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo rentals. The bill also requires landlords to provide a written notice of proposed rent increases to tenants 45 days in advance.
“I think we made some progress on housing,” Lamont said. “We’ve added population over the last few years, that’s a good thing. The one thing that can slow us down and put us at risk (is if) there’s not a place for people to live.”
Lamont said he is a fan of the provisions in H.B. 5474.
“I like the fact that it gives the added incentives for workforce, housing, and affordable housing in downtown areas. I like the fact it gives a little incentive in terms of why you want to do that. I like the fact you get an extra credit if you zone it accordingly and you get some relaxed relief on 8-30g. I think these are all ways that we work with our municipalities and communities to get more housing out there,” Lamont said.
Elder care reform
Ritter said Connecticut lawmakers had “a really good year in terms of focus on elder care and aging in place type legislation.”
House Bill 5001 makes sweeping changes to the state’s elder care system by increasing oversight, streamlining Medicaid access and requiring the state to maintain a virtual registry of home care providers.
Starting July 1, 2026, H.B. 5046 prohibits new nursing home residents from being admitted to a room with more than two beds. The bill also sets penalties for health care institutions who fail to comply with corrective action plans, among other measures.
Education
After a report from Dalio Education found that one in five youth are at risk of not graduating or already disconnected from education and employment, the legislature will now require the state’s data system to submit annual reports on disconnected youth in Connecticut.
The provision is wrapped into House Bill 5437, a large education package that also takes steps to address school climate and place restrictions on the number of days schools can place students on in or out of school suspensions, among other measures.
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford said the data collection component was “definitely a big highlight” for Republicans.
“For us what was important is a lot of the educational reform bills, for ECS (Education Cost Sharing), for creating a more fair funding stream for our communities, but also starting the pathway of data collection and to begin trying to engage getting our youth reconnected to the classroom,” Candelora said.
Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 327, a proposal that will establish a task force to study the effects of hate speech and bullying on children’s mental wellbeing, physical health and academic achievement.
House Bill 5436 simplifies the certification process for teachers in the state, among other wide-ranging changes.
Charlene Russell-Tucker, the commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education, said the certification regulations were last updated in 1998.
“We are extremely pleased with the passage of H.B. 5436 and believe this is a giant step in the right direction for modernizing our certification laws, breaking down barriers, and recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce,” Russell-Tucker said in a statement Thursday.
Russell-Tucker said the creation of the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board “will bring the expertise of skilled and veteran educators, together with the State Board of Education, to continuously develop standards and proposals resulting in long-term, meaningful change.”
‘Line of duty’ deaths
This session, state lawmakers passed legislation to expand the definition of a “line of duty” death and extend more benefits to the families of fallen officers.
House Bill 5279 grants police, fire and emergency medical service chiefs the authority to declare that that an officer, firefighter or EMS personnel died in the line of duty “if the death was caused by a cardiac event, stroke, or pulmonary embolism within 24 hours after … a shift or training.” For some surviving families, the broadened definition will unlock access to cash benefits, tuition waivers, health insurance and pension benefits.
Senate Bill 341 codifies a “Fallen Officer Fund” under the office of the state comptroller to provide “a lump sum death benefit totaling $100,000 to a surviving family member or beneficiary of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty or sustained injuries that were the direct and proximate cause of the officer’s death.”
It also allows family members to maintain coverage under the late officer’s health insurance policy for up to five years after the officer’s death.
Candelora said the legislation was an important initiative for the Republican caucus, which pushed for the creation of the fund last year.
“The Fallen Officer’s Fund … now will extend health care benefits to families where an officer is killed on duty,” Candelora said. “I was pleased to see that go through with the comptroller also pushing that agenda and working to keep that bill moving.”
Most of the 2,000 bills CT lawmakers proposed in 2024 failed. Here are the highlights
Luxury Homes
Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994.
Former “Today” show host Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her sprawling 13,163-square-foot Connecticut home. The asking price? $100,000,000.
Dubbed “Cedar Cliff,” the Greenwich estate at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of town, was once owned by railroad tycoon Henry F. Shoemaker. Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994 for $7.8 million . The 13,163-square-foot, 29-room estate has eight bedrooms and 14 bathrooms (nine full, five half).
“They added a substantial addition to the house to make it work for their lifestyle,” listing agent Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty said. That addition is the east wing of the house, constructed in the early 2000s, which includes a private theater and wine cellar.
The eight bedrooms are similarly sized and have views of Greenwich Cove. The primary bedroom and two guest bedrooms have a balcony as well. The estate has a greenhouse, a screened porch, a sun room, a tennis court, and a billiards room currently containing Frank Gifford memorabilia. There are 10 fireplaces throughout the house.
Within the 2.91-acre gated peninsula is a spa, pool, and pool house.
McElwreath said “empty nester” Gifford is selling the property because “her children are grown and are married with their own children. Kathie Lee spends most of her time in Tennessee and is no longer using the house full-time.”
The house has a recently installed Ludowici terra cotta roof, sun decks that have been rebuilt, and there is access to a full-property generator as well as a private beach.
McElwreath said there are additional aspects that make this property worth the monstrous price tag.
“The setting is extraordinary. Elevated high above the water with over 1,250 feet of frontage, the property offers the rare combination of commanding panoramic views and direct waterfront access via a private pier and deep water dock,” she said.
McElwreath said the kind of buyer looking at this property is attracted to Greenwich for its high quality of life and proximity to Midtown Manhattan.
”High net-worth buyers do not compromise. They seek exceptional properties in prime locations. Cedar Cliff is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and will attract buyers looking for privacy and resort-like amenities,” McElwreath said.
The task of selling the estate was entrusted to McElwreath by Gifford after McElwreath represented the seller of Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, which sold for just under $139,000,000 in 2023.
“[Copper Beach] is still the highest sale ever in Greenwich and the state of Connecticut. I plan to use the full resources of Sotheby’s International Realty to find the buyer for Cedar Cliff,” McElwreath said. “I also represented the seller of 100 Field Point Circle, the second highest sale in Greenwich at $50 million. My proven track record, combined with the marketing expertise of Sotheby’s, will prove to be a winning combination.”
Connecticut
Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month
Hailey Van Lith’s rocky WNBA start took another unexpected turn Thursday.
The Connecticut Sun waived Van Lith after just nine games with the team, including three starts.
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Chicago Sky high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25, 2025 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))
TCU’s Hailey Van Lith poses before the WNBA basketball draft in New York on April 14, 2025. (Pamela Smith/AP)
Van Lith was once one of college basketball’s brightest stars at Louisville, but her path has become increasingly turbulent in recent years. After a disappointing stint at LSU stalled her momentum, Van Lith revived her draft stock with a standout final season at TCU.
CHICAGO SKY WAIVE HAILEY VAN LITH ONE YEAR AFTER SELECTING HER WITH THE 11TH OVERALL PICK
The former NIL standout was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She struggled to establish herself as a rookie, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances before Chicago waived her on May 4.
Hailey Van Lith’s brief stint with the Connecticut Sun ended Thursday after the franchise waived the former first-round pick. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images) ((Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images))
Hailey van Lith drives past opponents during the women’s 3×3 basketball bronze medal game between the United States and Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
TCU’s Hailey Van Lith jogs onto the court during introductions before the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament game against Louisville in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2025. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
Van Lith also helped Team USA win a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Connecticut quickly gave Van Lith a second chance, but the reunion lasted just over two weeks.
“The Connecticut Sun has activated Leïla Lacan,” the team announced on X. “In a corresponding move, Hailey Van Lith has been waived.”
EX-WNBA STAR CRITICAL OF SKY ROOKIE HAILEY VAN LITH, BELIEVES POPULARITY PLAYED ROLE IN DRAFT SELECTION
The move comes as Lacan — the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft — returns after averaging 10.4 points and 3.7 assists with Connecticut last season.
Van Lith appeared in Wednesday’s 71-61 loss to Portland, finishing with seven points, no assists and two turnovers in 13 minutes.
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Van Lith averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists in nine appearances with Connecticut before Thursday’s move, marking her second waiver in less than a month.
The Connecticut Sun waived Hailey Van Lith on Thursday, ending the former college star’s nine-game stint with the franchise. ((Photo by Mollie Handkins/NBAE via Getty Images))
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The following article was submitted by Brody and Associates, LLC. It is posted here with permission.
The Connecticut legislature passed broad artificial intelligence legislation May 11, 2026 that includes a new framework governing the use of AI in employment-related decisions.
The bill, known as SB 5, is awaiting Gov. Ned Lamont’s signature, which is expected shortly.
Once enacted, Connecticut will join a growing list of jurisdictions that are imposing transparency and accountability requirements on employers that use AI tools in recruiting, hiring, promotion, discipline, scheduling, and termination decisions.
The statute regulates what it calls automated employment-related decision technology.
In general, AEDT refers to technology that processes personal data and generates an output that is a substantial factor in an employment decision.
The definition is broad enough to potentially cover resume-screening software, applicant ranking systems, video-interview analytics, skills assessments, productivity tools, and certain workforce management platforms when those tools materially influence personnel decisions.
What Does the Law Require?
The purpose of the law is to reduce the risk that algorithmic systems will continue or worsen historic discrimination while also giving applicants and employees more visibility into how these systems are used.
One of the most important features of the new law is its notice requirement.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2027, employers that deploy AEDT intended to interact with applicants or employees must disclose, in plain language, that the individual is interacting with such technology unless it would be obvious to a reasonable person.
When the tool’s output will be used as a substantial factor in making an employment-related decision, the employer must also provide a written notice before the decision is made.
The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information.
Notice must identify the purpose of the tool, the categories and sources of personal data being analyzed, how data will be assessed, and contact information for the employer.
If such employment-related decision is “adverse,” employers must provide a high-level statement disclosing the principal reasons for the decision, including “the degree to which, and manner in which” an AEDP output contributed to the decision, the type of data used, and the right to examine or correct such data.
The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information, but employers should not assume that vendor confidentiality excuses them from compliance.
If an employer withholds certain information regarding the AEDP based on a third party’s confidentiality claim, the employer must nevertheless disclose that the information is being withheld and identify the legal basis for the withholding.
As a practical matter, this means employers that rely on outside vendors for screening, testing, or candidate evaluation should begin reviewing vendor contracts now to ensure they can obtain the information needed to satisfy Connecticut’s notice obligations.
Anti-Discrimination and Related Obligations
The law also makes clear employers cannot avoid liability by blaming an algorithm.
Connecticut’s anti-discrimination framework will expressly provide the use of AI or automated systems is not a defense to a discrimination claim.
The employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.
In other words, if an AEDT disproportionately screens out candidates or influences decisions in a way that has an unlawful discriminatory effect, the employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.
This provision reinforces a principle regulators have increasingly emphasized nationwide: employers remain accountable for employment decisions, whether those decisions are made by people, software, or a combination of both.
What Employers Should Do Now
For employers, the immediate takeaway is AI governance can no longer be treated as an IT issue.
Human resources, legal, compliance, and procurement teams should collaborate to identify all tools used in recruiting or personnel management, assess whether those tools materially affect employment decisions, and determine what disclosures this new law may require.
Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures.
Employers should also assess whether internal policies, vendor agreements, and recordkeeping practices are sufficient to support compliance.
Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures, conduct bias testing, and create documentation explaining how automated outputs are considered by human decision-makers.
Connecticut’s new law reflects a broader regulatory trend: employers may continue using AI, but they must do so transparently, carefully, and with meaningful human accountability.
About the authors: Robert Brody is managing partner at Brody and Associates, LLC, which he founded in 1997. Matthew Chiota is a law clerk at Brody and Associates, awaiting admission to the Connecticut and New York Bar associations. Contact them at [email protected] or 203.454.0560.
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