More than 80 new laws are taking effect in Connecticut as of July 1, bringing changes to various aspects of life in the state, including housing, school safety, and artificial intelligence.
Housing Changes
One of the significant changes is tied to the housing bill approved during a special legislative session last fall. Starting July 1, towns in Connecticut will face new limits on minimum parking requirements for multifamily housing developments. Additionally, municipalities must allow residential buildings with up to nine units in commercially zoned areas. Supporters of the change, including Gov. Ned Lamont and Democratic lawmakers, believe it will increase Connecticut’s housing supply. However, Republicans argue that the law strips local control over local zoning decisions.
School Safety
A new law affecting school safety takes effect on July 1, changing who can serve as an armed security guard in Connecticut schools. Police officers who have been barred from working for another law enforcement agency due to misconduct will no longer be eligible to work as school security guards. Another law establishes standards for certain school crisis drills, following studies that showed some emergency drills can negatively affect students’ mental health.
Other Changes
Families may also save money during back-to-school shopping thanks to a new sales tax exemption on certain school supplies taking effect July 1. Parts of Connecticut’s AI law also take effect, with the state’s Board of Regents required to begin developing a curriculum for a new “AI academy” to prepare college students for careers. The academy will teach media literacy to help people identify AI-generated content and deepfakes, while also helping businesses learn practical ways to use AI.
Connecticut is expanding access to absentee voting after voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2024. The new law allows voters to cast “no-excuse” absentee ballots in all elections. Voters can also request absentee ballot applications for every election cycle, with the status remaining in effect unless the voter is removed from their town or city’s voter registry.
Businesses will be required to include all other fees, charges, and costs in advertised prices, excluding taxes and government-mandated fees. Manufacturers of certain electronic devices will also be required to make repair manuals, replacement parts, and tools available to consumers and independent repair shops under Connecticut’s new right-to-repair law.
Insurance companies must provide clearer written notices explaining when homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Mortgage lenders also have 10 days prior to a closing date to warn buyers that standard policies do not cover that damage, and that flooding can occur even if a property is not in a flood zone.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
