HB 5222 — AN ACT CONCERNING CONSUMER PROTECTION, CANNABIS, DATA PRIVACY, FIRE INSPECTIONS, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

5222 commissioner for inspectionnot later thanforty-five daysafterarequest by the commissioner for such records.] Sec.

(5) "Comprehensive background check" means a background investigation of a prospective employee performed by a homemaker- companion agency, that includes (A) a review of any application materials prepared or requested by the homemaker-companion agency and completed by the prospective employee, (B) an in-person or video- conference interviewoftheprospective employee, (C)verificationofthe prospective employee's Social Security number, (D) if the prospective employee has applied for a position within the homemaker-companion agency that requires licensure on thepart of such prospective employee, verification that the required license is in good standing, (E) a check of the registry established and maintained pursuant to section 54-257, (F) a [local] state and national criminal background check of criminal matters of public record based on the prospective employee's name and date of birth that includes a search of a multistate and multijurisdiction criminal record locator or other similar commercial nationwide database with validation, and a search of the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website,Act conductedNo. by a third- party consumer reporting agency or background screening company that is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association and in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, (G) if the prospective employee has resided in this state for less than three years prior to the date of such prospective employee's application with the homemaker-companion agency, a review of criminal conviction information from the state or states where such prospective employee resided during such three-year period, and (H) a review of any other informationthatthehomemaker-companionagencydeemsnecessaryin order to evaluate the suitability of the prospective employee for the position.

LCO26-100 9 of 20154 Substitute House Bill No.

5222 Sec.a [local] state and national criminal background check of criminal matters of public record based on the prospective employee's name and date of birth that includes a search of a multistate and multijurisdiction criminal record locator or other similar commercial nationwide database with validation, and a search of the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website, conducted by a third- party consumer reporting agency or background screening company that is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association and in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, (G) if the prospective employee has resided in this state for less than three years prior to the date of such prospective employee's application with the homemaker-companion agency, a review of criminal conviction information from the state or states where such prospective employee resided during such three-year period, and (H) a review of any other informationthatthehomemaker-companionagencydeemsnecessaryin order to evaluate the suitability of the prospective employee for the position.

Sec.

Upon written notice to the establishment or vending machine operator, the commissioner may [impound and] takePublic theAct followingNo. actions to protect public health and safety:

26-100 10 of 154 Substitute House Bill No.

5222 take the following actions to protect public health and safety:

(a) No person shall place or cause to be placed in a public place a LCOdonation 10bin for the donation of 20clothing Substituteor Billother No.articles unless (1) such person obtains advance written consent from the owner of such public place, or such owner's duly authorized agent, to place such donation bin, or cause such bin to be placed, in such public place, and (2) such bin contains a notice, in block letters at least two inches high, stating, (A) if the donation is for a charitable purpose, (i) the name of the nonprofit organization that will benefit from the donation, (ii) the charity registration number the Department of Consumer Protection issued to the nonprofit organization, (iii) the name and contact information of the owner of such bin, and [(iii)] (iv) that the public may contact the DepartmentofConsumerProtectionforfurtherinformation,or(B)ifnot intended for a charitable purpose, that such donation is not for a charitable purpose.

5222Such donationnotice binshall for the donation of clothing or other articles unless (1) such person obtains advance written consent from the owner of such public place, or such owner's duly authorized agent, to place such donation bin, or cause such bin to be placed,on in such public place, and (2) such bin contains a notice, in block letters at least two inches high, stating, (A) if the donationsame isside for a charitable purpose, (i) the name of the nonprofitbin organizationPublic thatAct willNo. benefit from the donation, (ii) the charity registration number the Department of Consumer Protection issued to the nonprofit organization, (iii) the name and contact information of the owner of such bin, and [(iii)] (iv) that the public may contact the DepartmentofConsumerProtectionforfurtherinformation,or(B)ifnot intended for a charitable purpose, that such donation is not for a charitable purpose.

Such26-100 notice11 shall be on the same side of the154 binSubstitute whereHouse theBill donationNo. is likely to be made.

5222 where the donation is likely to be made.

Subsection (b)(a) of section 42-20051-344a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective Julyfrom 1,passage): 2026):

(b)(a) AWhenever funeralthe serviceterm contract"judicial shalldistrict beof Hartford-New Britain" or "judicialdistrict ofHartford-NewBritainat Hartford"isusedorreferred to in writingthe andfollowing sections of the general statutes, it shall contain,be exceptdeemed asto providedmean inor subsectionrefer (c)to the judicial district of thisHartford section:on and after September 1, 1998:

[,Sections the2-48, following:]3-21a, (1)The3-62d, name,3-70a, address,3-71a, telephone4-61, number4-160, and4-164, SocialSecurity4- number177b, of4-180, the4-183, beneficiary4-197, and5-202, the5-276a, purchaser;8-30g, 9-7a, 9-7b, 9-369b, 10-153e, 12-208, 12-237, 12-268l, 12-312, 12-330m, 12-405k, 12-422, 12-448, 12-454, 12-456, 12-463, 12-489, 12-522, 12-554, 12-565, 12-572, 12-586f, 12-597, 12- 730, 13b-34, 13b-235, 13b-315, 13b-375, 14-57, 14-66, 14-67u, 14-110, 14- 195, 14-311, 14-311c, 14-324, 14-331, 15-125, 15-126, 16-41, 16a-5, 17b-60, 17b-100, 17b-238, 17b-531, 19a-85, 19a-86, 19a-425, 19a-498, 19a-517, 19a- 526, 19a-633, 20-12f, 20-13e, 20-29, 20-40, 20-45, 20-59, 20-73a, 20-86f, 20- 99, 20-114, 20-133, 20-154, 20-156, 20-162p, 20-192, 20-195p, 20-202, 20- 206c, 20-227, 20-238, 20-247, 20-263, 20-271, 20-307, 20-341f, 20-363, 20- 373, 20-404, 20-414, 21a-55, 21a-190i, 22-7, 22-228, 22-248, 22-254, 22- 320d, 22-326a, 22-344b, 22-386, 22a-6b, 22a-7, 22a-16, 22a-30, 22a-34, 22a- 53, 22a-60, 22a-62, 22a-63, 22a-66h, 22a-106a, 22a-119, 22a-180, 22a-182a, 22a-184, 22a-220a, 22a-220d, 22a-225, 22a-226, 22a-226c, 22a-227, 22a- 250,22a-255l,22a-276, 22a-310,22a-342a,22a-344,22a-361a,22a-374,22a- 376, 22a-408, 22a-430, 22a-432, 22a-438, 22a-449f, 22a-449g, 22a-459, 23- 5e, 23-65m, 25-32e, 25-36, 28-5, 29-143j, 29-158, 29-161z, 29-323, 30-8, 31- 109, 31-249b, 31-266, 31-266a, 31-270, 31-273, 31-284, 31-285, 31-339, 31- 355a, 31-379, 35-3c, 35-42, 36a-186, 36a-187, 36a-471a, 36a-494, 36a-587, Public Act No.

(2)26-100 The12 name, address, telephone number and license number of the154 funeralSubstitute directorHouse forBill theNo. funeral service establishment providing the goods or services;

(3)5222 A36a-647, list36a-684, of36a-718, the36a-807, selected36b-26, goods36b-27, or36b-30, services,36b-50, if36b- any;71, 36b-72, 36b-74, 36b-76, 38a-41, 38a-52, 38a-134, 38a-139, 38a-140, 38a- 147, 38a-150, 38a-185, 38a-209, 38a-225, 38a-226b, 38a-241, 38a-337, 38a- 470, 38a-620, 38a-657, 38a-687, 38a-774, 38a-776, 38a-817, 38a-843, 38a- 868, 38a-906, 38a-994, [42-103c,] 42-110d, 42-110k, 42-110p, 42-182, 46a- 56, 46a-100, 47a-21, 49-73, 51-44a, 51-81b, 51-194, 52-146j, 53-392d and 54-211a.

(4) The amount of funds paid or to be paid by the purchaser for such contract, the method of payment and a description of how such funds LCO 11 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 will be invested and how such investments are limited to those authorized pursuant to subsection (c) of section 42-202;

(5) A description of any price guarantees by the funeral service establishment or, if there are no such guarantees, a specific statement that the contract contains no guarantees on the price of the goods or services contained in the contract;

(6) The name and address of the escrow agent designated to hold the prepaid funeral services funds;

(7) A written representation, in clear and conspicuous bold type, that (A) the purchaser should receive a notice from the escrow agent acknowledging receipt of the initial deposit and the amount of such deposit not later than [twenty-five] ten days after receipt of such deposit by a licensed funeral director, and (B) the purchaser or the beneficiary has the right to cancel such contract if (i) such contract is a revocable funeral service contract, and (ii) the purchaser does not receive such notice or the full amount of such deposit was not placed in escrow;

(8) A description of any fees to be paid from the escrow account to the escrow agent or any third party provider;

(9) A description of the ability of the purchaser or the beneficiary to cancel a revocable funeral service contract and the effect of cancelling such contract, and the following statement immediately adjacent to the space provided for the purchaser's signature:

"YOU, THE BUYER, OR YOUR BENEFICIARY MAY CANCEL THIS TRANSACTION AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE RENDERING OF SERVICES.";

(10) For irrevocable contracts, a description of the ability of the beneficiary to transfer such contract to another funeral home;

[and] (11) The signature of the purchaser or authorized representative and the licensed funeral director of the funeral service establishment;

and (12) A statement signed by the purchaser attesting that, prior to executing such contract, the purchaser received (A) a copy of the fact LCO 12 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 sheet on funeral service contracts published on the Department of Consumer Protection's Internet web site, and (B) time to review such fact sheet.

SubsectionSection (a)20-324a of section 42-202 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective Julyfrom 1,passage): 2026):

(a)The Acommission licensedshall funeralestablish, serviceand establishmentthe department shall depositmaintain, a Real Estate Guaranty Fund from which, subject to the provisions of this section and sections 20-324b to 20-324i, inclusive, any person aggrieved by any action of a real estate licensee, duly licensed in this state under section 20-312, by reason of the embezzlement of money or securitiesproperty, whichor suchmoney establishmentor receivesproperty pursuantunlawfully toobtained afrom funeralany serviceperson contract,by andfalse notpretenses, laterartifice thanor [fifteen]forgery threeor daysby afterreason itsof receiptany fraud, misrepresentation or deceit by or on the part of any such moneyreal estate licensee or securities,theunlicensed employee ofanysuchrealestate licensee, may recover, upon approval by the [commission] department of an application brought pursuant to the provisions of section 20-324e, as amended by this act, compensation in onean oramount morenot escrowexceeding accountsin establishedthe aggregate the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars in accordanceconnection with any one real estate transaction or claim, regardless of the provisionsnumber of thispersons section.aggrieved or parcels of real estate involved in such real estate transaction or claim.

Not later than [ten] five days after the [initial] deposit of such money or securities, the escrow agent shall notify the purchaser, in writing, of the agent's receipt of such [initial] deposit and the amount of such [initial] deposit.

Such escrow agent shall notify the purchaser of any transfer of such funds or securities, except when such transfer is to pay for services as required by the funeral service contract.

Such funds or securities shall not be transferred to an insurance contract without a description to the purchaser by the funeral director of any fees, costs or commissions associated with such insurance contract and without obtaining the written consent of the purchaser to such transfer.

Section 42-20720-324c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective Julyfrom 1,passage): 2026):

(a)The An[commission] irrevocabledepartment funeralshall servicemaintain contract may be entered into in which the amountReal heldEstate inGuaranty escrowFund orat a deathlevel benefit payable under an individual or group life insurance policy may be disbursed only upon the death of the beneficiary, provided such a contract does not to exceed tenfive hundred thousand dollars and all interest, growth or dividends accumulates to thethis escrowintent accountmoneys orreceived insuranceunder policysection and20-324b areshall inaccessiblebe toPublic theAct beneficiary.SuchirrevocablefuneralservicecontractmaybetransferredNo. from one funeral service establishment to another upon request of the beneficiary or a legal representative of the beneficiary.

The26-100 purchase of LCO 13 of 20154 Substitute House Bill No.

5222 ancredited irrevocableto funeralsaid servicefund contractwhenever shall not preclude an individual from purchasing other funeral service contracts that are revocable, provided any such revocable funeral service contract purchased by a Medicaid beneficiary may be revoked only upon written notice by the Medicaidfund beneficiarybalance tois thebelow Commissionerfive ofhundred Socialthousand Services.dollars.

AnAny irrevocablesuch funeralmoneys servicemay contractbe shallinvested provideor that,reinvested uponin thethesame deathmanner ofas thefundsofthestate beneficiary,employeesretirement thesystem.The stateinterest ofarising Connecticutfrom shallsuch receiveinvestments anyshall amountsbe remainingcredited after performance of the contract, up to (1) the totalReal amountEstate ofGuaranty medicalFund assistancewhenever paidthefund bybalance the state of Connecticut on behalf of the beneficiary that is recoverablebelow underfive 42hundred USCthousand 1396p,dollars, and (2)to the totalGeneral amountFund ofwhenever all other forms of public assistance paid by the statefund ofbalance Connecticutis onequal behalfto of the beneficiary or hisgreater orthan herfive dependenthundred child.thousand dollars.

TheAny funeralmoneys servicereceived establishment providing services under suchsection a20-324b contractnot shallrequired make payment of such remaining funds to maintain the CommissionerReal ofEstate SocialGuaranty ServicesFund notbalance latershall thanbe sixtydeposited daysto afterthe allGeneral servicesFund. have been performed under such contract.

IfAll amoneys funeralin servicethe establishmentReal payssuchremainingEstate amountGuaranty toanyFund personotherthanthein Commissionerexcess of Socialfive Services,hundred thethousand funeraldollars, service establishment shall be liabletransferred toby saidthe commissionerState forTreasurer repaymentto ofthe suchGeneral amount.Fund.

(b)Sec. A purchaser shall have the right to cancel an irrevocable funeral service contract at any time prior to midnight on the third calendar day after the day on which the purchaser signed and received a copy of the contract.

A purchaser may not waive such right of cancellation, and any contract providing that a purchaser has waived such right of cancellation is voidable by the purchaser, the beneficiary or the legal representative of the beneficiary.

If a purchaser elects to cancel an irrevocable funeral service contract under this subsection, or if a purchaser, beneficiary or legal representative of a beneficiary elects to void an irrevocable funeral service contract under this subsection, the purchaser, beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable, shall do so by giving to the person who sold the contract a notice by hand-delivery, postage prepaid United States mail or overnight common carrier delivery service.

Such cancellation shall be without penalty or obligation, and all payments made by the purchaser prior to such LCO 14 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 cancellation shall be refunded to the purchaser not later than twenty business days after the date on which the person who sold such contract received a timely notice under this subsection.

(c) Each irrevocable funeral service contract shall contain the followingstatement,orasubstantiallysimilarstatement,inconspicuous type:

"PURCHASER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL.

(1) BY SIGNING THIS CONTRACT YOU ARE INCURRING AN OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE AN IRREVOCABLE FUNERAL SERVICE CONTRACT.

YOU MAY, HOWEVER, CANCEL THIS CONTRACT WITHOUT PENALTY OR OBLIGATION BEFORE MIDNIGHT OF THE THIRD CALENDAR DAY AFTER THE DATE YOU SIGN AND RECEIVE A COPY OF THE CONTRACT.

(2) IF YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL THIS CONTRACT, YOU MAY DO SO BY EITHER HAND-DELIVERING NOTICE OF CANCELLATION TO THECONTRACT SELLER OR BY MAILINGNOTICEBY PREPAID UNITED STATES MAIL TO THE CONTRACT SELLER, OR BY PROVIDING NOTICE BY OVERNIGHT COMMON CARRIER DELIVERY SERVICE TO THE CONTRACT SELLER.

YOUR NOTICE OF CANCELLATION IS EFFECTIVE ON THE DATE SENT.

IF MAILEDOR SENTBY OVERNIGHTCOMMONCARRIER FOR YOUR PROTECTION, SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL, YOU SHOULD EITHER SEND YOUR NOTICE OF CANCELLATION BY CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED OR OBTAIN A SIGNED AND DATED RECEIPT IF DELIVERING IT IN PERSON OR BY OVERNIGHT COMMON CARRIER.

(3) A PURCHASER SHOULD NOT RELY ON STATEMENTS OTHER THAN THOSE INCLUDED IN THIS CONTRACT.

(4) SHOULD YOU CANCEL, ANY PAYMENTS MADE BY YOU UNDER THE CONTRACT AND ANY NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY YOU WILL BE RETURNED WITHIN TWENTY LCO 15 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 BUSINESS DAYS FOLLOWING RECEIPT BY THE CONTRACT SELLER OF YOUR CANCELLATION NOTICE." Sec.

SubsectionSection (a)20-324d of section 51-344a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a)No Wheneverapplication theto termrecover "judicialcompensation districtunder ofsections Hartford-New20-324a Britain"to or20- "judicialdistrict324i, ofHartford-NewBritainatinclusive, Hartford"isusedorreferredas toamended by this act, which might subsequently result in thean followingorder sectionsfor ofcollection from the generalReal statutes,Estate itGuaranty Fund shall be deemedbrought tolater meanthan ortwo referyears tofrom the judicialfinal districtdetermination ofof, Hartfordor onexpirationof andtime afterfor Septemberappeal 1,in 1998:connection with, any binding arbitration decision or any court judgment, order or decree.

Sections 2-48, 3-21a, 3-62d, 3-70a, 3-71a, 4-61, 4-160, 4-164, 4- 177b, 4-180, 4-183, 4-197, 5-202, 5-276a, 8-30g, 9-7a, 9-7b, 9-369b, 10-153e, 12-208, 12-237, 12-268l, 12-312, 12-330m, 12-405k, 12-422, 12-448, 12-454, 12-456, 12-463, 12-489, 12-522, 12-554, 12-565, 12-572, 12-586f, 12-597, 12- 730, 13b-34, 13b-235, 13b-315, 13b-375, 14-57, 14-66, 14-67u, 14-110, 14- 195, 14-311, 14-311c, 14-324, 14-331, 15-125, 15-126, 16-41, 16a-5, 17b-60, 17b-100, 17b-238, 17b-531, 19a-85, 19a-86, 19a-425, 19a-498, 19a-517, 19a- 526, 19a-633, 20-12f, 20-13e, 20-29, 20-40, 20-45, 20-59, 20-73a, 20-86f, 20- 99, 20-114, 20-133, 20-154, 20-156, 20-162p, 20-192, 20-195p, 20-202, 20- 206c, 20-227, 20-238, 20-247, 20-263, 20-271, 20-307, 20-341f, 20-363, 20- 373, 20-404, 20-414, 21a-55, 21a-190i, 22-7, 22-228, 22-248, 22-254, 22- 320d, 22-326a, 22-344b, 22-386, 22a-6b, 22a-7, 22a-16, 22a-30, 22a-34, 22a- 53, 22a-60, 22a-62, 22a-63, 22a-66h, 22a-106a, 22a-119, 22a-180, 22a-182a, 22a-184, 22a-220a, 22a-220d, 22a-225, 22a-226, 22a-226c, 22a-227, 22a- 250,22a-255l,22a-276, 22a-310,22a-342a,22a-344,22a-361a,22a-374,22a- 376, 22a-408, 22a-430, 22a-432, 22a-438, 22a-449f, 22a-449g, 22a-459, 23- 5e, 23-65m, 25-32e, 25-36, 28-5, 29-143j, 29-158, 29-161z, 29-323, 30-8, 31- 109, 31-249b, 31-266, 31-266a, 31-270, 31-273, 31-284, 31-285, 31-339, 31- 355a, 31-379, 35-3c, 35-42, 36a-186, 36a-187, 36a-471a, 36a-494, 36a-587, 36a-647, 36a-684, 36a-718, 36a-807, 36b-26, 36b-27, 36b-30, 36b-50, 36b- 71, 36b-72, 36b-74, 36b-76, 38a-41, 38a-52, 38a-134, 38a-139, 38a-140, 38a- 147, 38a-150, 38a-185, 38a-209, 38a-225, 38a-226b, 38a-241, 38a-337, 38a- 470, 38a-620, 38a-657, 38a-687, 38a-774, 38a-776, 38a-817, 38a-843, 38a- 868, 38a-906, 38a-994, [42-103c,] 42-110d, 42-110k, 42-110p, 42-182, 46a- 56, 46a-100, 47a-21, 49-73, 51-44a, 51-81b, 51-194, 52-146j, 53-392d and LCO 16 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 54-211a.

(EffectiveSubsection from(e) passage)of (a)section There20-324e isof establishedthe a2026 workingsupplement group to studythe issuesgeneral relatedstatutes tois prepaidrepealed funeral service contracts and the establishmentfollowing andis implementationsubstituted ofin alieu guarantythereof fund(Effective forfrom consumerspassage): who purchase such contracts.

(b)(e) TheIf workingthe group[department] shallDepartment consistof Consumer Protection pays fromtheRealEstate Guaranty Fundany amount in settlement ofaclaim or toward satisfaction of a decision, judgment, order or decree against a real estate licensee or an unlicensed employee of a real estate licensee pursuant to an order under subsection (d) of this section, such person shall not be eligible to receive a new license until such person has repaid such amount in full [,] plus interest at the followingrate members:of ten per cent per year, Public Act No.

(1)26-100 One14 appointedof by154 theSubstitute House chairpersonBill ofNo. the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection;

(2)5222 Onewhich appointedinterest byshall accrue from the Senatedate chairpersonon ofwhich the jointDepartment standingof committeeConsumer ofProtection makes such payment from the Generalfund Assemblyuntil havingthe cognizancedate on which the Commissioner of mattersConsumer relatingProtection refers the unpaid amount to consumerthe protection;Department of Administrative Services for collection.

(3)OneappointedbytheHouserankingmemberofthejointstandingA committeedischarge ofin thebankruptcy Generalshall Assemblynot havingrelieve cognizancea ofperson mattersfrom relatingthe topenalties consumerand protection;disabilities provided in this subsection.

(4)OneappointedbytheSenaterankingmemberofthejointstanding committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection;

(5)The Commissioner ofConsumer Protection,orthecommissioner's designee;

(6) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;

(7) The Insurance Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;

(8) The Banking Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;

(9) The Probate Court Administrator, or the administrator's designee;

(10) A representative of an association representing funeral directors, who shall be appointed jointly by the chairpersons of the joint standing LCO 17 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection;

(11) A representative of an association representing banks, who shall be appointed jointly by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection;

and (12) A representative of an association representing insurance companies, who shall be appointed jointly by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection.

(c) Any member of the working group appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly, provided any member of the working group appointed under said subdivisions who is a member of the General Assembly shall serve as a nonvoting member of the working group unless such member is selected to serve as a chairperson of the working group, in which case such member shall have a vote on the working group.

(d) All initial appointments to the working group shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.

Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(e) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection shall select two chairpersons of the working group from among the members of the working group appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of this section.

Such chairpersons shall schedule thefirstmeetingoftheworkinggroup,which shallbeheldnotlaterthan sixty days after the effective date of this section.

The working group shall meet not less frequently than monthly and may meet at such other times as the chairpersons, in their discretion, deem necessary.

(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the LCO 18 of 20 Substitute Bill No.

5222 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection shall serve as administrative staff of the working group.

(g) Not later than February 1, 2027, the working group shall submit an initial report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

(h) Not later than January 1, 2028, the working group shall submit a final report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such final report or January 1, 2028, whichever is later.

SectionsSection 42-103b20-324f to 42-103m, inclusive, of the general statutes areis repealed.repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(EffectiveAny fromperson passage)filing Thiswith actthe shall[commission] takedepartment effectany notice, statement or other document required under the provisions of section 20-324e, as followsamended andby this act, which is false or untrue or contains any material misstatement of fact shall amendbe thefined followingnot sections:less than two hundred dollars.

Section 1 from passage 20-295b Sec.

218. October 1, 2026 20-305 Sec.

3Section October20-324h 1,of 2026the 20-306general Sec.statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

4When Octoberthe 1,[commission] 2026department 20-308(a)has Sec.caused to be paid from the Real Estate Guaranty Fund any sum to the [judgment] creditor under a decision, judgment, order or decree, the [commission] department shall be subrogated to all of the rights of the [judgment] creditor up to the amount paid, and the [judgment] creditor shall assign all of [his] the creditor's right, title and interest in the decision, judgment, order or decree up to such amount paid to the [commission] department, and any amount and interest recovered by the [commission] department on the decision, judgment, order or decree shall be deposited to the fund.

5 July 1, 2026 20-314(c) Sec.

619. from passage 20-330(3) Sec.

7Subsection from(o)of passagesection 20-33720-417i Sec.of the2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

8(o) fromIf passagethe 20-377scommissioner Sec.orders the payment of an amount as a result of a guaranty fund claim against a new home construction contractor, Public Act No.

926-100 from15 passageof 20-670(5)154 Sec.Substitute House Bill No.

105222 Julythe 1,commissioner 2026may, 21a-39after Sec.notice and hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, revoke the certificate of such contractor and such contractor shall not be eligible to receive a new or renewed certificate until such contractor has repaid such amount in full [,] plus interest [from the time such payment is made from the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund,] at a rate to be in accordance with section 37-3b, [except that] which interest shall accrue from the date on which such payment is made from the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund until the date on which the commissioner refers the unpaid amount to the Department of Administrative Services for collection.

11Notwithstanding Julythe 1,provisions 2026of 21a-430(a)this Sec.subsection, the commissioner may, in the commissioner's sole discretion, permit a new home constructioncontractortoreceiveaneworrenewedcertificateaftersuch contractor has entered into an agreement with the commissioner whereby such contractor agrees to repay the fund in full in the form of periodic payments over a set period of time.

12Any Julysuch 1,agreement 2026shall 42-200(b)include Sec.a provision providing for the summary suspension of any and all certificates held by the new home construction contractor if payment is not made in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

13 July 1, 2026 42-202(a) Sec.

1420. July 1, 2026 42-207 Sec.

15Subsections from(d) passageto 51-344a(a)(p), Sec.inclusive, of section 20-432 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

16(d)Wheneveranownerobtainsabindingarbitrationdecision,acourt fromjudgment, passageorder Newor sectiondecree LCOagainst 19any contractor holding a certificate or who has held a certificate under this chapter, or against a proprietor, within two years of 20the Substitutedate Billsuch contractor entered into the contract with the owner, for loss or damages sustained by reason of performance of or offering to perform a home improvement within this state by a contractor holding a certificate under this chapter, such owner may, upon the final determination of, or expiration of time for, taking an appeal in connection with any such decision, judgment, order or decree, Public Act No.

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5222 apply to the commissioner for an order directing payment out of said guaranty fund of the amount unpaid upon the decision, judgment, order or decree, for actual damages and costs taxed by the court against the contractor or proprietor, exclusive of punitive damages.

The application shall be made on forms provided by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by a copy of the decision, court judgment, order or decree obtained against the contractor or proprietor together with a statement signed and sworn to by the owner, affirming that the owner has made a good faith effort to satisfy such decision, judgment, order or decree in accordance with the provisions of chapter 906.

Such good faith effort may include causing to be issued a writ of execution upon such decision, judgment, order or decree, provided the officer executing such writ has made a return (1) showing that no bank accounts or personal property of the contractor or proprietor liable to be levied upon in satisfaction of such decision, judgment, order or decree could be found, or that the amount realized on the sale of such accounts or property or of such accounts or property as were found, under the execution, was insufficient to satisfy the actual damage portion of such decision, judgment, order or decree, or (2) stating the amount realized and the balance remaining due onsuchdecision,judgment,orderordecree after such application on such decision, judgment, order or decree of the amount realized.

The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a judgment, orderordecree obtainedby theowner insmallclaimscourt.

No application for an order directing payment out of the guaranty fund shall be made later than two years after the final determination of, or expiration of time for, taking an appeal of [said] such decision, court judgment, order or decree.

(e) Upon receipt of [said] such application together with [said] such copy of the decision, court judgment, order or decree, such statement and, except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, such true and attested copy of the executing officer's return, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall inspect such documents for their veracity Public Act No.

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5222 and upon a determination that such documents are complete and authentic, and a determination that the owner has not been paid, the commissioner shall order payment out of the guaranty fund of the amount unpaid upon the decision, judgment, order or decree for actual damages and costs taxed by the court against the contractor or, if the contractor is a business entity, a proprietor, exclusive of punitive damages.

(f) Whenever an owner is awarded an order of restitution against any contractor or, if the contractor is a business entity, any proprietor for loss or damages sustained by reason of performance of or offering to perform a home improvement in this state by a contractor holding a certificate or who has held a certificate under this chapter within two years of the date of entering into the contract with the owner, in a proceeding brought by the commissioner pursuant to this section or subsection (d) of section 42-110d, or in a proceeding brought by the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (a) of section 42-110m or subsection (d) of section 42-110d, or a criminal proceeding pursuant to section 20-427, such owner may, upon the final determination of, or expiration of time for, taking an appeal in connection with any such order of restitution, apply to the commissioner for an order directing payment out of said guaranty fund of the amount unpaid upon the order ofrestitution.The commissioner may issue [said] suchorder upon a determination that the owner has not been paid.

(g) Whenever the commissioner orders payment to an owner out of the guaranty fund based upon a decision, court judgment, order or decree of restitution against any [proprietor] individual or business entity that holds or has held a certificate under this chapter, such [proprietor and the] individual or business entity [that holds or held a certificate under this chapter] shall be liable for the resulting debt to the guaranty fund.

(h) Before the commissioner may issue any order directing payment Public Act No.

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5222 out of the guaranty fund to an owner pursuant to subsection (e) or (f) of this section, the commissioner shall first notify the contractor of the owner's application for an order directing payment out of the guaranty fund and of the contractor's right to a hearing to contest the disbursement in the event that the contractor or proprietor has already paid the owner or is complying with a payment schedule in accordance with a court judgment, order or decree.

Such notice shall be given to the contractor not later than fifteen days after receipt by the commissioner of the owner's application for an order directing payment out of the guaranty fund.

If the contractor requests a hearing, in writing, by certified mail not later than fifteen days after receiving the notice from the commissioner, the commissioner shall grant such request and shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

If the commissioner does not receive a request by certified mail from the contractor for a hearing not later than fifteen days after the contractor's receipt of such notice, the commissioner shall determine that the owner has not been paid, and the commissioner shall issue an order directing payment out of the guaranty fund for the amount unpaid upon the judgment, order or decree for actual damages and costs taxed by the court against the contractor or proprietor, exclusive of punitive damages, or for the amount unpaid upon the order of restitution.

(i) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may proceed against any contractor holding a certificate or who has held a certificate under this chapter within the past two years of the effective date of entering into the contract with the owner, for an order of restitution arising from loss or damages sustained by any person by reason of such contractor's or the proprietor's performance of or offering to perform a home improvement in this state.

Any such proceeding shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

In the course of such proceeding, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall decide whether to exercise the commissioner's powers pursuant to section20-426;

whether toorderrestitutionarising fromlossor damages Public Act No.

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5222 sustained by any person by reason of such contractor's or proprietor's performance or offering to perform a home improvement in this state;

and whether to order payment out of the guaranty fund.

Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 54, the decision of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall be final with respect to any proceeding to order payment out of the guaranty fund and the commissioner and the commissioner's designee shall not be subject to the requirements of chapter 54 as they relate to appeal from any such decision.

The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may hear complaints of all owners submitting claims against a single contractor in one proceeding.

(j) No application for an order directing payment out of the guaranty fund shall be made later than two years from the final determination of, or expiration of time for, appeal in connection with any decision, judgment, order or decree of restitution.

(k) Whenever the owner satisfies the commissioner or the commissioner's designee that it is not practicable to comply with the requirements of subsection (d) of this section and that the owner has taken all reasonable steps to collect the amount of the decision, judgment, order or decree or the unsatisfied part thereof and has been unable to collect the same, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may, in the commissioner's or such designee's discretion, dispense with the necessity for complying with such requirement.

(l) In order to preserve the integrity of the guaranty fund, the commissioner, in the commissioner's sole discretion, may order payment out of said fund of an amount less than the actual loss or damages incurred by the owner or less than the order of restitution awarded by the commissioner or the Superior Court.

In no event shall any payment out of said guaranty fund be in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars for any single claim by an owner.

Public Act No.

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5222 (m) If the money deposited in the guaranty fund is insufficient to satisfy any duly authorized claim or portion thereof, the commissioner shall, when sufficient money has been deposited in the fund, satisfy such unpaid claims or portions thereof, in the order that such claims or portions thereof were originally determined.

(n) Whenever the commissioner has caused any sum to be paid from the guaranty fund to an owner, the commissioner shall be subrogated to all of the rights of the owner up to the amount paid plus reasonable interest, and prior to receipt of any payment from the guaranty fund, the owner shall assign all of [this] the owner's right, title and interest in the claim up to such amount to the commissioner, and any amount and interest recovered by the commissioner on the claim shall be deposited to the guaranty fund.

(o) If the commissioner orders the payment of any amount as a result of a guaranty fund claim against a contractor or proprietor, the commissioner shall determine if the contractor is possessed of assets liable to be sold or applied in satisfaction of the claim on the guaranty fund.

If the commissioner discovers any such assets, the commissioner may request that the Attorney General take any action necessary for the reimbursement of the guaranty fund.

(p) If the commissioner orders the payment of an amount as a result of a guaranty fund claim against a contractor, the commissioner may, after notice and hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, revoke the certificate of the contractor.

[and the] Any contractor, or any individual who has an ownership interest in a business entity that holds or hashelda certificate under thischapter, shallnot beeligibleto receive a new or renewed certificate until the contractor or individual has repaid such amount in full [,] plus interest [from the time said payment is made from the guaranty fund,] at a rate to be in accordance with section 37-3b, [except that] which interest shall accrue from the date on which payment is made from the guaranty fund until the commissioner Public Act No.

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5222 refers the unpaid amount to the Department of Administrative Services for collection.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the commissioner may, in the commissioner's sole discretion, permit a contractor to receive a new or renewed certificate after that contractor has entered into an agreement with the commissioner whereby the contractor agrees to repay the guaranty fund in full in the form of periodic payments over a set period of time.

Any such agreement shall include a provision providing for the summary suspension of any and all certificates held by the contractor if payment is not made in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Sec.

21.

Subsection (h) of section 21a-226 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(h) If the [commissioner] Department of Consumer Protection pays any amount as a result of a claim against a health club pursuant to an order under subsection (g) of this section, the health club shall [pay] repay the amount due plus interest at the rate of ten per cent per year, which interest shall accrue from the date on which the Department of ConsumerProtectionmakessuchpaymentfromtheguarantyfunduntil the date on which the Commissioner of Consumer Protection refers the unpaid amount to the Department of Administrative Services for collection.

A health clubshallnot beeligibletoreceive aneworrenewed license until the health club has repaid such amount in full.

All funds [paid] repaid pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the guaranty fund.

Sec.

22.

Section 30-18a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):

(a) As used in this section:

Public Act No.

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5222 (1) "Out-of-state" (A) means (i) any state other than Connecticut, (ii) any territory or possession of the United States, (iii) the District of Columbia, or (iv) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (B) does not include any foreign country;

(2) "Retailer" means any business entity that (A) is primarily engaged in selling alcoholic liquor in sealed bottles or other containers for off- premises consumption, and (B) holds a retailer permit issued by the alcohol beverage authority of its home state;

and (3) "Wine" includes, but is not limited to, (A) cider not exceeding six per cent alcohol by volume, and (B) apple wine not exceeding fifteen per cent alcohol by volume.

[(a)] (b) (1) An out-of-state winery shipper's permit for wine shall allow the sale of wine to manufacturer and wholesaler permittees in this state as permitted by law and for those shippers that produce not more than one hundred thousand gallons of wine per year, the sale and shipment by the holder thereof to a retailer of wine manufactured by such permittee in the original sealed containers of not more than fifteen gallons per container.

[For purposes of this section, "wine" shall include cider not exceeding six per cent alcohol by volume and apple wine not exceeding fifteen per cent alcohol by volume.] (2) An out-of-state retailer shipper's permit for wine shall allow the sale and shipment of wine directly to a consumer in this state.

[(b)] (c) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the permits under subsection [(a)] (b) of this section shall allow the sale and delivery or shipment of wine manufactured or sold by the permittee directly to a consumer in this state.

Such permittee, when selling and shipping wine directly to a consumer in this state, shall:

(1) Ensure that the shipping labels on all containers of wine shipped directly to a consumer in this state conspicuously state the following:

"CONTAINS ALCOHOL— Public Act No.

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5222 SIGNATURE OF A PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY";(2)obtain thesignatureofapersonagetwenty-oneorolder attheaddresspriortodelivery,afterrequiringthesignertodemonstrate that he or she is age twenty-one or older by providing a valid motor vehicle operator's license or a valid identity card described in section 1- 1h;

(3) not ship more than five gallons of wine in any two-month period to any person in this state and not ship any wine until such permittee is registered, with respect to the permittee's sales of wine to consumers in this state, for purposesof the taxes imposed under chapters 219 and 220, with the Department of Revenue Services;

(4) pay, to the Department of Revenue Services, all sales taxes and alcoholic beverage taxes due under chapters 219 and 220 on sales of wine to consumers in this state, and file, with said department, all sales tax returns and alcoholic beverage tax returns relating to such sales, with the amount of such taxes to be calculated as if the sale were in this state at the location where delivery is made;

(5) report to the Department of Consumer Protection a separate andcompleterecordofallsalesandshipmentstoconsumersinthestate, on a ledger sheet or similar form which readily presents a chronological account of such permittee's dealings with each such consumer;

(6) permit the Department of Consumer Protection and Department of Revenue Services, separately or jointly, to perform an audit of the permittee's records upon request;

(7) not ship to any address in the state where the sale of alcoholic liquor is prohibited by local option pursuant to section 30-9;

(8) hold an in-state transporter permit under section 30- 19f or make any such shipment through the use of a person who holds such an in-state transporter permit;

(9) execute a written consent to the jurisdiction of this state, its agencies and instrumentalities and the courts of this state concerning the enforcement of this section and any related laws, rules, or regulations, including tax laws, rules or regulations;

and (10) comply with the provisions of section 30-68m regarding the prohibition of selling wine below cost.

[(c)] (d) The Department of Consumer Protection, in consultation Public Act No.

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5222 with the Department of Revenue Services, may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to assure compliance with the provisions of subsection [(b)] (c) of this section.

[(d)] (e) A holder of a permit under subsection [(a)] (b) of this section, when advertising or offering wine for direct shipment to a consumer in this state via the Internet or any other on-line computer network, shall clearly and conspicuously state such liquor permit number in its advertising.

[(e)] (f) (1) For purposes of chapter 219, the holder of a permit under subsection [(a)] (b) of this section, when shipping wine directly to a consumer in this state, shall be deemed to be a retailer engaged in business in this state as defined in chapter 219 and shall be required to be issued a seller's permit pursuant to chapter 219.

(2) For purposes of chapter 220, the holder of a permit under subsection [(a)] (b) of this section, when shipping wine directly to a consumer in this state, shall be deemed to be a distributor as defined in chapter 220 and shall be required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 220.

[(f)] (g) Any person who applies for an out-of-state winery shipper's permit for wine or for the renewal of such permit shall furnish an affidavit to the Department of Consumer Protection, in such form as may be prescribed by the department, affirming whether the out-of- state winery that is the subject of such permit produced more than one hundred thousand gallons of wine during the most recently completed calendar year.

[(g)] (h) The annual fee for an out-of-state winery shipper's permit for wine shall bethree hundredfifteendollarsandtheannualfeefor anout- of-state retailer shipper's permit for wine shall be six hundred dollars.

[(h) As used in this section, "out-of-state" means any state other than Connecticut, any territory or possession of the UnitedStates,the District Public Act No.

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5222 of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but does not include any foreign country.] Sec.

23.

Subsection (b) of section 30-37f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):

(b)Sections30-9 to 30-13a,inclusive, section30-22aa,subdivision [(2)] (3) of subsection (b) of section 30-39, as amended by this act, subsection (c) of section 30-39 and sections 30-44, 30-46, 30-48a and 30-91a shall not apply to a cafe permit issued pursuant to subsection (d) of section 30- 22a.

Sec.

24.

Subsection (b) of section 30-39 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):

(b) (1) Any person desiring a liquor permit or a renewal of such a permit shall make an affirmed application therefor to the Department of Consumer Protection, upon forms to be furnished by the department, showing the name and address of the applicant and of the applicant's backer, if any, the location of the club or place of business which is to be operated under such permit and a financial statement setting forth all elements and details of any business transactions connected with the application.

[Such] If such application is for a liquor permit that allows on-premises serving or consumption of alcoholic liquor, such application shall also include a detailed description of the type of live entertainment that is to be provided.

A club or place of business shall be exempt from providing such detailed description if the club or place of business (A) was issued a liquor permit prior to October 1, 1993, and (B) hasnotalteredthetypeofentertainmentprovided.Theapplicationshall also indicate any crimes of which the applicant or the applicant's backer may have been convicted.

The department shall not review an initial application until the applicant has submitted all documents necessary Public Act No.

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5222 to establish that state and local building, fire and zoning requirements and local ordinances concerning hours and days of sale will be met, except that localbuilding andzoning requirementsandlocalordinances concerning hours anddays of sale shall not apply to a cafe permit issued under subsection (d) or (h) of section 30-22a.

If the applicant does not submit all such documents within the thirty-day period beginning on the date on which the department receives the initial application, or if such documents are not fully executed by the appropriate authorities, such initial application shall be deemed withdrawn and invalid.

The State Fire Marshal or the marshal's certified designee shall be responsible for approving compliance with the State Fire Code at Bradley International Airport.

Any person desiring a permit provided for in section 30-33b shall file a copy of such person's license with such application if such license was issued by the Department of Consumer Protection.

The department may, at its discretion, conduct an investigation to determine (i) whether a permit shall be issued to an applicant or the applicant's backer, or (ii) the suitability of the proposed permit premises.

Completion of an inspection pursuant to subsection (f) of section 29-305 shall not be deemed to constitute a precondition to renewal of a permit that is subject to subsection (f) of section 29-305.

(2) The applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee, which fee shall be in addition to the fees prescribed in this chapter for the permit sought.

An application fee shall not be charged for an application to renew a permit.

The application fee shall be in the amount of ten dollars for the filing of each application for a permit by a nonprofit golf tournament permit under section 30-37g or a temporary liquor permit for a noncommercial entity under section 30- 35;

and in the amount of one hundred dollars for the filing of an initial application for all other permits.

Any permit issued shall be valid only for the purposes and activities described in the application.

(3) (A) The applicant shall affix, and maintain in a legible condition Public Act No.

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5222 upon the outer door of the building wherein such place of business is to be located and clearly visible from the public highway, the placard provided by the department, not later than theday following the receipt of the placard by the applicant.

If such outer door of such premises is so far from the public highway that such placard is not clearly visible as provided, the department shall direct a suitable method to notify the public of such application.

When an application is filed for any type of permit for a building that has not been constructed, such applicant shall erect and maintain in a legible condition a sign not less than six feet by four feet upon the site where such place of business is to be located, instead of such placard upon the outer door of the building.

The sign shall set forth the type of permit applied for and the name of the proposedpermittee,shallbeclearlyvisiblefromthepublichighwayand shall be so erected not later than the day following the receipt of the placard.

Such applicant shall make a return to the department, under oath, of compliance with the foregoing requirements, in such form as the department may determine, but the department may require any additional proof of such compliance.

Upon receipt of evidence of such compliance, the department may hold a hearing as to the suitability of the proposed location.

(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision regarding placarding shall not apply to applications for [(A)] (i) airline permits issued under section 30-28a, [(B)] (ii) temporary liquor permits for noncommercial entities issued under section 30-35, [(C)] (iii) concession permits issued under section 30-33, [(D)] (iv) military permits issued under section 30-34, [(E)] (v) cafe permits issued under subsection (h) of section 30-22a, [(F)] (vi) warehouse permits issued under section 30-32, [(G)] (vii) broker's permits issued under section 30-30, [(H)] (viii) out-of- state shipper's permits for alcoholic liquor issued under section 30-18, [(I)] (ix) out-of-state shipper's permits for beer issued under section 30- 19, [(J)] (x) coliseum permits issued under section 30-33a, [(K)] (xi) nonprofit golf tournament permits issued under section 30-37g, [(L)] Public Act No.

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5222 (xii) Connecticut craft cafe permits issued under section 30-22d to permittees who held a manufacturer permit for a brew pub or a manufacturer permit for beer issued under subsection (b) of section 30- and a brew pub before July 1, 2020, [(M)] (xiii) off-site farm winery sales and wine, cider and mead tasting permits issued under section 30- 16a, [(N)] (xiv) out-of-state retailer shipper's permits for wine issued under section 30-18a, as amended by this act, [(O)] (xv) out-of-state winery shipper's permits for wine issued under section 30-18a, as amended by this act, [(P)] (xvi) in-state transporter permits for alcoholic liquor issued under section 30-19f, including, but not limited to, boats operating under such permits, [(Q)] (xvii) seasonal outdoor open-air permits issued under section 30-22e, [(R)] (xviii) festival permits issued under section 30-37t, [(S)] (xix) temporary auction permits issued under section 30-37u, [(T)] (xx) outdoor open-air permits issued under section 30-22f, and [(U)] (xxi) renewals of any permit described in subparagraphs [(A)] (B)(i) to [(T)] (B)(xx), inclusive, of this subdivision, if applicable.

[The] (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision regarding [placard display] placarding shall [also be required of] apply to any applicant who seeks to amend the type of live entertainment to be provided, either upon filing of a renewal application or upon requesting permission of the department in a form that requires the approval of the municipal zoning official.

(4) In any case in which a permit has been issued to a partnership, if one or more of the partners dies or retires, the remaining partner or partners need not file a new application for the unexpired portion of the current permit, and no additional fee for such unexpired portion shall be required.

Notice of any such change shall be given to the department and the permit shall be endorsed to show correct ownership.

When any partnership changes by reason of the addition of one or more persons, a Public Act No.

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5222 new application with new fees shall be required.

Sec.

25.

Section 30-86a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):

(a) For the purposes of section 30-86, any permittee shall require any person whose age is in question to fill out and sign a statement in the following form on one occasion when each such person makes a purchase:

...., 20..

I, ...., hereby represent to ...., a permittee of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, that I am over the age of 21 years, having been born on ...., 19..

or 20.., at .....

(city), …..

(state).

This statement is made to induce said permittee to sell or otherwise furnish alcoholic beverages to the undersigned.

I understand that title 30 of the general statutes prohibits the sale of alcoholic liquor to any person who is not twenty-one years of age.

I understand that I am subject to a fine of one hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than two hundred fifty dollars for each subsequent offense for wilfully misrepresenting my age for the purposes set forth in this statement.

....

(Name) ....

(Address) Such statement once taken shall be applicable both to the particular sale in connection with which such statement was taken, as well as to all future sales at the same premises, and shall have full force and effect under subsection (b) of this section as to every subsequent sale or purchase.

Such statement shall be printed upon appropriate forms to be furnished by the permittee and approved by the Department of Public Act No.

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5222 Consumer Protection or electronically displayed by the permittee on an electronic device that is capable of allowing the person whose age is in question to electronically fill out and sign such statement.

If such statement is filled out and signed in paper form, such statement shall be kept on file on the permit premises, alphabetically indexed, in a suitable file box, and shall be open to inspection by the department or any of the department's agents or inspectors at any reasonable time.

If such statement is filled out and signed in electronic form, such statement shall be stored in an electronic medium that is immediately accessible from the permit premises, alphabetically indexed, and shall be in an electronic format that is accessible to the department or any of the department's agents or inspectors at any reasonable time.

Any person who makes any false statement on a form signed by such person as required by this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than two hundred fifty dollars for each subsequent offense.

(b) In any case where such a statement has been procured and the permittee is subsequently charged with serving or furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor, if such permittee, in proceedings before any court of this state or the Department of Consumer Protection, introduces such statement in evidence and shows both that the evidence presented to [him] such permittee to establish the age of the purchaser was such as would convince a reasonable [man] person and that such permittee or the backer otherwise acted reasonably in serving or furnishing alcoholic beverages to the minor, no penalty shall be imposed on such permittee.

Sec.

26.

(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Baby food product" (A) means any food that is (i) manufactured, packaged, labeled and sold in a container, and (ii) intended for consumption by individuals younger than two years of age, and (B) does not include water or infant formula, as defined in section 21a-92 of the general statutes;

Public Act No.

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5222 (2) "Consumer" means an individual residing in this state who is a purchaser, or a prospective purchaser, of a baby food product;

(3) "Food" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-92 of the general statutes;

(4) "Person" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-92 of the general statutes;

(5) "Production aggregate" means a quantity of a baby food product that is (A) intended to be uniform in composition, character and quality, and (B) produced according to a master manufacturing order;

(6) "Proficient laboratory" means a laboratory that (A) is accredited under International Organization for Standardization or International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Standard 17025:2017, as amended from time to time, (B) uses an analytical method that is as sensitive as the analytical method described in the latest edition of the federal Food and Drug Administration's "Elemental Analysis Manual for Food and Related Products", and (C) demonstrates proficiency in quantifying each toxic heavy metal concentration to at least six micrograms of the toxic heavy metal to kilogram of food through an independent proficiency test by achieving a z-score that is less than or equal to plus or minus two;

(7) "Quick response code" means a two-dimensional matrix barcode that consists ofblocks arranged inagridand may bereadby animaging device;

(8) "Representative sample" means a sample that (A) consists of severalunitsdrawnfromamaterialbasedonrationalcriteria,including, but not limited to, random sampling, and (B) is intended to accurately represent the material from which the sample is drawn;

and (9)"Toxicheavymetal"includesarsenic,cadmium,leadandmercury.

Public Act No.

26-100 32 of 154 Substitute House Bill No.

5222 (b) On and after January 1, 2028, no person shall manufacture, sell, distribute or offer for sale in this state any baby food product that contains a toxic heavy metal in an amount that exceeds the applicable limit established by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

(c) On and after January 1, 2028, the manufacturer of a baby food product manufactured in this state, or intended for sale or distribution in this state, shall, not less frequently than monthly, ensure that a proficient laboratory tests a representative sample of each production aggregate of the final baby food product for the presence of toxic heavy metals.

Each test may be performed before the final baby food product is packaged for distribution or sale.

The manufacturer shall maintain a record of the results of each such test for not less than thirty-six months beginning on the date on which such test was performed.

(d) On and after January 1, 2028, the manufacturer of a baby food product manufactured in this state, or intended for sale or distribution inthisstate,shallmake publiclyavailableonthemanufacturer'sInternet web site, until thirty days after expiration of the shelf life of the final baby food product:

(1) The name and amount of each toxic heavy metal present in the final baby food product, as determined by way of the testing required under subsection (c) of this section;

(2) Information, including, but not limited to, the name of the final baby food product or the universal product code, lot number or batch number assigned to the final baby food product, that is sufficient to enable a reasonable consumer to identify the final baby food product;

and (3) A link to a publicly accessible web page on the federal Food and Drug Administration's Internet web site where a consumer may review current information, and said administration's current guidance, Public Act No.

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5222 regarding the effects of toxic heavy metals on children's health.

(e) On and after January 1, 2028, if a baby food product is tested for a toxic heavy metal subject to an action level, regulatory limit or tolerance established by the federal Food and Drug Administration under 21 CFR 109, as amended from time to time, or another standard of identity for food established in regulations promulgated under Title 21 of the United States Code, the manufacturer of the baby food product shall display on the baby food product container:

(1) The following statement in a clear, legible and conspicuous manner:

"For Information About Toxic Element Testing On This Product, Scan the QR Code.";

and (2) A quick response code, or another machine-readable code, that directs consumers to a publicly accessible web page on the manufacturer's Internet web site, or to the baby food product information page, disclosing:

(A) The results of the testing described in this subsection;

and (B) The address of a publicly accessible web page on the federal Food and Drug Administration's Internet web site where a consumer may review current information, and said administration's current guidance, regarding the effects of toxic heavy metals on children's health.

Sec.

27.

Subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 42-221 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):

(a) A dealer selling a used motor vehicle [which has a cash purchase price of three thousand dollars or more] that is less than ten years of age shall not exclude, modify, disclaim or limit implied warranties on the Public Act No.

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5222 motor vehicle.

(b) Each contract entered into by a dealer for the sale to a consumer of a used motor vehicle [which has a cash purchase price of three thousanddollarsor more but lessthanfive thousanddollars,]that isless than tenyearsof age shall include an expresswarranty,covering thefull cost of both parts and labor, that the vehicle is mechanically operational and sound and will remain so for at least [thirty] sixty days or [one thousand five hundred] three thousand miles of operation, whichever periodendsfirst,intheabsenceofdamageresultingfromanautomobile accident or from misuse of the vehicle by the consumer.

[Each contract entered into by a dealer for the sale of a used motor vehicle which has a cash purchase price of five thousand dollars or more shall include an express warranty, covering the full cost of both parts and labor, that the vehicle is mechanically operational and sound and will remain so for at least sixty days or three thousand miles of operation, whichever period ends first, in the absence of damage resulting from an automobile accident or from misuse of the vehicle by the consumer.] A dealer may not limit a warranty covered by this section by the use of such phrases as"fifty-fifty","labor only","drivetrainonly",orother wordsattempting to disclaim [his] the dealer's responsibility.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

(1) The [sale of a used motor vehicle having a cash purchase price of less than three thousand dollars;

(2) the] sale of [such] used motor vehicles between dealers;or[(3)](2)thesaleofausedmotorvehicle[which]thatis[seven] ten years of age or older, which age shall be calculated from the first day in January of the designated model year of such vehicle.

Sec.

28.

Subsection (a) of section 42-224 of the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):

(a) A used motor vehicle may be sold "as is" by a dealer only [if its Public Act No.

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5222 cash purchase price is less than three thousand dollars or] if such used motor vehicle is [seven] ten years of age or older, which age shall be calculated from the first day in January of the designated model year of such vehicle.

Sec.

29.

(Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building" means a class of dietary supplement that is labeled, marketed or otherwise representedforthepurposeofachievingweightlossormusclebuilding, but shall not include (A) protein powders, (B) protein drinks, and (C) foods marketed as containing protein unless the protein powder, protein drink or food marketed as containing protein contains an ingredient other than proteinwhich would, considered alone, constitute a dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building;

and (2) "Over-the-counter diet pill" means a class of drugs labeled, marketed or otherwise represented for the purpose of achieving weight loss that are lawfully sold, transferred or furnished over the counter with or without a prescription pursuant to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 301 et seq., as amended from time to time, or regulations adopted thereunder.

(b) There is established a task force to study the sale in the state of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building and over-the- counter diet pills.

The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom has expertise in the safety of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building and one of whom has expertise in the safety of over-the-counter diet pills;

(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Public Act No.

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5222 Representatives;

(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(7)The Commissioner ofConsumer Protection,orthecommissioner's designee;

(8) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;

and (9) The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, who shall serve as chairperson of the task force.

(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later thanthirty daysafter theeffective date ofthis section.Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(e) The chairperson of the task force shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.

(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.

(g) Not later than January 1, 2027, the task force shall submit a report Public Act No.

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5222 on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

The report shall include, but need not be limited to, research related to the safety of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building and over-the-counter diet pills by age of users, whether the sale to minors of such supplements or pills should be restricted and best practices in other states for regulation of such supplements or pills.

Sec.

30.

(NEW) (Effective January 1, 2027) (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)"Artisticperformance"(A)includes,but isnot limitedto, aconcert, operatic or theatrical performance, and (B) does not include a movie;

(2) "Entertainment event" (A) includes, but is not limited to, (i) an artistic performance, athletic competition or sporting event, or (ii) admission to a place of amusement, and (B) does not include a movie;

(3)"Entertainment venue"(A)includes,but is not limited to, anarena, exhibition hall, performance hall, place of amusement in this state, stadium or theater, and (B) does not include a movie theater;

(4) "Entertainment venue operator" (A) means a person who owns, operates or controls an entertainment venue, and (B) includes, but is not limited to, any authorized agent or employee of such person while acting in the course of such agent's or employee's authority or employment;

(5) "Initial sale" means, with respect to a ticket, the transaction in which a ticket seller first sells the ticket to a purchaser or ticket reseller;

(6) "Person" means an individual, association, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other legal entity;

Public Act No.

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5222 (7) "Purchaser" means an individual who purchases a ticket;

(8) "Resale" means, with respect to a ticket, any transaction subsequent to the initial sale of the ticket in which a ticket reseller resells the ticket to a purchaser;

(9) "Ticket" means evidence of a purchaser's right to enter an entertainment event or entertainment venue;

(10) "Ticket reseller" (A) means, with respect to a ticket, the person who makes the ticket available for resale, (B) includes, but is not limited to, any authorized agent or employee of such person who, acting in the course of such agent's or employee's authority or employment, makes theticketavailableforresale,and(C)doesnotincludetheentertainment venue operator or ticket seller;

and (11) "Ticket seller" (A) means, with respect to a ticket, the person, including, but not limited to, the entertainment venue operator, who makes the ticket available for initial sale, and (B) includes, but is not limited to, anyauthorized agentoremployeeofsuchpersonwho, acting in the course of such agent's or employee's authority or employment, makes the ticket available for initial sale.

(b) (1) No ticket reseller doing business in the state shall offer or engage in any resale of a ticket in the state, unless the ticket reseller:

(A) Is in actual or constructive possession of the ticket;

or (B) Has entered into a written contract with the entertainment venue operator that explicitly authorizes the ticket reseller to obtain the ticket from the entertainment venue operator.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection:

(A) A person who is the initial purchaser of tickets to a season or Public Act No.

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5222 series of professional or intercollegiate athletic competitions or sporting events may resell a ticket to an individual athletic competition or sporting event comprising part of such season or series, provided such person (i) is not regularly engaged in the business of selling or reselling tickets to entertainment events, (ii) is in actual or constructive possession of such ticket, and (iii) discloses to the purchaser, before the purchaser purchases such ticket from such person, (I) the identity and scheduled date of such individual athletic competition or sporting event, and (II) the seating or standing location in the entertainment venue the holder of such ticket is entitled to occupy during such individual athletic competition or sporting event;

and (B) A person, including, but not limited to, an entertainment venue operator, may offer and sell to a purchaser, on a subscription basis, (i) tickets to a season or series of artistic performances that are not individually priced at the time of initial sale, or (ii) the right to purchase tickets to a specified number of artistic performances during a specified season or series of artistic performances, provided no such ticket shall be resold until such ticket has been issued to the initial purchaser or assigned for a specific artistic performance, date and seating or standing location.

(c) A violation of any provision of subsection (b) of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce pursuant to subsection (a) of section 42-110b of the general statutes.

Sec.

31.

(NEW) (Effective January 1, 2027) (a) As used in this section, "entertainment event", "entertainment venue", "entertainment venue operator", "initial sale", "resale" and "ticket" have the same meanings as provided in section 30 of this act.

(b) No person doing business in the state shall advertise or facilitate the initial sale or resale of any ticket by way of an Internet web site if the Public Act No.

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5222 Internet domain of such Internet web site, or any Internet subdomain of such Internet web site, includes:

(1) The name of the entertainment venue for the entertainment event, or any name that is substantially similar to the name of such entertainment venue, unless such person (A) is the entertainment venue operator, or (B) has obtained express written consent from the entertainment venue operator to include such name in such Internet domain or Internet subdomain;

(2) The name of the entertainment event, or any name that is substantially similar to the name of such entertainment event, unless such person (A) is the person responsible for organizing financing or publicity for such entertainment event or is an authorized agent or employee of such person acting in the course of such agent's or employee's authority or employment, or (B) has obtained express written consent from such person, agent or employee to include such name in such Internet domain or Internet subdomain;

or (3) The name of an individual or group scheduled to perform or appear at the entertainment event, or any name that is substantially similar to the name of such individual or group, unless such person (A) is such individual or group or is an authorized agent or employee of such individual or group acting in the course of such agent's or employee's authority or employment, or (B) has obtained express written consent from such individual, group, agent or employee to include such name in such Internet domain or Internet subdomain.

(c) A violation of any provision of subsection (b) of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce pursuant to subsection (a) of section 42-110b of the general statutes.

Sec.

32.

Section 53-289a of the general statutes is repealed and the Public Act No.

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5222 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):

(a) As used in this section:

[, "service charge"] (1) "Dynamic pricing model" means an algorithmic model that adjusts prices in real time;

(2) "Entertainment event" has the same meaning as provided in section 30 of this act;

(3) "Entertainment venue" has the same meaning as provided in section 30 of this act;

(4) "Person" has the same meaning as provided in section 30 of this act;

and (5) "Service charge" means any additional fee or charge that is designated as an "administrative fee", "service fee" or "surcharge" or by using another substantially similar term.

(b) No person shall advertise the prices of tickets to any entertainment event for which a service charge is imposed, including, but not limited to, any [place of amusement, arena, stadium, theater, performance, sport, exhibition or athletic contest given] entertainment venue in this state [for] at which a service charge is imposed for the sale of a ticket at [the site of the event] such entertainment venue, without conspicuously disclosing in such advertisement, whether displayed at [the site of the event] such entertainment venue or elsewhere, the total price [for] of each ticket and [what] which portion of each ticket price, stated in a dollar amount, represents a service charge.

(c) If a price is charged for admission to [a place of] an entertainment venue, the operator of the [place of] entertainment venue shall print, endorse or otherwise disclose on the face of each ticket to an entertainment event at such [place of] entertainment venue (1) the price Public Act No.

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5222 established for such ticket, or (2) if such operator, or such operator's agent, sells or resells such ticket, including at auction, the final price of such ticket.

(d)(1)Anyperson[that]whoadvertisesor facilitatesthesaleorresale of a ticket to an entertainment event shall (A) disclose the total price of suchticket, [whichtotalprice shallinclude]including allservice charges required to purchase such ticket, and (B) disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, to the purchaser of such ticket the portion of the total [ticket] price of such ticket, expressed as a dollar amount, that is attributable to service charges charged to such purchaser for such ticket.

(2) Any person who advertises or facilitates the resale of a ticket to an entertainment event via an Internet web site or online technology platform, the primary purpose of which is to facilitate resales of such tickets, shall disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, that the ticket is a resale ticket that may be offered at a price that differs from the price of a ticket to an entertainment event that is offered or sold by the presenter of the entertainment event.

[(2)] (3) (A) The disclosures required under [subdivision (1)] subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be displayed [in the ticket listing before the ticket is selected for purchase.

The total ticket price] when the ticket is initially offered for sale or resale to a purchaser, and the displayed price shall not increase during the transaction period beginning when [a] the ticket is [selected for purchase] initially offered for sale or resale to a purchaser and ending when [a] the ticket is purchased, except a reasonable service charge may be charged for delivery of a nonelectronic ticket if [(A)] (i) such service charge is based on the delivery method selected by the ticket purchaser, and [(B)] (ii) suchservice charge isdisclosedto suchpurchaser before suchpurchaser purchases such ticket.

(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be Public Act No.

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5222 construed to prohibit (i) any change in the price of a ticket after a purchaser's transaction period has timedout ifthe purchaser has not yet purchased the ticket, or (ii) the use of a dynamic pricing model, providedtheticket price doesnot increase during thetransactionperiod beginning when the ticket is initially offered to the purchaser and ending when the purchaser completes the ticket purchasing process or the purchaser's transaction periodhas timed out, whichever occurs first.

[(3)] (4) No disclosure required under this subsection shall be (A) false or misleading, (B) presented more prominently than the total [ticket] price of such ticket, or (C) displayed in a font size that is as large or larger than the font size in which the total [ticket] price of such ticket is displayed.

[(e)A movie shallnot be deemedto constituteanentertainment event for the purposes of this section.] (e) (1) Each person who sells or resells a ticket to a live entertainment event shall (A) if the live entertainment event is cancelled, provide a refund to the purchaser (i) in an amount equal to the total price of such ticket, including all service charges the purchaser paid for such ticket, minus any reasonable service charge the purchaser paid for delivery of a nonelectronic ticket, and (ii) not later than thirty days following cancellation of such live entertainment event, and (B) disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, to each purchaser of a ticket to the live entertainment event that such purchaser is entitled to a refund in the amount and within the thirty-day period set forth in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision if such live entertainment event is cancelled.

(2)The disclosure requiredunder subparagraph(B)ofsubdivision(1) of this subsection shall be displayed to each purchaser of a ticket to a live entertainment event before such purchaser purchases such ticket.

Such disclosure shall be displayed in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

Public Act No.

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5222 (f) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(g) A violation of any provision of subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce pursuant to subsection (a) of section 42- 110b.

Sec.

33.

Section 21a-415 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):

(a) As used in this chapter:

(1) "Authorized owner" means the owner or authorized designee of a business entity that is applying for a registration or is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection pursuant to this chapter;

(2) "Business entity" means any corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership, sole proprietorship, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust or any other legal entity;

(3) "Cannabis" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240, as amended by this act;

[(3)] (4) "Cigarette" has the same meaning as provided in subsection (b) of section 12-285;

[(4)] (5) "Dealer registration" means an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration issued by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section;

[(5)] (6) "Deliver" or "delivering" means transferring, or offering or attempting to transfer, physical possession or control of an electronic Public Act No.

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5222 nicotine delivery system or vapor product by any person, whether done as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee;

[(6)] (7) "Drug paraphernalia" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240, as amended by this act;

[(7)] (8) "Electronic cigarette liquid" means a liquid that, when used in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, produces a vapor that may or may not include nicotine and is inhaled by the user of such electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product;

[(8)] (9) "Electronic nicotine delivery system" means an electronic device used in the delivery of nicotine or other substances to an individual inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid;

[(9)] (10) "Manufacturer registration" means an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration issued by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to section 21a-415a to any person who mixes, compounds, repackages or resizes any nicotine- containing electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product;

[(10)](11)"Sale"or "sell"meanstransferring,or offeringor attempting to transfer, for consideration, including bartering or exchanging, or offering to barter or exchange by any person,whether done as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee;

[(11)] (12) "Tobacco products" has the same meaning as provided in section 12-330a;

and [(12)](13)"Vaporproduct"meansanyproductthatemploysaheating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or Public Act No.

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5222 mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may include nicotine and is inhaled by the user of such product.

"Vapor product" does not include a medicinal or therapeutic product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any drug or device, as defined in the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, or any biological product, as described in 42 USC 262, as amended from time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, authorized for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

(b) (1) No person in this state may sell or possess with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or a vapor product unless such person is employed by, an agent of or directly affiliated with a business entity that maintains a dealer registration issued by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section.

A separate dealer registration shall be required for each place of business where such system or product is sold, offered for sale or possessed with the intent to sell.

A dealer registration shall allow the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products at such place of business.

A holder of a dealer registration shall post such registration in a prominent location adjacent to electronic nicotine delivery system products or vapor products offered for sale.

(2) The holder of a dealer registration shall maintain a sign, in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner and posted on the Department of Consumer Protection's Internet web site, on all external entry doors of the location operated under such dealer registration, which shall clearly disclose that cannabis may not be sold at such location.

(3) Each holder of a dealer registration that derives at least fifty per Public Act No.

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5222 cent of its annual gross revenue from sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products shall verify, with a valid government-issued driver's license or identity card, the age of each individual entering the location operated under such dealer registration, and shall prohibit any individual younger than twenty-one years of age from entering such location.

(4) (A) Each holder of a dealer registration shall maintain a complete set of records required pursuant to this section, [and] including, but not limited to, (i) all financial records necessary to verify whether such holder derives at least fifty per cent of its annual gross revenue from sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products, for the then current tax year and the three immediately preceding tax years, and (ii) for a dealer registration initially issued on or after January 1, 2027, all records necessary to verify that not more than twenty-five per cent of the total floor area dedicated to sales at the location that is operated under such dealer registration is dedicated to sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products, including, but not limited to, floor plans depicting the total floor area dedicated to sales and the portions of such total floor area dedicated to sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products.

[Such] (B) Each holder of a dealer registration shall make [such] the records maintained pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision immediately available to the department, upon a request made by the department, for inspection and copying by the department.

Such holder shall produce such records to the department not later than three days after the department requests such records.

Such holder shall produce Public Act No.

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5222 such records to the department in an electronic format, unless it is commercially impractical to produce such records to the department in an electronic format.

No person shall use any foreign language, code or symbol in maintaining the records required under this section.

(c) (1) Any applicant for a dealer registration or a renewal of a dealer registration shall apply to the Department of Consumer Protection, in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, which application shall include, at a minimum:

(A) The name, address and electronic mail address of the applicant;

(B) The location that is to be operated, or is operated, under such dealer registration;

(C) The name of, and contact information for, each individual who hasa direct or indirect financialinterest insuchapplicant, unless(i)such applicant is a publicly traded company listed on a national stock exchange,or(ii)thefinancialinterestheldby suchindividualownerand such individual's spouse, parents and children, in the aggregate, does not exceed [ten] five per cent of the total ownership or interest rights in such applicant;

(D) A third-party local and national criminal background check for each owner listed on such application, which background check shall (i) be conducted by a third-party consumer reporting agency or background screening company that is in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association, (ii) include a multistate and multijurisdiction criminal record locator or other similar commercial nation-wide database with validation and such other background screening as the commissioner may require, and (iii) be requested by such applicant not more than sixty days prior to submission of such application;

Public Act No.

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5222 (E) The name of the individual who shall serve as the fiduciary agent and guarantor for such applicant, which individual shall be personally liable in the event of any noncompliance that results in a debt owed to the department;

(F) A disclosure of any enforcement action against, and any negotiated settlement entered into by, such applicant or any owner disclosed pursuant to this subsection, which action or settlement is related to the sale of cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, tobacco products or vapor products;

(G) The name of a manager or supervisor who is or will be physically present at such applicant's location or proposed location;

[and] (H) A certification that (i) an authorized owner or named designee of such applicant has successfully completed the online prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to section 17a-719, and (ii) all electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products offered for sale by the applicant on or after January 1, 2027, comply with federal and state law, including the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 USC et seq., as amended from time to time;

(I) In the case of an application for an initial dealer registration submitted on or after January 1, 2027, a certification that (i) such applicant's annual gross revenue from sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products will not exceed fifty per cent of such applicant's annual gross revenue from all sales at the location that is to be operated under such dealer registration, and (ii) not more than twenty-five per cent of the total floor area dedicated to sales at the location that is to be operated under such dealer registration will be dedicated to sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco Public Act No.

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5222 products and vapor products;

and (J) In the case of an application for renewal of a dealer registration initially issued on or after January 1, 2027, such information as the department requires to determine that, during the registration period immediately preceding such renewal, (i) such applicant's annual gross revenue from sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products did not exceed fifty per cent of such applicant's annual gross revenue from all sales at the location operated under such dealer registration, and (ii) not more than twenty-five per cent of the total floor area dedicated to sales at the location operated under such dealer registration was dedicated to sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products.

(2) The Department of Consumer Protection:

(A) May require that an applicant submit documents sufficient to establish that state and local building, fire and zoning requirements will be met at the location of any sale;

(B) may, in the department's discretion, conduct an investigation to determine whether a dealer registration shall be issued to an applicant;

and (C) shall not issue a dealer registration or a renewal of a dealer registration to an applicant unless the applicant certifies that an authorized owner or named designee of the applicant has successfully completed the online prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to section 17a-719.

(3) The commissioner shall issue a dealer registration or a renewal of a dealer registration toany suchapplicant not later thanthirty daysafter the date of application, unless the commissioner finds:

(A) The applicant, or any individual named in such application pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, has made a materially false or misleading statement in such application or in any Public Act No.

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5222 other application made to the commissioner;

(B) the applicant has neglected to pay any taxes due to this state;

(C) the authorized owner or named designee of the applicant has not successfully completed the online prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to section 17a-719;

(D)thethird-partylocalandnationalcriminalbackgroundcheckforany authorized owner or named designee of the applicant [has a criminal history that is] affords a sufficient basis for denial under section 46a-80;

[or] (E) the applicant, any authorized owner of the applicant or any entity owned or managed by any individual named in the applicant's application pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection (i) has [violated] committed multiple violations of any other provision of this section, (ii) is the subject of a delinquency assessment by theDepartmentofRevenue Services,or (iii)isthesubject ofany other adverse determination by a government agency;

or (F) in the case of an application for an initial dealer registration submitted on or after January 1, 2027, that the commissioner has already issued one dealer registration for every two thousand five hundred residents of the town in which the location that is to be operated under such dealer registration will be located, as determined by the most recently completed decennial census.

(4) A dealer registration issued under this section shall be renewed annually, [and] except the department shall not renew a dealer registration initially issued on or after January 1, 2027, if the department determines that the applicant for renewal of such dealer registration does not satisfy the criteria established in subparagraph (J) of subdivision(1)ofthissubsection.A dealerregistrationissuedunder this section may be suspended or revoked at the discretion of the Department of Consumer Protection.

A dealer registration shall not constitute property, nor shall it be subject to attachment and execution, nor shall it be alienable.

Each holder of a dealer registration shall annually attest in each renewal application as to whether such holder Public Act No.

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5222 derived at least fifty per cent of its annual gross revenue from sales of cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine products, synthetic nicotine, tobacco products and vapor products.

(5) The applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee of one thousand dollars, which fee shall be in addition to theannualfeeprescribedinsubsection(d)ofthissection.Anapplication fee shall not be charged for an applicationto renew a dealer registration.