HB 5563 — AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROPOSALS, CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL FOR AIRPORTS, HELIPORTS, VERTIPORTS, RESTRICTED LANDING AREAS AND OTHER AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES, POLICE COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, SURVEILLANCE PRICING, EDUCATION COST SHARING AND WITHHOLDING OF TAXES FROM LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.

527 7 HB5563 File No.

527 unless a more recent address is known to the lessor.

(D) "Leased personal property", as used in this subdivision, means any personal property received pursuantPublic toAct aNo. written contract, by which one owning such property, the lessor, grants to another, the lessee, the right to possess, use and enjoy suchpersonalpropertyforaspecifiedperiodoftimeforaspecifiedsum, but does not include personal property that is rented or leased pursuant to chapter 743i.

26-130 8 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 pursuant to a written contract, by which one owning such property, the lessor, grants to another, the lessee, the right to possess, use and enjoy suchpersonalpropertyforaspecifiedperiodoftimeforaspecifiedsum, but does not include personal property that is rented or leased pursuant to chapter 743i.

(A) By deception or threat or by false token, slug or other means including, but not limited to, electronic or mechanical device or unauthorized use of a confidential identification or authorization code or through fraudulent statements, to avoid payment for the service by [himself] HB5563such /person Fileor No.another person;

527or 8(B) HB5563by Filetampering No.or making connection with or disconnecting the meter, pipe, cable, conduit, conductor, attachment or other equipment or by manufacturing, modifying, altering, programming, reprogramming or possessing any device, software or equipment or part or component thereof or by disguising the identity or identification numbers of any device or equipment utilized by a supplier of electric, gas, water, telecommunications, wireless radio communications or community antennatelevisionservice,withouttheconsentofsuchsupplier,inorder to avoid payment for the service by [himself] such person or another person;

527or (C) with intent to avoid payment by [himself] such person or anotherPublic person;Act No.

or26-130 (B)9 by tampering or making connection with or disconnecting the meter, pipe, cable, conduit, conductor, attachment or other equipment or by manufacturing, modifying, altering, programming, reprogramming or possessing any device, software or equipment or part or component thereof or by disguising the identity or identification numbers of any32 deviceHouse orBill equipmentNo. utilized by a supplier of electric,gas, water, telecommunications, wireless radio communications or community antennatelevisionservice,withouttheconsentofsuchsupplier,inorder to avoid payment for the service by [himself] such person or another person;

or5563 (C) with intent to avoid payment by [himself] such person or another person for a prospective or already rendered service the charge or compensation for which is measured by a meter or other mechanical measuring device provided by the supplier of the service, by tampering with such meter or device or by attempting in any manner to prevent such meter or device from performing its measuring function, without the consent of the supplier of the service.

A person is guilty of air bag fraud when such HB5563person, /with Fileintent No.to defraud another person, obtains property from such other person or a third person by knowingly selling, installing or reinstalling any object, including any counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, as such terms are defined in section 14-106d, in lieu of an air bag that was designed in accordance with federal safety requirements as provided in 49 CFR 571.208, as amended, and which is proper for the make, model and year of the vehicle, as part of the vehicle inflatable restraint system.

527Public 9Act HB5563 File No.

52726-130 person,10 with intent to defraud another person, obtains property from such other person or a third person by knowingly selling, installing or reinstalling any object, including any counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, as such terms are defined in section 14-106d, in lieu of an32 airHouse bagBill thatNo. was designed in accordance with federal safety requirements as provided in 49 CFR 571.208, as amended, and which is proper for the make, model and year of the vehicle, as part of the vehicle inflatable restraint system.

5563 (17) Theft of motor fuel.

(ii) alters or tampers with a gift card;card or its packaging;

or (iii) devises a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card information from a cardholder, card issuer or gift card seller by means HB5563of /false Fileor No.fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises.

527 10 HB5563 File No.

527 of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises.

(iii) "closed-loop gift card" means a card,Public codeAct orNo. device that is (I) issued to a consumer on a prepaid basis in a specified amount, regardless of whether such amount may be increased or reloaded in exchange for payment, and (II) redeemable for goods, services or anything of value upon presentation by a consumer to a single merchant or group of affiliated merchants;

26-130 11 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 card, code or device that is (I) issued to a consumer on a prepaid basis in a specified amount, regardless of whether such amount may be increased or reloaded in exchange for payment, and (II) redeemable for goods, services or anything of value upon presentation by a consumer to a single merchant or group of affiliated merchants;

(a) Any person eighteen years of age or older or an emancipated minor who takes possession of goods or merchandise displayed or offered for sale by any mercantile establishment, or who takes from any real property any agricultural produce kept, grown or raised on the propertyforpurposesofsale,withouttheconsentoftheownerand with the intention of converting such goods, merchandise or produce to [his] such person's own use without having paid the purchase price thereof, or who alters the price indicia of such goods or merchandise, shall be liable ina civilactiontotheownerofthegoods,merchandise or produce HB5563for /(1) Filethe actual and reasonable costs of maintaining the action, including court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee, (2) the retail value ofthegoods, merchandise or produce taken,ifnot recoveredby thetime Public Act No.

52726-130 1112 HB5563of File32 House Bill No.

5275563 for (1) the actual and reasonable costs of maintaining the action, including court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee, (2) the retail value ofthegoods, merchandise or produce taken,ifnot recoveredby thetime ofthecommencementoftheactionor ifrecoveredinanunmerchantable condition, and (3) punitive damages in an amount not to exceed [three hundred] one thousand dollars.

HB5563Sec. / File No.

5275. 12 HB5563 File No.

527Section This13b-46 actof shallthe takegeneral effectstatutes asis followsrepealed and shall amend the followingPublic sections:Act No.

Section26-130 113 Octoberof 1,32 2026House 53-142kBill Sec.No.

25563 Octoberfollowing 1,is 2026substituted 53a-119in Sec.lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):

3(a) OctoberThe 1,executive 2026director 52-564amay Sec.approve airports, heliports,vertiports, restricted landing areas and other air navigation facilities.

4Any Octobermunicipality 1,or 2026person 46b-486acquiring JUDproperty Jointfor Favorablethe HB5563purpose /of Fileconstructing No.or establishing an airport, heliport, vertiport or restricted landing area shall, prior to such acquisition, apply to the executive director for a certificate of approval of the site selected and the general purpose or purposes for which the property is to be acquired, to ensure that the property and its use shall conform to minimum standards of safety and shall serve the public interest.

527Any 13proposed HB5563airport, Fileheliport, No.vertiport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility at which more than thirty-six landings and takeoffs are expected to be made by aircraft in any year shall be approved by the executive director before it shall be licensed to be used or operated.

527 The followingexecutive Fiscaldirector Impactshall Statementmake andno Billcharge Analysis are prepared for theapproval benefitcertificates of theproposed membersproperty ofacquisition the General Assembly, solely for purposesairport, ofheliport, information,vertiport summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or eitherrestricted chamberlanding thereofarea forpurposes. any purpose.

In(b) general,The fiscalexecutive impactsdirector may (1) license [airports, heliports, vertiports, restricted landing areas and other air navigation facilities] any airport, heliport, vertiport, restricted landing area and other air navigation facility at which more than thirty-six landings and takeoffs are basedexpected uponto abe varietymade ofby informationalaircraft sources,in includingany theyear, analyst’sand professional(2) knowledge.renew such licenses.

WheneverWhen applicable,a agencycertificate dataof isapproval consultedof asan partairport, ofheliport, thevertiport, analysis,[or] howeverrestricted finallanding productsarea door notother necessarilyair reflectnavigation anfacility assessmenthas frombeen anyissued specificby department.the executive director, the executive director may grant a license for operation and use.

OFAOn Fiscaland Noteafter State[July Impact:1, 1995] October 1,2026, the executive director shall charge a fee of [one hundred fifty] three hundred dollars for each license or renewal thereof.

AgencyEach Affectedsuch Fund-Effectlicense FYshall 27be $effective FYfor 28a $period Correction,of Dept.;three years from the date of issuance.

JudicialEach Dept.licensee shall certify, on a form provided by the executive director, that the licensed facility shall comply with all applicable federal, state Public Act No.

GF26-130 -14 Potential Minimal Minimal (Probation) Cost Resources of the32 GeneralHouse FundBill GFNo. - Potential Minimal Minimal Revenue Gain Note:

GF=General5563 Fundand Municipallocal Impact:laws and regulations during the license period.

NoneMunicipalities Explanationshall Thebe billexempt (1)from expands the crimepayment of organizedany retaillicense theftfee by lengthening the time period within which a person can trigger the dollar threshold and (2) establishes two new larceny crimes as forms, resulting in aconnection potentialwith costairports toowned the Department of Correction and the Judicial Department for incarceration or probationoperated andby asuch potentialmunicipalities. revenue gain to the General Fund from fines.

On(c) average,The theexecutive marginaldirector costmay to(1) theregister stateany forairport, incarceratingheliport, anvertiport, offenderrestricted forlanding thearea yearor isother $3,300air whilenavigation thefacility 1at averagewhich marginalthirty-six costor forfewer supervisionlandings inand thetakeoffs communityare isexpected lessto thanbe $600made eachby yearaircraft forin adultsany year, and $450(2) eachrenew yearsuch forregistrations. juveniles.

TheOn Outand Yearsafter TheOctober annualized1, ongoing2026, fiscalthe impactexecutive identifieddirector aboveshall wouldcharge 1Inmate marginal cost is based on increased consumables (e.g., food, clothing, water, sewage, living supplies, etc.) This does not include a changefee inof staffingone costshundred ordollars utilityfor expenseseach becauseregistration these expenses would only be realized if a unit or facilityrenewal opened.thereof.

2ProbationEach marginalsuch costregistration isshall basedbe oneffective servicesfor provideda byperiod privateof providersthree andyears onlyfrom includesthe costsdate thatof increaseissuance. with each additional participant.

ThisEach doesregistrant notshall includecertify, on a costform forprovided additionalby supervisionthe byexecutive adirector, probation(A) officerthat unlessthe aregistered newfacility offenseshall iscomply anticipatedwith toall resultapplicable infederal, enoughstate additionaland offenderslocal tolaws requireand additionalregulations probationduring officers.the registration period, and (B) that there will be thirty-six or fewer landings and takeoffs by aircraft at such facility in any year during the registration period.

HB5563Any /airport, Fileheliport, No.vertiport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility at which thirty-six or fewer landings and takeoffs are expected to be made by aircraft in any year shall be registered with the executive director pursuant to this subsection before it is to be used or operated.

527Municipalities 14shall HB5563be Fileexempt No.from the payment of any registration fee in connection with airports owned or operated by such municipalities.

527[(c)](d) continueNo intomunicipality orofficer or employee thereofandno person shall operate an airport, heliport, vertiport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility for which approval has not been granted, and a license has not been issued, by the futureexecutive subjectdirector toin accordance with the numberprovisions of offensessubsection and(b) finesof collected.this section or registration has not been issued by the executive director in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

HB5563The /provisions Fileof this section shall not apply to any airport, heliport, vertiport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility owned by the federal Public Act No.

52726-130 15 HB5563of File32 House Bill No.

527 OLR Bill Analysis HB 5563 ANgovernment ACTwithin CONCERNINGthis VARIOUSstate. CRIMINAL LAW PROPOSALS.

SUMMARYAny Thisperson billwho expandsviolates the crimeprovisions of organizedthis retailsubsection theftshall bybe lengtheningguilty theof time period, from 180 to 365 days, within which a personclass mustC reachmisdemeanor. the crime’s $2,000 threshold.

It[(d)] also(e) specifiesAny thatheliport ain personoperation isprior guiltyto ofOctober being1, an1985, accessoryshall tobe organizeddeemed retaillicensed theftfor byoperation usingand certainuse online and electronicthe toolsexecutive todirector receive,shall control,issue andan disposeoriginal license for any such heliport upon the written request of the stolenperson property.who controls and operates such heliport.

TheSuch billheliports alsoshall establishesbe twosubject newto crimesthe asprovisions formsof this chapter concerning the renewal or revocation of larceny:licenses, inspection and review of air navigation facilitiesandany other provisionofthischapter except those concerning the initial approval or licensing of such facilities.

(1)Such fosteringheliports shall be subject to any rule or procedure adopted by the saleauthority ofin stolenaccordance propertywith andthe (2)provisions giftof cardthis crimes,chapter suchexcept asthose alteringconcerning the initial approval or tamperinglicensing withof aany giftair card.navigation facility.

TheSec. bill increases the maximum civil liability for punitive damages, from $300 to $1,000, for shoplifting certain goods or merchandise from a store or agricultural produce from real property.

In6. cases where the plaintiff loses, the bill eliminates the court’s ability to award defendants up to $300 in damages but continues to allow the court to award them costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.

Unrelatedly,Subdivision the(1) billof addssubsection an(b) authorizedof Departmentsection 18-81ll of Childrenthe andgeneral Familiesstatutes, (DCF)as representativeamended toby thesection existing2 list of peoplepublic andact entities26-40, thatis therepealed Departmentand ofthe Publicfollowing Healthis (DPH)substituted mayin givelieu informationthereof to(Effective aboutOctober an1, acknowledgement2026): of parentage.

But(b) the(1) informationThe maydepartment onlyshall, beduring giventhe whenintake itof any person who is requestedincarcerated, for(A)verifydirectly workwithsuchpersonany onmedicationstaken bysuchperson,ormakesuchverificationthroughtheState-wideHealth Information Exchange, established pursuant to section 17b-59d, the pharmacy used by such person or such person's prescribing health care provider,(B)requestthatsuchpersonprovidethenameofsuchperson's primary care provider and authorize the sharing of medical information with such provider and a matterdesignated pendingfamily member or health care proxybysigningareleaseofinformationform,and(C)acceptfromsuch person any prescription medication such person has in Superiorsuch Courtperson's possession for juvenilestorage mattersand possible administration as prescribed to such person, and in accordance with written policies and procedures established by the child’sdepartment parentageto isensure outstanding.patient safety, by appropriate Department of Correction staff.

By[as law,prescribed DPHto keepssuch aperson.] parentagePublic registryAct ofNo. completed acknowledgement of parentageforms.Examplesofotherstowhomthelawauthorizesrelease of this information are a court, a federal agency, an authorized representative of the Department of Social Services, or a child support agency.

HB556326-130 /16 Fileof 32 House Bill No.

5275563 16Sec. HB5563 File No.

5277. Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVESubsection DATE:(c) of section 18-100j of the general statutes, as amended by section 8 of public act 26-40, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(c) (1) Not later than October 1, 2026[2027] ORGANIZED2026, RETAILthe THEFTDepartments Currently,of apersoncommitsorganizedretailtheftCorrection, when,forMental financialHealth gain,and heAddiction orServices sheand worksSocial withServices atand leastthe oneOffice otherof personPolicy toand shopliftManagement retailshall, propertywithin thatavailable hasappropriations, aninitiate aggregatea valuepilot ofprogram moreto thanassist $2,000with discharge planning for patients with chronic disease and (1)behavioral doeshealth itneeds, withinincluding amental specifiedhealth timeand framesubstance abuse disorders, and (2)to sells,coordinate delivers,specialty orcare otherwisereferrals transfersfor itpersons towho aare retailincarcerated propertyat fence.York Correctional Institution upon release.

ASuch fenceprogram isshall abe buyeradministered by the health services and behavioral health employees within the Department of retailCorrection propertyand thatshall heexpand orinternal shecapacity knowsfor ordischarge shouldplanning knowand iscare stolencoordination, including coordination with the intentDepartment toof unlawfullyMental distributeHealth itand orAddiction Services, to promote,facilitate manage,access carryto on,programs orand facilitateservices organizedupon retailrelease. theft.

TheSaid billlengthens,departments from180to365days,thetimeand periodwithinwhichoffice theshall personcontract mustwith shoplifta thefederally propertyqualified health center in this state to bework guiltywith Department of organizedCorrection retailhealth theft.services and behavioral health employees to provide community-based care for personsuponreleasefor not fewer thantwo years.The federally qualified health center shall work with Department of Correction employees to improve continuity of care and community health care standards for said department.

UnderThe existingprovisions law,of athis personsubsection isshall annot accessorybe toconstrued organized retail theft if he or she receives, possesses, conceals, stores, barters, sells, or otherwise disposes of the stolen property intending to (1)permit distribute the proceedscontracting orout (2)of promote,work manage,customarily carryperformed on,by orDepartment facilitateof organizedCorrection retailemployees. theft.

The(2) billNot specifieslater thisthan includesJanuary doing15, so[2029] through2028, anand onlineJanuary platform,fifteenth Internetfollowing website,each orcalendar electronicyear device.thereafter during which such program is maintained, the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Social Services, the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Correction health services and behavioral health employees and the federally qualified health center assisting with such Public Act No.

By26-130 law,17 organizedof retail32 theftHouse andBill accessoryNo. to organized theft are both class D felonies (punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $5,000 fine, or both).

But5563 ifprogram shall report, in accordance with the financialprovisions benefitof issection $10,00011-4a, oron more,the thenresults itof issuch aprogram classto Cthe felonyjoint (punishablestanding bycommittees upof tothe 10General yearsAssembly inhaving prison,cognizance upof matters relating to athe $10,000Department fine,of orCorrection, both).human services and public health.

FOSTERINGSuch THEreports SALEshall OFevaluate STOLENthe PROPERTY(A) Theeffectiveness billof establishesthedischarge crimeplanning of“fosteringand thesalereentry ofstolenproperty”care asacoordination formoflarceny(seeBACKGROUND).Afor personisguiltyofthisnewparticipants crimein whenthe heprogram, or(B) shemanagement (1)and hosts,continuity advertises,of orcare otherwisefor helpschronic selldiseases stolenamong property,participants includingin throughthe anprogram, online(C) platform,coordination, timeliness and (2)completion knowsof orspecialty believescare thatreferrals for participants in the propertyprogram, was(D) stolen.extent to which participants successfully access community-based health care services following release from the correctional institution, and (E) costs of the program when compared to other delivery of care models in use at the time such program is initiated.

ThisSec. crime does not apply if the HB5563 / File No.

5278. 17 HB5563 File No.

527Section property54-102kk isof received,the retained,general orstatutes disposedis ofrepealed inand orderthe tofollowing giveis itsubstituted backin tolieu thethereof owner.(Effective October 1, 2026):

GIFT(a) CARDNotwithstanding CRIMEany Theother billprovision establishesof “giftlaw cardgoverning crime”[postconviction] aspost-conviction relief, any person who was convicted of a newcrime formand sentenced to incarceration may, at any time during the term of larcenysuch (seeincarceration BACKGROUND).or after completion of such term and while subject to the jurisdiction or supervision of any probation, parole or correctional agency, file a petition with the sentencing court requesting the DNA testing of any evidence that is in the possession or control of the Division of Criminal Justice, any law enforcement agency, any laboratory or the Superior Court.

AThe personpetitioner isshall guiltystate under penalties of thisperjury crimethat when,the withrequested intenttesting is related to defraud,the investigation or prosecution that resulted in the person:petitioner's conviction and that the evidence sought to be tested contains biological evidence.

1.(b) After notice to the prosecutorial official and a hearing, the court shall order DNA testing if it finds that:

acquires(1) orA keepsreasonable aprobability giftexists cardthat or gift card redemption information without the consentpetitioner ofwould thenot cardholderhave orPublic theAct giftNo. card’s issuer or seller;

2.26-130 18 of 32 House Bill No.

alters5563 been prosecuted or tampersconvicted withif aexculpatory giftresults card;had been obtained through DNA testing;

or(2) 3.The evidence is still in existence and is capable of being subjected to DNA testing;

devises(3) aThe schemeevidence, toor get a giftspecific cardportion orof giftthe cardevidence informationidentified fromby athe cardholderpetitioner, orwas giftnever cardpreviously issuersubjected to DNA testing, or sellerthe testing requested by falsethe orpetitioner fraudulentmay pretenses,resolve representations,an orissue promises.that was never previously resolved by previous testing;

Underand (4) The petition before the bill,Superior giftCourt cardswas arefiled physicalin ororder digital,to closed-loopdemonstrate orthe open-petitioner's loopinnocence giftand cardsnot thatto aredelay activatedthe oradministration inactivated.of justice.

Closed-loop(c) giftAfter cardsnotice areto cards,the codes,prosecutorial orofficial devicesand on which consumers prepay a specifiedhearing, amount, but can only redeem at the specificcourt merchantmay ororder groupDNA oftesting affiliatedif merchantsit whofinds issuedthat: it.

Open-loop(1) giftA cardsreasonable areprobability redeemableexists atthat multiplethe unaffiliatedrequested merchantstesting withinwill aproduce paymentDNA cardresults networkwhich (Visa,would forhave example).altered the verdict or reduced the petitioner's sentence if the results had been available at the prior proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction;

LIABILITY(2) FOR SHOPLIFTING The billevidence increasesis thestill maximumin civilexistence liability for punitive damages, from $300 to $1,000, for an adult or emancipated minor who shoplifts, without the owner’s consent and withis thecapable intent of notbeing payingsubjected forto themDNA ortesting; altering their price, (1) goods or merchandise a store displays or (2) certain agricultural produce.

As(3) underThe existingevidence, law,or thea personspecific takingportion of the goodsevidence oridentified merchandiseby isthe alsopetitioner, liablewas fornever thepreviously actualsubjected andto reasonableDNA coststesting, ofor (1) maintaining the civiltesting action,requested includingby courtthe costspetitioner andmay reasonableresolve attorney’san fees,issue andthat (2)was thenever retailpreviously valueresolved ofby theprevious goods,testing; merchandise, or produce taken.

Additionally,and HB5563(4) /The Filepetition No.before the Superior Court was filed in order to demonstrate the petitioner's innocence and not to delay the administration of justice.

527(d) 18The HB5563costs Fileof DNA testing ordered pursuant to this section shall be Public Act No.

52726-130 a19 larcenyof criminal32 convictionHouse isBill notNo. needed to maintain this civil action, but all actions must be brought within two years of theinitial complaint.

The5563 billborne alsoby eliminatesthe state or the court’spetitioner, abilityas tothe awardcourt damagesmay order in the interests of upjustice, toexcept $300that toDNA testing shall not be denied because of the defendantinability ifof the plaintiffpetitioner loses.to pay the costs of such testing.

But(e) asIn a proceeding under existingthis law,section, the petitioner shall have the right to be represented by counsel and, if the petitioner is indigent, the court mayshall awardappoint counsel for the defendantpetitioner costsin andaccordance reasonablewith attorney’ssection fees.51-296.

BACKGROUND(f) RelatedAn Billorder HBof 5268the (Filecourt 12),denying favorablythe reportedpetitioner's byrequest thefor CommitteeDNA ontestingofanyevidence Children,thatisinthepossessionorcontrolof alsotheDivision authorizesof DPHCriminal toJustice, releaseany tolaw DCFenforcement informationagency, aboutany anlaboratory acknowledgementor the Superior Court shall be a final judgment for purposes of parentage.an appeal.

LarcenySec. By law, the punishment for larceny depends on the value of the property taken, generally ranging from a class C misdemeanor (punishable by up to three months in prison, up to a $500 fine, or both) when the property value is up to $500, to a class B felony (punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, or both) when the property value exceeds $20,000 (CGS §§ 53a-122 to -125b).

COMMITTEE9. ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Yea 37 Nay 0 (03/24/2026) HB5563 / File No.

527Section 1954-91c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):

(a) For the purposes of this section, "victim" means a person who is a victim of a crime, the legal representative of such person, a member of a deceased victim's immediate family or a person designated by a deceased victim in accordance with section 1-56r.

(b) (1) (A) Prior to any proceedings involving the dismissal of a charge against any defendant or the entry of a nolle prosequi to a charge for any offense described in subdivision (2) of this subsection against a defendant,or(B)priorto theimpositionofsentenceuponanydefendant who has been found guilty of any crime or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any crime, and prior to the acceptance by the court of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere made pursuant to a plea agreement with the state, the court shall permit any victim of the crime to appear before the court for the purpose of making a statement for the record, which statement may include the victim's opinion [of] concerning the dismissal of a charge against any defendant or the entry of a nolle prosequi to a charge for any offense described in subdivision (2) of this Public Act No.

26-130 20 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 subsection against a defendant or any plea agreement.

In lieu of such appearance, the victim may submit a written statement or, if the victim of the crime is deceased, the legal representative or a member of the immediate family of such deceased victim may submit a statement of such deceased victim to the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in charge of the case.

Such state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney shall file the statement with the sentencing court and the statement shall be made a part of the record at the sentencing hearing.

Any such statement, whether oral or written, shall relate to the facts of the case, the appropriateness of any penalty and the extent of any injuries, financial losses and loss of earnings directly resulting from the crime for which the defendant is being sentenced.

The court shall inquire on the record whether any victim is present for the purpose of making an oral statement or has submitted a written statement.

If no victim is present and no such written statement has been submitted, the court shall inquire on the record whether an attempt has been made to notify any such victim as provided in subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section or, if the defendant was originally charged with a violation of section 53a-167c for assaulting a peace officer, whether the peace officer hasbeenpersonally notifiedasprovidedinsubdivision(2)ofsubsection (c) of this section.

After consideration of any such statements, the court may refuse to accept, where appropriate, a negotiated plea or sentence, and the court shall give the defendant an opportunity to enter a new plea and to elect trial by jury or by the court.

(2) The following are offenses for which the court, pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall permit any victim of a crime to appear before the court for the purpose of making a statement for the record concerning the dismissal of a charge against a defendant or the entry of a nolle prosequi to a charge against a defendant:

(A)An offense that isaviolationofsubdivision(2)or (3)ofsubsection Public Act No.

26-130 21 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 (a) of section 53-21, or section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-73a, 53a-83b, 53a-86, 53a-90a, 53a-90b, 53a-189a, 53a-189c, 53a-191, 53a-192a, 53a-196, 53a-196a, 53a-196b, 53a-196c, 53a-196d, 53a-196e, 53a- 196f, 53a-196h, 53a-196i or 53a-196j;

or (B) Any other offense that is (i) a nonviolent sexual offense or a sexually violent offense, each as defined in section 54-250, or (ii) designated as a family violence crime, as defined in section 46b-38a.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, prior to the imposition of sentence upon such defendant and prior to the acceptance of a plea pursuant to a plea agreement, the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in charge of the case shall notify the victim of such crime of the date, time and place of the original sentencing hearing or any judicial proceeding concerning the acceptance of a plea pursuant to a plea agreement, provided the victim has informed such state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney that such victim wishes to make or submit a statement as provided in subsection (b) of this section and [has complied with a request from such state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney to submit a stamped, self- addressed postcard for the purpose of such notification] such victim has provided the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney with up-to-date contact information.

(2) Prior to the imposition of sentence upon a defendant originally charged with a violation of section 53a-167c for assaulting a peace officer, and prior to the acceptance of a plea pursuant to a plea agreement, the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in charge of the case shall personally notify the peace officer who was the victim of such crime of the date, time and place of the original sentencing hearing or any judicial proceeding concerning the acceptance of a plea pursuant to a plea agreement.

Public Act No.

26-130 22 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 (3) If the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney is unable to notify the victim, such state's attorney, assistant state'sattorney or deputy state'sattorney shallsigna statement as to such notification.

(d) Upon the request of a victim, prior to the acceptance by the court of a plea of a defendant pursuant to a proposed plea agreement, the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in charge of the case shall provide such victim with the terms ofsuchproposed pleaagreement inwriting.Ifthetermsoftheproposed plea agreement provide for a term of imprisonment which is more than two years or a total effective sentence of more than a two-year term of imprisonment, the state's attorney, assistant state's attorney or deputy assistant state's attorney in charge of the case shall indicate:

(1) The maximum period of imprisonment that may apply to the defendant;

(2) whether the defendant may be eligible to earn risk reduction credits pursuant to section 18-98e;

(3) whether the defendant may be eligible to apply for release on parole pursuant to section 54-125a;

and (4) whether the defendant may be eligible for automatic erasure of such defendant's criminal conviction pursuant to subsection (e) of section 54-142a.

(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any proceedings held in accordance with section 46b-121 or section 54-76h.

Sec.

10.

Section 7-294tt of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

Not later than January 1, 2024, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall (1) examine (A) programs and strategies used in the state or other jurisdictions through which police officers collaborate with social workers, and (B) the evaluation submitted pursuant to section 18 of public act 20-1 of the July special session;

and (2) issue guidance to law enforcement units that (A) includes recommendations of how police officers may collaborate with social workers, and (B) on Public Act No.

26-130 23 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 and after October 1, 2026, includes (i) the potential impact of such collaboration, and (ii) instances where such collaboration may or may not be feasible, including when a social worker may respond to a call for assistance or accompany a police officer on certain calls for assistance.

Sec.

11.

(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2027) (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Bona fide market price" means the price at which a consumer good or consumer service is advertised to the public on a regular basis by the retail seller or third-party delivery service for a reasonably substantial period of time;

(2) "Consumer" has the same meaning as provided in section 42-515 of the general statutes;

(3) "Consumer good" means any article that is purchased, leased, exchanged or received primarily for personal, family or household purposes;

(4) "Consumer service" means any service that is purchased, leased, exchanged or received primarily for personal, family or household purposes;

(5) "Discounted price" means any price for a consumer good or consumer service that is (A) established for, or offered to, a consumer or group of consumers, and (B) verifiably lower than the generally available, publicly disclosed and bona fide market price established for the consumer good or consumer service;

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

(7) "Personal data" has the same meaning as provided in section 42- of the general statutes;

(8) "Retail seller" (A) means a retailer, as defined in section 12-407 of Public Act No.

26-130 24 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 the general statutes, to the extent such retailer is engaged in making sales, at retail, of tangible personal property, and (B) includes, but is not limited to, a retail food establishment;

(9) "Surveillance pricing" means the practice of establishing a customized price for a consumer good or consumer service that is specific to a consumer or group of consumers based, in whole or in part, on the consumer's personal data collected (A) through any technology or technological method, system or tool, including, but not limited to, any biometric monitoring, camera, device tracking or sensor, that is used to gather personal data in a physical or digital environment, and (B) by the person establishing the customized price either directly or indirectly by gathering, purchasing or otherwise acquiring such personal data from a third party;

and (10) "Third-party delivery service" means a company, organization or entity, outside of the operation of a retail food establishment's business, that facilitates delivery or online ordering services to customers of a retail food establishment.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, any person doing business in the state who engages in surveillance pricing for any reason other than to establish a discounted price for a consumer good or consumer service to be sold, leased, exchanged or provided as part of an online transaction, and who directly or indirectly advertises or promotes online a price established for a consumer good or consumer service by using surveillance pricing, labels a consumer good with such price online or publishes an online statement, display, image, offer or announcement disclosing such price, shall include in such online advertisement, promotion, label, statement, display, image, offer or announcement the following disclosure, or a substantially similar disclosure:

"THIS PRICE WAS INCREASEDUSING YOUR PERSONAL DATA".

Any person doing business in this state who is required to include such disclosure shall disclose to consumers their rights under Public Act No.

26-130 25 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 section 42-518 of the general statutes.

No disclosure shall be required under this subdivision if the advertised, promoted, labeled or published price is the bona fide market price.

(2) The disclosure required under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be readily visible to the average consumer.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, no retail seller or third-party delivery service doing business in the state shall engage in surveillance pricing.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the following shall not be deemed to constitute surveillance pricing:

(A) Establishing for, or offering to, a consumer a discounted price for a consumer good or consumer service for purposes such as retaining a consumer as a customer, reestablishing a consumer as a customer, attracting a consumer as a new customer, cross-selling an item to a consumer or reengaging a lapsed customer;

(B) Establishing for, or offering to, different consumers different prices for the same consumer good or consumer service due to (i) justifiable differences in the costs incurred in providing such consumer good or consumer service to such consumers, including, but not limited to, justifiable differences in consumers' physical locations, consumer selections, delivery distances or delivery times, or (ii) justifiable temporal differences, including, but not limited to, justifiable temporal differences due to price fluctuations based on supply and demand;

(C)Establishing for, oroffering to,aconsumer or groupofconsumers a discounted price for a consumer good or consumer service (i) based on publicly disclosed discounted prices and uniform terms and conditions that may be satisfied by any consumer, including, but not limited to, by signing up for a mailing list, registering for promotional Public Act No.

26-130 26 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 communications or participating in a promotional event, (ii) that is available to allconsumerswho are membersofabroadly definedgroup, including, but not limited to, veterans or members of the armed forces, senior citizens, students, teachers or residents of a specific area, based on publicly disclosed discounts and uniform terms and conditions, or (iii) through a loyalty, membership or rewards program in which consumers must affirmatively enroll.

The retail seller or third-party delivery service shall prominently post the discount and discounted price, and the uniform terms and conditions for such discount and discounted price, on such retail seller's or third-party delivery service's Internet web site in language that is readily understandable by the average consumer;

or (D) Correcting a price resulting from a pricing error or resetting a price following a system or network outage.

(d) The provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall not be construed to apply to:

(1) Any person licensed, authorized to operate or registered, or required to be licensed, authorized to operate or registered, pursuant to the insurance laws of this state;

or (2)Anypersonwhocandemonstratethatanyrefusaltoextendcredit, the terms, rates or pricing on which any credit or financial services are extended or any refusal to enter into a transaction with a specific consumer is based on (A) data provided in a consumer report covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., as amended from time to time, or (B) data reflecting factors a creditor is permitted to consider under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated under said act.

(e) Any violation of the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, Public Act No.

26-130 27 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice for the purposes of subsection (a) of section 42-110b of the general statutes and shall be enforced solely by the Attorney General.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private right of actionor to provide grounds for an action under section 42-110g of the general statutes.

Sec.

12.

(Effective from passage) Any municipality or regional board of education that increased its local share of the budget for the board of education for such municipality or regional board of education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, over the amount of the local share of the budget for such board of education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, may adjust its adopted budget or tax levies to reduce such local share for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, including the local share and funds received pursuant to sections 391 and 394 of public act 26-68, provided the resulting local share is not less than the greater of (1) the amount of funding provided for education under its adopted budget, or (2) the sum of the budget for the board of education for such municipality or regional board of education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and any funds received pursuant to said sections 391 and of public act 26-68.

Sec.

13.

Section 391 of public act 26-68 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the city of Hartford shall be paid a supplemental education aid grant in an amount equal to five million dollars of its grant amount listed in section 390 of [this act] public act 26-68.

The amount paid to the city of Hartford shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of Hartford not later than June thirtieth of said fiscal year.

All aid paid to the city of Hartford pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision shall be expended for educational purposes only and shall be expended upon the authorization of the board of education for Hartford.

[Such grant shall not be used to Public Act No.

26-130 28 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 supplant local funding for educational purposes.] (2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, each town shall be paid a supplemental education aid grant equal to the amount prescribed in section390 of [thisact] public act 26-68.

The amount due eachtownshall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of each town not later than June thirtieth of said fiscal year.

[All] Subject to the provisions of section 12 of this act, all aid distributed to a town pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision shall be expended for educational purposes only and shall be expended upon the authorization of the local or regional board of education.

[Such grant shall not be used to supplant local funding for educational purposes.] (b) Such grant shall not be considered part of the budgeted appropriation for education for the town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, for purposes of calculating the minimum budget requirement for the town pursuant to section 10-262j of the general statutes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028.

Sec.

14.

Subsections (c) and (d) of section 394 of public act 26-68 are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(c) [All] Subject to the provisions of section 12 of this act, all aid distributed to a town pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be expended for educational purposes only and shall be expended upon theauthorizationofthelocalor regionalboardofeducation.

[Suchgrant shall not be used to supplant local funding for educational purposes.] (d) Such grant shall not be considered part of the budgeted appropriation for education for the town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, for purposes of calculating the minimum budget requirement for the town pursuant to section 10-262j of the general statutes for the Public Act No.

26-130 29 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 fiscal year ending June 30, 2028.

Sec.

15.

Section 178 of public act 26-68 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-142 of the general statutes, title 7 or 10 of the general statutes, chapters 170 and 204 of the general statutes, any special act, any municipal charter or any home rule ordinance, if a municipality or regional board of education has adopted a budget or levied taxes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, prior to the adoption of the state budget for said fiscal year and such municipality or regional board of education receives, pursuant to such adopted state budget, an amount of state aid more than the amount projected in the municipality's or regional board of education's adopted budget, such (1) municipality, by vote of its legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, by vote of the board of selectmen, or (2) regional board of education, may (A) amend its budget, and (B) not later than July 1, 2026, adjust the tax levy and the amount of any remaining installments of such taxes, provided such amended budget shall not reduce the amount provided by the municipality to the local or regional board of education for education purposes below the greater of (i) the amount of local funding provided for such purpose under the adopted budget, or (ii) (I) the minimum budget requirement for the town pursuant to section 10-262j of the general statutes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, plus (II) the amount of funds paid to themunicipality or regional boardof education pursuant to sections 391 and 394 of public act 26-68.

The amendment to such budget shall be in an amount not exceeding the increase in state aid to the municipality or regional board of education.

Sec.

16.

(Effective from passage) The provisions of sections 12 to 15, inclusive, of this act shall not apply to the city of Bridgeport.

Sec.

17.

Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 18-81qq of the 2026 Public Act No.

26-130 30 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 1 of public act 26-40, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(e) (1) The Correction Ombuds need not investigate a complaint, if the Correction Ombuds determines such investigation is not warranted.

If the Correction Ombuds determines that such investigation is not warranted, the Correction Ombuds shall inform the person making the complaint of such decision in writing, which complaint and decision shall be confidential and exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, and shall not be disclosed without the consent of such person.

Not later than December 31, 2026, and each December thirty-first annually thereafter, the Correction Ombuds shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction setting forth the number of complaints for which the Correction Ombuds determined that an investigation was not warranted and a summary of the reason for each such determination.

Such report shall be a public record, as defined in section 1-200.

Sec.

18.

Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 12-705 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):

(B) (i) For the period commencing July 1, [2025] 2026, and ending December 31, [2026] 2027, the withholding requirement for a lump sum payment under clause (ii) of this subparagraph shall not apply, except that if a payee has requested an amount to be withheld from such distribution, the payer shall withhold such amount.

(ii) With respect to a lump sum distribution, if a payee does not make a request to have an amount withheld from such distribution, the payer shall withhold from the taxable portion of the distribution at the highest Public Act No.

26-130 31 of 32 House Bill No.

5563 marginal rate, except that no withholding shall be required if (I) any portion of the lump sum distribution was previously subject to tax, or (II) the lump sum distribution is a rollover that is effected as a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer or as a direct rollover in the form of a check made payable to another qualified account.

(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, "lump sum distribution" means a payment from a payer to a resident payee of an amount exceeding fifty per cent of such resident payee's entire account balance or more than five thousand dollars, whichever is less, exclusive of any other tax withholding and any administrative charges and fees.

Sec.

19.

Section 44 of public act 26-100 is repealed.

(Effective from passage) Governor's Action:

Approved June 4, 2026 Public Act No.

26-130 32 of 32