How HB 5349 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a police officer training program and modifies cash transaction rules for merchants in Connecticut.

• Section 21a-434

  Subsection (b) of section 21a-434 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed. → (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) or (d) of this section, a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail in this state shall not: (1) Refuse to accept cash as a form of payment for such goods or services, (2) post signs stating that cash payment is not accepted, or (3) except as provided in section 2 of this act, charge a customer paying cash a higher price than such customer would pay using any other form of payment.

  This change allows cash payments as an accepted form of payment and prohibits higher charges for cash transactions.

• (a) Not later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, shall coordinate with an independent institution of higher education with a campus located in the city of West Haven to establish a state-wide, one-day training program for police officers in the state in order to increase law enforcement retention and readiness.

  This establishes a new mandatory training program for police officers to enhance retention and readiness.

• (b) Not later than January 1, 2029, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the status of the program to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and labor.

  This mandates annual reporting on the police training program's status to the relevant legislative committees.

• (1) If the total price determined in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection ends in one cent, two cents, six cents or seven cents, such total price may be rounded down to the nearest amount divisible by five cents for an individual seeking to purchase such good or service by cash; or (2) (A) If the total price determined in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection ends in three cents, four cents, eight cents or nine cents, such total price may be rounded up to the nearest amount divisible by five cents for an individual seeking to purchase such good or service by cash.

  This allows merchants to round cash transaction totals to the nearest five cents based on certain rules.

• (c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this subsection shall not apply to any transaction in which: (1) The total price determined in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section is four cents or less; or (2) Payment is made by any demand or negotiable instrument, electronic funds transfer, money order, credit card, debit card, electronic payment or similar instrument.

  This specifies exceptions to the rounding rule for small transactions and non-cash payments.