Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Passed House 3 R cosponsors

HB 5250 — AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

Last action — SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 533

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 19, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 32% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

159 added · 26 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of House Bill 5250, a few key changes were made. The bill was updated to reflect the reporting of the Committee on Government Oversight, indicating its approval and support for the bill moving forward. Additionally, references to the bill's introductory designations were streamlined, which helps create a clearer path for the legislative process. These changes are important as they highlight the official backing of a key committee, potentially increasing the bill's chances of passing.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
House of Representatives General Assembly File No.
5250 February Session, 2026 LCO No.
316 February Session, 2026 House Bill No.
1400 Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT Introduced by:
5250 House of Representatives, April 1, 2026 The Committee on Government Oversight reported through REP.
(GOS) AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
DATHAN of the 142nd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the bill ought to pass.
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
Subsection (d) of section 1-210 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Subsection (d) of section 1-210 of the 2026 supplement to the HB5250 / File No.
LCO 1400 1 of 11 Raised Bill No.
316 1 HB5250 File No.
5250 (d) Whenever a public agency, except the Judicial Department or Legislative Department, receives a request from any person for disclosure of any records described in subdivision (19) of subsection (b) of this section under the Freedom of Information Act, the public agency shall promptly notify the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, as applicable, of such request, in the manner prescribed by such commissioner, before complying with the request as required by the Freedom of Information Act.
316 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(d) Whenever a public agency, except the Judicial Department or Legislative Department, receives a request from any person for disclosure of any records described in subdivision (19) of subsection (b) of this section under the Freedom of Information Act, the public agency shall promptly notify the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, as applicable, of such request, in the manner prescribed by such commissioner, before complying with the request as required by the Freedom of Information Act.
A public agency may establish a fee structure not to exceed twenty dollars for an individual to pay each time the individual copies records at the agency with a hand-held scanner.
A public agency may establish a fee structure not to HB5250 / File No.
As used in this section, "hand-held scanner" means a battery operated electronic LCO 1400 2 of 11 Raised Bill No.
316 2 HB5250 File No.
5250 scanning device the use of which (1) leaves no mark or impression on the public record, and (2) does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the public agency.
316 exceed twenty dollars for an individual to pay each time the individual copies records at the agency with a hand-held scanner.
As used in this section, "hand-held scanner" means a battery operated electronic scanning device the use of which (1) leaves no mark or impression on the public record, and (2) does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the public agency.
(2) "Meeting" means any hearing or other proceeding of a public agency, any convening or assembly of a quorum of a multimember public agency, and any communication by or to a quorum of a multimember public agency, whether in person or by means of LCO 1400 3 of 11 Raised Bill No.
(2) "Meeting" means any hearing or other proceeding of a public agency, any convening or assembly of a quorum of a multimember HB5250 / File No.
5250 electronic equipment, to discuss or act upon a matter over which the public agency has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power.
316 3 HB5250 File No.
316 public agency, and any communication by or to a quorum of a multimember public agency, whether in person or by means of electronic equipment, to discuss or act upon a matter over which the public agency has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power.
(3) "Caucus" means (A) a convening or assembly of the enrolled members of a single political party who are members of a public agency within the state or a political subdivision, or (B) the members of a multimember public agency, which members constitute a majority of the membership of the agency, or the other members of the agency who constitute a minority of the membership of the agency, who register their intention to be considered a majority caucus or minority caucus, as the case may be, for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, provided (i) the registration is made with the office of the Secretary of the State for any such public agency of the state, in the office of the clerk of a political subdivision of the state for any public agency of a political subdivision of the state, or in the office of the clerk of each municipal member of any multitown district or agency, (ii) no member is registered in more than one caucus at any one time, (iii) no such member's registration is rescinded during the member's remaining term of office, and (iv) a member may remain a registered member of the majority caucus or minority caucus regardless of whether the member changes his or her party affiliation under chapter 143.
(3) "Caucus" means (A) a convening or assembly of the enrolled members of a single political party who are members of a public agency within the state or a political subdivision, or (B) the members of a multimember public agency, which members constitute a majority of the membership of the agency, or the other members of the agency who constitute a minority of the membership of the agency, who register their intention to be considered a majority caucus or minority caucus, as the case may be, for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, provided (i) the registration is made with the office of the Secretary of the State for any such public agency of the state, in the office of the clerk of a political subdivision of the state for any public agency of a political subdivision of the state, or in the office of the clerk of each municipal member of any multitown district or agency, (ii) no member is registered in more than one caucus at any one time, (iii) no such member's registration is rescinded during the member's remaining term of office, and (iv) a member may remain a registered member of the majority caucus or minority caucus regardless of whether the member HB5250 / File No.
LCO 1400 4 of 11 Raised Bill No.
316 4 HB5250 File No.
5250 (4) "Person" means natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association or society.
316 changes his or her party affiliation under chapter 143.
(4) "Person" means natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association or society.
Members of a "personnel search committee" shall not be considered in LCO 1400 5 of 11 Raised Bill No.
HB5250 / File No.
5250 determining whether there is a quorum of the appointing or any other public agency.
316 5 HB5250 File No.
316 Members of a "personnel search committee" shall not be considered in determining whether there is a quorum of the appointing or any other public agency.
LCO 1400 6 of 11 Raised Bill No.
HB5250 / File No.
5250 [(13)] (12) "Electronic transmission" means any form or process of communication not directly involving the physical transfer of paper or another tangible medium, which (A) is capable of being retained, retrievedandreproducedbytherecipient,and(B)isretrievableinpaper form by the recipient.
316 6 HB5250 File No.
316 [(13)] (12) "Electronic transmission" means any form or process of communication not directly involving the physical transfer of paper or another tangible medium, which (A) is capable of being retained, retrievedandreproducedbytherecipient,and(B)isretrievableinpaper form by the recipient.
Any complaint by a person who is denied the right to inspect or copy such records or files shall be brought to the Freedom of Information Commission in accordance with the provisions of sections LCO 1400 7 of 11 Raised Bill No.
Any complaint by a person who is denied the right to inspect or copy such records or files shall be brought to the Freedom of Information Commission in accordance with the provisions of sections HB5250 / File No.
5250 1-205, as amended by this act, and 1-206.
316 7 HB5250 File No.
316 1-205, as amended by this act, and 1-206.
provided, in case of emergency, except for the General Assembly, either house thereof or any committee thereof, any such special meeting may be held without complying with the foregoing requirement for the filing of notice but a LCO 1400 8 of 11 Raised Bill No.
provided, in case of emergency, except for the General Assembly, either house thereof or any committee thereof, any such special meeting may be held without complying with the foregoing requirement for the filing of notice but a HB5250 / File No.
5250 copy of the minutes of every such emergency special meeting adequately setting forth the nature of the emergency and the proceedings occurring at such meeting shall be filed with the Secretary of the State, the clerk of such political subdivision, or the clerk of each municipalmember ofsuchmultitowndistrict or agency,asthecase may be, not later than seventy-two hours following the holding of such meeting.
316 8 HB5250 File No.
316 copy of the minutes of every such emergency special meeting adequately setting forth the nature of the emergency and the proceedings occurring at such meeting shall be filed with the Secretary of the State, the clerk of such political subdivision, or the clerk of each municipalmember ofsuchmultitowndistrict or agency,asthecase may be, not later than seventy-two hours following the holding of such meeting.
LCO 1400 9 of 11 Raised Bill No.
HB5250 / File No.
5250 With respect to any state employee whose position is eliminated or who is laid off as a result of any contract or amendment to a contract which is subject to the provisions of this chapter and [subsection (e) of section 1-205,] subsection (c) of section 1-211, [subsection (b) of section 1-212, section 4-5,] section 4a-50, 4a-51, subsection (b) of section 4a-57, subsection (a) of section 10a-151b [,] or subsection (b) of section 19a-110, or any subcontract for work under such contract or amendment, (1) the contractor shall hire the employee, upon application by the employee, unless the employee is hired by a subcontractor of the contractor, or (2) the employee may transfer to any vacant position in state service for which such employee is qualified, to the extent allowed under the provisionsofexistingcollectivelybargainedagreementsandthegeneral statutes.
316 9 HB5250 File No.
316 With respect to any state employee whose position is eliminated or who is laid off as a result of any contract or amendment to a contract which is subject to the provisions of this chapter and [subsection (e) of section 1-205,] subsection (c) of section 1-211, [subsection (b) of section 1-212, section 4-5,] section 4a-50, 4a-51, subsection (b) of section 4a-57, subsection (a) of section 10a-151b [,] or subsection (b) of section 19a-110, or any subcontract for work under such contract or amendment, (1) the contractor shall hire the employee, upon application by the employee, unless the employee is hired by a subcontractor of the contractor, or (2) the employee may transfer to any vacant position in state service for which such employee is qualified, to the extent allowed under the provisionsofexistingcollectivelybargainedagreementsandthegeneral statutes.
No contract or subcontract for state agency information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services may be awarded to any business entity or individual pursuant to this chapter or [subsection (e) of section 1-205,] subsection (c) of section 1-211, [subsection(b)ofsection1-212,section4-5,]subsection(a)ofsection10a- 151b [,] or subsection (b) of section 19a-110, if such business entity or individual previously had a contract with the state or a state agency to provide information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services and such prior contract was finally terminated by the state or a state agency within the previous five years for the reason LCO 1400 10 of 11 Raised Bill No.
No contract or subcontract for state agency information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services may be awarded to any business entity or individual pursuant to this chapter or [subsection (e) of section 1-205,] subsection (c) of section 1-211, [subsection(b)ofsection1-212,section4-5,]subsection(a)ofsection10a- 151b [,] or subsection (b) of section 19a-110, if such business entity or individual previously had a contract with the state or a state agency to provide information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services and such prior contract was finally terminated by the state or a state agency within the previous five years for the reason HB5250 / File No.
5250 that such business entity or individual failed to perform or otherwise breached a material obligation of the contract related to information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services.
316 10 HB5250 File No.
316 that such business entity or individual failed to perform or otherwise breached a material obligation of the contract related to information system or telecommunication system facilities, equipment or services.
10 October 1, 2026 4d-48 GOS Joint Favorable LCO 1400 11 of 11
10 October 1, 2026 4d-48 GOS Joint Favorable HB5250 / File No.
316 11 HB5250 File No.
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316 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill makes a variety of changes related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its process, and updates the statute to align with current training practices of the Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC), resulting in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None HB5250 / File No.
316 12 HB5250 File No.
316 OLR Bill Analysis HB 5250 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
SUMMARY This bill makes several unrelated changes to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Among other things, it:
1.
conforms the law on trainings given by the Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) to current practice (§ 1);
2.
clarifies which public agencies must be named in an appeal to FOIC when a request to inspect or copy a record is denied under FOIA’s safety risk exemption (§ 2);
3.
explicitly allows the copying of public records using mobile telephones or cameras (§ 3);
4.
limits the applicability of FOIA’s definition of “governmental function” so that it applies only to a statute on contracts for performing a governmental function, rather than throughout FOIA (§§ 4-6);
and 5.
allows notice of a special meeting to be sent to a public agency’s members electronically (§ 7).
Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.
Among other things, it amends provisions on the awarding of state government information technology contracts to remove erroneous references to (1) FOIC training and fees for copying public records and (2) the statutory list of department heads (§§ 8-10).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026 HB5250 / File No.
316 13 HB5250 File No.
316 § 1 — FOIC TRAINING The law requires FOIC to hold annual training sessions for members of public agencies on FOIA’s provisions (such as public record and meeting-related requirements).
The bill eliminates requirements for FOIC to hold training on (1) physical requirements for public records (such as standard ink) and (2) the general prohibition on smoking indoors.
It adds requirements for the commission to hold trainings on (1) contracts for the performance of a governmental function, (2) veterans’ military records, (3) court actions involving FOIA, and (4) the commission’s recommended budget appropriations and allotments.
§ 2 — SAFETY RISK APPEALS Under FOIA, an executive branch state agency that receives a request to disclose records potentially subject to FOIA’s safety risk exemption (CGS § 1-210(b)(19)) must consult with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) commissioner before disclosing the records.
A municipal, regional, or district agency must consult with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) commissioner.
In both cases, FOIA allows the applicable commissioner to direct the custodial agency to withhold the record from disclosure.
Under current law, any FOIC appeal of a denial based on FOIA’s safety risk exemption must be filed against the state, municipal, regional, or district agency that issued the directive to withhold the record.
Under the bill, the appeal must be filed against both the agency with custody of the record and the commissioner (DAS or DESPP, as applicable) that directed the agency to withhold the record.
§ 3 — USING MOBILE PHONES AND CAMERAS TO MAKE COPIES The bill explicitly allows people to copy public records using mobile telephones, cameras, or other portable devices capable of capturing an image of a public record.
It does so by deeming these devices to be “hand-held scanners” under FOIA’s copies and scanning of public records provision, which also allows public agencies to set a fee structure for copying records with a hand-held scanner at the agency.
HB5250 / File No.
316 14 HB5250 File No.
316 FOIA allows (1) individuals to use a hand-held scanner to copy records and (2) public agencies to charge up to $20 each time someone uses a scanner to copy records at the agency.
Currently under FOIA, a “hand-held scanner” is a battery-operated electronic scanning device that leaves no mark or impression on the records and does not unreasonably interfere with the agency’s operations.
§§ 4-6 — GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION Under FOIA, a “governmental function” generally includes a public agency program’s administration or management by a person that, among other things, participates in making governmental policies or decisions connected to the program’s administration or management.
It does not include the mere provision of goods or services to a public agency without delegated program management or administration responsibilities.
The bill limits this definition’s applicability so that it remains applicable only to a statute on contracts for performing a governmental function, rather than throughout FOIA as under current law (see BACKGROUND).
Under current law, “governmental function” also appears in a FOIA provision generally prohibiting public agencies from entering into contracts that impair the public’s right to inspect or copy records stored in a computer system the agency owns, leases, or uses in the course of its governmental functions.
The bill makes a conforming change by eliminating the reference to governmental functions.
§ 7 — NOTICE ABOUT A SPECIAL MEETING FOIA generally requires public agencies to give at least 24 hours’ notice of a special meeting unless there is an emergency.
The bill allows public agencies to send a notice about a special meeting to their members either electronically or by mail to their homes.
Current law requires that the notice be delivered to the member’s home, but it also allows members to waive delivery of the notice by filing a written waiver with the agency’s clerk or secretary.
The bill allows members to submit these waivers electronically or by mail and eliminates the option to send them by telegram.
HB5250 / File No.
316 15 HB5250 File No.
316 BACKGROUND Contract for Performance of a Governmental Function By law, each contract exceeding $2.5 million between a public agency and a person for the performance of a “governmental function” must state that the public agency is entitled to a copy of records and files related to the performance of the governmental function.
The contract mustalsoindicatethat theserecordsorfilesaresubjecttoFOIAandmay be disclosed by the public agency under FOIA.
COMMITTEE ACTION Government Oversight Committee Joint Favorable Yea 12 Nay 0 (03/17/2026) HB5250 / File No.
316 16
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Action History

  1. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 533

  2. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  3. IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE

  4. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  5. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  6. FILE NO. 316

  7. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 235

  8. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  9. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  10. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/31/26

  11. FILED WITH LCO

  12. Joint Favorable

  13. PUBLIC HEARING 0224

  14. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Oversight

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (184)

184 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 184 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 5250?
HB 5250 is sponsored by Gale L. Mastrofrancesco (Republican), Tom Delnicki (Republican), and Rob Sampson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 5250?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 19, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 5250?
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