HARTFORD, Conn. — New state laws implementing sweeping reforms to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, expanding absentee voting to all eligible voters, preventing armed security officers with records of misconduct from serving in the public school system and providing greater oversight for nonprofits that receive millions of dollars annually in state funding are just several of the 82 laws taking effect on July 1.

Other laws implemented in the short legislative session, which ended May 6, also address issues related to AI; enhancing protections against prison rape; and expanding eligibility to the state’s psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program.

DCF reform

Following recent cases of alleged child abuse and deaths in Connecticut, lawmakers passed HB 5004 to increase oversight and support of the agency, its workers and foster families. The law goes into effect on July 1 with central pieces of the legislation rolling out in stages.

Lawmakers and advocates have been scrutinizing whether DCF acted appropriately in the cases of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, 11, whose malnourished body was found in New Britain last year, and Eve Rogers, 12, who died in her home Enfield recently.

Eve’s case was referred to the agency just a week before her death while Mimi’s family was initially involved at her birth. And in a third case, of a Waterbury man allegedly held captive in his home for more than two decades, DCF was also in contact with the family. The Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate is investigating all three cases.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to confirm the cause of death in Eve’s case.

HB 5004 includes the establishment of a Child Welfare Policy and Oversight Committee creating accountability for DCF; the implementation of a public online dashboard displaying information on DCF’s performance comparable to federal standards; extra supports for caregivers; additional mandatory training for DCF employees; and increased support for foster parents.

Rep. Corey Paris, co-chair of the Children’s Committee, who spearheaded the legislation, said “for too long the warning signs in our child welfare system were clear and children and families paid the price.

“HB 5004 is about building real accountability into the Department of Children and Families and keeping it there,” he said. “This was bipartisan work from start to finish and it reflects a simple commitment: when it comes to the safety of our kids, transparency and follow-through are not optional. I am proud of what we passed and I intend to make sure it is implemented the way families deserve.”

He said the reform to the agency “rolls out in stages with the first provisions taking effect this summer and the centerpieces of the legislation including a public real-time dashboard on DCF’s performance and a standing Child Welfare Policy and Oversight Committee coming online this fall.”

He said construction on the dashboard will begin over the summer.

Absentee voting

A new law will allow any eligible voter “who completes and submits an absentee ballot application to attain permanent absentee status,” according to Office of Legislative Research analysis of the bill.

The law concerning absentee voting also allows “any eligible voter to request permanent absentee ballot status, instead of just voters who are permanently physically disabled or suffering from a long-term illness,” according to the bill analysis.

The law also prohibits law enforcement from being within 250 feet of an election site without a court order or permission from state election officials.

Armed Security Officers

Also taking effect is a new law that prevents armed security officers with records of misconduct from serving in the public school system.

State statute defines that armed security officers are retired police officers who have separated from the department in good standing.

Lawmakers passed legislation that prevents armed security officers with records of misconduct from serving in the public school system.

The legislation followed a Hearst investigation that found that 10 school systems in the state were employing armed security guards who falsified traffic citations, failed to report deadly pursuits or engaged in racial misconduct.

Prior to the legislation passing, a retired or separated officer with a history of misconduct which law enforcement disqualified to be rehired could still become an armed security officer in a public school.

“I think it’s good, public policy,” said Rep. Greg Howard, a Stonington Republican and ranking member of the Public Safety Committee, which introduced the legislation. “I think when the legislature allowed retired police officers to work as armed security officers in schools the intent was that it was armed security officers that did not leave under investigation. That just clarifies it.”

Oversight of nonprofits

A new law will soon take effect that provides greater oversight for nonprofits that collectively receive millions of dollars annually in state funding.

The measure requires stronger guidelines and scrutiny before any money is awarded after some lawmakers complained about a lack of vetting and transparency.

Both House and Senate Republicans have raised questions about Sen. Douglas McCrory, a Hartford Democrat who has been under federal investigation by the FBI regarding state grants that he lobbied for that were awarded to Greater Hartford nonprofits, including the now-defunct Blue Hills Civic Association.

The legislation signed by the governor “requires OPM to establish policies and procedures for state agencies that administer LDF,” (legislatively directed funds), according to the OLR’s analysis of the bill.

New AI law

A new AI law includes provisions adding computer science to the state’s required instruction for public schools in 2026 and 2027 and includes that it must include emerging technologies and AI.

The new law also requires that the DECD consider plans to foster “innovation in advanced manufacturing, AI, quantum computing, robotics and other emerging technologies,” according to the OLR’s bill analysis.

—Reporting from Hartford Courant reporter Christopher Keating is included in this article.

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