New CT Laws You May Have Missed: Here's What To Know

CONNECTICUT — It was likely not on your radar, but prior to this month, residents as young as 16-years-old could be legally married in Connecticut. Public Act No. 23-44, which lifts the minimum age to 18, is one of many more laws which went into effect on July 1.

When Connecticut's Data Privacy Act went into effect on July 1 it was only the fifth such state law in the U.S. The legislation requires businesses that traffic in residents' personal data to maintain specific transparency standards and minimum safeguards.

New laws also suggest students attending Connecticut public schools are more likely to graduate with at least a rudimentary knowledge about the history of the First Peoples, and how to balance a checkbook. Beginning with the new school year this September, Native American studies will be added to the social studies curriculum in public schools across the state. Incoming high school freshmen will also be required to take a half-credit of personal financial management and financial literacy in order to graduate.

Users of both recreational and medical marijuana have been given a gift with "An Act Concerning Responsible And Equitable Regulation Of Adult-Use Cannabis." Eligible residents over the age of 21 may now grow up to six cannabis plants in their primary residence. The household, overall, will be restricted to growing 12 such plants. Those that toke on a doctor's orders are also getting a bonus: the annual registration fees for medical marijuana patients and caregivers have been flushed. Patients previously paid a fee of $100 yearly, while caregivers paid a $25 registration fee.

Every baby born in Connecticut from July 1 onward and is eligible for the state’s Medicaid program is a beneficiary of the state's new Baby Bonds Program. Connecticut will invest $3,200 per tot, and manage the investments until the child turns 18-years-old. The funds may be used for buying a home in Connecticut, investing in a local business, paying for higher education/job training, or saving for retirement.

A new law taking effect this month requires local and regional education boards to implement a Title IX Compliance Toolkit, still under state development, by start of school year 2025. The guidelines will cover various topics such as abuse and discrimination prevention policies, and training. Each board will be required to submit a compliance report to the Department of Education beginning July 2026.

Another new law mandates public colleges and universities that have residential campuses must establish a plan for access to reproductive health care services by students.

Public Act No. 23-17 provides some relief for the state's four-footed citizens. Among other companion animal-oriented regulations, it shores up breeding kennel operations, including disqualifying people who are guilty of animal cruelty from holding a breeding kennel facility license. Veterinarians who issue health certificates for imported dogs and cats must now be certified by the Department of Agriculture.

Connecticut's excise tax on beer dropped by 16.7 percent on July 1. The legislation also loosens some blue law restrictions, and simplifies the permit process for drinking establishments. There's more information here.

"An Act Concerning Wage Theft" cracks down on contractors who "knowingly or willfully fail to pay their workers the required prevailing wage." Prior law levied fines ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for these violations. The act instead allows boosts the hit to $5,000, and requires the state labor commissioner to issue a citation for each violation.

A full list of laws going into effect this month is available on the state website.