These 10+ CT Laws Could Change Your Life Today

Several new state laws went into effect today that could change the lives of many state residents.

Some laws, like letting motorists use electronic proof of insurance, are a matter of convenience while others, such as the treatment of pregnant inmates, will have a big impact on smaller populations.

Below are some highlights of what changed today.

Bump Stock Ban

The act generally makes it illegal to sell, transfer or purchase a “rate of fire enhancement” firearm device typically known as a bump stock.

Bump stocks were used in the Las Vegas shooting where a single shooter was able to kill 58 and injure more than 850 people.

Electronic Proof of Auto Insurance

Motorists can now present auto insurance proof electronically on a cell phone or other device to law enforcement. The information is generally accessible via an insurer’s app.

E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes and similar devices need to be purchased through employee-assisted sales instead of self-service displays.

Crediting Rating Agencies

Remember when an Equifax data breach leaked sensitive information of 143 million Americans? A government report found glaring security errors, but not much changed.

The new law prohibits credit rating agencies from charging a fee to place, remove or lift a temporary credit freeze. It also prohibits making consumers enter into agreements to limit the liability of credit rating agency in order to lift a credit freeze.

A federal law provides for free credit freezes and thaws.

Certain businesses must provide identity theft mitigation services to customers for 24 months, instead of 12 months, in the event of a data breach.

Robo Calls and Spoofing

Are you tired of picking up a call from a seemingly local number only to find out you “won” a free cruise or owe the “IRS” money? That’ll likely continue, but it’s now a state crime if a person is caught.

It now is a Class A misdemeanor for a person to use a blocking service or other service to circumvent caller ID to transmit robo calls.

A friendly reminder: The IRS will never call about owing taxes and instead sends a letter through the mail. Uncle Sam also doesn’t accept iTunes gift cards as payment.

Maternal Mortality Review

The Department of Public Health will be required to review maternal deaths in state and gather data. The data will be used by a review committee in an effort to reduce maternal deaths.

The U.S. has the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world.

Pregnant Inmates

The act establishes requirements for the treatment of pregnant women in state prisons, including having specially trained staff, proper counseling for pregnant inmates and generally limiting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates.

Reverse Mortgage Protection

Requires counseling and certification requirements for reverse mortgages, which allow homeowners to turn equity in their property into liquid assets.

Bonus Points On Civil Service Exams

Armed Forces members who pass a state civil service exam can generally get a five-point bonus for their service.

Connecticut’s Energy Future

A comprehensive set of laws that establishes requirements for the state to use renewable energy resources.

Pest Misting Systems

The act prohibits installing or using automatic pesticide misting systems beginning Jan. 1.

FOI Law Change

Public agencies can petition the Freedom of Information Commission for relief from vexatious requesters for a period of up to one year. Vexatious requesters are people who make an inordinate amount of requests or requests that are very large in scope or interfere with an agencies ability to operate.

Save Our Lakes Plate

A new commemorative license plate will come to Connecticut beginning in 2020. Purchases for the plate will go into an account to preserve the state’s lakes and ponds.

Victim Restitution

The court, when sentencing an individual for a criminal offense, must inquire whether there are requests from victims from restitution.

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