These 7 New CT Laws Can Change Your Life Oct. 1: Here's What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — A batch of new laws go into effect on Oct. 1 and several of them could have life-changing consequences for some residents.

Below is a summary of seven laws that go into effect Oct. 1.:

Tethering and sheltering dogs

Dogs need to be given adequate shelter if they are outside for more than 15 minutes during certain adverse weather conditions. Conditions include: When National Weather Service issues a weather advisory or warning or during extreme heat or cold. Dog breed, size and other conditions can be taken into consideration to determine whether a dog’s health and safety could be affected.

The law doesn’t apply when a dog is accompanied by a person in the same conditions.

Dogs need to be provided potable water at least twice during a 24-hour period when tethered to an object. Dogs can’t be tethered for more than 15 minutes when the NWS issues a weather advisory or warning, and consideration can be made for the dog’s size and coat thickness.

Firearm background check failure notification

The law requires the chief of police, or similar official, to be notified if a resident of their town fails a criminal background check while attempting to purchase a firearm.

Timely reporting by police of a death

Requires on-duty officers to notify a deceased person’s next of kind about the death as soon as practicable, but within 24 hours of a deceased person being identified.

Online dating

Online dating companies must give Connecticut users awareness notifications, such as whether they conduct criminal background screenings.

The law also created a grant program to prevent online abuse and provide educational opportunities on how to identify, report and avoid online abuse.

Hospital billing

Laws that cover hospital billing practice will also cover entities owned or affiliated with hospitals.

Some of the prohibitions include:

• Collecting more than the cost of providing health care services from uninsured people.
• Referring certain patients to debt collection.
• Continuing debt collection efforts in certain situations when patient may be eligible for debt reduction.

Jury summons

Jury summons procedures were modified in July to reflect how many people from each town were complying. For now, a replacement summons is sent to another prospective juror in the same ZIP Code when a summons comes back as undeliverable.

The jury administrator office will begin compiling data starting Oct. 1 on the number of jurors summoned from each town who complied with the summons. Summons that go out on or after Oct. 1 will also have an additional demographic questions regarding gender and other demographic information.

Child mental health

May 26 is officially Get Outside and Play for Children’s Mental Health Day in Connecticut. “Suitable” exercises must be held at public schools on that day, or the closest school day if it falls on a weekend.

The law also allows municipalities to establish property tax abatement for property or part of a property that is used as a child care center or group child care home.