New CT Laws: Climate Change, Hate Crimes, Medical Debt & More

CONNECTICUT — Here's a round-up of the latest bills signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont.

House Bill 5597 establishes a task force to study protocols used by first responders, emergency medical services and hospital personnel, police officers, and medical examiners following an opioid overdose death. The new law also requires the commissioner of the state Department of Public health to establish guidelines for the use of evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical therapies to treat chronic pain, by the beginning of next year.

What legal recourse do Connecticut residents have if their personal information is compromised while sitting on a third-party business’ server? What if the business had taken reasonable data security precautions? None of this is as clear as it should be, so a new law has been enacted that defines "data breach," "business" and "reasonable" in the context of a civil suit, for starters. "An Act Incentivizing the Adoption of Cybersecurity Standards for Businesses" goes into effect Oct. 1.

Another new law expands considerably the state attorney General’s powers The AG's new reach includes investigating allegations of certain hate crimes and civil rights violations, initiating related legal proceedings, and seeking relief for the affected person. When conducting investigations, the AG may issue subpoenas and interrogatories consistent with how he investigates Connecticut Antitrust Act violations. The new legislation also establishes a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each hate crime or civil rights violation that is established by clear and convincing evidence.

"An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation" authorizes each municipality to establish a stormwater agency. The new bureau will recommend a fee to be imposed on property in the district, and is charged with using the revenue generated for open space land stewardship, environmental projects such as urban forestry, or paying into a reserve intended to fund climate change resiliency and mitigation strategies.

See Also: CT New Laws Call For Working Groups and Task Forces Galore

Following the signing of Senate Bill 763 into law on July 7, bus drivers and other paratransit vehicle operators must report to the Department of Social Services when they suspect that an elderly person needs protective services or has been abused, neglected, exploited, or abandoned.

Senate Bill 683 creates some protection from the collection of medical debts for certain classes of patients. For example, it establishes collection limits for uninsured and underinsured patients. It also limits or restricts when hospitals and collection agents may refer patients to credit rating agencies, foreclose a lien on a patient’s primary residence, or garnish a patient's wages.

"An Act Concerning Crumbling Concrete Foundations" makes the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company permanent and enhances it a little bit. The CFSIC is a “captive insurance company,” created by the state, that distribute money to homeowners with concrete foundations that are deteriorating due to the presence of pyrrhotite.

See Also: New CT Laws: Weapons, Underwater Farms And The 'Clean Slate' Bill

As of Oct. 1, minors who call 911 to prevent another person’s death or serious injury are now immune from criminal prosecution if they happen to be found in possession of alcohol by the first responders.

Senate Bill 1046 imposes certain consumer protection measures on long term care insurance policies. It also requires the state’s insurance commissioner to develop a minimum set of affordable benefit options that insurers must offer to policyholders if they file a premium rate increase of 20 percent or more for a long term care policy.

Another new law requires certain insurance policies that provide dental or vision coverage to continue coverage for a dependent until after the date the child turns age 26 or obtains coverage through their own employment, whichever occurs earlier.