These 10 New CT Laws Could Change Your Life Starting July 1

HARTFORD, CT – A number of new laws will go into effect on Saturday, July 1, many of which will largely affect the life of an average citizen.

High school graduation requirements, Internet safety, pretrial justice, universal preschool and administering prescriptions for opioids are just a few facets of life in Connecticut that will see changes starting this month.

Here are 10 new laws that take effect July 1, with a brief summary of what they mean for residents:

Pretrial Justice Reform

These reforms target adults accused of committing misdemeanors who are unable to afford money bail and languish in jail for weeks or months. This situation often creates deteriorating conditions where those being held are unable to earn a paycheck to support themselves and their families. The new legislation:

• Ends the practice of “cash only” bail, where defendants are prohibited from using a surety to post bail
• Prohibits judges from setting money bail for misdemeanor charges unless they find the defendant is charged with a family violence crime, is likely to fail to appear in court, is likely to obstruct justice or presents a danger to the community;
• Reduces the time for those being held in jail pretrial between a first and second court appearance for misdemeanor charges from 30 to 14 days

A study of the feasibility of establishing a state bail fund for indigent defendants will also be conducted, with a report due on January 1, 2018.

Minors And Opioids

Minors can no longer be issued prescriptions for more than five-day supply (previously seven) of an opioid. When issuing a prescription for an opioid drug to either an adult or minor patient, a prescribing practitioner will discuss risks and other aspects of the drug, including:

• risks of addiction and overdose
• dangers of taking opioid drugs with alcohol
• reasons the prescription is necessary

High School Graduation Requirements

New requirements will be set for high school students to graduate, starting with the classes of 2023. Students will be required to complete nine credits in the humanities (such as civics and the arts) and nine credits in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students must also complete one credit each in physical education, world languages and health and safety education. Students will also be required to complete a one credit mastery-based diploma assessment.

Out-Of-School Suspensions

An out-of-school suspension cannot be imposed on an child residing in facilities operated by:

• the Department of Children and Families
• the Department of Correction
• Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department

However, this does not prevent a child from being removed from a classroom if it is for therapeutic purposes.

Tax Credits For Agricultural Products

A tax credit will be established for donated agricultural food produced by a taxpayer at 15 percent of the item's market value (but at no more than $5,000). Items include:

• fruits
• vegetables
• dairy
• eggs
• meat or poultry

Qualifications For Early Childhood Educators

Qualification requirements for those seeking employment as an early childhood educator in Connecticut will see a change. A person is now required to hold a bachelor's degree and have completed 12 credits or more in early childhood education or development to fill a position.

Digital Citizenship, Internet Safety and Media Literacy Advisory Council

A Digital Citizenship, Internet Safety and Media Literacy Advisory Council will be established within the Department of Education. The council will consist of teachers, librarians and other qualified individuals who will provide the State Board of Education with recommendations on teaching students how to use technology responsibly and ethically.

Gifted and Talented Students

An employee of the Department of Education will be designated to provide information to local and regional boards of education regarding gifted and talented students. The Department of Education will also be working to develop guidelines regarding the provision of services to gifted and talented students in schools.

Universal Preschool

A plan to provide preschool to all children in Connecticut between the ages of 3 and 4 for the school year commencing July 1, 2022. The plan will include ways to utilize both public and private preschool programs and ways to provide assistance for local and regional boards of education to implement the plan. The Department of Education will submit the plan no later than January 1, 2019.

Municipalities and Watershed Properties

Before any municipality may not sell property valued higher than $250,000 (or whose value has not been assessed by the town) that is part of a watershed or encompasses a well or reservoir, the fair market value of the property must be assessed. The appraisal may take place no later than sixty days prior to the sale.

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