New Connecticut Laws in 2020 That Could Impact Your Life

HARTFORD, CT — It's officially 2020 and in Connecticut that means several new potentially life-changing laws have gone into effect. Among some of the biggest changes are more time between license and registration renewals and changes to Connecticut’s alcohol laws.

A number of new laws already went into effect this year, mainly on Oct. 1 and July 1. There are new taxes on digital purchases, prepared meals, e-cigarettes, alcohol and short-term rentals.

The smoking age in Connecticut was raised to 21, the minimum wage was increased to $11 an hour and several other changes have already gone into effect.

Related:

• Oct. 1 Means New Laws, Taxes In CT: Here's The Full List
• These 10+ CT Laws Can Change Your Life July 1

Here are some of the law changes that take place Jan. 1.

License and registration changes

Connecticut drivers will be able to renew licenses every eight years instead of six and vehicle registrations every three years instead of two. The initial driver’s license will also have an expiration period of seven years.

Fees will essentially remain unchanged on a per year basis.

New Taxes

The sales tax will be added to several previously-exempt items including dry cleaning, interior design services and parking. Gov. Ned Lamont had pitched a much broader sales tax on services in his budget proposal, but state legislators pared down the request.

Liquor law changes

Big changes are coming to Connecticut’s liquor laws come Jan. 1. The craft beer industry has hailed the changes as a big boon to business.

Among the changes:

• An individual can buy nine gallons up from nine liters per day from beer manufacturers for off-premise consumption.
• Cider manufacturers can now sell their products for on-premise consumption.

The act also has multiple parts that go into effect July 1, including consolidating permits and allowing breweries to sell Connecticut-produced wine and visa versa for vineyards.

Solar panel changes

Connecticut has traditionally allowed for many customers who have solar panels to take part in a net metering program where they would essentially sell unused electricity to the utility and in exchange would see a reduced bill from nighttime use.

Customers who use net metering before the program sunsets will continue to do so through Dec. 31, 2039.

For residential customers the benefits end when the state’s residential solar investment program expires.

“In general, the act’s new renewable energy programs will allow customers to have their generation netted over a PURA[Public Utilities Regulatory Authority]-determined period (up to one-day) and receive billing credits for their excess generation at a PURA-determined rate,” the state Office of Legislative Research wrote in its public act summary.

Hearing aid coverage

The act eliminates an age restriction for coverage of hearing aids and certain insurance policies will have to cover hearing aids for any covered person.

Pre-existing condition coverage

The act bans short-term health insurance policies from containing pre-existing condition provisions.

Police training

The act will generally boost training opportunities for public safety officials when communicating with individuals that have autism spectrum disorder and other mental disorders.

Mental health insurance benefits

The act prohibits certain health insurance plans from applying certain treatment limitations to mental health services that are more strict than comparable services for physical disorders.

Crumbling foundations

The law will allow more buildings and building owners to be eligible for several assistance programs for crumbling foundation issues.

Full list of laws that go into effect come Jan. 1.

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