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This session, we made real progress for mobile home residents, but the work isn’t done yet.
Earlier this year, I introduced a bill with Senator Julie Kushner (HB 5111) after hearing directly from families at Shady Acres Mobile Home Park in Danbury. They told me about rising lot rents, surprise fees, and a lack of transparency from park owners.
While HB 5111 didn’t move forward on its own, I partnered with Rep. Rebecca Martinez, who was leading similar efforts in her district. Together, we successfully rolled my language into HB 5428, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support.
The final version of the bill would have:
- Required disclosure of all fees in lease agreements
- Mandated annual fire hydrant reporting for safety
- Increased relocation assistance from $10,000 to $20,000
Unfortunately, HB 5428 wasn’t called in the Senate before the end of session. But that’s not the end of the story.
This bill laid important groundwork, and I’m more committed than ever to getting it across the finish line. Rep. Martinez and I are already looking ahead to next year to bring back a stronger, more comprehensive version that ensures fairness and accountability in mobile home communities.
If you or someone you know lives in a mobile home park and has questions or concerns, I’m here to help.
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