New Laws & Student Loan Changes

July 9, 2026
Here are the sections in today's email:
  • New Laws Effective July 1
  • Summer Food Assistance Available
  • Federal Student Loan
    Changes in Effect
  • Disability Pride Month
 

New Laws Effective July 1

Several new laws that we passed during the 2026 legislative session will take effect on July 1, bringing important changes for Connecticut residents.
 
Among them is Public Act 26-42, which expands access to voting by allowing any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason. The law removes outdated restrictions that previously limited absentee voting to a narrow set of circumstances.

Another new law, Public Act 26-12, strengthens recruitment and retention efforts for Connecticut's first responders. The legislation expands benefits such as tuition waivers and mortgage assistance for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, EMS personnel, and National Guard members, while also providing support for the families of certain public safety personnel who die in the line of duty.

Public Act 26-1 provides stronger workplace protections for employees at warehouses and fulfillment centers. The law ensures that productivity quotas do not interfere with legally required meal and bathroom breaks and requires employers to clearly communicate any quotas workers are expected to meet.

These measures reflect our ongoing efforts to make voting more accessible, support those who serve our communities, and strengthen protections for Connecticut workers.
Click here for or a full list of new laws
 

Summer Food Assistance Available

Families across Connecticut are receiving extra help putting food on the table this summer through the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, is providing a one-time $120 food benefit for each eligible child to help offset meal costs while school is out of session. More than 350,000 children are expected to get support from the program.

This investment helps families with children pay for food during the summer months while school is not in session. More than $42 million in S-EBT funding is expected to be provided to Connecticut families this summer.

Who is eligible?

Children may qualify if their family:

  • Participates in SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA), or Husky A with an income below 185% of the federal poverty level or
  • Was approved for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 school year.

Most eligible families automatically received their benefits electronically. They are being loaded onto existing SNAP or EBT cards, including previously issued Summer EBT cards. Families new to the program will receive an EBT card by mail.

Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply for Summer EBT through August 31, 2026.
Click here to learn more
 

Federal Student Loan Changes in Effect

New student loan rules are affecting more than 500,000 Connecticut residents with student debt. The changes from the federal government reduce repayment options, raise monthly payments for many, and make it more difficult for families to finance higher education.

Here are some of the biggest changes:

  • SAVE Plan ends: Borrowers have 90 days to choose a new repayment plan or will be automatically moved to the standard repayment plan, which could mean a sharply higher monthly bill.
  • Fewer repayment options: New borrowers now have just two repayment plans, including one with no cap on monthly payments.
  • Parent Plus loans: Parents are now limited to borrowing $20,000 per student each academic year instead of the full cost of attendance.
  • Grad PLUS program eliminated: Graduate students can no longer borrow up to the full cost of attendance through Grad PLUS.

If you’re affected by these changes, the Connecticut Office of the Student Loan Ombudsperson is here to answer questions, help with repayment issues, and much more.

Contact the Student Loan Ombudsperson:

Eligible Connecticut residents may also qualify for the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program, providing up to $5,000 per year (maximum $20,000) to help offset student loan payments.
Click here for application instructions
 

Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month. Accessibility is not a favor; it is a fundamental human right. Creating a more inclusive world benefits everyone. House Democrats will continue to push down barriers and demand equity every single day!