New Laws Going into Effect January 1, 2024

December 29, 2023
As we ring in the new year, there are some laws that become effective on January 1 that were passed during the 2023 legislative session addressing key issue areas including early voting, health and mental health, and online privacy and data protection.

There will also be an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Three significant tax relief measures will also take effect in Connecticut at the start of 2024. They are the result of the fiscal year 2024-2025 state budget that the Connecticut General Assembly approved and Governor Lamont signed into law this summer (Public Act 23-204) and include a reduction in Connecticut’s income tax rates, an increase to the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30.5% to 40% of the federal EITC, and an expansion of the state’s existing deductions for certain IRA distributions and pension and annuity earnings to benefit many seniors. 

Although extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list. Please feel free to share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.
EARLY VOTING (PA 23-5)
 
Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting requiring a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.
 
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (PA 23-174)
Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.
 
PROTECTING MATERNAL HEALTH (PA 23-147)
Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers, an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths and a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.
 
ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS (PA 23-56)
Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including provisions on consumer health data, minors’ social media accounts and online services, online dating operators, and a task force on internet crimes against children.

RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL
OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (PA 23-137)
Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living.
 
WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS INJURIES (PA 23-35)
Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.
List of New Laws Effective January 1, 2024