A number of new state laws passed by the legislature will take effect on January 1, 2023.

These new laws are a result of the work by your representatives at the State Capitol throughout the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions to help improve the quality of life in Connecticut and address some of the challenges facing our state

Here are a few of the laws taking effect with the new year:

Cannabis Possession Charges Cleared

• Connecticut residents convicted of certain cannabis possession charges will have their records automatically cleared, and other specified charges can be petitioned for erasure as well. Click here and scroll to the bottom of page 29 for a breakdown table on qualifying erasures.
• Announced Delay: The Governor's Office recently announced that some erasures would be delayed until, "…the second half of 2023."
• Numerous state agencies must also provide recommendations on how to prevent cannabis use by individuals under 21 and address the impacts of cannabis legalization on youth. These provisions were included in PA 21-1 – Passed in 2021 – that legalized the recreational adult-use of cannabis.

Bottle Bill

• This expands the types of bottles and cans accepted in the 5-cent return program to now include Teas, Hard Seltzers, Ciders, Energy Drinks, and Coffee. This provision was included in PA 21-58 – Passed in 2021 – which makes tiered adjustments to the state's bottle redemption program through January 2024.

Lead Poisoning Safety

• This will strengthen Connecticut's lead poisoning testing standards to align with federal standards and will lower the threshold for youth testing levels that trigger parental notification or home inspection. These provisions were included in PA 22-49 – Passed in 2022 – and will incrementally lower the qualifying testing levels through January 2025.
• The Governor's Office reported that in 2020, over 1,000 Connecticut Children tested at high enough lead levels to trigger the federal standard for a home inspection.

Breast & Ovarian Cancer Screening Coverage

• Certain commercial health insurance policies will be required to cover mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs for breast screenings, breast biopsies, certain prophylactic mastectomies, breast reconstruction surgery, BRCA 1 and 2 testing, and routine ovarian cancer screenings. These provisions were included in PA 22-90 – Passed in 2022 – which expanded required insurance coverage from previous legislation.

These are just a few of the laws and provisions going into effect when we celebrate the new year. Here's the full list of laws taking effect on January 1.

As you look over the new laws, remember there is always an opportunity to have your voice heard. The 2023 legislative session convenes on January 4, and we welcome your input.