Connecticut housing and borrowing

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Connecticut’s median rent. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Section 1. Section 47a-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective October 1, 2026, and applicable to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after said date): (a) A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant: (1) Agrees to waive or forfeit rights or remedies under this chapter and sections 47a - 21, 47a-23 to 47a -23b, inclusive, 47a -26 to 47a -26g, inclusive, 47a -35 to 47a-35b, inclusive, 47a -41a, 47a-43 and 47 a-46, or under any section of the general statutes or any municipal ordinance unless such section or ordinance expressly states that such rights may be waived; (2) authorizes the landlord to confess judgment on a claim arising out of the rental agreeme nt; (3) agrees to the exculpation or limitation of any liability of the landlord arising under law or to indemnify the landlord for that liability or the costs connected therewith; (4) agrees to waive [his] such tenant's right to the interest on the security deposit pursuant to section 47a -21; (5) agrees to permit the landlord to dispossess [him] such tenant without resort to court order; (6) consents to the distraint of [his] such tenant's property for rent; (7) agrees to pay the landlord's attorney's fees in excess of fifteen per cent of any judgment against the Substitute Senate Bill No. 335 Public Act No. 26-113 2 of 2 tenant in any action in which money damages are awarded; (8) agrees to pay a late charge prior to the expiration of the grace period set forth in section 47a-15a or to pay rent in a reduced amount if such rent is paid prior to the expiration of such grace period; (9) agrees to pay a late charge on rent payments made subsequent to such grace period in an amount exceeding the amounts set forth in section 47a -15a; [or] (10) agrees to pay a heat or utilities surcharge if heat or utilities is included in the ren tal agreement; or (11) agrees to pay for utilities billed to the tenant if no separate meter is used to measure utilities delivered exclusively to such tenant's dwelling unit. (b) A provision prohibited by subsection (a) of this section included in a rental agreement is unenforceable.

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Connecticut’s median rent. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Section 1. Section 47a-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective October 1, 2026, and applicable to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after said date): (a) A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant: (1) Agrees to waive or forfeit rights or remedies under this chapter and sections 47a - 21, 47a-23 to 47a -23b, inclusive, 47a -26 to 47a -26g, inclusive, 47a -35 to 47a-35b, inclusive, 47a -41a, 47a-43 and 47 a-46, or under any section of the general statutes or any municipal ordinance unless such section or ordinance expressly states that such rights may be waived; (2) authorizes the landlord to confess judgment on a claim arising out of the rental agreeme nt; (3) agrees to the exculpation or limitation of any liability of the landlord arising under law or to indemnify the landlord for that liability or the costs connected therewith; (4) agrees to waive [his] such tenant's right to the interest on the security deposit pursuant to section 47a -21; (5) agrees to permit the landlord to dispossess [him] such tenant without resort to court order; (6) consents to the distraint of [his] such tenant's property for rent; (7) agrees to pay the landlord's attorney's fees in excess of fifteen per cent of any judgment against the Substitute Senate Bill No. 335 Public Act No. 26-113 2 of 2 tenant in any action in which money damages are awarded; (8) agrees to pay a late charge prior to the expiration of the grace period set forth in section 47a-15a or to pay rent in a reduced amount if such rent is paid prior to the expiration of such grace period; (9) agrees to pay a late charge on rent payments made subsequent to such grace period in an amount exceeding the amounts set forth in section 47a -15a; [or] (10) agrees to pay a heat or utilities surcharge if heat or utilities is included in the ren tal agreement; or (11) agrees to pay for utilities billed to the tenant if no separate meter is used to measure utilities delivered exclusively to such tenant's dwelling unit. (b) A provision prohibited by subsection (a) of this section included in a rental agreement is unenforceable.

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Connecticut’s median rent. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(d) [A] No municipality, special district, sewer or water authority or water company, as defined in section 16 -1, shall [not] (1) consider an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit to be a new residential use for the purposes of calculating connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service, unless such accessory [apartment] dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling on the same lot, or (2) require the installation of a new or separate utility connection directly to an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge. (e) If a municipality fails to adopt new regulations or amend existing regulations by January 1, 2023, for the purpose of complying with the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, and unless such municipality opts out of the provisio ns of said subsections in accordance with the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, any noncompliant existing regulation shall become [null and] void and such municipality shall approve or deny applications for accessory [apartments] dwelling u nits in accordance with the requirements for regulations set forth in the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section until such municipality adopts or amends a regulation in compliance with said subsections. A municipality may not use or impose additional standards beyond those set forth in subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, the zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission, as applicable, of a municipality, by a two -thirds vote, may initiate the process by which such municipal ity opts out of the provisions of said subsections regarding the allowance of accessory [apartments] dwelling units, provided such commission: (1) First holds a public hearing in accordance with the provisions of section 8 -7d on such proposed opt -out, (2) affirmatively decides to opt out of the Substitute House Bill No. 5288 Public Act No. 26-7 5 of 13 provisions of said subsections within the period of time permitted under section 8-7d, (3) states in the records of such commission the reasons for such decision, and (4) publishes notice of such decision in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality not later than fifteen days after such decision has been rendered. Thereafter, the municipality's legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, such municipality's board of selectmen, by a two -thirds vote, may complete the process by which such municipality opts out of the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, except that, on and after January 1, 2023, no municipality may opt out of the provisions of said subsections. (g) Notwithstanding any prior action of the municipality to opt out of the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, any owner of real property located within a transit -oriented district, as d efined in section 8 -13hh, who has owned such real property located within a transit -oriented district in the municipality for not fewer than three years, may construct an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit on such real property as of right, provided such accessory [apartment] dwelling unit complies with any structural or architectural requirements imposed by any zoning regulations adopted pursuant to section 8-2.

Gross rent includes contract rent and tenant-paid utilities. Rental protections, assistance, and housing supply concern components of rental-market conditions; they do not set Connecticut’s median rent. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Median gross rent. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(d) [A] No municipality, special district, sewer or water authority or water company, as defined in section 16 -1, shall [not] (1) consider an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit to be a new residential use for the purposes of calculating connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service, unless such accessory [apartment] dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling on the same lot, or (2) require the installation of a new or separate utility connection directly to an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge. (e) If a municipality fails to adopt new regulations or amend existing regulations by January 1, 2023, for the purpose of complying with the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, and unless such municipality opts out of the provisio ns of said subsections in accordance with the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, any noncompliant existing regulation shall become [null and] void and such municipality shall approve or deny applications for accessory [apartments] dwelling u nits in accordance with the requirements for regulations set forth in the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section until such municipality adopts or amends a regulation in compliance with said subsections. A municipality may not use or impose additional standards beyond those set forth in subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, the zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission, as applicable, of a municipality, by a two -thirds vote, may initiate the process by which such municipal ity opts out of the provisions of said subsections regarding the allowance of accessory [apartments] dwelling units, provided such commission: (1) First holds a public hearing in accordance with the provisions of section 8 -7d on such proposed opt -out, (2) affirmatively decides to opt out of the Substitute House Bill No. 5288 Public Act No. 26-7 5 of 13 provisions of said subsections within the period of time permitted under section 8-7d, (3) states in the records of such commission the reasons for such decision, and (4) publishes notice of such decision in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality not later than fifteen days after such decision has been rendered. Thereafter, the municipality's legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, such municipality's board of selectmen, by a two -thirds vote, may complete the process by which such municipality opts out of the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, except that, on and after January 1, 2023, no municipality may opt out of the provisions of said subsections. (g) Notwithstanding any prior action of the municipality to opt out of the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section, pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, any owner of real property located within a transit -oriented district, as d efined in section 8 -13hh, who has owned such real property located within a transit -oriented district in the municipality for not fewer than three years, may construct an accessory [apartment] dwelling unit on such real property as of right, provided such accessory [apartment] dwelling unit complies with any structural or architectural requirements imposed by any zoning regulations adopted pursuant to section 8-2.

Firearm mortality includes suicide, homicide, and other intents. The provision concerns firearm access, safety, or prevention of firearm injury and may address only part of the death count. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Firearm deaths. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(b)Grant program established(1)In generalThe Attorney General shall establish a program under which, from amounts made available to carry out this section, the Attorney General may make grants to eligible entities to assist in carrying out the provisions of the legislation described in subsection (c).(2)Use of fundsFunds awarded under this subsection may be used by an applicant to—(A)enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies and the courts of a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe by providing personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other resources to carry out enacted legislation described in subsection (c);(B)train judges, court personnel, health care and legal professionals, and law enforcement officers to more accurately identify individuals whose access to firearms poses a danger of causing harm to themselves or others by increasing the risk of firearms suicide or interpersonal violence;(C)develop and implement law enforcement and court protocols, forms, and orders so that law enforcement agencies and the courts may carry out the provisions of the enacted legislation described in subsection (c) in a safe, equitable, and effective manner, including through the removal and storage of firearms pursuant to extreme risk protection orders under the enacted legislation; and(D)raise public awareness and understanding of the enacted legislation described in subsection (c), including through subgrants to community-based organizations for the training of community members, so that extreme risk protection orders may be issued in appropriate situations to reduce the risk of firearms-related death and injury.(3)ApplicationAn eligible entity desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.(4)Training(A)In generalA recipient of a grant under this subsection shall provide training to law enforcement officers, including officers of relevant Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies, in the safe, impartial, effective, and equitable use and administration of extreme risk protection orders, including training to address—(i)bias based on race and racism, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, language proficiency, mental health condition, disability, and classism in the use and administration of extreme risk protection orders;(ii)the appropriate use of extreme risk protection orders in cases of domestic violence, including the applicability of other policies and protocols to address domestic violence in situations that may also involve extreme risk protection orders and the necessity of safety planning with the victim before a law enforcement officer petitions for and executes an extreme risk protection order, if applicable;(iii)interacting with persons with a mental illness or emotional distress, including de-escalation and crisis intervention; and(iv)best practices for referring persons subject to extreme risk protection orders and associated victims of violence to social service providers that may be available in the jurisdiction and appropriate for those individuals, including health care, mental health, substance abuse, and legal services, employment and vocational services, housing assistance, case management, and veterans and disability benefits.(B)Consultation with expertsA recipient of a grant under this subsection, in developing law enforcement training required under subparagraph (A), shall seek advice from domestic violence service providers (including culturally specific (as defined in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291)) organizations), social service providers, suicide prevention advocates, violence intervention specialists, law enforcement agencies, mental health disability experts, and other community groups working to reduce suicides and violence, including domestic violence, within the State or the territory under the jurisdiction of the Indian Tribe, as applicable, that enacted the legislation described in subsection (c) that enabled the grant recipient to be an eligible entity.(5)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.(c)Eligibility for extreme risk protection order grant program(1)RequirementsLegislation described in this subsection is legislation that establishes requirements that are substantially similar to the following:(A)Petition for extreme risk protection orderA petitioner, including a law enforcement officer, may submit a petition to a State or Tribal court, on a form designed by the court or a State or Tribal agency, that—(i)describes the facts and circumstances justifying that an extreme risk protection order be issued against the named individual; and(ii)is signed by the applicant, under oath.(B)Notice and due processThe individual named in a petition for an extreme risk protection order as described in subparagraph (A) shall be given written notice of the petition and an opportunity to be heard on the matter in accordance with this paragraph.(C)Issuance of extreme risk protection orders(i)Hearing(I)In generalUpon receipt of a petition described in subparagraph (A) or request of an individual named in such a petition, the court shall order a hearing to be held within a reasonable time, and not later than 30 days after the date of the petition or request.(II)DeterminationIf the court finds at the hearing ordered under subclause (I), by a preponderance of the evidence or according to a higher evidentiary standard established by the State or Indian Tribe, that the respondent poses a danger of causing harm to self or others by having access to a firearm, the court may issue an extreme risk protection order.(ii)Duration of extreme risk protection orderAn extreme risk protection order shall be in effect—(I)until an order terminating or superseding the extreme risk protection order is issued; or(II)for a set period of time.(D)Ex parte extreme risk protection orders(i)In generalUpon receipt of a petition described in subparagraph (A), the court may issue an ex parte extreme risk protection order, if—(I)the petition for an extreme risk protection order alleges that the respondent poses a danger of causing harm to self or others by having access to a firearm; and(II)the court finds there is probable cause to believe, or makes a finding according to a higher evidentiary standard established by the State or Indian Tribe, that the respondent poses a danger of causing harm to self or others by having access to a firearm.(ii)Duration of ex parte extreme risk protection orderAn ex parte extreme risk protection order shall remain in effect only until the hearing required under subparagraph (C)(i).(E)Storage of removed firearms(i)Availability for returnAll firearms removed or surrendered pursuant to an extreme risk protection order shall only be available for return to the named individual when the individual has regained eligibility under Federal and State law and, where applicable, Tribal law to possess firearms.(ii)Consent required for disposal or destructionFirearms owned by a named individual may not be disposed of or destroyed during the period of the extreme risk protection order without the consent of the named individual.(F)Notification(i)In general(I)RequirementA State or Tribal court that issues an extreme risk protection order shall notify the Attorney General or the comparable State or Tribal agency, as applicable, of the order as soon as practicable or within a designated period of time.(II)Form and mannerA State or Tribal court shall submit a notification under subclause (I) in an electronic format, in a manner prescribed by the Attorney General or the comparable State or Tribal agency.(ii)Update of databases by State or Tribal agencyAs soon as practicable or within the time period designated by State or Tribal law after receiving a notification under clause (i), the comparable State or Tribal agency shall ensure that the extreme risk protection order is reflected in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.(2)Additional provisionsLegislation described in this subsection may—(A)provide procedures for the termination of an extreme risk protection order;(B)provide procedures for the renewal of an extreme risk protection order;(C)establish burdens and standards of proof for issuance of orders described in paragraph (1) that are substantially similar to or higher than the burdens and standards of proof set forth in that paragraph;(D)limit the individuals who may submit a petition described in paragraph (1), provided that, at a minimum, 1 or more law enforcement officers are authorized to do so; and(E)include any other authorizations or requirements that the State or Tribal authorities determine appropriate.(3)Attorney General responsibilities(A)Manner of submitting notification to Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General shall prescribe the manner in which a State or Tribal court shall submit a notification to the Attorney General under a provision of State or Tribal law that is substantially similar to paragraph (1)(F)(i).(B)Update of databasesAs soon as practicable, and in any event not later than 30 days, after receiving a notification under a provision of State or Tribal law that is substantially similar to paragraph (1)(F)(i), the Attorney General shall ensure that the extreme risk protection order is reflected in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.(4)Annual reportNot later than 1 year after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant under subsection (b), and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant period, the entity shall submit to the Attorney General a report that includes, with respect to the preceding year—(A)the number of petitions for ex parte extreme risk protection orders filed, as well as the number of such orders issued and the number denied, disaggregated by—(i)the jurisdiction;(ii)the individual authorized under State or Tribal law to petition for an extreme risk protection order, including the relationship of the individual to the respondent; and(iii)the alleged danger posed by the respondent, including whether the danger involved a risk of suicide, unintentional injury, domestic violence, or other interpersonal violence;(B)the number of petitions for extreme risk protection orders filed, as well as the number of such orders issued and the number denied, disaggregated by—(i)the jurisdiction;(ii)the individual authorized under State or Tribal law to petition for an extreme risk protection order, including the relationship of the individual to the respondent; and(iii)the alleged danger posed by the respondent, including whether the danger involved a risk of suicide, unintentional injury, domestic violence, or other interpersonal violence;(C)the number of petitions for renewals of extreme risk protection orders filed, as well as the number of such orders issued and the number denied;(D)the number of cases in which a court imposed a penalty for false reporting or frivolous petitions;(E)demographic data of petitioners, including race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, and English language proficiency, if available;(F)demographic data of respondents, including race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, and English language proficiency, if available; and(G)the number of firearms removed, if available.

The proposed office coordinates programs, data, evaluation and policy. This administrative connection concerns the firearm-related component of the linked mortality or FBI violent-crime measure; its broader gun-violence definition is not a substitute for the statistical definition. This connection does not establish causation or a change in the earlier measured value.

Retained Connecticut evidence context: Firearm deaths · Homicide deaths · Reported violent-crime rate. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(3)Gun violenceThe term gun violence includes homicide, violent crime, domestic violence, attempted suicide, suicide, and unintentional death or injury involving a firearm.(4)OfficeThe term Office means the Office of Gun Violence Prevention established under section 3(a).3.Office of Gun Violence Prevention(a)Establishment(1)In generalThe Attorney General shall establish within the Office of Legal Policy of the Department of Justice the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.(2)DirectorThe Attorney General shall appoint a Director to be the head of the Office.(b)Duties(1)In generalThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall coordinate, integrate, and maximize the efficacy of each responsibility, program, and service relating to gun violence prevention administered by the Attorney General to maximize an integrated approach to reducing gun violence and serving victims of gun violence, including—(A)the responsibilities of the heads of the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Department of Justice, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, each United States Attorney, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime, and the Director of the Office of Justice Programs; and(B)the administration of the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (34 U.S.C. 40901). (2)EvaluationThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall evaluate laws, regulations, Federal programs, offices, data sources, and grant programs relating to gun violence prevention administered by the Attorney General to assess how each such law, regulation, Federal program, office, data source, and grant program can be maximized, modernized, and coordinated to reduce gun violence.(3)Policy recommendationsThe Director shall recommend to Congress and the President legislative and executive policy options to promote evidence-based gun violence prevention strategies, including the implementation of existing laws, regulations, and grant programs.(4)DataThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall—(A)identify gaps in available data needed for gun violence prevention research, policy development, and the implementation of evidence-based gun violence prevention strategies; and(B)develop a plan to collect and analyze the data described in subparagraph (A).(5)AssessmentThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall assess ongoing research efforts of the Department of Justice relating to gun violence to establish a comprehensive research agenda on the causes and solutions of gun violence.(6)EducationThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall educate the general public about Federal laws, regulations, and grant programs relating to gun violence prevention, including by conducting education and awareness campaigns—(A)directed at—(i)owners of firearms;(ii)parents and legal guardians of minors; and(iii)professionals who provide services to individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence; and(B)that include education relating to the secure storage or firearms and suicide prevention.(7)Crisis responseThe Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall assist communities that have experienced gun violence (such as a mass shooting, a school shooting, a gang-related shooting, or a domestic violence shooting) with crisis response activities, including providing information about and increasing access to—(A)mental health services for members of the community;(B)anti-gun trafficking activities;(C)crisis response training for first responders and offices of gun violence prevention serving the community; and(D)suicide prevention services for members of the community.(8)CoordinationIn carrying out the duties under this subsection, the Director shall coordinate with Federal agencies and commissions that have jurisdiction over gun violence prevention, including— (A)the Department of Health and Human Services;(B)the Department of Veterans Affairs;(C)the Department of Education;(D)the Department of Housing and Urban Development;(E)the Department of Commerce;(F)the Department of Homeland Security;(G)the Department of Defense;(H)the Department of the Interior;(I)the Department of Labor;(J)the Department of Agriculture;(K)the Small Business Administration; (L)the Consumer Product Safety Commission;(M)the Federal Trade Commission; and(N)the United States Sentencing Commission.(9)Annual reportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that includes—(A)information on the state of gun violence in the United States;(B)recommendations for policy initiatives and legislation to reduce gun violence in the United States; and(C)a description of the efforts of the Director to carry out the duties under this subsection.