2022 has brought with it a bundle of new Connecticut laws, covering a range of areas from criminal justice to workplace regulation. Connecticut residents and businesses should know about these 10 new laws that took effect on January 1.

1. Paid family leave — Employers with at least one employee are now required to provide leave under the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act. Previously, only employers with 75 or more workers needed to provide such leave. Eligible workers can now receive up to 12 weeks of income replacement for qualifying events. Employees may qualify for benefits after working for three months and are allowed 12 weeks of leave every 12 months.
2. Cannabis legalization — Legal marijuana sales are coming to retail stores in the summer of 2022. In addition, starting in July, anyone convicted of possessing 4 ounces or less of marijuana in the past can petition the court to have their criminal records erased.
3. End of religious vaccine exemption — Parents of public and private school students can no longer claim religious exemptions to state-mandated vaccinations of their children.
4. Police use of deadly force — Police officers can now use deadly force only when there are no available reasonable alternatives and the force used does not create unreasonable risks to third parties. Use of force will be evaluated based on whether the officer’s conduct was “objectively reasonable.”
5. Parental rights for same-sex, unmarried and non-biological parents — The newly enacted Connecticut Parentage Act provides equal treatment under state law to children born to same-sex couples. The act also modernizes the definitions and other legal provisions relating to parenting and maternity.
6. Living organ donors — Living organ donors cannot be discriminated against by insurance companies when seeking life, disability or long-term care policies.
7. Accessory apartments — Property owners can now build and rent out garage apartments, in-law suites and small guest houses known as “granny pods” in areas zoned for single-family residences. The new law is meant to increase affordable housing for students, the elderly and others.
8. Family health, dental and vision insurance — Coverage under these policies is now extended to children, stepchildren and dependents until age 26. Stepchildren and dependents were not previously covered.
9. Insulin costs — For insulin users covered by state-regulated insurance plans, the maximum out of pocket cost for a 30-day supply is now $25 and for syringes, pumps and blood sugar meters is now $100.
10. Tax credit for employers who pay certain student loans — Employers who make payments on certain qualified employee student loans issued by the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority can now receive a tax credit of up to $2,625 per employee.

The attorneys of Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. are up to date on these legal changes and others that became effective in 2022. To speak with one of our Hamden or East Haven lawyers about how you or your business might be affected, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.