New Laws in CT: Marijuana Shops, Police, Dogs, Veterans All Affected

Marijuana isn’t the only weed eclipsing Hartford. Porcelain berry, mugwort, quack, Japanese angelica tree, Japanese wisteria and Chinese wisteria all made the “banned in Connecticut” list. All are invasive or potentially invasive plants that are likely to rock the apple cart of your local ecosystem.

Connecticut privacy laws are getting a small update in October. New rules include provisions on the security of consumer health information, minors’ social media accounts, online services and a task force on Internet crimes against children.

Specifically, online dating operators must adopt a policy for handling reports of harassment from or between users and maintain an online safety center to provide users with resources for safe dating. The law also requires that upon receiving an authenticated request, social media platforms must unpublish a minor’s social media account within 15 business days and largely delete the account within 45 business days.

Good news for disabled heroes: Public Act 24-46 completely exempts a primary residence or motor vehicle from property taxes if owned by veterans with permanent and total disability ratings.

A law designed to support Connecticut seniors and improve nursing and home care requires commissioners of the Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health to post a link to the Medicare Nursing Home Care Compare website on their websites. This tool rates nursing homes on quality of care, health inspections and staffing using a five-star rating system based on public reviews.

Home health agencies are now required to conduct annual staff training and monthly safety assessments for their direct care staff. For their part, workers must report any threats they receive.

Cross per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances off your Christmas list. A new law bans the use or sale of items containing these chemicals, which do not break down naturally. They arise from sewage effluent and sludge and can be found in protective clothing for firefighters and rescue workers.