Legislative Session Recap: Our Advocacy and Persistence Made a Difference!

As the legislative session comes to a close, we want to take a moment to recognize what we have accomplished together. Because of your advocacy, partnership, and persistence, Connecticut has taken meaningful steps toward a more humane, coordinated response to homelessness.

The following critical measures have passed both the House and Senate: 

• H.B. 5514, An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes Establishes a formal statewide framework for responding to extreme weather events impacting people who are unsheltered. The legislation requires state agencies, municipalities, 2-1-1, and CCEH to develop coordinated guidance on extreme heat and cold protocols, including clearer activation standards, improved public communication, and stronger outreach to individuals who are unsheltered during dangerous conditions.  

• H.B. 5259, An Act Concerning the Education of Homeless Children and Youth  Codifies McKinney-Vento protections into state law, ensuring that students experiencing homelessness maintain access to school stability, transportation, and immediate enrollment. This strengthens consistency and continuity for children and youth across Connecticut.  

• We also supported H.B. 5464, An Act Implementing Recommendations from the Department of Transportation Creates clearer rules for addressing encampments on state property. It provides clarifies definitions and the state’s responsibilities around notice and cooperation with service providers and other agencies. Critically, it requires at least 14 days’ written notice before removals with notices posted in accessible locations and languages and protects personal property during removals.  

Together, these new laws reflect a shift toward dignity, safety, and coordination, and they are the direct result of sustained effort across providers, advocates, state leaders, and community partners. Thank you for your advocacy in moving this work forward! 

We are also very gratified by our close advocacy with the CT Nonprofit Alliance, and the passage of three of their priority bills that also head to the Governor to be signed into law:  

• The budget adjustment reflects a 6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for providers, which CT CAN End Homelessness supported through our ask for the Governor to match the 11% COLA applied to DSS providers in the 2026-27 budget. 

• S.B. 87, An Act Establishing a Nonprofit Advisory Board Requires the Governor to create a Nonprofit Advisory Board made up of nonprofits and state agencies and creates a nonprofit liaison position at OPM (funded in the budget) to coordinate. 

• H.B. 5375, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee Working Group Requires the state Insurance Department to conduct a feasibility study and business plan for a captive or other type of insurance program to allow nonprofits to pool their liability insurance coverage. 

• Finally, S.B. 468, An Act Concerning Reporting Requirements and Payment of Nonprofit Human Services Providers Requires the state to pay community nonprofits for the services they provide within 45 days of the payment being due or be subject to being charged interest for lateness. 

All of these bills are headed to Governor Lamont’s desk for his signature. Our work will continue throughout the year to ensure they are signed and implemented as intended, and we will keep you posted on their progress. 

We are continuing to closely review the final state budget adjustment and its implications for the homeless response system. We will follow up shortly with a detailed summary of the impacts, including what it means for providers, capacity, and our shared work moving forward. 

In the meantime, take this sunny day after the close of the 2026 legislative session to feel good about the difference that our hard work, passion, and advocacy helped make.  

Have questions or need help? Email kwhitney@cceh.org