Connecticut’s elected officials returned to the State Capitol for the 2022 legislative session, and AARP Connecticut was there, actively advocating for a wide variety of important issues. We were pleased that the Connecticut legislature passed a state budget and several pieces of legislation that will support older adults who wish to age in place. In addition to the legislation highlighted below, a full recap is available at www.aarp.org/CT.

Long-Term Services and Supports

Expanding Access to Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders

Makes the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders more accessible by lowering the copay for participants from 4.5 percent to 3.0 percent.

Creating a Community Ombudsman Program for Home Care

Creates a Community Ombudsman Program for Home Care to provide information, support, and advocacy to individuals who receive home care.

Community Spouse Resource Allowance

Increases the minimum community spouse protected asset limit from $27,480 to $50,000, which will help Connecticut residents remain in their home and meet their basic needs if their spouse enters a nursing home. 

Elder Abuse

Deadlines for Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Elder Abuse

Reduces the timeframe for mandated reporters of elder abuse to contact the Department of Social Services when they have reason to believe a person needs protective services, from the current 72 hours to 24 hours.

Training for Mandated Reporters

Requires mandated elder abuse reporters to complete an elder abuse training program within 90 days of becoming a mandated elder abuse reporter.

High-Speed Internet 

Continued Funding for Broadband Infrastructure

Equitable access to high-speed Internet – which enabled older adults to remain connected to family, health care, senior centers, and more during the pandemic – is increasingly essential for everything from employment to education to healthcare.

Tax Relief 

Lowering Statewide Car Tax Cap

Lowers the statewide car tax cap from 45 mills to 32.46 mills, which will provide relief to car owners in nearly half of Connecticut’s towns. 

Property Tax Credit

Increases the property tax credit from $200 to $300 and expands eligibility to more taxpayers. 

Accelerated Phase-In of Retirement Income Tax Exemption

Accelerates the phase-in of the pension and annuity income tax exemption by allowing qualifying taxpayers to deduct 100 percent of their eligible income, beginning with the 2022 tax year, three years sooner than under the current law.

Other Issues

Expanded Circumstances for Absentee Balloting

Allows more people who are caregivers for a loved one, have jobs that demand the lion’s share of their day be at work, or are impacted by public health emergencies to have greater access to the right to vote. Under the bill, qualified voters may vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to appear at their polling place because of (1) sickness, rather than because of their own illness, or (2) physical disability, rather than because of their own physical disability, as well as allows qualified voters to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to appear at their polling place because of absence from the town of their voting residence.

Data Privacy

Establishes a framework for controlling and processing personal data, setting requirements on how companies must protect data and the ability it gives consumers to control their own data.

Making the Nutmeg State a friendlier place to live and retire independently is good for everyone. Actions taken this legislative session will make it easier for older adults to age in place and encourage more of our valuable older residents to remain in Connecticut and continue to contribute to their communities.