July 1 marked not only the State of Connecticut’s new budget year, but also ushered in a number of laws that went into effect on varied subjects such as allowing early voting, amending gun laws, and strengthening data privacy.

Connecticut was one of the few remaining states in the country that did not allow early voting, which provides individuals with options to accommodate busy and hectic schedules. Effective July 1, voters will have 14 days of early voting for general elections, seven days of early voting for most primaries, and four days of early voting for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Another new law prohibits intimidation, deception, or obstruction related to voting and allows aggrieved parties to seek remedies in court.

A law for debt-free community college eligibility extends eligibility for the state’s debt-free community college program to returning students by removing requirements that a qualifying student must be a first-time enrollee at a community-technical college and awards must be applied during a student’s first 48 consecutive months, thus allowing returning students to receive the award if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Under a Baby Bonds law, $3,200 would be placed in a trust on behalf of each baby born into HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program, starting July 1. Those investments would grow over time and recipients could access that money between the ages of 18-30, provided the recipient remains a Connecticut resident.

An Endometriosis Data and Biorepository Program has been established. Endometriosis is an underdiagnosed condition.

For those suffering from this condition, endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus with nearby reproductive organs often affected. This law requires UConn Health Center to develop an endometriosis data and biorepository program to enable and promote research on early detection and ways to manage the condition in adolescents and adults.

Under a new law, certain public agencies will start providing free menstrual products. This will include public colleges and universities, as well as homeless and domestic violence shelters that receive state aid.

An Act Concerning Wage Theft changes the penalties for prevailing wage job contractors and subcontractors that knowingly or willfully fail to pay their workers the required prevailing wage. Prior law required the labor commissioner to issue fines ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for these violations.

The act instead allows the commissioner to impose a $5,000 fine and requires the commissioner to issue a citation for each violation. The act also changes the penalties that prohibit (debar) a contractor or subcontractor that violated the prevailing wage law from contracting with the state or its municipalities.

An Act Concerning Artificial Intelligence, Automated Decision-Making and Personal Data would require the state to evaluate the development, procurement, implementation, utilization and ongoing assessment of systems that employ artificial intelligence and are in use by state agencies and develop policy around that.

Personal Data Privacy

An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring allows consumers to confirm whether or not a company that a person has shared their personal information with is processing the consumer’s personal data and access such personal data; correct inaccuracies in the consumer’s personal data, taking into account the nature of the personal data and the purposes of the processing of the consumer’s personal data; delete personal data provided by, or obtained about, the consumer; and obtain a copy of the consumer’s personal data processed by the controller, in a portable and readily usable format that allows the consumer to transmit the data to another controller without hindrance.

Additionally, a company that uses personal information shall limit the collection of personal data to what is adequate, relevant and reasonably necessary in relation to the purposes for which such data is processed, as disclosed to the consumer, as well as establish data privacy and security practices.

An Act Concerning Cannabis Regulation would require students in all grades to be taught the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and avoid the effects of alcohol, of nicotine or tobacco and of drugs. Additionally, the act requires teacher training, requirements on substance abuse related expulsions, and refined regulations on the distribution and sale of cannabis.

Annual registration fees for patients and their caregivers in the medical marijuana program will no longer be required, and residents over 21 will be able to grow cannabis in their homes, with up to three seedlings and three mature plants.

Most parts of An Act Addressing Gun Violence go into effect October 1, but on July 1, the current law on prohibiting loaded shotguns, muzzle-loaders or rifles in motor vehicles and snowmobiles will expand to include any firearm that is not a pistol, for anyone other than a member of a military service, security guards and law enforcement officers. Penalties include 30 days in jail, a $250 fine, or both.

An Act Strengthening Protections of Connecticut’s Consumers of Energy is a bill focusing on transparency, accountability and results for state utility customers. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will be required to conduct management audits of United Illuminating and Eversource.

The law adds performance-based accountability standards, based on reliability, customer service and affordability.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will also evaluate the feasibility of developing low-carbon sources, including nuclear and fusion technologies, with a focus on wintertime reliability.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.