Substitute Senate Bill No. 209, also known as sSB209 File No. 502, aims to address nonresident landlord registration and increase penalties for repeat building and fire code violations. The bill amends Section 47a-6a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes, effective October 1, 2024, by updating definitions and requiring nonresident owners or project-based housing providers in municipalities with a population of 25,000 or more to report their current residential address and identifying information to the tax assessor or other designated municipal officer. It also modifies Section 47a-7, reclassifying violations from an infraction to a violation, and mandates landlord compliance with the amended Section 47a-6a. The bill recommends keeping reports provided to a tax assessor confidential and not subject to disclosure under chapter 14.

The bill also revises penalties for violations of the State Building Code, State Fire Prevention Code, and Fire Safety Code, setting fines of $200 to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months for a first offense, and $500 to $2,000 or imprisonment for up to one year for subsequent offenses. It outlines fire marshal procedures for addressing violations and the distribution of collected fines. The bill includes insertions and deletions to clarify language, such as changing "be in conformance" to "conform." The fiscal impact includes potential minimal costs to the Judicial Department and potential revenue gains from fines for the General Fund and municipalities. The bill is effective from October 1, 2024, and has received favorable votes from the Housing Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-254a, 29-291c, 29-394
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference: 29-254a, 29-291c, 29-394
JUD Joint Favorable: 29-254a, 29-291c, 29-394
File No. 502: 29-254a, 29-291c, 29-394