Senate Bill No. 297, also known as File No. 356, introduces new consumer protection measures for customers of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system providers. The bill requires that third-party agents must be legal representatives of the provider, receive direct training, and adhere to specific sales and solicitation guidelines, including clear identification and explanation of rates, fees, and terms. Materials must be provided in English and Spanish, and door-to-door sales are subject to local ordinances and timing restrictions. Providers must annually file a list of agents with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and violations of these regulations are considered unfair or deceptive trade practices under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), leading to void and unenforceable contracts.

The bill also establishes a task force to examine and recommend improvements to disclosure requirements and consumer protections, with a focus on aiding low-income or senior citizens. This task force, comprising various appointed members with relevant experience, must submit a report to the General Assembly's joint standing committees on energy and technology and general law by January 1, 2025. The bill outlines fiscal impacts, including costs for hiring a special investigator to handle additional complaints, and specifies that the consumer protection regulations will take effect from October 1, 2024, while the task force provision is effective upon passage. Any waiver by a customer of the bill's provisions is deemed unenforceable.