Substitute Senate Bill No. 1315 aims to enhance the ability of municipalities to enforce blight regulations by allowing immediate enforcement actions without prior notice or an opportunity for property owners to address violations. The bill repeals and replaces certain provisions in section 7-148 of the general statutes, which previously mandated written notice and a chance for remediation before enforcement could occur. Under the new provisions, municipalities can take action without notice if a property has two or more blight violations within the past twelve months. Additionally, the bill requires municipalities to define blight, establish maintenance duties, and set standards for assessing property neglect.

The legislation also introduces civil penalties based on the number of dwelling units and the frequency of violations, with fines reaching up to $250 per day for properties with six or fewer units and up to 12 cents per square foot per day for properties with 40 or more units. Municipalities are required to adopt a citation hearing procedure to enforce these penalties. The bill allows for immediate enforcement after a second violation within a 12-month period, eliminating the previous requirement of a third violation. It is expected to have minimal fiscal impact on the state, though municipalities may incur costs from increased enforcement actions while potentially saving on the need for notices. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-148
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-148
File No. 287: 7-148