Senate Bill No. 1555 seeks to combat concentrated poverty in specific census tracts within the state by establishing a comprehensive ten-year plan. The bill repeals Section 32-7z of the general statutes and introduces new provisions that recognize concentrated poverty as a significant issue impacting both impoverished and non-impoverished residents. It establishes the Office of Neighborhood Investment and Community Engagement within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to oversee the plan's implementation, monitor progress, and facilitate stakeholder communication. The bill also introduces a pilot program allowing municipalities and community development corporations to apply for participation, with the goal of reducing the percentage of households living below the federal poverty level to 20% or lower while improving community infrastructure.

Additionally, the bill mandates the DECD commissioner to provide progress reports and recommendations for potentially expanding the pilot program to other economically disadvantaged areas. It eliminates the previously established working group for creating a guidance document for the ten-year plan, as it never convened. The legislation also establishes a framework for improving educational metrics in concentrated poverty areas, requiring measurable implementation steps and statewide educational benchmarks. Notably, it introduces a right of action for certified community development corporations against state or municipal officials who fail to fulfill their obligations under the pilot program or the ten-year plan, thereby enhancing accountability and ensuring effective execution of community development initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 32-7z
FIN Joint Favorable: 32-7z
File No. 881: 32-7z