Substitute House Bill No. 5222, now known as Public Act No. 26-100, introduces comprehensive amendments to various laws concerning consumer protection, professional licensing, and the regulation of cannabis and hemp products in Connecticut. Key provisions include the repeal of Section 20-295b, allowing licensed architects to perform interior design work without separate registration, and the modification of application and renewal fees for engineering and surveying licenses. The bill also establishes a Real Estate Guaranty Fund to compensate individuals harmed by real estate licensees, with a cap of $25,000 per claim. Additionally, it introduces new regulations for the sale and packaging of cannabis products, emphasizing consumer safety and labeling requirements, and mandates that cannabis establishments perform real-time uploads to the prescription drug monitoring program.

Further amendments address the regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems, data brokers, and the oversight of the Social Equity Council in the cannabis industry. The bill enhances consumer rights regarding data privacy, allowing for easier deletion of personal data held by data brokers and establishing penalties for violations. It also introduces a risk-based residential fire inspection pilot program to improve fire safety compliance in municipalities. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline licensing processes, enhance consumer protection, and ensure equitable access to the cannabis industry while updating regulatory frameworks for various sectors.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-280b, 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
File No. 183: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
JUD Joint Favorable: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
Public Act No. 26-100: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 20-324a, 20-324c, 20-324d, 20-324f, 20-324h, 30-86a, 53-289a, 20-419, 30-22c