The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 272, seeks to amend existing blight regulations by allowing municipalities to enforce these regulations without the requirement of providing prior notice or an opportunity for property owners to remediate blighted conditions. Specifically, the bill repeals and replaces certain provisions in section 7-148 of the general statutes, which previously mandated that municipalities must notify property owners of violations and allow them a reasonable time to address these issues before enforcement actions could be taken. The new language stipulates that municipalities may take immediate enforcement action without such notice in cases where a property has had a second or greater blight violation within the past twelve months.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and standards for determining blight, as well as civil penalties for violations based on the number of dwelling units on the property and the duration of the violation. For instance, penalties for properties with six or fewer dwelling units can reach up to $1,000 per day for repeat violations, while different rates apply to larger properties. The legislation aims to streamline the enforcement process for municipalities dealing with persistent blight issues, thereby enhancing their ability to maintain public health and safety. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-148