Substitute House Bill No. 5406, also known as Public Act No. 26-35, introduces a comprehensive set of measures aimed at enhancing support for veterans and military personnel in Connecticut. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill mandates the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to post warnings on the Department's website regarding unauthorized agents in veterans' claims and to provide links to official resources. It also revises the process for listing qualified veterans' charitable organizations, establishes an Office of Advocacy and Assistance focused on women veterans, and introduces a Veterans Dental Care Access Program to help eligible veterans obtain dental services. The bill emphasizes the importance of training for veterans' service officers and includes provisions for outreach and communication with veterans and their families.

Additionally, the bill amends tax laws to provide various benefits and exemptions for military personnel and veterans, including waiving fees for motor vehicle licenses and registration for active-duty members and veterans. It introduces a structured process for early intervention services for children of military members and modifies the appointment process for military staff. The bill also includes tax deductions for retirement income, first-time homebuyer savings accounts, and organ donation expenses, while establishing a "Military Department emergency response account" for funding emergency responses. Furthermore, it requires a study on the fiscal impact of sales and use tax exemptions for organizations exempt from federal income tax, with a report due by January 1, 2027. Overall, the bill aims to modernize support systems for veterans and military families while providing financial relief through tax adjustments.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-73e
VA Joint Favorable Substitute: 27-128, 27-102a, 1-1h, 27-15, 27-39a, 27-2, 27-73e
File No. 167: 27-128, 27-102a, 1-1h, 27-15, 27-39a, 27-2, 27-73e
File No. 611: 27-140, 27-102a, 1-1h, 27-15, 27-39a, 27-2, 27-73e
FIN Joint Favorable: 27-128, 27-102a, 1-1h, 27-15, 27-39a, 27-2, 27-73e
Public Act No. 26-35: 27-140, 27-102a, 1-1h, 27-15, 27-39a, 27-2, 27-73e