General Law Committee Wednesday 2.18.2026 General Law Public Hearing [Source] Translate

The meeting began with a brief delay, and Representative Lamar welcomed attendees, noting that the first hour was reserved for public officials, with 41 individuals signed up to testify. Each speaker was allotted three minutes and encouraged to provide written testimony. Nate Kalishman from the Attorney General's office presented several bills, including House Bill 5037, which aims to enhance a previous social media bill by adding a warning label for minors accessing apps. House Bill 5125 seeks to amend last year's ticketing bill to include amusement parks in the definition of entertainment events and require ticket resellers to display original ticket prices. House Bill 5128 focuses on protecting genetic data, requiring consent for its transfer or sale and barring targeted ads based on this data. Senate Bill 117 proposes a streamlined process for data breach reporting, mandating forensic reports for breaches affecting 100,000 or more users. Senate Bill 119 aims to update used car warranty laws, increasing the age threshold for cars sold "as is" from seven to ten years and extending warranty coverage. John Pimentel acknowledged the Attorney General's office for their role in developing these bills and expressed a commitment to considering amendments based on feedback. He noted bipartisan support for the social media and ticketing bills. Inquiries were made about the data breach amendments, emphasizing the need for transparency to protect residents' data. Senator Moroney asked about the genetic data bill, which responds to a data breach involving 23andMe, aiming to strengthen protections for Connecticut residents. Concerns about the constitutionality of the social media bill were addressed, with assurances that it is content-neutral and does not impose new age verification requirements. The ticketing bill was clarified to ensure amusement parks are included in the definition of covered events. The meeting also discussed the relationship between healthcare providers and patients regarding medical credit cards. Concerns were raised about the potential for exploitation and the need for transparency in financial products, particularly regarding deferred interest. The bill aims to create clearer guidelines around the promotion of these cards, ensuring patients are fully informed. Testimonies highlighted the risks associated with medical credit cards, particularly for vulnerable populations. The need for accountability measures for providers who fail to comply with proposed regulations was emphasized, along with a recommendation for written disclosures in patients' primary languages. The meeting also addressed the broader context of data breaches, with a focus on the Attorney General's office's efforts to manage these incidents. It was noted that while there were 1,800 reported data breaches, only a small fraction met the threshold for significant investigation. The discussion included concerns about the potential confusion patients face when signing up for medical credit cards, often believing they are entering a direct payment plan. Testimonies from various stakeholders underscored the need for regulations to protect consumers from misleading practices. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussions on the issues raised, emphasizing the importance of aligning state regulations with federal standards and ensuring consumer protections are prioritized.