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Connecticut

Connecticut has been a national leader in passing precedent-setting policies that reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and has been one of the many states who are leading the fight for comprehensive federal reform. We were proud to pass the broadest ban on Bisphenol A in the country back in 2009, covering recyclable containers, baby bottles, and infant formula containers. In 2011, Connecticut again led the country, passing the first ban on BPA in thermal receipt paper. 

More recently, advocates and policy leaders in the state have pushed for more comprehensive reforms. In 2021, Connecticut prohibited the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS and established a take-back program for such products. Connecticut has also joined the growing list of states that have banned PFAS in food packaging.

 

connecticut

Connecticut Partners

State Progress

Bill Tracker for Connecticut

Current Policy

Lead
H.B.6634: Requires that a seller of residential property provide notification of proper permitting to a prospective buyer. Notification must include disclosure of asbestos and lead.
PFAS
S.B.980: Appropriations bill. Provides $2 million to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the purpose of providing potable water and for assessment and remedial action to address pollution from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS
S.B.101: Requires the testing of a home's water for the presence of PFAS during a home inspection conducted pursuant to the potential sale of a home.
PFAS
H.B.5250: Establishes a grant program to reimburse municipalities for costs related to the removal of PFAS from fire apparatus.
PFAS
H.B.6070: Provides funding to fire departments to remove PFAS from fire equipment and decontamination, renovation and replacement of fire equipment affected by PFAS.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5078: Discontinues the use of polystyrene for school lunch trays and food containers provided by certain restaurants.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5619: Prohibits the use of all polystyrene products in schools.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5617: Prohibits any state or municipal government agency from selling, using, purchasing or providing any foodware or beverage product made of polystyrene.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.5213: Prohibits the sale and distribution of single-use plastic water bottles in certain state buildings and requires the installation of reusable bottle water-filling stations in such buildings.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.6606: Prohibits the use of school trays made from polystyrene and prohibits the use of certain polystyrene food containers by restaurants.
Toxic Chemicals General
H.B.5589: Prohibits new or expanded waste incineration, pyrolysis or gasification facilities.
Toxic Flame Retardants
H.B.6369: Creates a presumption that a firefighter's diagnosis of cancer arose out of and in the course employment and creates a working group to study the health of and create preventative measures for firefighters, including developing a plan to phase out and ban the use of certain flame retardants.

Adopted Policy

BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic
SB 210: Establishes a first-in-the-nation ban on BPA in thermal receipt paper, and also requires the Chemical Innovations Institute to annually develop a list of chemicals of high toxic concern. (Adopted in 2011)
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Food Packaging
HB 6572: Bans BPA in reusable food and beverage containers, infant formula or baby food containers (Adopted in 2009)
Cadmium ,
Heavy Metals
HB 5314: Bans cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Adopted in 2010)
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
SB 1502: Bans the import and sale of cosmetics containing microbeads. (Adopted in 2015)
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
HB 6496: Requires local and regional boards of education to implement green cleaning programs for school buildings and facilities. (Adopted in 2009)
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
SB 837: Prohibits the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS for training purposes and establishes a take-back program for such products. Prohibits the sale of food packaging containing PFAS.  (Adopted in 2021)
Lead ,
Heavy Metals
HB 5650: Bans any children’s product that has been designated a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, requires any lead-containing products that children may come into contact with to bear a warning label. (Adopted in 2008)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
S 350: Requires mercury thermostat manufacturers to establish a collection plan, and dispose of them properly. (Adopted in 2012)
PFAS
HB 6666: An act concerning the Department of Public Health's recommendations regarding various revisions to the public health statutes. Requires employees of a bottler to test for perfluoroalkyl substances and other unregulated contaminants. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
HB 6690: An act authorizing and adjusting bonds. Provides grants-in-aid to municipalities for the purpose of providing potable water and for assessment and remedial action to address pollution from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl containing substances. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
S.B.100: Establishes an account in the general fund to provide grants to towns that need PFAS testing and remediation. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
HB 5518: Appropriates $2 million for PFAS cleanup and remediation. (Adopted in 2020)
Toxic Chemicals General
HB 5126: Establishes a Chemical Innovations Institute. (Adopted in 2010)

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