Connecticut Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs (Minimize Delays), Open Enrollment Flexibility: Connecticut Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

8,349 active-duty service members
2,665 active-duty spouses
4,216 active-duty children
- 2,857 children in K-12
10,072 National Guard and reserve members
3,776 National Guard and reserve spouses
5,844 National Guard and reserve children
- 4,047 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2024.

Melissa Willette

New England Regional Liaison

New England Region

CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT

EMAIL

Ms. Willette became New England region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DLSO, she served as director of the Maine Veterans' Cemetery System, director of communications for the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and senior legislative aide in the Maine State Legislature. Ms. Willette currently serves in the Air National Guard.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

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Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts5/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

06/29/2023

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Effective June 29, 2023 Connecticut is one of 31 states to enact compact privileges for those holding a professional counseling license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

05/08/2024HB 5058

04/18/2024HB 5058

05/17/2024

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Connecticut became the 40th state to enact the Nurse Licensure Compact. The NLC became law as Public Act 24-83.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

06/05/2023SB 9

06/02/2023SB 9

06/28/2023

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Effective July 1, 2023 Connecticut is one of 36 state to enact compact privileges for those holding a Physical Therapy License.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

04/29/2022SB2

04/22/2022SB2

05/24/2022

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Connecticut became the 33rd state to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact when Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act No. 22-81.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

05/07/2024HB 5197

04/18/2024HB 5197

05/14/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The Social Work Licensure Compact was enacted into law as Public Act 24-30.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

08/03/2022

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws Final Legislation

Workers can receive CT Paid Leave income replacement benefits if they are taking military family leave, either for military caregiver leave or qualifying exigency leave. Qualifying events include: short notice deployments, military events and related activities, childcare and school activities, parental care, financial and legal arrangements, counseling, rest and recuperation, post-deployment activities, and other approved reasons.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for DOD Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/01/2023HB 5049

04/27/2023HB 5049

06/12/2023

State Exemption for DOD Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

On June 12, 2023 Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation allowing family child care providers licensed by the United States Coast Guard or a branch of the military under the United States Department of Defense to provide care for children of service members in Connecticut. Connecticut is the 9th state to enact this policy.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

04/30/2025HB 6442

05/23/2025HB 6442

05/30/2025

Minimize Delays Final Legislation

With Governor Lamont's signature, Public Act 25-15, allows military-connected children in Connecticut to transfer any Individual Education Plan within 30 days of enrollment, and allows military-connected children to remain in their school district for the duration of the school year, even if their parent relocates due to military orders. Any child in grade eleven, may continue for one additional school year to graduate from that district.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Reduce Burdens

07/01/2000

Reduce Burdens Final Legislation

The party who filed for due process has the burden of going forward with the evidence. In all cases, however, the public agency has the burden of proving the appropriateness of the child’s program or placement, or of the program or placement proposed by the public agency. This burden shall be met by a preponderance of the evidence, except for hearings conducted pursuant to 34 CFR Section 300.521.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

06/30/2008

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children Final Legislation

According to Defense Department sponsored research, “State Implementation of Four Initiatives to Support Military-Connected Students,” or in subsequent actions taken, Connecticut meets the information accessibility objectives of this initiative. This means that information about the Education Compact is included on a dedicated Connecticut Department of Education web page for military families.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/30/2025HB 6442

05/23/2025HB 6442

05/30/2025

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/29/2022HB5373

04/13/2022HB5373

05/10/2022

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

Governor Lamont signed Public Act 22-63 of 2022, sponsored by Representative Christine Conley, which establishes concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over offenses committed by minors on federal military installations in Connecticut. If the United States relinquishes exclusive jurisdiction in any matter involving a minor within the boundaries of any military installation, the state shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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