Dozens of new Connecticut laws are set to take effect October 1, 2025, covering everything from hunting rules to towing regulations. Here are some highlights students, researchers, and curious citizens may want to know about:
-
Sunday Hunting on Private Land – With landowner permission, hunters and trappers can now head out on Sundays. Migratory birds remain off-limits.
-
No More First-Cousin Marriages – Connecticut joins states like Tennessee in prohibiting marriages between first cousins. Of note, Marrying your first cousin is still legal in 15 states, including neighboring states New York and Rhode Island.
-
Limits on Juvenile Handcuffing – Police will face stricter rules when restraining children under 14, except in situations involving threats of violence.
-
Stricter Reckless Driving Penalties – A new offense targets drivers caught going over 100 mph, with higher fines and possible jail time.
-
Towing Reform – Tow companies must provide notice, accept credit cards, and allow access to belongings before selling vehicles. The law change stems in part from an investigation by ProPublica and the Connecticut Mirror. Reporters found that Connecticut’s 100 year old law allowed one of the fastest timelines in the country for towing companies to sell a person’s car and clear out its contents. The investigation also revealed that the practice disproportionately harmed people with low incomes, who often lacked the resources to reclaim their vehicles in time.
-
Lottery Winner Privacy – Won the lottery? Lucky lottery winners can now keep their names off the CT Lottery website.
-
Pistol Permit Delegation – Small towns can delegate permit duties to state troopers, easing the burden on local officials.
-
Drone Restrictions – The state is barred from buying drones manufactured by certain foreign entities and from weaponizing drones.
Want to dig deeper?
Explore how these laws took shape with the help our our Connecticut Legislative History Research Guide!