It's a New Year, which means that more than 20 new Connecticut laws will take effect in whole or in part on Jan. 1, 2026. Laws passed by the legislature have effective dates of July 1, Oct. 1 and Jan. 1 each year, and certain parts of a law can have effective dates at different times.  There are a number of laws that became active January 1st, 2026. Law are passed throughout the year at the state capital, but only a handful of the bills signed went into effect immediately.  Many kicked in Oct. 1, and more still become active on the first day of 2026. 

Check out the latest summaries published by Republican and Democratic legislative offices which together provide a comprehensive picture of the new laws now in force.

If you are interested in what happened before these were passed, check out our research guide which provides step-by-step guide on how to locate legislative history in Connecticut. You can check out a recent blog post featuring Jonathon the Husky's testimony before State Legislature, which is part of legislative history as well! Read here:  Advocacy on All Fours - UConn Mascot Jonathon XV's Testimony Before State Legislature. 

With these new laws now in effect, the start of 2026 brings fresh developments for legal practice and study. Whether you’re tracking changes in policy or gearing up for the next semester, it’s a perfect time to explore how this year’s legislation will shape the legal landscape.

Happy New Year from UConn Law Library!