AARP Connecticut Outlines Priorities for 2026 State Legislative Session

Advocating for People 50+ & Their Families in Connecticut

AARP Connecticut works with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support legislation and policies that are in the best interest of people 50+ and their families in Connecticut.

“AARP supports policies that ensure the availability and affordability of quality services, critical safety net programs, and strong consumer protections Connecticut residents depend on,” said Nora Duncan, AARP Connecticut State Director. “Issues that impact the pocketbook will once again be a major focus for our staff and volunteers in 2026 and we are ready to work with elected leaders and organizations from both sides of the aisle on legislation that will keep more money in the pockets of Connecticut’s residents.”

AARP Connecticut’s 2026 legislative session priorities are to work with legislators on policies that keep more money in the pockets of residents and their families; address rising utility costs to ensure fair and affordable access to essential services such as electricity and high‑speed internet; expand voting options for all residents; support family caregivers and access to affordable, high‑quality health care for those receiving home care and in long‑term care settings; strengthen protections against consumer fraud, including cryptocurrency and gift‑card scams; ensure prescription drug prices are reasonable, justified, and support improved consumer access and affordability; and create communities that help older adults live safely and independently as they age.

Fair & Affordable Utilities

• Electricity: As utility costs continue to rise, a growing number of Connecticut residents – who already pay the highest electricity rates in the continental United States – will have to choose between food, medicine, and keeping the lights on. AARP urges legislators to make reforms in the generation market to lower the cost of standard electric service offered by the state’s two electric distribution companies; protect funding and expand eligibility for energy assistance programs above the current levels to meet the needs of residents already challenged by inflation; and oppose the weakening any of the strong consumer protections in the third-party electric supplier market such as opt out “community choice aggregation” of electric supply.
• High Speed Internet: Many Connecticut residents face a barrier to accessing affordable high-speed internet. Over 92,000 Connecticut households with a person 50+ were on the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program before congress let the funding run out. In 2025 the state legislature created the Net Equity Program, scheduled to begin in September 2026, to address the lack of affordable high-speed internet options. AARP urges the legislature to defend the program from continued opposition by internet providers.

Voting
In 2024, Connecticut voters overwhelmingly supported removing the need for an excuse to vote by absentee ballot. Connecticut should pass legislation to eliminate restrictions on absentee voting and reform the process to ensure it is easy, convenient, and without onerous requirements such as for requesting, returning, and verifying absentee ballots.

Consumer Protections

• Cryptocurrency Fraud: Cryptocurrency ATMs present significant risks for scams. Criminals exploit the speed and often untraceable nature of the machines, such as instructing victims to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and depositing it into a crypto ATM to purchase fraudulent virtual currency. The FBI reported almost $247 million in crypto ATM losses in 2024 and over $240 million through July of 2025. Policymakers should ensure there are consumer protections against fraud in virtual asset businesses, including robust supervision and oversight of the industry, and requiring greater oversight at cryptocurrency ATMs and of operators.
• Gift Card Fraud: Criminals increasingly target older adults using gift cards. According to the FTC, in 2024 consumers paid $212 million to scams using gift cards with victims losing an average of more than $5,150 per incident. Victims are tricked into buying gift cards and sharing serial numbers and PINs with criminals, who then drain the accounts. Another concern is the rise in “gift card-draining.” Thieves steal codes from gift cards in stores and drain the cards of the value once they are purchased by consumers and activated. Connecticut should conduct robust oversight and enforcement related to gift card fraud and consider new prevention protections including refund or claw-back provisions.
  

Support for Family Caregivers
Family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system. In Connecticut, an estimated 773,000 unpaid family caregivers make tremendous financial, physical and emotional sacrifices so their loved ones can remain safely at home – and out of costly, taxpayer funded, nursing homes. But it can come at a hefty price with nearly eight in 10 family caregivers reporting routine out-of-pocket expenses related to looking after their loved ones, and the average annual cost is more than $7,200. AARP urges legislators to give Connecticut’s family caregivers some financial relief from the high costs of helping their loved ones remain safely at home through a modest tax credit.

Long-Term Care
AARP is committed to ensuring individuals can live independently and with dignity as they age. AARP urges legislators to prioritize the needs of Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents and will advocate for high-quality home and community-based services; improved oversight and quality standards in nursing homes and other residential settings; policies that give people more choices about where and how they receive care; protecting consumers from unnecessary costs; and that Medicaid remains a strong safety net for those who need it.

Health Care Access & Affordability
AARP supports solutions and policies that ensure all residents – especially older adults – have access to affordable, high-quality health care. Advocacy priorities for AARP include lowering health care costs, improving transparency, and making prescription drugs more affordable so no one must choose between lifesaving medical care and other necessities. AARP works to protect and strengthen Medicaid, a critical lifeline for low-income individuals and families, by opposing cuts and endorsing measures that maintain eligibility and access to essential services.

Creating Livable Communities
AARP calls on lawmakers to help ensure people can remain in their communities, stay connected, and live independently as they age by creating safe, affordable, and accessible communities for all ages. AARP supports expanded transportation options via reliable public transit and Complete Streets policies, increased affordable housing including age-friendly designs, and safer streets with infrastructure that protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Volunteers Make a Difference
AARP Connecticut advocates on issues like Social Security, caregiving, voting education, financial security, strong consumer protections from fraud, independent living, health care, utilities and internet access, prescription drug prices and more. We can’t do it without the dedicated and passionate volunteers who share an aspiration to make a difference and improve the quality of life for residents of all ages. People can explore our volunteering opportunities at www.aarp.org/volunteer or by contacting Marlisa Smith at mesmith@aarp.org or 860-548-3171. Learn about becoming an e-advocate volunteer at www.aarp.org/getinvolved.

In addition to our advocacy work, we are committed to providing valuable information and resources through a wide variety of free educational, interactive, and fun events. Explore our in-person and virtual offerings at www.aarp.org/CTEvents and stay informed by signing up for our emails. Are you interested in bringing our free events to your community? Go to www.aarp.org/CTPresents or contact Kelli Lefler for more information: klefler@aarp.org. Stay connected with us at www.aarp.org/ct, www.x.com/aarpct, www.facebook.com/aarpct, www.youtube.com/aarpct, and www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut.