O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 24-128—sHB 5407
Government Administration and Elections Committee
AN ACT DEFINING "DEP ENDENT CHILD" FOR PU RPOSES OF THE
STATE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND
CONCERNING THE EXERC ISE OF JURISDICTION OVER
NONRESIDENTS BY THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS
SUMMARY: This act defines a “dependent child” in the state’s Code of Ethics for
Public Officials as a covered official’s son, daughter, or stepchild who qualifies as
the official’s dependent child under federal tax law. Generally, to qualify as a
dependent child under federal tax law, a child must (1) share a principal residence
with the official; (2) be under age 19 (or 24 if a student); (3) have provided less
than half of their own support for the year; and (4) not have filed a joint return with
their spouse.
Although the Code of Ethics did not previously define a “dependent child,”
under it public officials have a substantial conflict of interest if their dependent
child will get a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss because of
their official activity (unless it accrues to the child as a member of a profession,
occupation, or group to no greater extent than other members of that profession,
occupation, or group) (CGS § 1-85). Public officials in certain positions must also
include specified information about their dependent children in the statements of
financial interest they must file (CGS § 1-83).
The act also specifies that under the state laws on ethical considerations for
bidding and state contracts, the Office of State Ethics’ (OSE) long-arm jurisdiction
over out-of-state residents or their agents is limited to those who (1) pay money or
give anything of value to a public official or state employee to obtain a competitive
advantage, solicit non-public information, or unduly influence the award of certain
state contracts or (2) are, or are seeking to become, prequalified state contractors or
substantial subcontractors.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2024, except that the provision on OSE’s long-
arm jurisdiction is effective upon passage.