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SB 452CONNECTICUTSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Connecticut bans releasing helium balloons and requires retailers to attach weights starting in 2026 and 2027

Original title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RELEASE OF LIGHTER-THAN-AIR BALLOONS.

Last action · May 27, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Joseph P. Gresko and 11 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Starting October 1, 2026, Connecticut bans releasing any helium or lighter-than-air balloons into the atmosphere, making any violation an . Beginning January 1, 2027, retailers using must attach a weight to any sold filled balloon to prevent it from rising, with a twenty-dollar penalty per violation enforced by the Department of Consumer Protection.

Why it matters

Retailers must change packaging practices to include weights on balloon sales, individuals face s for releasing balloons, and the state enforces civil penalties for non-compliance beginning on specified 2026 and 2027 dates.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

retailers

Retailers using universal product coding must attach weights to sold filled balloons starting January 1, 2027, or face civil penalties.

Directly affected

consumers

Consumers purchasing balloons must have weights attached and are prohibited from releasing filled balloons into the atmosphere.

Directly affected

Department of Consumer Protection

The department is tasked with imposing civil penalties on retailers who violate the balloon weight requirements.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if someone releases a helium balloon in Connecticut after October 1, 2026?

Any violation of the release prohibition is an .

Do all retail stores selling balloons have to attach weights starting in 2027?

The requirement applies to retailers that utilize in totaling a customer's purchase, and explicitly excludes carnivals.

What is the financial penalty for a retailer failing to attach a weight to a sold balloon?

Retailers are subject to a civil penalty of twenty dollars per violation imposed by the Department of Consumer Protection.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

21 actions

May 27, 2026Governor of ConnecticutEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
May 22, 2026Governor of Connecticut
Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
May 22, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Transmitted to the Secretary of State
May 19, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyEnrolled
Public Act 26-90
May 5, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
In Concurrence
May 5, 2026HouseFloor
House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

Show 15 earlier actions

May 5, 2026HouseFloor
House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
Apr 22, 2026House
House Calendar Number 488
Apr 22, 2026House
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
Apr 21, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
Apr 21, 2026Senate
Senate Rejected Senate Amendment Schedule B 4382
Apr 21, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 4385
Apr 2, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
File Number 369
Apr 2, 2026Senate
Senate Calendar Number 256
Apr 2, 2026Senate
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
Apr 2, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 27, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/01/26 5:00 PM
Mar 19, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 18, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Joint Favorable Substitute
Mar 9, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 03/13
Mar 6, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommittee
Referred to Joint Committee on Environment

Version history

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