Conn. bills address bed bug infestations

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers are considering legislation that spells out the responsibilities of landlords and tenants when it comes to bed bug infestations.

The General Assembly's Housing Committee is scheduled to hear testimony Tuesday on several bills addressing bed bugs.

One bill, proposed by Bridgeport Sen. Andres Ayala, would establish the responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Another bill, proposed by Waterbury Rep. Larry Butler, would establish guideline and procedures for exterminating bed bugs found in public housing and non-public housing units.

Last year, lawmakers considered a bill that would have created a task force to study ways to control infestations in multifamily housing and recommend legislation to help landlords and tenants.

The bill passed in the Senate, but was not taken up for a vote in the House and subsequently died.