New Laws, Childcare Affordability, and more

September 27, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,
A number of new laws that were passed during the 2024 legislative session will go into effect on Tuesday, October 1st.
New laws include increasing safety for home health care aides who are on the front lines of direct contact with clients, giving the elderly population more options for choosing nursing homes and preventing discrimination for those under mental health care.

The internet is a great informational resource, but can also be misused by thieves, bullies, predators, scam artists, and other criminals. To protect privacy, online services will be prohibited from collecting personal data without approval from those under 18, and those 13 years of age and younger only with parental consent.

Animal rights were on the radar with the banning of dog races and gifting of live animals at fairs, and increased penalties for hurting or killing a police dog. Also, the Siberian Husky will officially be the state dog on October 1!

Additionally, to help facilitate voting access for eligible voters, we included a question on the ballot in our next election that will allow voters to choose whether to implement a law for no-excuse absentee ballots.  With that in mind, the integrity of our electoral system is central to voter trust and participation in elections and to help safeguard that confidence we extended the time violations of state election laws can be referred to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for investigation.
 
There are several new laws in addition to the above – please follow the link below for the full list and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

New Laws Effective Oct. 1, 2024
Thank you for your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings. Public input and feedback had a direct influence on these new laws. I encourage you to continue sharing your views and make your voice heard.
 
Great news for families across Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced several changes to our early child care and education programs that will expand the number of children able to access these programs while also lowering the costs for parents.
 
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, family fees for Care 4 Kids - the state program supporting low to moderate-income families with the costs of child care - will be capped at 7% of household income, down from the current rate of 10%. This change is estimated to save parents an average of $200 per month.
 
And effective Oct. 1, 2024, families participating in Care 4 Kids can remain enrolled until their household income reaches 85% of the state median income, an increase from the current limit of 65%. This means parents are less likely to worry about whether accepting a raise at work means they cannot receive child care assistance anymore.
 
I'm also happy to see the capacity of these programs expanded:
  • An additional 1,500 children will be enrolled in Care 4 Kids using existing state and federal funding
  • An additional 900 children will be added to the School Readiness and Child Day Care program by maximizing existing state funds
Here in Connecticut, we are easing the burden of paying for child care while expanding who can receive assistance. These changes are a win for parents, children, and our state.
 
The state Treasurer's office is hosting their annual Dream Big! Competition, which gives K-12 students the chance to win up to $20,000 toward their education.

To enter, students answer a question in the form of artwork, an essay, or a video. Younger students focus on what they want to do when they grow up, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

The deadline to enter is Nov. 4.

To learn more, click here.
 
Have you seen the new public service announcement raising awareness about the state’s Move Over Law? The "Real Lives" campaign stresses why it’s important to protect anyone that is on the side of the road by following the law. The Connecticut Department of Transportation launched ads on TV, radio, social media, and at gas stations. Take a look below.
Watch this video on the Move Over law!

Connecticut’s Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped on the side of highways and side roads. Between 2017 and 2021, 16 people died in roadside crashes in Connecticut with 13 of them happening after dark.

The “Real Lives” campaign aims to educate the public on the following key points of Connecticut's Move Over Law:

  • Move Over: When approaching a stopped vehicle on the roadside, if you are on a highway with two or more lanes in one direction, safely move over one lane.
  • Slow Down: If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down to a reasonable speed below the posted limit and proceed with caution.
  • All Vehicles: The law applies to any stopped vehicle on the roadside, not just emergency or service vehicles.
  • Penalties: Violators of the law may face fines, with penalties increasing significantly if a crash results in injury or death.
Click here for more on our Move Over law
 
Please see the flyers below for pertinent information about getting updated vaccines for COVID-19 and flu shots that may be helpful for you, your families, and your friends, including scheduling appointments with your healthcare provider, major CT insurance providers' COVID-19 resources, and how to get free COVID-19 tests at home.
 
Sincerely,

Juan Candelaria
State Representative
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