Keith Denning

I hope you are ready for more high heat and humidity. The state has activated the extreme hot weather protocol once again. Please read below to find a cooling center near you.

Dozens of new laws are now in effect, and I'll break down how they are saving you money, improving our election security, and increasing our online privacy.

The governor launched his summer reading challenge to get kids engaged with books. Keep scrolling to learn more about this year's campaign.

Here are the sections in today's email:

• Extreme Heat Protocol
• New Laws Effective July 1st
• Summer Reading Challenge

Due to dangerously hot and humid temperatures, the extreme hot weather protocol is in effect once again from now through Wednesday, July 17 at 8:00 P.M. Cooling centers are open in the 42nd district and throughout the state, and you can find one by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org.

Wilton's Comstock Community Center will be open as a cooling center during the protocol from 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Below you will find some tips to stay safe in extreme heat:

• Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
• Drink more water than usual.
• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening.
• Find an air-conditioned shelter. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
• Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.

New laws include mandatory video cameras at absentee drop boxes as part of sweeping legislation to ensure election security, allowing firearm sellers access to the arrest records of potential buyers under 21, prohibiting the selling of a person's health data without their consent, and requiring the departments of Social Services and Public Health to post a reporting tool on their websites that use a five-star system to compare nursing homes.

Additional laws include requiring social media companies to comply following a request to unpublish and delete accounts held by minors. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) will have a mobile crisis-response vehicle available 24-7.

We also held a special session to tighten up a few loopholes, including one that avoids a motor vehicle tax increase for commercial vehicles. You can access the new laws that will go into effect on July 1st by clicking the button below.

The 2024 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is underway, encouraging children from kindergarten through 12^th grade to read books over the summer. This year’s theme is “Read, Renew, Repeat.”

This initiative motivates libraries to attract kids to their facilities and engage with books. It grants every child an opportunity to unlock their infinite possibilities for a successful future. The 2024 summer reading program also supports community initiatives run by local public libraries and recognizes outstanding public library-school partnerships.