Legislative Update on Paid Family Medical Leave

To protect Connecticut pet owners and the animals they make a part of their families, I sponsored HB 5386 that aims to prohibit the sale or transfer of dogs, cats, and rabbits at Connecticut pet shops that are not from animal welfare organizations, and outlaws the sale of animals produced under "puppy mill" conditions.

I co-sponsored legislation that was passed by the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees Committee. HB 6508, An Act Concerning Investment in the Construction Job Workforce for Low-Income Residents, will be voted by the House this session.

The bill aims to create a construction job career path for low-income residents and ensure successful employment through state hiring requirements in state construction contracts.

H.B. 7238 voted out of the Labor and Public Health Committee 

Today the Public Safety and Security Committee discussed House Bill No. 7332, “An Act Concerning Public Safety and the Welfare of Repeat Juvenile Offenders and their Victims.” The bill aims to require juveniles charged with theft of a motor vehicle to have their cases transferred to criminal court when they have a history of prior felony adjudications or convictions.

During a hearing of the Judiciary Committee on March 11, I was honored to introduce Mark Barden, a prominent gun-safety advocate who lost his son Daniel in the Sandy Hook School massacre more than five years ago. Mark offered public testimony in support of Ethan's Law, HB 7218, legislation that would close loopholes in Connecticut's state firearm storage laws.

Our legislative priority for this session is to make sure that workers are paid a living wage so that no one who works full time lives in poverty.

Governor Lamont unveiled his proposal for a two-year budget.