We passed many bills this week, several of which had strong bi-partisan support:
✅ SB 6 takes many steps to ensure that you have the power to decide what happens to your online data. This bill limits the collection of user data by digital companies and establishes a consumer's right to view, delete and opt out of the collection of their personal information by online businesses. This bill is a big win for online privacy.
✅ SB 5 strengthens protections against abuse. This legislation requires dating apps to provide notifications to users regarding background checks and staying safe online, creates a training program to help users identify, report, manage and prevent online abuse, strengthens workplace discrimination standards, and requires state employee education on domestic violence and available resources for victims.
✅ SB 4, the Connecticut Clean Air Act, invests in transitioning to electric and zero-emission school buses and transit buses, increases access to rebates and vouchers to buy electric vehicles through programs like CHEAPR, assists municipalities and businesses with the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations and establishes a voucher program for the purchase of electric bicycles.
✅ HB 5044 establishes an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee which will administer the State's settlement with Purdue Pharma to support Connecticut's continuing efforts to reduce substance use disorders.
✅ HB 5045 reduces the thresholds of blood lead levels in individuals to enable quicker response to poisoning to effectively combat the lead poisoning problem we continue to face as a state.
✅ HB 5367 updates state statutes to provide expanded tax relief for veterans.
✅ HB 5505 ratifies the agreement between Lockheed Martin and the State of Connecticut. The agreement will keep Sikorsky's headquarters in CT through 2042, supporting new helicopter production and bringing more than 7,000 new jobs to our state.
✅ SB 408 implements a small business child care incentive program to promote the expansion of existing child care centers and the development of new child care centers in the state.
✅ SB 10 reaffirms our commitment to slowing the acceleration of the climate crisis by codifying into state statutes the 2040 zero-carbon electric grid goal.
At the end of last night's session, we got to bring Mrs. Robb's third grade class proposal to make the lollipop the state candy to the House floor. I am so proud of these Fairfield students for their advocacy, research and interest in the legislative process. The bill passed and is moving to the Senate.
Rep. Devlin, Rep. McCarthy Vahey and I got to give this special group of students a shoutout on the House floor. Click the photo below: |