Christine Palm

We are now convening several times per week to vote on bills on the Floor of the House (and Senators are doing the same). Please be watching this e-newsletter for a list of significant bills passed out of the House each day of session. (You can assume I was a "yes" vote unless otherwise noted.) All of these bills now move on to the Senate to be called for a vote. 

On Wednesday, the House passed the following bills:

• HB 6689 which will help make a career in health care a realistic option for more Connecticut students. The Nursing and Mental Health Care Professionals Loan Subsidy Program will mean lower interest rates for students looking to go into health and mental health care. 
• The House approved HB 6632 which opens previously closed avenues for local housing authorities to create housing units.
• HB 6819 will require the DPH to provide a full list of international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) in the state on their website and will establish a task force to study licensure.
• To address diaper insecurity, food insecurity, and housing insecurity, HB 6587 creates a task force to develop a plan that uses Medicaid funding to support these health-related social needs, seek federal approval for services, and report how the proposed coverage will affect current recommendations. 
• HB 6479 contains a key provision to maximize federal funds designated for state and municipal climate change resiliency projects, including coastal resiliency projects. 

• We approved HB 6480, which will help restore eel grass, an important component of seagrass meadows that improve water quality and protect coastlines from erosion.
• HB 5575 passed last night. It’s a necessary measure to ensure the humane treatment of animals in municipal animal shelters. We set municipal regulations establishing guidelines that maintain the health and safety of both the animals and the individuals working in the facilities. 
• We approved HB 6569. The bill protects children by banning marriage under the age of 18.
• Helium balloons are a hazard to wildlife and add to plastic pollution. That's why the House passed HB 6481.
• We passed HB 6639, which ensures timely scheduling of temporary financial support hearings in divorce and custody proceedings.

Passing legislation involves many conversations with colleagues, especially the chairs of committees.