Rep. Dillon: Special Session Recap, Irish Roundtable

November 14, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I had a busy and exciting week. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives held a special session. I also participated in a CT-Irish Relations Roundtable with the Irish Consul General.

Housing

From retirees looking to downsize, to young professionals and families searching for affordable rentals, Connecticut residents at every stage of life share a common goal: finding a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

The bill empowers towns to plan for responsible, data-driven growth using insights from state, local, and regional partners to meet the housing needs of today and tomorrow. Developed in partnership with municipal leaders, regional councils, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and Governor Lamont, this legislation creates a collaborative and practical framework through local Housing Growth Plans.

Emergency Response Fund

The House passed a bill that will allocate funds to offset reductions in federal programs that directly impact Connecticut residents.

The funding will cover gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP.

Children’s Behavioral Health

We also passed legislation that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.

Highlights include:

Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services
New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments up to age 26
Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.

UConn Health Acquisitions

Finally, we approved legislation preserving access to health care at Waterbury, Bristol and Day Kimball Hospitals. We voted in favor of a deal for the University of Connecticut Health Center to buy the hospitals, preventing a potentially devastating closure for our communities.

This not only ensures that these hospitals remain open, but it also protects existing positions and strengthens the future of health care across the state. By partnering with UConn Health, we are securing long-term stability and expanding access to high-quality care for families who deserve it close to home.

Earlier in the week, I joined Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon and other legislators for a Connecticut-Irish Relations Roundtable with Irish Consul General Gerald Angley.

We had a productive conversation about strengthening the economic relationship between Ireland and Connecticut. It was an honor to attend and I look forward to this blossoming connection.