Legislative Update 5.23

May 23, 2025



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Dear Neighbor,

Memorial Day Weekend is here.

This is the time to acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Let's take this opportunity to reflect on their service and honor their memory. 

At the Capitol, my colleagues and I in the House have been busy with multiple session days and late nights. We're debating, amending, and passing bills.

We're working hard for the people of Connecticut, passing legislation to protect immigrants.

In this week's update, I'll go into detail about that and other legislation we've passed, and let you know about other key bills we passed this week. We have more work to do before the 2025 legislative session ends on June 4th. I have also been out and about recently supporting workers in East Hartford, Middletown, and Norwich.

As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Derell.Wilson@cga.ct.gov.


Sincerely,

Derell Wilson
State Representative 

 
Standing Up, Supporting Fairness for Workers

Supporting Pratt & Whitney Machinists on strike in East Hartford and Middletown.

Joining Sen. Cathy Osten at Backus Hospital in Norwich where nurses held an informational picket where nurses are calling on higher retention rates at the facility. 

As Vice Chair of the Labor and Public and Employees Committee, I feel in moments like these, I have to stand up and show support for our workers and their families. Fairness is just fair.
 
Extending the Trust Act

In the wake of unprecedented federal immigration crackdowns, including targeting properly documented immigrants, and the denying of due process and Habeus Corpus, with my colleagues, I stand by our Connecticut values in protecting our friends and neighbors.

Connecticut has one of the strongest TRUST Acts in the country. It was approved unanimously in 2013 after some neighborhoods in Connecticut were subjected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that left a significant impact on their communities.

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in the House to strengthen the Trust Act by:

  • Ensuring that officials like juvenile probation officers and employees of the Division of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are included in existing TRUST Act protections.
  • That the TRUST Act allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities when someone has been convicted of serious crimes.

Added a slew of Class C and Class D felonies including those related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material to the list of post-conviction offenses where law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
 
Medical Debt Relief

Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!
 
I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way  — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.
 
What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.
 
 Who qualifies?
Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income
 
This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like HERE.
 
Workers' Compensation

House Democrats passed legislation on Monday that saves money for EVERY EMPLOYER in the state since all of them faced skyrocketing workers’ compensation claims costs after a CT Supreme Court ruling.

This legislation was a top priority of businesses and municipalities and saved them millions of dollars. Business advocates estimate workers’ compensation costs would have increased 265% absent any action.
 
Recent Legislation Passed in the House

For a complete listing of bills passed in the House through today, please click HERE.
 
Prioritizing Mental Health 

Please click on the image below to watch a short video featuring Rep. Belton and other lawmakers and their legislative focus on addressing mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.
 
Memorial Day and Safety

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend! Stay safe and diligent on the road, on the grill, and the water.
 
Statewide Job Fair June 12th
 

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