Legislative Update May 10

May 10, 2024

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As the 2024 legislative session comes to a close, I am committed to keeping you informed about the important work that has been accomplished.

We passed a number of great bills this past week! See the the list below:

Bills Passed this Week

After some long nights at the Capitol, we passed a lot of bills on the House floor this week:

HB 5408 – Supports CT businesses by requiring executive branch state agencies to purchase a certain percentage of procured print or digital advertising from in-state commercial or nonprofit news publishers
HB 5458 - Maximizes efforts to aid housing insecure and homeless persons
HB 5198 – Protects healthcare patients and providers by expanding telehealth provisions adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic until June 30, 2027
HB 5320 - Improves hospital financial policies
HB 5365 - Enhances the Human Services Career Pipeline program
HB 5455 – Improves the efficiency of the Department of Social Services in making eligibility determinations for medical assistance and responding to requests for information or assistance
HB 5300 - Authorizes the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to consider certain businesses that do not have their principal business operations in Connecticut to be eligible businesses under the invest CT fund program
HB 5398 - Requires a study of the use of communication systems by public safety personnel and the sharing of private information
HB 5175 - Provides that purple painted property borders serve as a warning to trespassers
HB 5487 - Makes various revisions relating to the processing of claims filed with the Office of the Claims Commissioner
HB 5239 - Expands the Collegiate Awareness and Preparation program
HB 5142 - Requires the Department of Banking to study and submit a report concerning banking issues in the state
SB 132 - Prohibits the issuance of new licenses for dog racing by the Department of Consumer Protection
HB 5196 - Expands the podiatric scope of practice
HB 5434 - Authorizes the Community and Economic Development Fund to expand business scope
HB 5222 - Establishes a no-wake-zone on the Pawcatuck River
SB 293 - Requires a waste characterization study and needs assessment and increases certain transportation weight limits for vehicles hauling solid waste
HB 5272 - An Act Concerning The Expiration Of Certain Land Use Approvals And The New Home Construction Guaranty Fund
HB 5500 - Revises juror compensation, ignition interlock devices, the Department of Correction, judicial retirement salaries, and criminal law and procedure
HB 5279 - Expands eligibility for families of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty to receive benefits
HB 5399 - Protects victims of sexual assault by improving the training and responsibilities of first responders and the Office of Victim Services
SB 396 - Implements task force recommendations for the elderly nutrition program
HB 5422 - Strengthens the response to hate and bias crimes
HB 5226 - Protecting our environment: Establishes a state stewardship program to manage the collection and recycling of certain batteries
HB 5280 - State law enforcement will join the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) databank making firearms easier to track
HB 5430 - Requires a study on migraine treatment for women and veterans, who disproportionately are affected by migraine disorders
HB 5200 - Improves access to healthcare for disabled people
HB 5436 - Makes it easier to become a teacher in Connecticut
SB 395 - Prohibits Connecticut healthcare entities from reporting medical debt to credit agencies
HB 5182 - Makes technical revisions to the education and early childhood statutes
HB 5199 - Establishes a task force to study the shortage of athletic trainers in the state
HB 5227 - To require the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to release liens within a certain period of time when such lien has been satisfied
HB 5283 - To classify parole officers as peace officers
HB 5330 - Implements the recommendations of the Department of Transportation concerning certain environmental hearings, the Office of the State Traffic Administration, bicycle traffic, traffic authorities, variable speed limits, public transportation, motorcycle helmets and reckless driving
HB 5437 - Creates the Educator Professional Development Mandate Review Advisory Council, which will advise on the costs and effects of mandates related to educator professional development and in-service training
SB 222 - Expands Paid Family Medical Leave to include employees who work at businesses that operate on federally recognized tribal land

You can find the full list at cga.ct.gov/2024/lbp/lobp.pdf

5003 - Child and Family Nutrition

I'm committed to the health and well-being of our community’s families and children by joining my colleagues in the House of Representatives to unanimously pass HB 5003. This comprehensive legislation ensures mothers and children who are eligible for federal benefits, such as WIC, are enrolled in these programs with ease and confidence. This bill aims to reduce barriers to participation in WIC.

WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children) enrollment in Connecticut is among the lowest enrollment rates in the country at 46%. Not maximizing participation in this program is resulting in worse outcomes for the health and nutrition of young children.

This bill:

Keeps Connecticut families healthy: It allows Connecticut agencies to more easily enroll children and parents who qualify into federal nutrition assistance programs to keep our families healthy.
Promotes outreach and information to access these federal programs that Connecticut underutilizes.
Promotes Connecticut farmers by supporting them to participate in these programs at farmers markets.

When we grow healthy children, they are less likely to develop nutrition-related chronic diseases, they are at a lower risk of cavities/tooth decay, they have improved mental health, and they have improved participation in other social service programs. In general, children are better off when their families participate in WIC.

5001 - Supporting our Seniors

As the elderly population steadily grows, there is an urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. During Monday's session, we took a significant step to achieving that goal by passing HB 5001, a top priority for House Democrats this session.

HB 5001, which passed with bipartisan support, protects and prioritizes elderly residents in our state. This bill:

Makes it easier for seniors to age in place
Creates a nursing home database, providing consumers with an easy and reliable way to compare locations around the state
Establishes incentives to encourage nursing homes to improve care

5002 - Childhood Education

Quality early childhood education and affordable childcare contribute to a robust economy and help ensure the success families and future generations.

Sky-high childcare costs have increased 214% since 1990. It's why we crafted and passed a bill in the House to make childcare and early childhood education more affordable and accessible.

This House Priority Bill:

Creates the “Early Childhood Care and Education Fund,” to be used for childcare and early childhood education programs
Establishes the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund Advisory Commission that will report on the health of the Fund and annually update recommendations on how to best use its resources
Invests in teachers and assistant teachers in state-funded school readiness programs and state-funded childcare programs
Requires a study on the availability of space in state-owned properties that may be used for early childhood care and education programs

Local Events

Stamford's Memorial Day Parade will take place on Sunday, May 19th. This is a cherished tradition in our community and I would love for you to join us in honoring the brave men and women who have served our country.

The parade will start at 12:00 PM followed by a ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park at 1:00 PM. Please note that in the event of inclement weather, the parade will be rescheduled to Sunday, June 2nd.

If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me directly or contact my office at (860) 240-8585.

Sincerely,