Jason Doucette

Please take a look below to see what we have been up to in the news and notes, and thanks for reading! 

No one should have to choose between missing an important family event, going in to work sick and exposing others or taking a mental health day when needed. It's why we passed HB 5005 to allow for the accrual of paid leave, up to 40 hours each year, for those working at least 120 days annually. Businesses that already offer paid time off are exempt.

There has been a cultural change in the workplace since the pandemic where we don't want our coworkers showing up to work sick. This legislation promotes better public health outcomes while allowing workers to care for themselves or a sick loved one without adding financial strain.

And we listened to businesses, the measure will be phased in for employers with 25 employees or more in 2025, 11 or more in 2026 and 1 or more in 2027. Again, businesses that are already offering at least 40 hours of paid time off each year are exempt from this law.

Connecticut is committed to mitigating the climate crisis. The first step is acknowledging there is a crisis.

This week, I joined my Democratic colleagues and voted to pass one of our top legislative priorities this session, HB 5004, also referred to as the 2024 Connecticut Climate Protection Act. Protecting the environment and working to combat the effects of climate change should be a shared priority because the act of doing nothing is far-reaching and touches every aspect of life on Earth.

This bill:

• Updates the state's Global Warming Solutions Act to make our greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region
• Creates incentives for businesses and municipalities that engage in clean economy sectors or engage in environmentally sustainable projects
• Plans for transition to clean economy, workforce training and long-term policy implementation
• Supports and expands nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests

We can make a difference in the quality of life for future generations of Connecticut residents. The time to start making necessary changes is now. 

As the elderly population steadily grows, there is an urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community.  This week, we took a significant step toward 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

I am glad to support a bill that gives seniors the attention and resources that they deserve.

I'm committed to the health and well-being of our community’s families and children, so that is why I voted unanimously with my House colleagues to pass HB 5003, which is comprehensive legislation that ensures mothers and children who are eligible for federal benefits are enrolled in these programs with ease and confidence. This bill aims to reduce barriers to participation WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children).

WIC 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.

Veterans put their lives on the line for our country and, as a small way to say, “thank you for your service,” the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill on Monday that would support Veterans who have been disabled during service.

HB 5491 establishes a property tax exemption for Veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption will be used for a home that is a primary residence, but if a qualified Veteran does not own a home, the exemption will apply to a single motor vehicle that they own.

In CT, we have 1,209 Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled as a result of their service. These brave men and women have spent their lives fighting to protect our freedoms. It is our turn to support them when they come home with disabilities to ensure they live with dignity and without fear of losing their home.

I led passage of two bills in the House as co-chair of the Banking Committee.

HB 5146 requires financial institutions to provide financial records to the Department of Social Services (DSS) within 20 calendar days. There is growing concern that some financial institutions are not processing and sending financial records to DSS so they can promptly process them.

HB 5343 directs the Office of the Treasurer to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a prepaid college tuition program in the state, to be completed no later than January 1, 2025. It is important to study this kind of program, which could relieve students and their families of the tremendous burden and uncertainty of paying for higher education.

As we wind toward Sine Die on May 8, I will keep you up to date on additional Banking Committee legislation as it passes the House and progresses through the Senate.

I joined nonprofit service providers recently for the Rally for Nonprofit Funding and Advocacy Day at the State Capitol to proudly show my support for our vital nonprofit agencies like Community Health Resources and MARC, Inc. of Manchester. The progress we’ve made towards getting our state on solid fiscal footing is wonderful, but at the same time we absolutely need to do more to financially support these folks and the critical services they provide in our communities. We need sustainable funding for these nonprofits.