New Laws & Summer Mental Health Funding For Kids

July 12, 2024

Dozens of new laws are now in effect, and I'll break down how they are saving you money, improving our election security, and increasing our online privacy.

The state just announced the release of more than $2 million dollars in funding to support summer mental health at school and camps. Please keep reading to find out how Stamford is getting financial support for our kids.

Here are the sections of today's email:

  • New Laws Effective July 1st
  • Summer Mental Health Funding for Our Youth
  • Summer Reading Challenge 
  • Fallen Officer Remembered
  • Scholarship Available for Future Educators
 
New Laws Effective July 1st
Several new laws that address many issues aimed at improving our great state went into effect on July 1st.

New laws include mandatory video cameras at absentee drop boxes as part of sweeping legislation to ensure election security, allowing firearm sellers access to the arrest records of potential buyers under 21, prohibiting the selling of a person's health data without their consent, and requiring the departments of Social Services and Public Health to post a reporting tool on their websites that use a five-star system to compare nursing homes.

Additional laws include requiring social media companies to comply following a request to unpublish and delete accounts held by minors. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) will have a mobile crisis-response vehicle available 24-7.

We also held a special session to tighten up a few loopholes, including one that avoids a motor vehicle tax increase for commercial vehicles. You can access the new laws that will go into effect on July 1st by clicking the button below.
New laws effective July 1st
Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings. They had a direct influence on these new laws. I encourage you to continue sharing your views and make your voice heard during the legislative process.
 
Summer Mental Health Funding for Our Youth
The Boys and Girls Club of Stamford will receive $85,500 in funding for mental health programming for children during the summer months over the next two years. This investment will create a safer, more nurturing environment for our youth during the summer months.
The Boys and Girls Club of Stamford is one of 36 recipients of the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Summer Mental Health Supports Grant program. In total, more than $2 million is going to support mental health at public schools and summer camps across the state.
 
Summer Reading Challenge

The 2024 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is underway, encouraging children from kindergarten through 12th grade to read books over the summer. This year’s theme is “Read, Renew, Repeat.”

This initiative motivates libraries to attract kids to their facilities and engage with books. It grants every child an opportunity to unlock their infinite possibilities for a successful future. The 2024 summer reading program also supports community initiatives run by local public libraries and recognizes outstanding public library-school partnerships.
The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge Program recognizes schools with the highest student participation in summer reading activities. Let's encourage our kids to take part so that our schools make the list!
 
Fallen Officer Remembered

Members of the Stamford Police Department along with the Stamford Police Honor Guard paid tribute to fallen Stamford Police Officer David Troy who was killed in the line of duty in 1960. Officers laid a wreath at the David Troy Memorial at Troy Field.

Officer Troy was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, mother, and six siblings. Descendants of Officer Troy joined officers at the wreath laying ceremony.
 
Scholarship Available for Future Educators
A special scholarship is available to students who graduated from a public high school in an Alliance School District, which includes Stamford. The Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program is open to diverse undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an educator preparation program. The maximum a student may receive is $10,000 per year. 
Click here to apply and learn more