Marcus Brown

Dear Neighbor,

 

I hope you are well.

 

Another week of work in the legislature is complete, and we are one step closer to the end of the legislative session.        

Below I have provided a legislative update.



If you have any questions or comments about any policy or the legislative process you can email me.



Have a great weekend!

In Tuesday's House session, I introduced  House Bill 6414, a pro-consumer bill that requires gas stations offering cash discounts to offer the same discount if you pay with a debit card.



I know this is meaningful legislation to constituents in my district and around Connecticut. Any bit helps when in comes to dealing with rising costs.

The House approved this legislation and it now heads to the Senate for debate and a vote.

 

The House of Representatives passed HJ 1 on Wednesday, which means you will get to decide if we amend the state constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting.

Connecticut's rules for absentee voting are among the most restrictive in the U.S. and are enshrined in its constitution. A constitutional amendment is required to remove restrictions on absentee voting. 



Absentee voting works, which we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effective and safe manner.



Voting is a fundamental American right. Eligible voters in Connecticut should have the freedom to choose how they vote whether it’s in-person on Election Day, in-person for two weeks prior to Election Day, which just passed the House last week, or by absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.

For the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.



If you or someone you know is mentally struggling, please know that you are not alone and no-cost help is available by phone, when and if it's needed. 

• Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-943-5746
• Native Crisis Text Line (American Indians and Alaska Natives) - Text "Native" to 741741
• LGBTQI+ Youth Support - 9-8-8, then press 3 when prompted
• Specialized Crisis Support for Spanish Speakers - 9-8-8, then press 2 when prompted 
• You can also call 2-1-1 for assistance

Mental Health America (and its state branch Mental Health Connecticut) invites you to "Look Around, Look Within." Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health. From neighborhood to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to mental health conditions. 



While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being and those around you. To learn more, visit mhanational.org/may. 

In 2022, the Connecticut legislature passed three transformative mental health measures.

 

The three laws – HB 5001, SB 1, and SB 2 – strengthen Connecticut's mental and behavioral health system, which experienced unprecedented strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws:

• Expand 24/7 emergency mental health response and create walk-ins for mental health emergencies
• Address shortages of mental health staff in our schools by offering grants to local schools to hire social workers, counselors, and psychologists
• Provide mental health training to parents, students, and pediatricians
• Expand school-based health centers to develop mental health programming
• Create a state oversight and coordination of a state response to kids' mental health needs

It is more important than ever that we continue to invest in mental health. As state legislatures across the country cut funding for these vital services, in Connecticut, we chose to make critical investments in mental health for our state’s future.