Support Services For IDD Individuals Approved By The House

July 24, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,

We are delivering on key legislative priorities this session by addressing specific concerns affecting our Intellectually, Developmentally Disabled (IDD) population, which has been lacking adequate funding and services for far too long.

HB 5001 is a comprehensive multi-year measure that expands vital services to these vulnerable individuals, so that their most basic needs are properly met. This new bill complements the children's mental health legislation that became law last year.
 
Key provisions in this wide-ranging bill, which reflect strong bipartisan efforts, include the reduction of waitlists and updating a decades-old approach to serving this community.

In addition, this bill establishes a solid framework to address:

  • Housing Needs
  • Educational and Transitional Services
  • Transportation
  • Day Programming
  • Career and Job Coaching
  • Life Skills Training
  • Behavioral Service

It is my goal to continue working on finding solutions that not only bring a level of relief and peace of mind to guardians and family caregivers, but to the individuals who are developmentally challenged to help them reach their best potential.
Capitol Pride Day 

Pride Day the at Capitol will be held on Monday, June 5 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The LGBTQ+ Caucus, which is comprised of Jeff Currey, Marcus Brown, and Raghib Allie-Brennan and myself, will hold a panel discussion in Capitol Room 310 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.  We will be joined by representatives from the CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO) and other elected LGBTQ+ allies. Following the panel discussion, there will be an information fair with LGBTQ+ organizations in the North Lobby from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. I hope to see you there!
Pride Flag Raising
June is Pride Month. I had the honor to attend the raising of the Pride flag at the Capitol. 
It was pleasure to join friends and colleagues, including the Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer Erick Russell and Robin Fierce, a Hartford native who was a recent contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race. 
ICYMI Updates on House Bills Passed This Week
ICYMI: We passed a number of great bills yesterday. Learn more below:

✅ HB 6901: Connecticut is the fifth-highest student debt holder in the nation. HB 6901 establishes a program to reimburse some student loan payments for certain Connecticut residents and incentivizes them to stay in our state. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill.

✅ HB 6599: Intimate partner violence is a leading contributor to death during pregnancy. To help identify and circumvent tragedies, HB 6599 requires the distribution of educational materials to pregnant and postpartum patients on intimate partner violence in birthing hospitals and healthcare providers.

✅ HB 6762: This bill includes provisions for early childhood education, special education, audits of state and local testing requirements, a Multilingual Learners Bill of Rights, and the establishment of task force to study and develop strategies to improve and promote civic engagement and instruction on civics, citizenship, media literacy and American government.

✅ SB 913: The reality is some people witness traumatic incidents on the job. SB 913 expands coverage to make all employees eligible for workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injuries.

✅ SB 1108: Students should not have to choose between their education and their reproductive health. That’s why S.B. 1108 requires the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the UConn Board of Trustees to establish a plan for providing reproductive health care services to students living on residential campuses. I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill.

✅ SB 956: SB 956 Requires written hospital and nursing home discharge plans for patients, to include the date and location of each follow up medical appointment and a list of medications the patient is taking.

✅ HB 6796: Expands on legislation we passed last year to prevent the theft of catalytic converters by allowing the sharing of information among law enforcement units in other states, creating a uniform approach to the sales and penalty for the theft of a catalytic converter and establishing a task force to further study how to deter these thefts.
 

I am looking forward to joining our community this Sunday at the monthly flag raising to honor a Norwalk Veteran at the Norwalk VFW at 11 a.m. and on Westport’s Jesup Green for Westport Pride at noon.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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