Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors & Protecting Kids on Social Media

May 16, 2025


 
 

I joined my colleagues in voting for bills strengthening protections for children on social media, improving healthcare for seniors, supporting our firefighters, and establishing a new trade deal between our state and Puerto Rico. I’ll dig deeper into all those proposals and break down how they make Connecticut a safer and better place to live.

Lastly, I hope you can make it to the State Capitol on Monday for Bridgeport Day! Please keep scrolling to learn how we are celebrating our amazing city in front of the entire state.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

  • Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors
  • Child Social Media Protection
  • Support for Firefighters
  • CT-Puerto Rico Trade Commission
  • Bridgeport Day at the Capitol
 

Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors

My House colleagues and I voted unanimously to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors. This legislation:

  • Increases access for vital biomarker testing
  • Requires nursing homes to consider proximity to family members in any transfer of a resident
  • Enhances safety with improved background checks for all nursing home employees.
  • Establishes a task force to address the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia
 

Child Social Media Protection

We took a step toward addressing the mental health crisis among teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support.

This measure aims to help children the moment they try to join a social media platform, and that’s because it would require parental consent for anyone under the age of 18 to open an account. The bill also tries to regulate content saying social media companies would not be able to target minors with content or with push notifications between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. 

Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader with this new effort to reign in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors.
 

Support for Firefighters

The House approved an expansion of the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program. The changes include expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and authorizing workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits.

This bill could not have come at a more critical time. The Comptroller's Office recently released a report showing an alarming decline in the number of firefighters in our state. We must continue to pass legislation supporting firefighters, both to protect those who are serving and to send a message to those considering the career.

Governor Lamont signed the bill into law last week.
 

CT-Puerto Rico Trade Commission

We also unanimously passed a bill establishing a new trade agreement between Connecticut and Puerto Rico. This legislation is vital in part because Connecticut is home to nearly 300,000 Puerto Ricans, including approximately 30,000 in Bridgeport, which is the highest concentration per capita of any state in the U.S.

House Bill 5008 will create a 23-member commission with the following goals:

  • Advance bilateral trade and investment with Puerto Rico
  • Promote business and academic exchanges
  • Encourage mutual economic support and infrastructure investment
  • Initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest

Local businesses and larger companies operating in Connecticut and Puerto Rico have shared broad support for the bill. It is a powerful opportunity to strengthen our trades and manufacturing sector. By building direct partnerships with Puerto Rico, we can expand skilled workforce pipelines, increase the flow of goods and materials, and open new markets for Connecticut-made products. This collaboration will drive innovation, economic growth, and good-paying jobs for both regions.
 
Additionally, a new trade commission will help Connecticut address jobs that we traditionally struggle to fill. It only benefits our state to attract trained skilled labor that can work immediately and boost our economy.
 
House Bill 5008 now moves to the Senate, which has until June 4 to pass the legislation before Governor Lamont can sign it into law.
 

Bridgeport Day at the Capitol

You’re invited to join the Bridgeport Delegation at the State Capitol on Monday, May 19, for a celebration of all things Bridgeport!
 
Bridgeport Day at the Capitol is an opportunity to showcase the heart, history, and vibrancy of our great city. You’ll have a chance to connect with local organizations, city services, nonprofits, restaurants, bakeries, and cultural groups from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the floor of the Capitol. 

As your state representative, I’ll be there to welcome you and celebrate the incredible people and business that make Bridgeport shine. It’s a great way to learn more about our city, support local institutions, and share in the pride we all feel for our home. 

I hope to see you there. Come hungry, curious, and ready to celebrate Bridgeport!