Public Hearing for SB 1542

March 21, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

One of my legislative priorities will have a public hearing in the Judiciary committee next Wednesday. If passed, SB 1542 will raise the age for arrest of a child under certain circumstances, from ten to twelve years in 2026, and from twelve to fourteen years in 2028, and restrict the use of handcuffs on children under fourteen.

The experience of getting arrested can carry a heavy mental toll, and the impact is even worse for young individuals. Raising the minimum age is a common sense change that will be incredibly beneficial.

Hearing from you is how we make good bills great. If this topic is important to you, I'd encourage you to sign up and testify. You can register to speak or submit written testimony. You can also follow along live on CT-N. Click here for a helpful guide on providing testimony. 
 

Every month is Women's History Month on the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail. 14 historic sites, each with their own stories of women who defied expectations, broke barriers, and shaped our state.
 
Click here to learn more.  
 

As March Madness heats up, here’s a reminder not to get too carried away.
 
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services for problem gamblers.
This year's theme, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition.
 
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 2 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, while another 4 million to 6 million people experience mild or moderate issues. The cost to the country -- $14 billion annually – is incredibly steep. Yet the ability to place a sports-related bet has never been easier – in most cases just a few clicks on a smartphone.
 
The lower barriers to place bets and the removal of the social stigma on gambling has had devastating consequences for some. Indeed, one of the most vulnerable demographics to problem gambling are youths. The NCPG and Responsible Play CT cite data that shows more than 75% of college students have gambled in the last year.
 
There are state and national resources for help.

  • Responsible Play CT offers information and a toolkit on problem gambling.
  • The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling offers trained helpline specialists who connect callers to free, immediate support & treatment options in Connecticut. Its number is 888-789-7777.
  • The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (860-344-2244) offers problem gambling services.
  • The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
  • The NCPG's problem gambling toolkit can be found by clicking here.
 

Your voice matters! Get involved in public hearings to help shape the future of your community. It’s your chance to speak up, share your concerns, and be a part of decisions that affect everyone.
 
You only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can watch them live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
 
Register to testify and learn more about this week’s schedule, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. ➡️cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp
 

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