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I hope this message finds you and yours well!
The House has been abuzz with work as we are debating and voting on numerous bills. My colleagues and I have been working diligently to advocate for policies we support that will benefit residents across the state. As always, my focus is on the people of Ansonia and Derby first and foremost, as I help shape policy. If you have any questions during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out. In this week's newsletter, you will find information on some of the bills passed recently, resources for you and your family, and local updates. |
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I am proud to share that I have formed and am I am Co-Chair of the newly formed bipartisan Blue Collar Caucus alongside Representative Rebecca Martinez! We held our first press conference recently to outline our priorities as a caucus. We will focus on supporting worker issues, including bills expanding PTSD coverage for first responders, health care for paraprofessionals, retirement savings accounts for PCA’s, combating wage theft, and more. The caucus currently has over 40 members, and I am excited to lead the effort, urging my colleagues to work together for policies that truly support the hardworking people of CT.
Let's make a difference! |
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| Manufacturing Day at the Capitol |
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On Thursday May 15th, we held Manufacturing Day at the Capitol and I was proud to co-host this annual fair for our teens across the state. Manufacturing isn’t just a job, it’s a good paying career.
Over 70 students from Ansonia High, Derby High, and Emmett O’Brien were all on hand to learn about the wide array of career opportunities that await them. Let’s get them inspired, let’s get them the training, and let’s lead the nation. I am so proud to be a part of the effort and to make sure our young people in the 104th have every opportunity to succeed. We have manufacturing training programs at all three of our high schools, which is a real pipeline to success! |
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We unanimously passed HB 6442, what we call the "HERO Act," a bill I am a proud co-sponsor of.
The HERO Act is the result of a bipartisan effort and is a comprehensive package of legislation that reflects collaboration, listening, and a deep, collective respect for those who wore the uniform and served our country.
- Among the bill's components:Designate November as Veterans' Month to reflect on and celebrate their military service
- Waive fees for the Purple Heart license plate, ensuring accessibility for those who have earned one of our nation's highest military honors
- Free license renewals for veterans
- The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate how to improve and address shortcomings in available dental services for veterans
- Accelerate nursing home placement for service-connected veterans
- Improve school transitions for military families with children requiring special education services
Our veterans were willing to sacrifice everything – including their lives – for this country. They deserve to be seen, valued, and never forgotten.
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| Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund Expansion |
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I voted to make important improvements to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, a bill I have proudly co-sponsored.
This bill makes important changes to Connecticut's Firefighters Cancer Relief Program by:
✅ Expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer.
✅ Reclassifies these illnesses as "occupational diseases" rather than personal injuries.
✅ Authorizes workers' compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits.
✅ Extends coverage to state firefighters serving at UConn and Bradley International Airport. |
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We recently voted to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors!
Among other things, this legislation:
✅ Require health insurance to cover biomarker testing to diagnose and treat medical conditions
✅ Establish an Alzheimer's and Dementia task force
✅ Require nursing homes to consider proximity to family members in any transfer of a resident
This action reflects our ongoing efforts to support and care for our aging population. |
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| Fostering Civic Engagement in our Children |
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House Democrats passed a critical education bill that honors civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, and much more.
Establishing the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate civic engagement both inside and outside of the classroom school. By reforming school crisis response drills through new standards, we continue to protect and prepare students and staff while being sensitive to mental health needs.
Other provisions include requiring school districts to have policies limiting the use of smart devices, addressing antisemitism, providing curriculum on a variety of subjects for districts to use if they choose, allowing districts to decide whether to allow children under the age of 5 to begin kindergarten early, updating the standard for when a student in pre-K to grade 2 can get an out-of-school suspension, and requiring same-day notification of any use of restraint or seclusion of a student.
This legislation thinks holistically about success and support for our students and schools. |
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| Establishing a Homelessness Council |
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Efficiency in tackling the housing crisis is important, which is why I voted to improve interagency communication and collaboration on homeless services by establishing an interagency council on homelessness.
➡️ This council will bring together representatives from state agencies, nonprofits, public housing authorities, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to ensure that our state agencies are coordinating and developing long-term solutions.
➡️ We are always looking at ways to improve government efficiency and address homelessness head-on. |
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| Protecting Kids on Social Media |
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The House of Representatives took a step toward addressing the mental health crisis facing Connecticut teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support.
The statistics are stark, frightening, and sobering. According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. teens, on average, spend 5 hours a day on the seven most popular social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. While that's alarming enough, a majority (60%) of teenage high-frequency social media users who had low parental oversight reported they had poor or very poor mental health. |
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To keep eyeballs on screens, social media companies have algorithms designed to keep their youngest users glued to their screens, so much so that teens often exhibit addict-like behavior in continuing to use the apps.
To address the issue, HB 6857 requires, among other things, age verification and parental notification methods to protect minors from being targeted with media content based on their personal data, limits on the times when social media platforms can send minors notifications, and social media platforms disclose statistics of their user base.
Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader with this new effort to rein in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors. |
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| Saving CT Employers Money |
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House Democrats passed legislation last week that saves money for EVERY EMPLOYER in the state, protecting them from the skyrocketing workers’ compensation claims costs they were facing after a CT Supreme Court ruling.
This legislation was a top priority of businesses and municipalities, saving them millions of dollars. Business advocates estimate workers’ compensation costs would have increased by 265% if no action had been taken. |
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| A Big Win for Connecticut Caregivers |
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Last week we passed SB1221 — An Act Making Changes to the Connecticut Retirement Security Program — it’s now heading to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law!
This bill expands the Connecticut Retirement Security Program to include Personal Care Assistants (PCAs)—ensuring the people who care for us can also care for their own futures.
- Includes PCAs in the state-funded retirement program
- Adjusts default contribution rates to boost savings
- Helps participants access federal Saver’s Match contributions
- Strengthens compliance with employer penalties for non-participation
This bill was one of our priority bills for the Blue Collar Caucus and I am so proud to see this getting signed into law.
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| Financial Aid for Paramedic Certificate Program Students |
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Last week, my bill, HB 7131, passed the House with full, bipartisan support.
We have a shortage of paramedics in Connecticut, and financial aid options have been scarce as many of these programs are not taught in a college setting.
As many of you know, workforce development, first responders, and putting rungs back on the economic ladder so people can succeed are all issues I’m passionate about. Late last night, my bill to make financial aid options available to those seeking to attend paramedic training passed the house. This closes gaps that make it easier for EMT’s seeking to advance their career to do so, it addresses workforce shortages, and in the long run it can help to save lives.
I want to thank Kathie Vrlik and the good people of Advancing Heroes Fund- In Memory of Jeffrey Vrlik who have worked for years to raise funds and awareness about this issue and the needs of paramedics and EMT’s. It’s making a difference.
The bill now moves to the Senate and I urge for continue support and passage of this legislation. |
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| Transforming Special Education in Connecticut |
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For too long, Connecticut's special education model has faced fundamental flaws that prevented all students from receiving the proper education they deserve. With our recent passage of HB 5001: An Act Concerning the Quality and Delivery of Special Education Services in Connecticut, we are taking important steps to reform this system.
This bill, which passed 148-0 in the House on a bipartisan basis, makes historic investments for students in special education, delivers better access to services, and provides cost controls and greater transparency. |
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Key provisions of the bill include:
- Historic investment in our students, including $30 million for the Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program, which will help build capacity to serve students closer to home.
- Prioritizing better access to services through enhanced development screenings, behavioral assessment and intervention plans, access to remedial classes in higher education, and involvement of parents and local school districts before a student is moved from their school.
- Reining in costs by regulating third party rate processes and developing new billing and licensing standards.
- Increasing oversight through on-site compliance visits and detailed system-wide reporting to reduce unpredictability and improve accountability.
Children are our future, and it is our responsibility to provide them a proper education. In a state that has one of the best K-12 public school systems in the country, HB 5001 makes sure our special education program maintains that same level of quality.
The bill must now pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.
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| Expanding Services for Veterans |
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Our veterans deserve more than just our gratitude, they deserve real, accessible support. With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives has passed final portion of the CT Hero Act through House Bill 6438, a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.
The CT Hero Act is our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country. By improving how Connecticut delivers veterans' service, this bill ensures every veteran can access the benefits and support they have earned. |
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Key provisions of this bill include:
- Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
- Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
- Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
- Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
- Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
- Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.
This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served.
It now advances to the Senate and, if passed, will head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Let’s ensure that every Connecticut veteran receives the care, support, and recognition they so rightfully deserve. Our veterans have earned nothing less.
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| Addressing the Childcare Crisis |
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| Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and invest in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. |
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The bills:
Provide a Sustainable Investment
- Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future
Lower Costs and Increase Access
- Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
- Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
- Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs
Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators
- Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
- Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators
This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future.
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The Connecticut Department of Labor Launches
New e-Apprenticeship System |
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| The Connecticut Department of Labor officially launched its new e-Apprenticeship Program, providing a streamlined, digital solution to the Registered Apprenticeship Training Program, which is already utilized by many Connecticut state agencies. The system can be used by employers to manage, register, and update existing apprentice records. Registered apprentices will be able to track their training progress, both on the job and in the classroom, all within the system. By connecting employers and apprentices more efficiently, this system supports the "earn while you learn" model, helping individuals master a skilled trade while receiving paid, hands-on training. |
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| The Lower Valley Job Fair is back! This year's fair will take place on June 25 from 10 am - 2 pm at Ansonia High School. Over 50 employers will be in attendance and will offer help with resume building and other job training information. I look forward to seeing you there! |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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