House Democrats continue to fight for the residents of Connecticut. This session, we have crafted legislation that focuses on job growth and economic development, assisting small businesses, and promoting fairness and compassion to all of our citizens. 

Here is a list of our legislative accomplishments in 2017. As the session continues, this list will grow, so be sure to check back here for more updates. 

 

We Increased Access to Capital for Small Businesses

HB 5583 - AN ACT EXPANDING INVESTMENT ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
A successful company is nothing more than a group of people willing to invest in an idea. Most business owners have no trouble investing their time and effort, yet they sometimes struggle to find the financial backing required to get their ideas off the ground. This bill allows accredited investors who seek to consult and mentor prospective small business owners to contribute to a fund established to support the growth of small businesses. 

 

We Helped Protect Women from Wage Discrimination

HB 5591 - AN ACT CONCERNING PAY EQUITY IN THE WORKFORCE​
The gender pay gap is one of the most important, far-reaching issues we face as a society today. It affects not only working women, but their families and their communities as well. When it comes to financial fairness, nothing is more fundamental than equal pay for equal work. This bill will help close the gender pay gap. Additionally the bill addresses gender-based discrimination in workplace policies and strengthens anti-discrimination laws.

 

We Developed a Training Program for Police to Handle Situations with Kids with Autism

HB 6260 - AN ACT CONCERNING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR STATE AND LOCAL POLICE REGARDING JUVENILES WITH AN INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
​As we learn more and more about the behaviors of people on the autism spectrum, it is becoming clear that special training for police officers interacting with them is necessary. This bill will require a training program for state and local police that includes training for handling cases that involve the elopement or wandering of children on the autism spectrum.

 

We Banned "Gay Conversion Therapy"

HB 6695 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF YOUTH FROM CONVERSION THERAPY
​"Conversion Therapy" is a barbaric practice that uses psychological and emotional abuse in an attempt to change the sexual orientation of gay children. This session, we took a stand and banned this horrible, misguided method in Connecticut.

 

We Protected Teachers' Retirement Accounts

HB 7161 - AN ACT REQUIRING SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS TO DISCLOSE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
We supported legislation that requires greater disclosure of the fees charged under 403(b)retirement savings plans. 403(b)’s are akin to 401(k)’s for nonprofit employees, educators, and many hospital workers. Unfortunately, they often come with high fees and problematic investments. Hidden fees can eat up a significant portion of a middle-class family’s retirement saving. This legislation will require more transparency in 403(b) plans.

 

We Gave Small Businesses the Tools They Need to Thrive

HB 5584 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A SMALL BUSINESS HOTLINE
Running a small business is hard work. We must give entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed. This bill creates a statewide information hotline providing prospective and existing small business owners with customized advice, education, and network resources.

 

We Protected Drivers and Riders of Ride-Sharing Companies

HB 7126 - AN ACT REGULATING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES AND TAXICABS PROGRAMS
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As "ride-sharing" companies grow more and more popular, we must do everything we can to make them safe and accessible to all. This common-sense legislation protects both passengers and drivers. 

 

We Connected Employees with Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

HB 7212 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROMOTION OF LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS
Making college more affordable is one of our priorities. This bill will help by requiring Boards of Education and non-profits to advertise to their employees federal student loan forgiveness programs that they may be eligible for. These programs are often under promoted and underutilized. 

 

We Protected Pregnant Women in the Workforce

HB 6668 - AN ACT CONCERNING PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
This bill strengthens current protections for pregnant women under the state’s anti-discrimination law. Under the law, employers would be required to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, such as being allowed to sit while working or taking more frequent breaks. It would also prohibit limiting or segregating an employee in a way that would deny her employment opportunities due to her pregnancy. These protections are critical to women’s economic security and are good for the economy. 

 

We Kept Dark Money Out of Our Politics

HB 5589 - AN ACT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Recently, our state has seen a flood of special interest dark money from wealthy, out-of-state funders seeking to influence our elections. This legislation will increase transparency between the public and the government. We must ensure that candidates are elected to office by the people they will serve.

 

We Ensured Tax Payers' Money is Spent Wisely

HB 7138 - AN ACT CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OF MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS AND PLANNING
We approved a new layer of oversight for transportation projects. The bill will keep the legislature up-to-date on infrastructure planning and spending and ensure that we are stretching every dollar on large-scale projects. 

 

We Fought Against the Opioid Epidemic

HB 7052 - AN ACT PREVENTING PRESCRIPTION OPIOID DIVERSION AND ABUSE
Opioid addiction touches every corner of the state, every economic stratum, and every demographic. Over the years, the legislature has taken important steps to fight this public health epidemic. This bill is the next step.

 

We Honored Gold Star Families' Sacrifices

SB 918 - AN ACT CONCERNING A MUNICIPAL OPTION PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR GOLD STAR PARENTS AND SPOUSES
Senate Bill 918 allows municipalities to provide a property tax exemption to a parent or surviving spouse of a service member killed in action while performing active military duty. A municipality may exempt up to $20,000 or 10% of the property's assessed value.

 

We Fixed the Broken Bail System

HB 7044 - AN ACT CONCERNING PRETRIAL JUSTICE REFORM
Under this legislation, a judge would be prohibited from setting bail for those charged with misdemeanors unless the judge determines that person poses an immediate threat to the public.

 

We Gave Our Technical High Schools Independence

HB 7271 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY
We passed legislation that would establish the technical high school system as an independent agency. The newly named Technical Education and Career School System will have stronger oversight, more effective governance and more checks so that the type of scandal we witnessed earlier this spring would be much more unlikely.

 

We Improved the Workforce Development Pipeline

HB 5590 - AN ACT CREATING A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
This bill allows the labor commissioner to establish a working group to review business support services in the state. The working group would review the services offered by such agencies and consider ways to better coordinate such services that will benefit businesses in the state.

 

We Expanded Gaming and Entertainment

SB 957 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF GAMING AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF A CASINO GAMING FACILITY IN THE STATE
This bill authorizes the operation of an off-reservation casino gaming facility in East Windsor, Connecticut while maintaining the current slot revenue sharing agreement with the tribes, and expanding revenue sharing to slot and table games in East Windsor. This measure will save jobs and increase revenue to the state.