Houses Passes Bills to Protect All

May 20, 2019

House of Representatives pass the following bills:

1) HB 7125, AN ACT CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS

The bill will require uniformity for mental health and substance use disorder benefits, non quantitative treatment limitations, drugs prescribed for the treatment of substance use disorders and substance abuse services.

2) HB 7278, AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE

The legislation would permit Emergency Medical Service (EMS) paramedics to monitor patient health as well as manage a disease or condition. Paramedics would also be allowed to transport patients by ambulance to clinically appropriate facilities other than emergency rooms.

3) HB 7277, AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF LAND BANK AUTHORITIES

The bill seeks to address the creation of land bank authorities. Presently, blighted or abandoned property among towns reduces collected property tax and diminishes nearby property values. Although a foreclosure may occur and the property may have a new owner, the property still remains blighted. The creation of a land bank will allow for the restoration of such properties, if no private owner buys the property and commits to the restoration process. A land bank uses community funds to restore the property, and if the property is sold, the funds will typically be recycled into the bank to be used for future restorations. Hartford has already been permitted to establish a land bank for city use, which has allowed the city to begin the process of restoring its blighted properties.

4) HB 6996, AN ACT EXTENDING THE FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROGRAM

The Foreclosure Mediation Program was created in 2008 by the Connecticut General Assembly as an emergency and temporary solution to respond to the housing crisis. This bill would extend the foreclosure mediation program by four years, from 2019 to 2023.

5) HB 7359, AN ACT CONCERNING A LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NETWORK

The intent of this bill would require funds awarded by the Department of Public Health to build healthier and safer environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals of Connecticut with the establishment of a health and human services network dedicated to their critical needs.

The bills will now be considered by the Senate.