Tom Arnone

I would like to spotlight the following bills that were passed by the House of Representatives during session today:

HB 7225, AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC HOUSING.

The Enfield Housing Authority supports this bill that would allow housing authorities to implement a hybrid waiting list management system in order to streamline the application process. This is one way we can better serve those in need of housing.

HB 7282, AN ACT CONCERNING NEWBORN SCREENING FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY.

This bill aims to prevent debilitating outcomes for children by requiring newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy. I am proud to see it on the House Floor today as I expressed my support to vote the legislation out of the Public Health Committee.

HB 7261, AN ACT PROHIBITING REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESCRIBING CLINICALLY INAPPROPRIATE QUANTITIES OF OUTPATIENT PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS.

The bill was also voted out by the Public Health Committee to prohibit health insurance policies providing coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, and mental health care benefits provided under state law, with state funds or to state employees, from requiring a prescribing health care provider to prescribe an outpatient psychotropic drug in a quantity that such provider deems clinically inappropriate.

HB 7043, AN ACT CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING IN THE WORKPLACE.

The legislation specifies certain parameters for a room or other location in the workplace that accommodates employee breastfeeding.

HB 6997, AN ACT REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.

The bill requires the Department of Education to (1) publish information concerning services and resources available to victims of domestic violence on the Internet web site of the Department of Education; and (2) require the provision of such information to students, parents and guardians who express safety concerns due to domestic violence and parents and guardians who authorize the transfer of education records to another school.

These bills will now be considered by the Senate.