Prioritizing Legislation for Youth and Others

May 23, 2019

House of Representatives pass the following bills today:

1. HB 7291, AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL SECURITY.

The bill requires:

  • The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to update school security and safety plan standards
  • The department to report on and implement simplified documentation requirements for reporting by local and regional boards of education on school security and safety plans and drills
  • The department and the School Safety Infrastructure Council to report on and implement simplified documentation requirements for school security infrastructure grants
  • The department to develop criteria to identify qualified school security consultants

Our state will only thrive if our children feel safe.

2. HB 5969, AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COLLAPSING FOUNDATIONS LOAN PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNERS.

The purpose of the bill is to fill the gap in coverage created by the Captured Insurance Company per claim cap of $175,000.00 by creating a low-interest loan program for these homeowners.

3. HB 5251, AN ACT PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION AND TRADE OF SHARK FINS.

Shark finning is the act of removing a shark fin from the shark as a whole and discarding the rest of the shark. Discarded sharks, without their fins, are unable to swim properly and will suffocate. The illegal practice of shark finning at sea allows fishermen to harvest greater amounts of shark and is potentially a leading factor to the decreasing population of sharks according to advocates of the legislation.

4. HB 5125, AN ACT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR CERTAIN FIRST RESPONDERS.

The bill will increase the property tax abatement for volunteer first responders from one thousand dollars to one thousand five hundred dollars.

5. HB 5213, AN ACT EXPANDING REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS.

The legislation aims to expand the state statute for health insurance covering hearing aids to individuals of all ages on the basis of medical necessity.

The bills will now be considered by the Senate.