This week, two of the House Democrats's caucus priority bills passed out of committee: HB 5001- an omnibus bill that further supports our seniors, and HB 5004 - an ambitious omnibus bill to address climate change. I want to take the time to tell you a bit about each bill.
HB 5001 - An Act Supporting Connecticut Seniors and the Improvement of Nursing and Home-Based Care - is a priority of the House, and I am thrilled it is progressing through the legislative process.
Issues impacting seniors are often ignored. Our elderly residents need support and access to resources that will provide them with the best quality of life possible. HB 5001 does this by:
Requiring additional training of home care workers
Creating a more efficient process for accessing Medicaid
Expanding the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Click here to read an article that explores additional details of the bill
Our aging population faces a growing list of challenges that are not isolated incidents. As our society gets older, these issues will only become more pronounced. HB 5001 not only acknowledges these complexities but also paves the way for crucial improvements. This legislation will ensure that our seniors will age gracefully. Next stop, the House Floor!
I'm also excited to share my commitment to protecting the environment and working to combat climate change. HB 5004 "An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures," was subject to an Environment Committee public hearing on March 8 and was passed out of the Environment Committee 23-11 last week. It now heads to the House Floor for consideration.
The bill, referred to as the 2024 Connecticut Climate Protection Act, is a priority for the House Democratic Caucus.
The bill seeks to respond to the climate crisis by:
1) Updating the Global Warming Solutions Act to make Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region;
2) Creating incentives for businesses that engage in clean economy sectors or employ environmentally sustainable practices;
3) Developing plans for transitioning to a clean economy, including workforce training and long-term policy implementation;
4) Supporting nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests.
With this bill, we're saying that sustainability is not only the right thing to do but also the smart, economically competitive thing to do.
As always, please feel free to contact me at 800-842-8267 or by email at Andre.Baker@cga.ct.gov. And for news and legislative updates, please visit my official Facebook page.