Juan R. Candelaria

We are more than halfway through the regular session, and this is the time of year when legislative activity picks up in the Connecticut General Assembly.

After weeks of holding public hearings, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and Appropriations Committee approved their budget proposals (Appropriations handles the spending side and Finance handles the revenue side).

April is Autism Acceptance Month. This year's theme, “Celebrate Differences,” aims to herald the acceptance of individuals beyond the spectrum.

On April 1, a number of resources that offered vital assistance to our most vulnerable community members came to an end or ended expanded eligibility.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and I want you to be aware of the resources available to you in our community.

Personal care attendants (PCAs) will have additional access to affordable health insurance after an agreement was reached to expand the application deadline for PCAs to apply for the first round of the new premium assistance benefit.

Very soon, there will be changes for some of our most vulnerable individuals and families who are on Medicaid. Starting on April 1, the COVID-19 public health emergency protection will be coming to an end. Medicaid enrollees who were continuously covered will again have to provide proof of eligibility to continue getting benefits.

As we progress steadily through the current session, it is important that we continue to build upon past legislative successes that have allowed Connecticut to keep moving forward. We also invested in special education and lunches in schools.

At a press conference in support of a bill for an English Language Learner Parent Bill of Rights that enumerates the rights of English language learner students and the responsibilities of local and regional boards of education to educate such students.