Happy Holidays, Energy Assistance, New Laws And More

December 22, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,

From my family to yours, I want to take a moment to send my best wishes for the holiday season, and express that it is my sincere honor to represent you and work on issues that matter to our community and Connecticut.

Remember that as we celebrate, we also share many blessings, so in the spirit of the season, please spread joy and make these holidays truly special.
 
Below I share information on energy assistance, a new program that will make applying for higher education much easier - and less expensive - for graduating high school students, and new laws for 2024.
 
Energy Assistance
The Governor’s office is stepping in to provide relief on energy bills for low-income residents. $10.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funding will go to energy efficiency programs that help provide weatherization, energy retrofits, and rebates. Connecticut’s utility-administered efficiency programs have a track record of reducing energy costs for consumers and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the state’s energy efficiency programs, Home Energy Solutions (HES), provides home energy audits and core weatherization measures, such as air and duct sealing. Through this program, certain income-qualified customers may even qualify for a no-cost energy assessment.
 
Connecticut is offering a wonderful new program that will make applying for higher education much easier - and less expensive - for graduating high school students. The Connecticut Automatic Admission Program allows students who meet certain criteria to be automatically admitted to several Connecticut colleges and universities by filling out a single application form, free of charge!

The following colleges and universities are participating in the program:

  • Central Connecticut State University in New Britain
  • Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic
  • Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven
  • Western Connecticut State University in Danbury
  • Mitchell College in New London
  • University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven in New Haven
  • University of St. Joseph in West Hartford
  • Goodwin University in East Hartford

Don't delay: the deadline to apply for high school seniors who are graduating this spring is January 4, 2024.

Graduating seniors in the top 30% of their class, as identified by their individual high school counselors, are eligible.

Applying for college can be an intimidating, time-consuming, and expensive process. But with the Automatic Admission Program, applying for some of our great state schools is more accessible than ever - evening the playing field for all applicants, particularly first-generation, low-income, and minority students.
 
Learn More About the Program & How to Apply
 
As we ring in the new year, there are some laws that become effective on January 1 that were passed during the 2023 legislative session addressing key issue areas including early voting, health and mental health, and online privacy and data protection.

There will also be an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Although extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list. Please feel free to share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.
 
EARLY VOTING (PA 23-5)
 
Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting requiring a 14-day early voting period for general elections, seven days for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.
 
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (PA 23-174)

Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.
 
PROTECTING MATERNAL HEALTH (PA 23-147)

Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers, an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths and a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.
 
ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS (PA 23-56)

Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including provisions on consumer health data, minors’ social media accounts and online services, online dating operators, and a task force on internet crimes against children.

RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL
OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (PA 23-137)

Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living.
 
WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS INJURIES (PA 23-35)

Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.
 
List of New Laws Effective January 1, 2024
Your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings during the legislative session had a direct influence on these new laws. Thank you for your input, and please continue sharing your views and making your voice heard during our legislative process.

Sincerely,

Brandon Chafee
State Representative
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