Cristin McCarthy Vahey

The legislature voted to address the need for temporary adjustments to the Budget Reserve Fund and to appropriate funds to offset reductions in federal programs that directly affect Connecticut residents.

House Bill 8003 represents the state’s $500 million response to recent federal funding cutbacks.

This funding will fill critical gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and other areas of direct support that have been significantly impacted.

If this $500 million budget reserve fund is not used by July 1, 2026, any remaining funds will automatically be used to pay down our unfunded pension debt.

We also passed legislation through a comprehensive bill that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.

Highlights include:

• Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
• New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
• Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments, including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy, up to age 26
• Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)  

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children. 

HB 8004 includes protections for immigrants at courthouses and includes the following provisions:

• Parameters for detaining, arresting, or taking a person into custody on courthouse grounds based on a civil offense;
• General prohibitions on people enforcing state or federal laws on state courthouse grounds from wearing a mask or facial coverings, unless medically necessary and approved by court personnel; and
• Restrictions on state and local government agencies from disclosing personal information to federal authorities, except as required by state or federal law, judicial warrant, or court order.

The protections were included as part of the same bill that addressed children's mental health. In addition, it adjusted the funding mechanism for a firefighters cancer relief fund.

A reminder to please swing by Operation Hope (148 Beach Rd., Fairfield) this Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm to drop off food or make a cash donation. We will have a QR code available.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. As always, please feel free to reach out directly with your ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach me by phone at (860) 240-8585 or (203) 522-3037.

Take care,

Cristin McCarthy Vahey