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I hope this email finds you in good spirits!
It has been a busy few weeks at the Capitol, with the House in session several days a week passing important legislation.
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| As the legislature starts meeting more regularly, I encourage you to tune in and see democracy in action. The House will next be in session Monday, April 29, at 11am.
Watch live: CT-N.com
Stay up to date: housedems.ct.gov
Calendar of events: cga.ct.gov
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The rest of this email has more updates on what I've been up to at the Capitol and more. Below are some helpful links to click on to jump between sections.
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| I want to start off talking about a legislative win I'm very proud of. On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed HB 5381 - An Act Concerning the Use of Police Body-Worn Recording Equipment. I am a co-sponsor of this bill, and was so proud to see its passage on a bipartisan basis.
This commonsense bill clarifies under which circumstances an officer shall not pause body-worn recording equipment. Its passage would be a major win for justice and transparency for both civilians and police officers.
The bill now moves to the Senate. |
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| No one should have to choose between missing an important family event, going in to work sick and exposing others or taking a mental health day when needed. It's why we passed House Bill 5005 to allow for the accrual of paid leave, up to 40 hours each year, for those working at least 120 days annually. Businesses that already offer paid time off are exempt. |
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| There has been a cultural change in the workplace since the pandemic where we don't want our coworkers showing up to work sick. This legislation promotes better public health outcomes while allowing workers to care for themselves or a sick loved one without adding financial strain.
And we listened to businesses, the measure will be phased in for employers with 25 employees or more in 2025, 11 or more in 2026 and 1 or more in 2027. Again, businesses that are already offering at least 40 hours of paid time off each year are exempt from this law.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration where it must be voted on before the 2024 legislative session ends on Wednesday, May 8th at 12:00am. |
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The House has passed a number of other great bills, which you can view below:
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HB 5197 - An Act Concerning Social Workers
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HB 5318 - Supports new parents by establishing a license for board certified lactation consultants
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HB 5261 - Protects children’s health by creating a working group on the effects of energy drinks on children
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HB 5232 - Expands solar energy projects
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HB 5153 - Increases workforce housing
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HB 5146 – Updates financial records laws
- HB 5149 – A pro-small business and craft-maker change to our beer and liquor sales
- HB 5237 – Gives students a louder voice
- HB 5257 – Revises our dog bite statutes
- HB 5288 – Modernizes our service animal laws
- HB 5308 – Easing the path to voting for nursing home residents
- HB 5317 - An important study on the funding for and effectiveness of the Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Program
- HB 5343 – CT will study pre-paying college tuition
- HB 5379 – Modernizing insurance requirements for state marshals
- HB 5466 – Revises laws on election crimes
- HB 5168 - An Act Concerning Solar Installations in Condominiums and Cooperatives
- HB 5224 - An Act Concerning Shark Finning
- HB 5225 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Invasive Plants Council
- HB 5457 - An Act Concerning Nursing Home Waiting Lists
- HB 5058 - An Act Adopting the Nurse Licensure Compact
- HB 5169 - An Act Concerning the Requirement to Install Swimming Pool Barriers
- HB 5190 - An Act Concerning the Historic Homes Rehabilitation Tax Credit
- HB 5229 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Eelgrass Working Group
- HB 5262 - An Act Concerning a Sexual Abuse and Assault Survey
- HB 5382 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Office of the Child Advocate
- HB 5409 - An Act Designating Various Days, Weeks, and Months
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| May 1, 10-11:30am - Coffee Talk - Environmental Sustainability
Location: Connecticut Science Center
Coffee Talk is a Connecticut Science Center lecture series designed to fuel your brain and caffeinate your curiosity with intriguing topics and engaging presentations. Each session in this 4-part series on Environmental Sustainability includes a presentation, $5 parking voucher, and an assortment of beverages and pastries.
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| May 2, 5-7pm - The Wadsworth Athenem's First Thursdays
Location: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Celebrate First Thursdays at the Wadsworth. Each month’s event will feature a theme (think Valentine’s Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day, International Pancake Fluffiness Awareness Day, etc.) with live music, drop-in drawings, a special film or activity, snacks, and a cash bar. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
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| May 4, 9am-1pm - Day of Wellness on Pratt Street
Location: Pratt Street
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with Mental Health Connecticut’s (MHC) Day of Wellness on Pratt Street. Stop by to explore a vibrant array of vendors and wellness activities like yoga, a sound bath, and free mental health screenings.
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| May 18, 2-3pm - Inheriting Freedom: An Intergenerational Tour
Location: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
This family-friendly tour explores the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe and the larger history of anti-slavery activism in the United States, with a major focus on love and family as central to freedom struggles in both the past and present. The goal of this intergenerational tour is to encourage conversations about justice between visitors of all ages through an interactive, conversation-based tour experience.
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| May 11, 5pm- Walking with the World Opening Reception
Location: Windsor Art Center
Walking with the World features three artists who work in multiple mediums, often using found, natural, or handmade sources for their art. The Windsor Art Center seeks to highlight each artist’s own take on how they find, transform, interpret and connect materials to the world, and vice versa. Each has a mix of two- and three- dimensional pieces, and we’re hoping for an immersive experience for the audience, to be surrounded by different visions for wood, clay, and found materials. |
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| April 27, 9am - Tag Sale to Benefit Union School
Location: 1225 Main Street
The South Windsor Historical Society is holding a tag sale to benefit its renovation of the vacant Union School on Main Street. The weekend event at 1225 Main Street will offer household items, tools, toys, jewelry, antiques, sports equipment and other goods. Details at 860-291-9958.
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| April 27, 10am-2pm- Third Annual Craft and Vendor Fair
Location: St. Peter's Episcopal Church (99 Sand Hill Rd.)
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold its Third Annual Spring Vendor and Craft Fair Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10 AM – 2 PM. In addition to a variety of more than 35 local businesses, services, and crafters, lunch will be available for purchase between 11:00 and 1:00. A teacup auction is a highlight of the event. The event is free and easily accessible. For more information call 860-644-8548. |
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| May 27, 10am- South Windsor Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony 2024
Location: Veteran's Memorial Park (575 Pleasant Valley Road)
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| Big news!
Connecticut has been awarded a $62.5 Million grant from the highly competitive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The funds will be used for solar projects benefitting low-income residents.
Learn more here: https://shorturl.at/cmrA5 |
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| Prescription Drug Take Back Day |
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Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. Drug take-back day gives the community a way to safely and anonymously turn in old, unneeded, or unused medications.
Take part today by cleaning out their medicine cabinets and heading to your closest drop-off location.
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April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique talents and abilities of individuals on the spectrum. Let's spread understanding, acceptance, and love as we honor the diverse experiences of those with autism. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive world.
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| If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at maryam.khan@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
Maryam Khan |
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