Special Education, Funding for Fairfield, and more

June 1, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Sunday!

With mere days left until the legislative session concludes, we are in the final push, working multiple 12+ hour days debating and passing legislation.

The days are long, but the work is important. As we finish session, I'll continue providing updates on everything we're accomplishing for our state.

In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about a critical special education bill, cracking down on street takeovers, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 

Transforming Special Education in Connecticut

This week we passed An Act Concerning the Quality and Delivery of Special Education Services in Connecticut, which takes major steps to reform our special education system.

This bill, which passed unanimously in the House, makes historic investments for students in special education, delivers better access to services, and provides cost controls and greater transparency.

Key provisions of the bill include:

  • Historic investment in our students, including $30 million for the Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program, which will help build capacity to serve students closer to home.
  • Prioritizing better access to services through enhanced development screenings, behavioral assessment and intervention plans, access to remedial classes in higher education, and involvement of parents and local school districts before a student is moved from their school.
  • Reining in costs by regulating third party rate processes and developing new billing and licensing standards.
  • Increasing oversight through on-site compliance visits and detailed system-wide reporting to reduce unpredictability and improve accountability.

Children are our future, and it is our responsibility to provide them a proper education. In a state that has one of the best K-12 public school systems in the country, HB 5001 makes sure our special education program maintains that same level of quality.

The bill must now pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.
 

Supporting Survivors 

House Democrats approved a reform this week to stop the weaponization of our legal system by using defamation lawsuits to silence victims. Communications that detail sexual discrimination, harassment or assault will now be kept confidential in civil court.
 
 

Cracking Down on Street Takeovers 

We’re cracking down on street takeovers and illegal ATV use. House Democrats voted on Wednesday to authorize steep fines, vehicle seizures, and automatic license suspensions. This legislation targets both participants and organizers, aiming to curb dangerous road behavior with tougher enforcement and penalties. 
 

Overhauling Connecticut's Towing Law 

Last week the House overwhelmingly approved a bill to overhaul the state’s towing law, making it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.

HB 7162 overhauls the state’s 100-year-old towing statutes creating massive reforms to towing procedures from private property and rate increases for highway tows that typically follow car accidents.

Tow companies are now required to accept credit cards and they are not allowed to tow vehicles quickly just because of an expired parking permit or registration. Vehicles can’t be towed from private property without notice unless they’re blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in an accessible space.

The bill takes several steps to make it easier for people to get their towed vehicles back and requires towing companies to take more time and increase documentation during the sale process.
 
 

Fairfield Receives Grant for Reef Road Improvements! 

Great news for Fairfield! Our town has been awarded $601,170 in state funding for the repaving of Phase 2 of the Reef Road pedestrian improvements. In addition, Fairfield will be providing a matching grant of $150,292.

The grant comes from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, which delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

It is great programs like these that continue to deliver for some of the smaller, but still important, communities in our state!
 

Additional Bills Passed in the House

The House passed a number of bills this week - you can read more about them below!

  • SB 1221: Improves the Connecticut Retirement Security Program
  • SB 3: Focuses on consumer protection and safety, with provisions addressing price gouging, junk fees, right to repair, and more
  • SB 7: Safeguards access to health care and the equitable distribution of healthcare resources
  • HB 7013: Strengthens the Local Food for Schools Incentive Program
  • SB 1328: Prohibits private ownership or management of state correctional facilities
 

CT Tourism - The Summer Season Begins!

Hot days, cool drinks, baseball, and barbecues are popular staples during the summer but Connecticut, from one end of the state to the other, offers so much more.

Connecticut is home to 110 state parks, 32 state forests, 29 state campgrounds, 117 state boat launches, and 4 coastal state beaches that provide any number of recreational opportunities, along with many other attractions and nationally ranked restaurants.

Two new trails guide visitors on some of the more unique experiences the state has to offer, including the Connecticut Oyster Trail, and the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail. Later this year the state will officially launch the Connecticut Pizza Trail to celebrate its designation as the Pizza Capital of the United States.

The best way to explore tourism destinations and find activities to do in the state is by visiting the official Connecticut Tourism website HERE.

There's more.

Litchfield County was ranked as one of the best places to go in 2025 and Mystic Seaport Museum was the “#2 Best Open-Air Museum” for the second consecutive year.

Hungry?

Several CT chefs and restaurants have gained national recognition, including chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic capturing the world-renowned James Beard Award for best chef in the northeast, and several others named semifinalists, including Renee Touponce of Oyster Club and The Port of Call in Mystic who was nominated in the outstanding chef category, and Coracora in West Hartford nominated for outstanding restaurant.

Seasons change quickly. With all that it has to offer, summertime in Connecticut is one you don't want to miss.
 

Open Hearts Festival 
Open Hearts Festival
Burr Mansion (739 Old Post Rd., Fairfield)
June 5, 5:30pm - town flag raising
6-8pm - DJ, dancing, food truck, and more
Read more here
 

Community Events 
A Deep Dive Into Friend Groups
Bigelow Senior Center (100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield)
June 4, 7pm
Read more here
Bird Walk with CT Audobon
Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum (1530 Bronson Rd., Fairfield)
June 14, 7:30-9:30am
Read more here
 

I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.


Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative

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