Jillian Gilchrest

I wanted to be sure to give you an update on bills that have passed in the House of Representatives during our Special Session.

Absentee Voting

On Thursday, we took a major step toward ensuring a safe voting experience in November.

The House passed, by a vote of 144-2, a bill that allows for absentee ballot voting to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The absentee voting changes apply only to the state election that will be held on November 3, 2020. By law, a state election is a regular election and includes candidates running for federal office.

House Bill 6002, which makes various changes affecting absentee voting and Election Day Registration (EDR), now goes to the Senate for passage. I was honored to speak in strong support of this vital and important piece of legislation that protects our right to vote while also keeping us safe.

The bill also authorizes registrars to apply to designate additional EDR locations and allows individuals who are in line by 8:00 p.m. at EDR locations to vote the same night they complete the voter registration process. 

Insulin and Telehealth Legislation

Two health care reform bills designed to cap the monthly cost of diabetes treatment and expand Telehealth services were passed in the House of Representatives. Both bills seek to improve health care for Connecticut residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

House Bill 6001, An Act Concerning Telehealth, passed 145 to 0, and the vote for House Bill 6003, An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans, was 142 to 4.

An Act Concerning Telehealth (HB 6001) seeks to allow residents with state regulated plans who have grown to rely on Telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue coverage for these services through March 15, 2021.

The bill expands the list of providers who can perform telehealth, ensures that providers will be fairly compensated for telehealth appointments, requires reimbursement for audio-only appointments, and more. During the pandemic, I have heard from providers and patients about the benefits of Telehealth services. I would like to see the Legislature continue these services beyond March and plan to work with my colleagues during the 2021 session to do so.

An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans (HB 6003) expands on legislation previously debated during the 2020 regular session to cap the cost of insulin and establishes two new programs to ensure access to insulin regardless of income or insurance coverage.

The bill caps the cost of insulin at $25 per month and would implement a monthly cap of $100 on the costs of other supplies related to diabetes, making it the strongest insulin cap in the United States.

It creates an emergency insulin program in which a patient with less than a 7 day supply of insulin can receive 30 days' worth of emergency insulin from any Connecticut pharmacy without a prescription.

In addition, the legislation requires the Department of Social Services commissioner to expand the state’s 340B Program, which offers discount prescription drugs through Federally Qualified Health Centers to residents who don't qualify for Medicaid and are unable to afford a plan that makes diabetes treatment affordable.

Both pieces of legislation now head to the state Senate for consideration.

Police Accountability

My colleagues and I passed legislation that will increase transparency and accountability in our state's police departments. Click HERE to watch my remarks on the House floor.

House Bill 6004, An Act Concerning Police Accountability, passed in the House by a vote of 86-58.

HB 6004 seeks to make substantial reform to police accountability in Connecticut. The following measures are included in this bill:

• The Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) gains additional oversight, recruitment and disciplinary powers
• Mental health screenings and other training requirements are mandated for officers.
• Qualified Immunity is altered to give a civil cause of action to individuals who have had their constitutional rights violated by the police.
• "Use of Force" Definition is Updated
• An Office of the Inspector General (IG) is created with prosecutorial authority

The legislation now heads to the Senate for debate and a vote.