David Michel

HB 5656: State Food is Pizza
I would have liked to see this bill dealt with at the end of session, after hearing more important bills. That being said, as somebody who is vegan and eats #PlantBased and #CrueltyFree, I am glad to say that Vegan Pizza (offered all across the state) has officially become our state food. Yes, I did add "Vegan." By adding this word, our state food becomes cruelty-free, healthier, and more environmentally respectful, as we know how destructive and cruel the dairy industry is. I will be ordering some vegan pizza from Colony's before the weekend is here. 

HB 6110: Vaping Products Online Sales
Obtaining e-cigarettes and vaping products online is often way too easy for our younger residents – exposing our youth to a harmful and addictive practice. HB 6110 is common sense legislation that would require online sellers of electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products to require ID and to ensure that the name on ID matches the name on the method of payment. 
 
HB 6657: Human Trafficking
Even after the abuse ends, survivors of human trafficking often continue to bear the burden of a criminal record for acts they were forced to do, hindering their ability to rebuild their lives. Just passed by the House, HB 6657 makes critically needed changes to existing law by giving trafficking survivors the opportunity to clear all criminal records related to their trafficking. Survivors deserve justice. 
 
HB 6633: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
This pandemic, and its subsequent economic crisis, has only further demonstrated that Connecticut must create pathways that not only kick start our recovery but facilitate an economy in which our businesses and families can thrive. Just passed through the House chamber, HB 6633 is a comprehensive plan that creates a more resilient unemployment insurance trust fund that can endure future recessions.
 
SB 753: End to Prison Gerrymandering
SB 753 puts an end to prison gerrymandering, a practice where incarcerated Connecticut residents are counted as residents of the towns where they are jailed. This practice has harmed incarcerated individual and the communities they come from while unfairly benefiting the communities with prisons. A free and fair voting system is the foundation of our democracy, and the passage of this legislation upholds that belief.  
 
HB 6477: Volunteer Fire Department Safety 
The safety of our first responders should always be a top priority. HB 6477 makes necessary updates to ensure that volunteer fire departments and ambulance companies are subject to the same safety regulations as career professionals, allowing CONN-OSHA to protect all first responders. 
 
HB 6602:  Third Party Deliveries
COVID-19 has increased our reliance on third party delivery sources – but that increased use has exposed some possible concerns with those delivery sources. Just passed by the House, HB 6602 makes clarifications to ensure small, local restaurants have a voice and their brand is protected by ensuring third party delivery sources cannot falsely suggest a relationship with a restaurant or take orders without first obtaining the restaurant’s written consent.
 
HB 6355: Red Flag Law
We have a duty to protect our residents from gun violence. The temporary removal of firearms from a person who may pose a threat to themselves or others plays a critical role in preventing unnecessary gun deaths. With the passage of HB 6355, the House has moved to bolster current statute to protect and save lives and avoid tragedies before they happen.  
  
HB 6626: Early Detection of Breast Cancer
HB 6626 is about early detection, which is critical to saving our state money and saving lives. By expanding on existing legislation which removed barriers so that patients may access mammograms, the House has moved to additionally support access to other tests used to detect breast cancer, offering significant relief to countless patients seeking early detection tests.