Bob Godfrey

I would like to wish you and your family and friends, a safe, healthy and prosperous new year! I also wanted make you aware of a few new laws that will take effect in Connecticut in just a few days.

My colleagues and I worked hard during the 2021 legislative session to listen to your concerns and advocate for meaningful change in our state. We look forward to getting back to the Capitol soon to continue in those efforts.

Please see the list below of some of the new laws that will go into effect January 1^st, 2022, and the complete list, below.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

• PA 19-25 is a game changer for families, offering CT workers an opportunity to take time to attend to personal and family health needs without worrying about losing income. Applications are already being accepted at ctpaidleave.org, where you can explore details of the groundbreaking family and medical leave program.

Insulin Costs

• PA 20-4 targets price gouging for life-saving insulin. I am not on insulin now but have been in the past, so I understand the importance of passing this legislation, personally. We cap 30-day supplies of insulin at $25 and cap costs on supplies such as syringes, pumps, and blood sugar meters at $100 a month for people who have coverage through state-regulated insurance plans.

Health Equity

• PA 21-57 recognizes that certain medical devices are more likely to provide more inaccurate readings for individuals of color than individuals who are white. The Department of Public Health will develop educational materials on pulse oximeters (electronic devices that detect blood oxygen levels) to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of this critical information.

Immunization Exemptions

• Keeping immunocompromised children safe was the driving force behind efforts to increase childhood vaccinations (PA 21-6). Outbreaks of measles in other states show how dangerous it can be to allow our herd immunity to be compromised. For more details on immunization laws and regulations please click here.

Parental Rights

• This is about equity in our laws. The Connecticut Parentage Act (PA 21-25) provides equal treatment under the law to children born to same-sex couples and modernizes the definitions and other legal provisions relating to parenting and maternity.

Sadly, Covid-19 has surged. Hospitals are filling up with patients who have contracted the Omicron variant, as well as the Delta variant. Almost all of the patients were not vaccinated. So, I follow the science. We all should keep up the scientific advice. Get vaccinated. Maintain social distance. Wear a mask indoors in public, which also protects from the flu. Wash your hands. Most of all, respect one another. We're in this together.