H.B. 5414, AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR PERSONS RECEIVING AND PROVIDING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE STATE.
As we witness anti-abortion laws being enacted across the country and anticipate the overturn of Roe v. Wade, expanding access and protecting reproductive rights in Connecticut has never been more important.
The landmark decision of Roe v. Wade, which upholds a woman’s right to choose, is codified into our state law. Abortion-related care will remain legal here, but that is unfortunately not the case for many states across the country.
Yesterday, the House voted to make it possible for certain advanced healthcare practitioners to provide legal protections for those seeking or providing abortion-related care in Connecticut.
House Bill 5414:
- Allows advanced nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistants to perform first-trimester aspiration and medication abortions.
- Protects from extradition individuals who are accused of seeking or providing reproductive healthcare in Connecticut because it may be criminalized in other states.
- Prohibits state agencies and healthcare providers from assisting in out-of-state investigations or prosecutions.
- Anyone being sued in another state for allegedly providing, or receiving support for, reproductive health services that are legal in Connecticut can recover certain costs they incurred defending themselves.
It has been 32 years since the legislature examined abortion laws in our state and given the climate we are in now, where other states are infringing upon an individual’s right to choose, it's critical that we act now to expand access and to protect our residents as well as individuals who come to Connecticut for help.
This legislation will now move forward to the Senate for debate and consideration.
H.B. 5267, AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S STRATEGIC PLANNING REGARDING THE PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURE.
Our state is home to several arts and cultural institutions (including many here in our district) which help to enrich the lives of residents, create jobs in their communities, and help to boost tourism. With the passage of HB 5267, the House acted to ensure that Connecticut's arts and culture sector is included in statewide marketing plans so that we can further promote these wonderful assets. CLICK HERE to read more.
H.B. 5232, AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS
This bill broadens the rules and regulations which cover the use of service animals for people with physical disabilities (previous law made reference only to service dogs). The bill also allows employees to use sick time to train service animals and increases the amount of time employees may use to 20 days. CLICK HERE to read more.
H.B. 5386, AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EPINEPHRINE CARTRIDGE INJECTORS, HEALTH CARRIERS AND PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.
No family should have to choose among paying bills, putting food on the table, or paying for the out-of-pocket charges on critically needed medication. Through passage of HB 5386, the House moved to cap out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens so that families aren't financially strained in accessing these life-saving devices. CLICK HERE to read more.
H.B. 5430, AN ACT CONCERNING OPIOIDS
This legislation works to combat our ongoing opioid crisis by making changes to how its use is treated and prevented. This bill seeks to expand access to treatment services by allowing multi-care institutions to reach more people by providing substance use disorder treatment services in a mobile narcotic treatment program. To read more about what this bill does, CLICK HERE.
H.B. 5146, AN ACT CONCERNING FOOD DONATION.
HB 5146 makes it easier for supermarkets to provide surplus food to those in need so that we not only have plans in place that reduce food waste, but also support members of our communities. CLICK HERE to read more. |
