Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors & Protecting Kids on Social Media

May 20, 2025


 
Dear Neighbor, 

I am proud to have voted for bills fostering civic engagement among our children, strengthening protections for kids on social media, and improving healthcare for seniors. I’ll dig deeper into all these proposals and break down how they support our students and our aging population.

You will find the following sections below: 

  • Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors
  • Protecting Kids on Social Media
  • Fostering Civic Engagement in Our Children
 

Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors

The House voted to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors. I proudly co-sponsored this legislation, which reflects our ongoing efforts to support and care for our aging population. 

The bill:

  • Increases access for vital biomarker testing
  • Requires nursing homes to consider proximity to family members in any transfer of a resident
  • Enhances safety with improved background checks for all nursing home employees
  • Establishes a task force to address the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia

The proposal now moves to the Senate. If it passes there and Governor Lamont signs it into law, the legislation would take effect in January.
 

Protecting Kids on Social Media

We took a step toward addressing the mental health crisis among teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support.

This measure aims to help children the moment they try to join a social media platform, and that’s because it would require parental consent for anyone under the age of 18 to open an account. The bill also tries to regulate content saying social media companies would not be able to target minors with content or with push notifications between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. 

Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader with this new effort to reign in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors.
 

Fostering Civic Engagement in Our Children

The House advanced an education bill that honors civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, limits the use of smart devices in school, and much more.

I am a proud co-sponsor of House Bill 7009, which establishes the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement by recognizing graduating high school seniors for their exceptional achievement in civics.

This seal sends a powerful message that civics isn't just a class to pass; it's a way to make a difference and give back to your community.

The bill also establishes new standards for school crisis response drills to continue to protect and prepare students and staff while being sensitive to mental health needs. While schools must be prepared for an emergency, organizers must ensure these drills are conducted effectively and responsibly.

Other key aspects of HB 7009 include:

  • Limiting the use of smart devices in school
  • Addressing antisemitism in schools
  • Providing curriculum on Islamic and Arab Studies
  • Allowing districts to decide whether to allow children under the age of 5 to begin kindergarten early
  • Raising the standard for when a student in pre-K to grade 2 can get an out-of-school suspension
  • Requiring same-day notification of any use of restraint or seclusion of a student.

The bill now moves to the State Senate for approval.