Maternal and Infant Healthcare Bills Signed into Law

July 30, 2025


 


Last week two key pieces of legislation were signed into law on Maternal and Infant Healthcare. 

Supporting maternal health doesn't begin in the delivery room.

It starts with access to care, education, and resources, long before pregnancy.

Connecticut committed to providing access to maternal health services during the 2025 legislative session with the passage of HB7102: An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care, and HB 7214: An Act Concerning Maternal Health.

Both pieces of legislation were signed into law last week by Governor Lamont and affirm Connecticut's dedication to ensuring safe, high-quality care, regardless of race, income, or zip code.

House Bill 7102 (Public Act 25-38):

  • Develops a strategy to increase birth centers and birthing hospitals in underserved regions of the state with a high percentage of Medicaid recipients
  • Increases Medicaid reimbursement for doulas
  • Expands the role of fathers in supporting maternal and infant health

House Bill 7214 (Public Act 25-7):

  • Establishes a task force to study perinatal health care, which will provide a report card for birth centers and hospitals providing maternity care
  • Requires the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to study the pros and cons of doula-friendly practices in hospitals and make related legislative recommendations
 

WBDC Ignite & Childcare Business Grant Program

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has announced the next round of their Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs. The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow.

The program offers:

  • Grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million

Since the start of the program, 424 grants of over $3.9 million have been distributed to women-owned businesses in Connecticut.  The application period for this grant runs from August 5 through September 16.

Click here for more information on Ignite.

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses.

The program offers:

  • Grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand

Since this program was launched in 2020, nearly $8.4 million has been awarded to child care businesses in every corner of Connecticut. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31.

Click here for more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here. 
 

E-Bikes: Know the Law

New regulations will take effect for some electric bikes, or e-bikes, on October 1. The new law pertains to E-bikes without pedals and with batteries over 750 watts. They will be classified as motor-driven cycles and require a driver's license to operate them. E-bikes exceeding 3,500 watts will require registration and insurance, like motorcycles.

E-bikes are gaining popularity but medical professionals are warning that these bikes can be dangerous. Connecticut Children's Medical Center treated 25 e-bike injuries in May and June 2025, compared to three in May and June 2024.

Here’s what parents and kids need to know about riding e-bikes in Connecticut:

  • Speed limits matter: Class 2 e-bikes (the ones with a throttle) are capped at 20 mph. Class 3 models can go up to 28 mph—but only if they’re not throttle-powered
  • No passengers unless built for two: Most e-bikes aren’t designed for a second rider
  • Stay off the sidewalk: Unless otherwise posted, e-bikes are considered vehicles. They belong on the road, in the right lane
  • Be courteous and cautious: If riding on sidewalks or shared paths, yield to pedestrians
  • New in 2025: Class 1 e-bikes are now allowed on bikes and multi-use trails statewide, unless a town says otherwise.

For more information: https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/.../e-bike-injuries...
 

West Nile Virus Alert

A pool of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Easton, Bridgeport and Stamford, according to the CT Mosquito Management Program.

While there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Connecticut so far this season, a reminder that residents should take steps to prevent mosquito bites at this time of year. Those steps include the following:

  • Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • While outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label.
  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting, and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
  • Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
  • When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible.
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside.

For more information on the latest testing results and locations visit: the CT Mosquito Management Program and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station.
 

Community Events