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Happy Friday!
With mere days left until the legislative session concludes, we are in the final push, working multiple 12+ hour days debating and passing legislation.
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The days are long, but the work is important. As we finish session, I'll continue providing updates on everything we're accomplishing for our state.. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
In this week's eblast, you can read about a bill transforming special education in Connecticut, major reform to housing, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
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For too long, Connecticut's special education model has faced fundamental flaws that prevented all students from receiving the proper education they deserve. With our recent passage of HB 5001: An Act Concerning the Quality and Delivery of Special Education Services in Connecticut, we are taking important steps to reform this system.
This bill, which passed 148-0 in the House on a bipartisan basis, makes historic investments for students in special education, delivers better access to services, and provides cost controls and greater transparency. |
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Key provisions of the bill include:
- Historic investment in our students, including $30 million for the Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program, which will help build capacity to serve students closer to home.
- Prioritizing better access to services through enhanced development screenings, behavioral assessment and intervention plans, access to remedial classes in higher education, and involvement of parents and local school districts before a student is moved from their school.
- Reining in costs by regulating third party rate processes and developing new billing and licensing standards.
- Increasing oversight through on-site compliance visits and detailed system-wide reporting to reduce unpredictability and improve accountability.
Children are our future, and it is our responsibility to provide them a proper education. In a state that has one of the best K-12 public school systems in the country, HB 5001 makes sure our special education program maintains that same level of quality.
The bill must now pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.
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Amid one of the most constrained housing markets in the nation, families across our communities are finding it harder than ever to secure homes. Rents are rising, available housing is scarce, and outdated policies are standing in the way of new construction. This housing crisis impacts every facet of life — limiting economic opportunity, straining our education and healthcare systems, and affecting public safety.
This week House Democrats led passage of HB 5002 which aims to tackle these challenges head-on by increasing housing supply, streamlining regulations, protecting vulnerable residents, and empowering local communities with the tools they need to create lasting solutions.
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Provisions in this measure provide funding to regional bodies to support towns in proactively planning for affordable housing. This is coupled with a robust $50 million annual grant program to assist public housing authorities in directly increasing housing supply for our lowest-income residents.
Finally, for those who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of homelessness, this bill offers meaningful support by funding mobile shower and laundry services—meeting urgent hygiene needs while promoting public health and restoring a sense of dignity. Additionally, we affirm the humanity and vulnerability of unhoused individuals by banning hostile architecture designed to exclude or punish them.
Addressing the issue of housing is a complex challenge with no simple solutions, but this bill represents a meaningful step forward in supporting those in need.
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We’re cracking down on street takeovers and illegal ATV use. House Democrats voted on Wednesday to authorize steep fines, vehicle seizures, and automatic license suspensions. This legislation targets both participants and organizers, aiming to curb dangerous road behavior with tougher enforcement and penalties.
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House Democrats approved a reform this week to stop the weaponization of our legal system by using defamation lawsuits to silence victims. Communications that detail sexual discrimination, harassment or assault will now be kept confidential in civil court.
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The House passed a number of bills this week - you can read more about them below!
- SB 3: Focuses on consumer protection and safety, with provisions addressing price gouging, junk fees, right to repair, and more
- HB 7013: Strengthens the Local Food for Schools Incentive Program - Groton is a participant in this great program that incentivizes purchasing local produce for school meals!
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Sincerely,
Dan Gaiewski
State Representative |
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