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Dear Neighbor,
The House of Representatives took a step toward addressing the mental health crisis facing Connecticut teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support. |
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The statistics are stark, frightening and sobering. According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. teens, on average, spend 5 hours a day on the seven most popular social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. While that's alarming enough, a majority (60%) of teenage high-frequency social media users who had low parental oversight reported they had poor or very poor mental health.
Social media companies have algorithms designed to keep their youngest users' eyes glued to their screens, so much so that teens often exhibit addict-like behavior in continuing to use the apps.
To address the issue, HB 6857 requires, among other things, age verification methods for minors and limits on the times when social media platforms can send minors notifications.
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. |
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Many people have frustrating stories of hidden and/or exorbitant fees on the secondary ticket market. The House passed a bill on Wednesday (HB 7182) that protects consumers by, among other things, prohibiting entertainment venues from entering into exclusivity agreements with ticket resellers, requiring upfront disclosures on the actual price of a ticket, and requiring ticket resellers to provide refunds for cancelled live entertainment events.
The bill had overwhelming bipartisan support, with no dissenting votes. |
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| Other Legislation that Passed |
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On Tuesday, House Democrats voted to improve interagency communication and collaboration on homeless services by establishing an interagency council on homelessness.
This council will bring together representatives from state agencies, nonprofits, public housing authorities, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to ensure that our state agencies are coordinating and developing long-term solutions.
We are always looking at ways to improve government efficiency and address homelessness head-on. |
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| House Democrats took action on Tuesday to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by guarding the physical addresses of shelters and group homes from public access and public discussion during agency meetings. Safeguarding these locations is a testament to our unwavering support for survivors. |
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Also on Tuesday, Connecticut joined more than 50 countries worldwide in banning shark finning — an inhumane practice that threatens marine ecosystems and pushes many shark species toward extinction. We are proud to be part of a growing international movement for ocean conservation.
This legislation:
- Protects ocean biodiversity
- Promotes sustainable marine practices
- Stands against cruelty in our global waters
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| Social Media Trend Causing Fires |
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Public safety officials across the state are issuing warnings about the dangerous trend in which students are encouraged to short-circuit their personal or school-issued electronic devices by inserting pencil lead or other conductive objects into the USB or other charge ports.
The short circuit often results in sparks and can ignite a fire, which could easily spread. It can also lead the internal battery to experience thermal runaway and ignition.
There have been at least six incidents in schools statewide, including Newington, Southington and Cromwell, during which a Chromebook or other device either ignited or sparked.
“It is vitally important that youth and adults take fire risks seriously and recognize the danger inherent to these types of social media ‘challenges’,” State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert said. “Fire can become uncontrolled and turn deadly in just a few seconds.”
For more information, visit here. |
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| Opening Day at Gurleyville Grist Mill |
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Joshua's Trust Gurleyville Grist Mill opens for the season on Sunday, May 18, from 1 to 5 p.m. The grist mill will be open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. through mid-October.
The 15-acre campus includes the Miller’s Cottage, birthplace of Gov. Wilbur Cross, whose grandfather and father were millers here. Guides will be available to give tours of the mill and the extant machinery used in the 19th century water-powered mills.
For more information about the Gurleyville Grist Mill, visit at https://joshuastrust.org/gurleyville-grist-mill/ .
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Mansfield Memorial Day
Parade and Ceremony |
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The Mansfield Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 26, at 9 a.m. The parade will travel from the intersection of Route 195 and Bassetts Bridge Road in Mansfield Center, down Cemetery Road to the ceremony site at the new Mansfield Center Cemetery.
In the event of rain, a ceremony will be held at the Mansfield Middle School gymnasium. |
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As always, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
State Representative Gregg Haddad |
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