Legislative Update 5.23

May 23, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Good morning, and happy Mental Health Awareness Month. I write to inform you that my colleagues and I have been hard at work passing bills this session. In the past few days, we passed a workers’ compensation bill that would have resulted in a potential 265% increase in workman’s compensation had we not acted, saving CT businesses millions of dollars.

Moreover, on Wednesday we passed an extension of the Trust Act, which I co-sponsored, ensuring that all municipalities follow the law intended to protect immigrants, many of whom live in our 148th District.

Some of my colleagues held a conference this week to discuss important legislation aimed at improving the health and well-being of Connecticut residents. I've added a short video on the topic to this newsletter. Please also find a link below that includes all the legislation passed in the House during the session so far.

The 2025 legislative session ends on June 4th. The budget looms large, along with other important legislation that has to get done. I look forward to doing my best for our District and for our State.

I hope you have a great holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Jacobson
State Representative

Around the Capitol

Extending Protections in the Trust Act

In the wake of unprecedented federal immigration crackdowns, including targeting properly documented immigrants, and the denying of due process and Habeus Corpus, with my colleagues, I stand by our Connecticut values in protecting our friends and neighbors, many of whom live in our 148th District.

I am proud to say our state has one of the strongest TRUST Acts in the country. It was approved unanimously in 2013 after some neighborhoods in Connecticut were subjected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that left a significant impact on their communities.

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in the House to strengthen the Trust Act by:

Ensuring that officials like juvenile probation officers and employees of the Division of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are included in existing TRUST Act protections.
That the TRUST Act allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities when someone has been convicted of serious crimes.
Added a slew of Class C and Class D felonies including those related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material to the list of post-conviction offenses where law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Medical Debt Relief

Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!

I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Deb. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?
Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like HERE.