State Capitol Update Week of May 22

May 22, 2020

I celebrated Phase I of the state’s re-opening with a visit the New Goshenette diner for a delicious toasted bagel: they’ve got a collection of picnic tables set up in the parking lot for outside dining and it’s a great place to stop by.​

While you’re there, stop by next door and visit the “Pantry”: a sturdy wooden structure where you can make food donations or take what you need. Behind it is a corkboard with the message “I am one, we are many,” and a suggestion that you might want to leave a positive message behind as well.

Some things about this Memorial Day weekend upon us are familiar – a welcome blast of warm weather, growing things and gardens reminding us they need our attention, the smell of a grill heating up, and our towns decked out in flags in honor of our those who have given their lives for our country.

A central fixture of this weekend is missing, however: the parades that give us the opportunity to visit with neighbors and friends, and to collectively thank our veterans for their service, have been canceled due to the pandemic. However, there are still safe ways to honor those who gave their life for our country. Check out this Hartford Courant article for some ideas. To watch yesterday evening’s Wall of Honor ceremony, click here.

I want to thank our veterans for their devoted service to defending our great nation and the democratic principles it stands for. They set the standard for the models of service we see around us every day, and, particularly in these trying times, it's important that we take a moment on Memorial Day to show them our love and gratitude.

We had news this week about the ability to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming primary election in August, with the Governor issuing an executive order providing that, if there is no coronavirus vaccine available by that time, anyone eligible voter who wishes to may vote by absentee ballot. I wanted to clarify that only eligible voters may vote in the primary. In Connecticut, you may only vote in the primary of the party you are registered in. Unaffiliated voters are not eligible to vote in a primary. Many thanks to Town Clerk Darlene Brady in Kent for paying close attention to that detail so that I could clarify that.

A couple of quick notes & reminders:

  • If you visit a park or trail this weekend, please respect other hikers and revelers by wearing a mask and keep six feet of physical distance. If the parking lot is full, try another one: parking outside the lots can be dangerous for both you and those who live on those roads. We are lucky to have a lot of choices: for some options, check out https://www.alltrails.com/us/connecticut
  • Many inland beaches remain closed because of the potential for over-crowding: check your town websites to see what’s open.
  • And, finally, there will be no newsletter on Monday: my incredible staff, who work late into the night helping me and the other legislators they serve, deserve a bit of a break. I will still do multiple newsletters next week, but the schedule will be a little different.

Be well and stay safe this weekend.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • Executive Order No. 7RR (re DEEP rental refunds, Birth-3 program, guest books at private clubs)
  • Connecticut Department of Social Services updates
  • Connecticut Department of Labor awarded $2.33 million federal grant
  • DMV extends expiring credential deadlines to 180 Days
  • State establishes enforcement protocols for safe reopening
  • Results from small business reopening and worker sentiment surveys
  • Connecticut Department of Social Services preparing online access to food with SNAP benefits
  • Connecticut Department of Labor notifying more than 75,000 individuals about potential eligibility for extended unemployment benefits
  • Connecticut insurance commissioner approves expansion of free life insurance coverage for frontline health care workers from MassMutual
  • Information on decontaminating N95 masks
  • Connecticut Department of Public Health reports findings of deficiency in infection control in nursing homes
  • Connecticut farmers impacted by COVID-19 eligible for food assistance program funding
  • Grill and garden with Connecticut Grown products
  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection outlines state park operations plan heading into summer season
  • Webinar from The Equus Effect on May 29 at 10:30 am
  • Five Points Gallery in Torrington reopens for limited hours
  • AARP free online resources

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities

The following documents contain updated data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This data is updated on a weekly basis.

**DownloadData on nursing homes in Connecticut as of May 20, 2020

**DownloadData on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of May 20, 2020

Connecticut Department of Social Services announces children enrolled in school meals program will soon receive additional, emergency SNAP benefits

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) today announced that because of the cancellation of in-person, pre-K to grade 12 classes at all schools in the state for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, the families of approximately 265,631 public school students and 1,748 private school students who participate in the free or reduced-price meals program will soon receive additional, emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals while learning from home during the pandemic.

Initially, when schools were slated to reopen on May 20, the state received federal approval to provide $71.3 million in EBT benefits. That amount, however, increased to $97.5 million when the decision was made to cancel in-person classes for the remainder of the academic year. The emergency SNAP funding for children who participate in the free or reduced-price meals program was authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

DSS estimates that it will issue approximately $34.5 million in additional food benefits to about 70,000 SNAP-eligible households and $63 million in food benefits to about 80,800 households not currently enrolled in SNAP. DSS is partnering with the Connecticut State Department of Education on the plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Specifically:

  • Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits will be deposited in the EBT accounts of about 70,000 households currently enrolled in SNAP on or about Sunday, May 24. An additional 800 households enrolled in the Temporary Family Assistance Program, but not currently enrolled in SNAP, will also receive Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits in their EBT accounts at that time.
  • DSS will mail EBT debit cards to about 80,000 households not currently enrolled in SNAP and will deposit Pandemic EBT SNAP benefits into their new EBT accounts on Sunday, June 7, for Medicaid-enrolled households and on Sunday, June 21, for all other households. These are households that do not currently have EBT cards because they are not enrolled in SNAP or cash assistance.

Benefits can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards. This includes farmers’ markets and direct market farms. Pandemic EBT participants will also have online access to eligible food purchases through delivery or curbside pickup when it is implemented in the overall SNAP program.

Families do not need to apply for Pandemic EBT benefits, as children are automatically eligible because in-person classes are not in session. The planned one-time benefit is $364.80 per child enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program.

Connecticut Department of Labor awarded $2.33 million federal grant to create disaster relief jobs, employment and training services

The Connecticut Department of Labor has been awarded a $2.33 million federal grant to create temporary disaster relief jobs for dislocated workers and other eligible individuals, along with employment training services and any necessary supports. The Disaster Recovery National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant was awarded to assist the state as it continues to respond to the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

State Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said that the grant will be used to address critical needs resulting from the public health emergency that has impacted every part of the state, including the unprecedented surge in unemployed individuals, the public health crisis straining health care infrastructure, and the increased demand for workers in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance jobs.

The agency expects the disaster relief jobs to fall into three job categories: cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting public facilities; delivering medicine food, or other supplies to quarantined individuals and vulnerable populations; and health care support jobs to assist with sick and vulnerable individuals.

The Connecticut Department of Labor will partner with the state’s five regional workforce development boards and their employer partners to implement these programs. The five boards are Capital Workforce Partners, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, The WorkPlace, and Workforce Alliance.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Department of Labor

Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 7RR enacting the following provisions:

  • Authority for DEEP to issue rental refunds: Authorizes the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to reimburse funds that were collected from rent paid by any person for use of state park property, including for camping or any special event.
  • Modification of age limit for early intervention coverage: Requires health insurance policies to continue providing coverage for birth to three programs after a child’s third birthday in the event that school closures may delay a child’s transition to other services for older children.
  • Waiver of requirement for guest books at private clubs: Waives the statutory requirement that private clubs maintain guest books to reduce shared points of contact.

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles extends expiring credential deadlines to 180 Days

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that as the state continues responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, its previously enacted 90-day extension for Connecticut residents with expiring credentials is being extended to a total of 180 days. Eligible DMV credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 are automatically covered by this extension.

In addition to extending the expiration date of DMV credentials, late fees associated with eligible expired credentials will be waived during the time period of the extension for qualifying credentials.

Deadlines have been extended for the following DMV-related items:

  • All Licenses, Permits and Identification Cards: Lengthens the credential extension to 180 days for credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
  • All Registrations Including International Registration Plan (IRP) and Boat Registrations: For credentials expiring between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, credentials will be extended by 180 days from the expiration date.
  • Emissions Testing and Retesting: For test due dates that fall between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the due date will be extended by 180 days from the emissions expiration date.
  • Permanent Disability Placard: Any permanent disability placard that expires at the same time as a credential that is subject to a 180-day extension, will be extended by 180 days.
  • Business Licenses: For credentials expiring between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, credentials will be extended by 180 days from the expiration date.
  • Temporary Registrations: Temporary registrations obtained after March 10, 2020 are extended by 180 days.
  • Temporary (Paper) Licenses: Expiration dates will be extended by 180 days for all temporary (paper) licenses obtained after March 10, 2020.
  • Flashing Light Permits: Expiration dates between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 are extended by 180 days.
  • New Residents: For any person who moved to Connecticut after March 10, 2020, the deadline for obtaining a license, registration, or emissions inspection in Connecticut will be extended by 180 days.
  • Suspension Related Matters: Suspensions that take effect between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 will be delayed by 180 days as a result of failure to attend an Operator Retraining or Child Safety Seat Program, or nonpayment of fees due to a returned check or rejected payment.
  • VIN Verification: Waived until September 10, 2020.
  • School Bus Proficiency Tests: Extends the validity of school bus proficiency tests that are due between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 by 180 days.
  • Ignition Interlock Devices: Waives violations and penalties associated with failing to meet 30-day recalibration of ignition interlock devices until September 10, 2020.

For updates and more information about the DMV credential extensions, visit CTDMV.info. For questions, residents can call 860-263-5700 or 1-800-842-8222.

State establishes enforcement protocols for safe reopening

The State of Connecticut has established new enforcement protocols to ensure businesses follow the Sector Rules for May 20th Reopen designed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Enforcement will be done by local health officials, local law enforcement, and municipalities. These agencies have the authority to inspect businesses for compliance with public health and the reopen sector rules established to protect businesses, employees, and residents from spreading or contracting COVID-19.

In most instances, a first violation will result in a warning and education by local law enforcement. In instances of a second or more egregious violation, law enforcement will refer complaint to the local public health department or chief elected official designee. The local public health department and chief elected official’s designee may order business closure.

Residents and employees who want to report noncompliance should contact local law enforcement or use the online complaint form at ct.gov/coronavirus. Those who do not have internet access can call 2-1-1 and an operator will fill out the form on their behalf. After submitting the form, users will receive a customized response pertinent to the complaint, including contact information for local law enforcement, local public health, CONN-OSHA, or OSHA.

Results from small business reopening and worker sentiment surveys

As part of Connecticut’s reopening process, AdvanceCT issued a series of surveys to both employers and employees. The surveys compiled information about the issues business owners and their staff are facing and highlight some of their concerns.

The data compiled during the survey process has been used to help inform Connecticut’s Reopening committees. Infographics summarizing the survey findings can be found in the links below.

SMALL BUSINESS REOPENING SURVEY

CT WORKER SENTIMENT SURVEY

Connecticut Department of Social Services preparing online access to food with SNAP benefits

The Connecticut Department of Social Services is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the state’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) vendor, and participating food retailers to implement SNAP online purchasing in Connecticut.

Federal approval of the state’s plan was received May 20, and system testing is scheduled to be completed on May 29. The beginning of online food purchasing is tentatively scheduled for June 2. When activated, enrollees will be able to use SNAP benefits on their EBT card to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup at participating food retailers.

Participating food retailers to start are Amazon, including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh; 12 Walmart stores (click here for list); and Wakefern Food Corp., which has 22 participating ShopRite stores in state (click here for list).

Based on successful system testing, online SNAP access is currently scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 2, with all participating outlets online by June 3. A full schedule and contact points will be announced closer to June 2.

To read the federal approval announcement, click here. For more information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Connecticut, visit www.ct.gov/snap.

Connecticut Department of Labor notifying more than 75,000 individuals about potential eligibility for extended unemployment benefits

Leadership at the Connecticut Department of Labor today announced that the agency is planning to mail instruction letters this Friday to approximately 77,000 individuals in the state who have been identified as potentially eligible to apply for 13 weeks of emergency extended unemployment benefits.

Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said that the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) included an extension of the 26 weeks of regular state unemployment insurance to 39 weeks through the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. PEUC could be retroactive to March 29, 2020 and will be in effect through December 26, 2020. Weekly PEUC benefits are based on wage history using the same formula for determining state unemployment insurance benefit amounts. It also includes the additional $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit.

The notifications will include instructions on steps that potentially eligible claimants will need to follow to receive the emergency extended benefits.

For more information on this announcement, read the press release issued by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

Connecticut insurance commissioner approves expansion of free life insurance coverage for frontline health care workers from MassMutual

Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais today announced that additional frontline health care workers and volunteers in Connecticut are now eligible to receive up to $25,000 of free term life insurance. The Connecticut Insurance Department has expedited approval of the expansion of HealthBridge, a new Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) life insurance product that offers free guaranteed issue policies to frontline health care workers and eligible volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. MassMutual has committed to providing $3 billion of insurance coverage through HealthBridge to these deserving and resilient individuals.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

Information on decontaminating N95 masks

For those in the healthcare provider community (including hospitals, nursing home, and home healthcare providers) who use N95 masks (or “respirators”) to protect staff and patients, decontamination of these masks is a critical procedure. We got a thorough briefing the other day on the Battelle system, which uses a Vapor Phase Hydrogen Peroxide (VPHP) process to decontaminate N95 masks, and I wanted to pass those resources along to those of you using these masks, as any organization that uses N95 masks can avail themselves of this service. Check out the Battelle Presentation, or their Battelle CCDS website for more information.

Connecticut Department of Public Health reports findings of deficiency in infection control in nursing homes

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) posted online findings of deficiency in 20 additional nursing homes. The findings relate to infection control and were made following focused infection control surveys of all 213 nursing homes in Connecticut that were conducted in partnership with the Connecticut National Guard and inspectors from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These involved unannounced, in-person visits to nursing homes and have also resulted in enhanced staff training and additional deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE). A key infection control procedure cited in four of the deficiency findings is cohorting, which refers to housing or grouping together nursing home residents tested positive for COVID-19 (or any other infectious disease) in order to slow down the spread of a viral infection.

There were two deficiency findings for improper notification inside the facility and to families, three findings based on improper physical distancing between residents, four findings of various other infection control problems, and 11 findings related to improper use or cleaning of PPE.

By law, the facilities have time to review and potentially dispute the findings of deficiency, and must come up with a plan of corrective action that is approved by DPH. Once the plans of correction are approved, the findings can be posted online. Since visitation to any skilled nursing facility has been banned during the course of the pandemic, DPH has posted these findings publicly online through Connecticut’s e-license website.

To view the recent findings of deficiency and corrective plans of action for individual nursing homes, search the e-license website for nursing home inspection documents that were filed between April 1, 2020 and the current date.

Connecticut farmers impacted by COVID-19 eligible for food assistance program funding

Governor Lamont, Congressman Joe Courtney, and Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt are encouraging Connecticut farmers and producers to sign up to receive financial assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance program (CFAP), which was authorized by Congress through the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Earlier this week U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released additional details on CFAP which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

CFAP will provide vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market costs. Eligible commodities include: non-specialty crops, wool, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and mushrooms). USDA will consider additional crops to be eligible for CFAP by collecting information on potentially eligible crops, including aquaculture, nursery, and cut flowers.

Beginning May 26, USDA's Farm Service Agency will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses. While offices are open by phone appointment only, FSA will be working with agricultural producers by phone and using email and online tools to process applications.

For additional CFAP details, including eligibility, application process, and payment calculator, as well as locations of the nearest FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov/cfap.

Grill and garden with Connecticut Grown products

Memorial Day weekend celebrations will look different than in years past, but you can still fire up the grill and enjoy local, Connecticut Grown food and beverages with your family.

Consumers can turn to local farms for all of their meat, produce, dairy, and even farm wine and beer. Whether you plan to grill up burgers, smoke some ribs, dish out ice cream, or enjoy an adult beverage, you can support our local farmers.

As of May 20, many farm wineries and farm breweries are also open for glass and bottle sales that can be consumed outside on the grounds by guests while abiding by the guidance in place, including social distancing and face coverings. Be sure to check with your destination in advance to confirm hours and rules. For farm wineries, click here. For local craft breweries, click here.

It also looks like a great time to take advantage of the long weekend and forecast of sunny, warm weather to visit a greenhouse or nursery to purchase plants for your vegetable garden or perennials and annuals for flower beds and window boxes.

To buy Connecticut Grown food to put on your grill this weekend, visit CTGrownMap.com to find a producer near you. Place your orders now to ensure availability!

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection outlines state park operations plan heading into summer season

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today released an operation plan that outlines current guidelines around the operation and use of Connecticut state park grounds, trails, beaches, boat launches, and other areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resource – available at portal.ct.gov/deep-parkscovid19 – provides a “one stop shop” for the latest information on outdoor recreation offerings administered by DEEP.

As the state begins a phased reopening of its economy, the vast majority of state parks remain open, as they have been throughout the pandemic. The restrictions that they’ve been operating under, such as daily capacity limits, social distancing guidelines for visitors, and use of face coverings, also remain in place.

For more information, read the press release issued today by DEEP.

Webinar from The Equus Effect on May 29 at 10:30 am

The Equus Effect is a Sharon-based program created to help returning veterans build healthy, authentic relationships at home, work and school through meaningful engagement with horses. They’ve expanded their work to help others dealing with trauma, and are thinking a lot right now about how to help heal those who have been at the frontlines of dealing with the pandemic.

On May 29 at 10:30 am, they are holding a webinar entitled “A Body’s Road to Regulation.” In this introductory webinar, founder Jane Strong and David Sonatore, LCSW, will demonstrate some powerful and practical tools to help you deal with the uncertainy and concern many of us feel about our own health and well-being – as well as for those with whom we live and work. For more information, visit The Equus Effect online, or you can register using the button below.

Register Now

Five Points Gallery in Torrington reopens for limited hours

Beginning June 5, Five Points Gallery will be open to the public Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm and by appointment. They will be following the state’s protocols, so all visitors inside the gallery are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing protocols.

AARP free online resources

AARP Connecticut is offering a free weekly Webinar Wednesday Series to participate in educational workshops and fun-with-purpose experiences. Beginning May 27, you will be able to learn about tools for caregivers, your electricity choices, the new paid family leave, and ways to protect yourself from fraud. Visit them online for more information. Registration is free and open to people of all ages.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.