Maria Horn

As a committee chair this year, I’m seeing more layers to the legislative process.  For one thing, bills are rarely final.  Even bills that passed unanimously in committee with the full support of all stakeholders, once placed on the “Go List” (which means they can be called at any time), can suddenly draw attention from those who just want to “tweak a sentence or two.” 

In which case you find yourself running back and forth between the Capitol and Legislative Office Building, tracking down other legislators, calling and texting all of those who agreed to the earlier language, getting new language to the drafting attorneys, getting other legislators to sign on as sponsors, and then filing amendments. 
 
Today, while traversing the outdoor path between the two buildings, we were treated to a “Puppy Break” as the CT Humane Society brought a few of its canine charges to a tent in front of the Capitol to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day.  As a proud owner of two rescue dogs, it’s a pleasure to support them, and, yes, hanging out with the puppies was very therapeutic. 

 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• House Session This Week. Click here.
• Governor Lamont Signs Renewed COVID Emergency Declaration. Click here.
• Updated Mask Protocols in Connecticut. Click here. 
• Consumer Reports Would Like to Hear From You. Click here. 
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund Applications. Click here.
• Access Health CT Virtual "Healthy Chats" Kick-Off. Click here. 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 

Specific Updates for Our Community

 

Town	Total Cases	Total Deaths	Number of Tests	Number of Positive Tests
Canaan	13	0	852	18
Cornwall	49	0	2,306	60
Goshen	159	1	5,516	194
Kent	163	0	12,767	195
Norfolk	67	0	2,442	77
North Canaan	208	8	10,734	238
Salisbury	142	0	12,821	171
Sharon	111	1	5,538	149
Torrington	3,491	140	94,204	4,294

 

House Session this Week 
 
During Tuesday and Wednesday's session, we passed a number of pieces of legislation. Below is a brief description of what we passed:

HB 5737
From museums to memorials to historic sites, Connecticut is home to many landmarks that honor the contributions of our military and veterans. HB 5737 creates a state-wide military and veteran trail to help easily navigate and recognize each landmark and the story it tells about the history and pivotal role the military and veterans have played in our state.

HB 6483
Armed service member's children can face many challenges as they relocate schools due to a change in a parent's duty station. With the passage of HB 6483, CT removes a hurdle by allowing military orders to be accepted as proof of residency for public school enrollment, and adopts "the Purple Star School Program," to ensure military-friendly schools. With this legislation, Connecticut is taking necessary steps to better support military families as they transition to our state.

SB 1003
Patient copay assistance plans are designed to help access critically need prescription medication at an affordable cost, but too often pharmacy benefits managers and health insurance companies have prevented patients from taking advantage of these coupons. This makes necessary and potentially life-saving medications unaffordable. SB 1003 takes steps to protect customers at the point of sale and helps manage out-of-pocket costs.

HB 6466
Through no fault of their own, especially over this past year, individuals can fall on hard times and face a growing list of debt obligations. While current law makes some protections for an individual's home and cars if bankruptcy becomes their only option, HB 6466 makes a fair increase to the homestead and motor vehicle exemption that more equitably matches the property values of our region.

HB 6113
Understanding the signs of abuse is a critical component to keeping our kids safe. Just passed by the House, HB 6113 will raise awareness and educate parents, guardian, coaches, and youth sports volunteers to effectively combat child sexual abuse.

HB 6548
A truly fair trial cannot happen without a jury that accurately represents the diversity of a community. Just passed by the House, HB 6548 makes data-driven changes to Connecticut's jury selection methods to ensure each defendant can access their right to a fair trial by their peers.

HB 5610
With increasing costs of higher education, HB 5610 aims to increase student's access to financial aid options to further their education. 

HB 6495
We all deserve fair and equitable access to financial products and services, however persistent discrimination in banking and home lending has had a detrimental effect on communities of color. HB 6495 prohibits certain discriminatory conduct, requires the implementation of fair lending examination procedures, and requires certain banks to take step to ensure residential loan products are available in traditionally underserved communities.

HB 6485
Hydrogen and electric cars are the way of the future but work still needs to be done to understand how to best ensure equitable distribution of grants for residents hoping to purchase these vehicles. To achieve that goal, the House just passed HB 6485 which will require the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR) Board to conduct that study.

HB 5420
Unfortunately, Connecticut can be home to severe weather which has been known to cause inoperative traffic signals and bring intersections to a halt as drivers try to figure out how to safely pass through or avoid other reckless drivers. HB 5420 helps to clarify this confusion and ensure safe intersections by requiring drivers to treat an intersection with an inoperative traffic control signal as though it is controlled by a stop sign.

HB 6112
For LGBTQ+ court-involved youths, Connecticut's criminal legal system can cause harm, resulting in a need for additional or enhanced services. Just passed by the House, HB 6112 will help to better understand the potential harm of Connecticut's criminal legal system on our LGBTQ+ youth and what services will be needed to mitigate this harm. 

HB 6038
Being a lottery winner and claiming your prize shouldn't come with a risk to your anonymity. That's why the House just passed HB 6038 to protect player safety and privacy by requiring the lottery to obtain written consent to publish winner's photos and upon request, remove a winner's name from the published list.

HB 5307
 HB 5307 expands and clarifies existing statutes to protect the Connecticut consumer against the predatory practice of price gauging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for personal protective equipment and other critically needed medical goods and services soared, ultimately threatening the health and safety of providers and patient. Connecticut consumers deserve adequate protection during a public health emergency.

HB 6580
Teaching our K-12 students to lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle requires a comprehensive education covering the importance of locally grown and produced food and a better understanding of the agricultural industry. HB 6580 expands our student's opportunities to learn more about food and agriculture through education programs.

HB 6606
Historic mixed-use building across Connecticut hold huge potential and with some renovation could offer a significant impact for their communities – however, investing in a mixed-use building can be complex and expensive. HB 6606 would initiate a task force featuring stakeholders from a variety of professions to examine these potential barriers and how to combat them.

HB 6417
 HB 6417 requires that every prospective camp employee, 18 and older, complete a comprehensive background check before obtaining employment in roles that provide care or involve access to any child at the camp. Requiring background checks is a simple and effective way to keep our children safe.

HB 5011
Access to records created by public agencies allow for real transparency and accountability. HB 5011 eliminates barriers to accessing this information by reducing or completely removing the cost of fees associated with accessing these public records.

SB 835
Patients trying to access their right to reproductive health services should not have to navigate deceptive advertising campaigns by limited service pregnancy centers. With the House passage of SB 835, patients seeking care can rest assured that they are receiving accurate information.

HB 6634
During the public health emergency, nursing home residents saw increased isolation as facilities worked to safely respond to the crisis – this can’t happen again. HB 6634 works to prioritize a resident's physical, emotional, and social needs while a long-term care facility is responding a public health emergency.

Governor Lamont signs renewed COVID-19 emergency declaration, remaining in effect through July 20
 
Pursuant to legislation that was recently approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, Governor Lamont signed a declaration renewing the public health and civil preparedness emergencies that were enacted to enable the state to provide an adequate response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration will remain in effect through July 20, 2021.
 

**Download: Governor Lamont’s declaration extending COVID-19 civil preparedness and public health emergencies

 

Governor Lamont signs executive order modifying COVID-19 mask protocols

Connecticut continues to move forward in its vaccination efforts and rates of new infections have steadily decreased over the past few days. Starting tomorrow, May 19, 2021, new safety protocols concerning face masks will be implemented in Connecticut following updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

Masks will no longer be required in outdoor settings, and individuals who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks or socially distance in indoor settings.

Masks are still required in indoor settings for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Additionally, masks will still be required in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare.
Private businesses, state and local government offices and other events may choose to require universal masking. Therefore, it is still important to keep a mask on hand while you’re out and about.

Over the coming weeks, the CDC and the state Department of Public Health will issue revised recommendations for face masks in businesses, large gatherings and events, and other settings, and more details of settings where masks will continue to be required.

As the state begins to fully reopen, it is important that we get as many people vaccinated as possible to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. If you still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit ct.gov/covidvaccine or call 877-918-2224 to learn more about our state's COVID-19 vaccination program or to schedule a vaccine appointment. A list of vaccine clinics accepting walk-up patients can be found here.

Tomorrow is going to be a bright day as our state begins to reopen and recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

 Consumer Reports would like to hear from you
 
The COVID pandemic revealed how important high-speed internet is to our lives. It allowed us to work and learn from home. It kept our economy moving, and our families connected. And it will continue to do so long after we emerge from this crisis.
Yet many in our region, and millions throughout the country, don’t have access to broadband internet. And those who do have few choices when it comes to providers -- paying too much for too little, or getting stuck with unreliable service.
 
As part of an effort to make high-speed internet more fair and accessible for everyone, Consumer Reports would like to hear from you about your experience.  Do you think what you pay is fair for what you receive? Do you have a choice of providers? Or, if you don’t have internet available, how do you get online? Tell them about it here.

Final Push for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Applications
 
Eligible eating establishments have until Monday, May 24, 8 p.m. ET, to submit applications to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

To date, the RRF program has received more than 303,000 applications representing over $69 billion in requested funds, and nearly 38,000 applicants have been approved for more than $6 billion. Of the overall submitted applications, 57 percent came from women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged business owners. During the first two weeks of the program, SBA has received applications from:

• More than 122,000 women business owners
• More than 14,000 veteran business owners
• More than 71,000 economically and socially disadvantaged individuals

For those interested in applying to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, visit sba.gov/restaurants.

Access Health CT Virtual “Healthy Chats” Kick-off again
    
Access Health CT (AHCT) announced a new series of virtual educational sessions, known as “Healthy Chats.” The purpose of the online events is to help Connecticut residents become familiar with the marketplace, learn about plan options, to get coverage and learn about newly available financial help to lower their monthly payments (premiums) during the current Special Enrollment Period from May 1 – August 15, 2021.
 
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) signed into law on March 11 by President Biden, will make health insurance coverage more affordable and accessible for many Connecticut residents during the current health crisis, by virtually eliminating or vastly reducing monthly payments(premiums) for many people with low and moderate incomes who enroll through Access Health CT; and providing new financial help for people with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums.
Healthy Chats are free and will be held virtually via Zoom (in English & Spanish) at 6:00 PM on several  Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May and June. Healthy Chats are informational-only sessions, and no enrollments will be processed. Additional dates may be added to the Eventbrite calendar and dates are subject to change.  

To join, attendees can access the event here.

After a virtual AHCT Healthy Chat, event attendees should be able to:
·        Know what Access Health CT is and how it can help you
·        Understand the types of coverage options available
·        Understand the financial impact of the American Rescue Plan for consumers and AHCT’s current Special Enrollment Period
For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period and the American Rescue Plan, visit AccessHealthCT.com.
 
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This 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 are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.