May 28 Newsletter

May 28, 2021
We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

 
May 28th Session: Roundup Of Bills Passed
We were at the Capitol this week debating and voting on a variety of bills. Among the bills we passed are the following:
H.B. 6520, AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF TEMPORARY STATE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Domestic violence victims often find themselves trapped in potentially tragic situations because they lack the independent financial security to leave a relationship – and for too many, access to the resources needed to leave are defined by their household income. Through temporary benefits, HB 6520 will give survivors the opportunity to financially detach themselves from their abusers and begin the steps to safely move on with their lives.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6399, AN ACT CONCERNING THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY.
Early intervention and adequate resources are essential to keeping our children safe. HB 6399 would require the Department of Public Health to administer a statewide approach to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey to better assess the potential risks our children may be facing and provide data-driven details for possible resources.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6558, AN ACT CONCERNING ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT.
Early childhood education and services offer support and a solid foundation to allow our children to flourish as they grow – but Connecticut faces a significant shortage of infant and toddler care. To offer parents, children, and providers a stronger approach to child care, HB 6558 offers student loan forgiveness for early childhood educators, expands Care4Kids, and establishes a pilot program for new childcare entrepreneurs.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6470, AN ACT CONCERNING HOME HEALTH, TELEHEALTH AND UTILIZATION REVIEW.
Throughout the pandemic, emergency orders to expand telehealth services offered significant relief to our most vulnerable residents and allowed flexibility for patients and providers. HB 6470 maintains this impactful access to health care services and extends access to HUSKY Health participants.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

S.B. 1019, AN ACT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, ERASURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR CERTAIN MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY OFFENSES, PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ERASED CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION AND CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO MISDEMEANOR SENTENCES.
Even after someone has repaid their debt to society, they are left with a criminal record that carries a lasting impact making it harder to find a job, secure housing, go to school, or even obtain a license. To give people the clean slate needed to move on with their lives and get back to work, the House just passed SB 1019 to allow for automatic erasure and anti-discrimination for certain low-level crimes.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.
 

H.B. 6622, AN ACT CONCERNING PRESCRIPTION DRUG FORMULARIES AND LISTS OF COVERED DRUGS.
During a "plan year," healthcare insurers are free to add or remove drugs from their formularies or shift individual drugs between tiers. This practice leads to potential higher costs or complete loss of coverage for consumers. HB 6622 would offer peace of mind to consumers by modifying the carrier's ability to impose these potentially confusing changes.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 5677, AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID.
Treating the root causes of violence is one of the most important ways of making our communities safer. HB 5677 supports new models for community safety by investing in violence prevention services that focus on intervention and aftercare to reduce violence and save lives.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6597, AN ACT CONCERNING ACCREDITATION, REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, MENTAL HEALTH, DATA STORAGE SERVICES AND TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
HB 6597 provides funding to support the resources and tools to support accountability measures, in addition to clarifying job protections for law enforcement officers undergoing the mental health exam required under the Police Accountability Act.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

S.B. 908, AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO CERTAIN PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BY THE EXCLUSIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYER BARGAINING UNIT.
Unions have the right to organize. SB 908 will help public-sector unions grow and maintain their membership by barring public employers from deterring new or existing employees from joining a union and allowing efforts to ease access to unions for new employees.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6436, AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OPEN CHOICE VOUCHERS PILOT PROGRAM.
For children in communities with concentrated poverty and under-resourced schools, opportunities can be significantly limited. Open choice programs allow children to attend higher resource schools. But in passing HB 6436, the House took this a step further by making it easier for such families to move to that higher opportunity community where their child already attends school. In this way, the entire family can become a true part of the community.

CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.

H.B. 6441, AN ACT CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION.
HB 6441 implements a plan from the Governor's Council on Climate Change to provide Connecticut's towns and cities with the resources needed to effectively fight climate change. It expands the Green Bank and helps with coastal resiliency. I have heard from many of you about the "conveyance fee" on home sales (first $150,000 exempted).
 
CLICK HERE for more information about this bill.
 
House approves broader rules for absentee balloting
The House of Representatives passed legislation this week to make voting more accessible and convenient for Connecticut residents. HB 6205 expands eligibility for absentee voting in a common-sense way.

Under current law, caregivers and family members of those with a disability or illness are not eligible to vote by absentee, forcing them to choose between their right to vote and caring for a loved one. HB 6205 adopts a more general standard of sickness and disability, thereby allowing caregivers and family members the opportunity to vote by absentee.

Connecticut continues to work on voter protections to make voting as easy, safe, and accessible as possible. The House also passed two resolutions focused on voting rights earlier this month: HJ 58 which calls for no-excuse absentee voting, and HJ 59 which allows for early voting.

All three of these voting reforms are awaiting further action in the Senate.

While other states are passing legislation to disenfranchise voters, Connecticut is acting to support participation in the democratic process.

 
New State Unemployment Work Search Requirement
If you have been collecting COVID-related unemployment, you should be aware of upcoming changes which will affect the way you file for and receive your benefits.

Last year, Connecticut Department of Labor waived the mandatory work search requirement as part of Connecticut’s public health response to the pandemic. The waiver allowed unemployed individuals to receive benefits even though they were not actively searching for work.

Beginning Sunday, May 30, 2021, the work search requirement will again be in effect and will require those receiving unemployment to document their efforts to find a job.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

 
If you, as a claimant, have been collecting COVID-related unemployment, you must now make reasonable weekly work search efforts by:

  • Contacting an employer: Claimants must contact at least one employer per week for work for which the claimant is reasonably suited based upon prior work experience, skills, knowledge, and ability. Claimants may initiate contact online, in person, by phone, or by mail. They must ensure the employer has their call back information for hiring purposes.
  • Documenting your work search efforts.

Claimants must also engage in at least two of the following or other similar work search activities (either in person or virtually):

  • Participate in a job interview.
  • Attend a workshop at an American Job Center or a job fair.
  • Participate in reemployment service activities at an American Job Center.
  • Create a reemployment plan.
  • Create and post a resume to www.CTHires.com.
  • Create a personal user profile on a professional networking site.
  • Contact another employer for a job for which the claimant is reasonably suited as outlined above.

You can record your work search efforts using this form HERE. Beginning in July, claimants will be required to report this information when you file your weekly claim. If you fail to provide this information, it could result in your being denied unemployment for that week.

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding the work search requirement, click HERE. You may also contact the Consumer Contact Center by clicking HERE or by calling 203-941-6868 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 
UniteCT Mobile Registration Van Coming to West Hartford
The UniteCT Mobile Registration Van will making its first of three stops to West Hartford on Tuesday, June 1 at the Faxon Library, 1073 New Britain Ave.

The van travels helping renters across the state sign up for financial assistance in the event they have been impacted from the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you cannot make it to Tuesday's event, the van will come back to West Hartford on Monday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Faxon Library, and at Town Hall, 50 South Main Street (next to the garage wall), on Friday June 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Click the link below for additional information.

We-Ha.com: UniteCT Mobile Registration Van Will Visit West Hartford to Assist Renters Access to Program
 
Happy Memorial Day Weekend
I hope you have a fun and safe Memorial Day with family and friends! Please take a moment from your picnics and barbecues to remember why we celebrate this day. Today, and every day, I am thinking of all of those who have lost their lives serving for our country, without whom we would not have our freedom.

See below for information on Memorial Day events in our area this weekend:

-Avon Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m.

-Farmington/Unionville Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 31 at 10 a.m.

-West Hartford: West Hartford will not be holding a Memorial Day parade this year. However, West Hartford will air a ceremony on May 31 at 10:30 a.m. on Comcast channel 5 and Frontier channel 6098, as well as on YouTube. In addition, the American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 will hold a brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at North Main Street and Farmington Avenue on May 31 at 10:30 a.m.