Maria Horn

This Memorial Day weekend seems like one we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.  It’s been a long work week, and a long year of challenge that we are finally emerging from.  Some towns are moving forward with parades, others will not hold them this year, so please be sure to check your town’s website for the most up to date information.  Even in the rain, it will be nice to get out and celebrate with family and friends and take the opportunity to honor all of those who have lost their lives serving our country, and without whom we would not have our freedom. That’s a lot for us to be thankful for. 
 
It’s been another busy legislative week as we count down to the final day of session on June 9. Among other bills, yesterday’s agenda included quick passage of a Public Safety bill on motor vehicle accident reports, and lengthy debate and passage of SB 1019, known as the Clean Slate Bill.  The latter, the product of many years of work and compromise, is groundbreaking legislation that will help thousands of formerly incarcerated citizens in Connecticut by clearing their records and paving the way for re-entry to society with access to good paying jobs, education, and quality housing.
 
Clean Slate bills are being debated all across the country, with some states having already moved forward with bipartisan support.  The bill we passed is based on the premise, backed up by studies and data, that, for certain offenses, if a person has not committed another offense for a specific amount of time they are no more likely to re-offend than a member of the general population, so should not face a life sentence of being denied housing, jobs, and education because of that criminal record. 
 
SB 1019 provides that, for a specific set of offenses,  after either 7 or 10 years depending on the level of the offense, a person has not committed another offense, their record will be considered erased.  It’s good for economic recovery, and projected to create up to $1 billion in economic benefits (which is why it’s supported by many businesses, including JP Morgan in this editorial with Senator Gary Winfield).  It’s good for public safety, because stable employment and housing are powerful ways to reduce recidivism.  
 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Memorial Day weekend!

 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Bills Passed During Thursday's Session. Click here.
• Tips for Safe Travel on Memorial Day Weekend. Click here.
• NW CT YMCA's Grand Prix Race Series. Click here.
• New State Unemployment Work Search Requirement. 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.”

A Few Bills We Passed on Thursday, May 27

HB 6520
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.

HB 6399
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.

HB 6558
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.

HB 6646
The state has worked incredibly hard over the past few years to provide relief and assistance to hundreds of families in northeastern Connecticut following the devastating discovery that their homes had crumbling foundations. HB 6646 will expand on this work by extending the life of the captive insurance company, require annual reports from quarries, and develop concrete standards.

HB 6470
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. 

SB 1019
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.

Tips for safe travel on Memorial Day weekend
 
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times to travel. Below are five tips from the National Safety Council for how to prepare for your commute: 

1. Prepare before you go – Before hitting the road, make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check their oil, put air in their tires and check for and repair open recalls. 
2. Drive distraction-free – Thousands have died in crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and #JustDrive.
3. Slow down – Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay attention for those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
4. Designate a sober driver – or arrange alternate transportation. Alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including opioid, cannabis and some over-the-counter medicines, can impair your driving ability by causing drowsiness, altering visual functions and affecting mental judgement and motor skills.
5. Buckle up – Seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives. Buckle up and make sure you have the appropriate car seats installed correctly if you're traveling with children.

New State Unemployment Work Search Requirement

f you have been collecting COVID-related unemployment, you should be aware of upcoming changes which will affect they 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 Monday, 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. 

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.