Anthony Nolan

Legislative Update: Bills Passed June 3, 2021

HB 894 Connecticut's craft beer industry continues to boom, and it may receive a boost. SB 894 would permit the sale of alcohol-infused treats, like chocolate at package stores, and the use of a self-pour automated machine to serve beer, certain ciders, and wine. This is an innovative way to keep our craft beer industry on an upward path. SB 972 Connecticut has the nation's highest cost for phone calls made to and from the state's prisons. Families spend a combined $12 million to stay in touch with their incarcerated loved ones. SB 972 corrects this dubious policy. By enabling incarcerated individuals to stay connected to their families, we can reduce recidivism significantly. SB 914 In 2019, Connecticut became the first state to provide burial rights for Hmong Laotian Special Guerilla Unit Veterans at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. To further recognize the contributions and sacrifices these soldiers made serving alongside U.S. service members during the Vietnam War in the U.S. secret war in the Kingdom of Laos, the House passed SB 914, which expands their access to certain veterans' benefits. We hope this measure will honor their service, which helped bring many U.S. service members home. SB 700 For municipalities purchasing open space, undisclosed dams can be costly to remove. Should a dam fail, it can result in significant damage to the environment. With SB 700, residents selling their property would be required to disclose any dams that are or have been registered with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This bill will help promote safety and transparency in real estate transactions.

HB 6517 Over 2,000 Connecticut students were diagnosed with dyslexia during the 2018-19 school year, and 80% of students with learning disabilities have dyslexia. To improve instruction and better support students with dyslexia, the House passed HB 6517. The bill establishes an Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities that will help teachers identify students who may have dyslexia and become more effective at instructing them to achieve greater success. The first step in helping students overcome challenges in the classroom is identifying why they're struggling. This bill provides the tools to help students succeed. HB 5597 The opioid epidemic has devastated our state. HB 5597 would help combat this epidemic by creating a task force to study the response protocols used by emergency responders and medical personnel following an opioid overdose death. It also requires the state Department of Public Health Commissioner to develop guidelines for the use of non-pharmaceutical methods of treating chronic pain and conduct community outreach to raise awareness. This bill could save lives and address the stigma of opioid use disorder. HB 6442 From schools to jobs to meetings, most of our lives moved online over the last year – exposing the extreme inequities in broadband access and the need to bridge the digital divide. HB 6442 will work to address these inequities and provide reliable broadband access across our state. SB 989 One in four Americans have experienced online hate and harassment, but Connecticut’s statutes regarding stalking and harassment have not kept pace with technology. SB 989 will update Connecticut's laws to combat online harassment and protect those subjected to it.

SB 1008 Pulse oximeters are valuable tools that can help diagnose conditions like asthma, lung cancer, and others. However, they are 3 times more likely produce inaccurate readings when used on individuals with darker skin. Just passed by the House, SB 1008 would inform health care providers, pharmacies, insurers, and others that these devices can be inaccurate when used on people of color. It also prohibits insurers from denying benefits coverage based on blood oxygen levels measured by a pulse oximeter. By bringing attention to this weakness, we can help improve health outcomes and care. SB 1037 With recent and proposed changes to the state's waste management, Connecticut's recycling program is ready for reform. Commonly known as the "bottle bill," SB 1037 will make changes to increase the redemption and recycling rates for bottles and cans to save our communities money and protect our environment. It will also invest in redemption centers to make recycling more convenient and viable. SB 927 Sewage spills can harm our waterways and contaminate public drinking water or swimming areas. SB 927 would establish a system enabling Connecticut residents to be notified of sewage spills. Residents should have the right to know when there's a public health risk. SB 975 Many of the privileges we enjoy at home are denied to Connecticut's long-term care facility residents. Just passed by the House, SB 975 strengthens the nursing home patients' bill of rights so residents may treat their living space as their home, protecting their rights to privacy, health, and safety. Every resident deserves the safety and security of a home-like environment.