State Capitol Update for the Week of June 1.
June 5, 2021Saturday is not a usual day for my legislative newsletters, but it’s a working day in the Connecticut House, and we have a full agenda ahead of us, so I’m departing from the usual schedule.
I thought I’d give you a little description of how this stage of the legislative process works. Because the days are long (often extending into the early morning hours), my bags are packed and waiting in my car, so that I can stay with a friend or at a local hotel if necessary, rather than drive home in the wee hours. As a former girl scout, I also equip myself with a variety of snacks (including some emergency chocolate, a necessary item in my family). Sometimes we know how debate will go, and sometimes we don’t, so it’s good to be prepared.
Overall, House leadership maintains a “Go List,” which consists of bills that have received a “Favorable Report” from the relevant committee (which just means they passed) and have also been deemed ready to go by the bipartisan screening committee in the House. If a bill is on the “Go List” it can theoretically be called at any time.
Each day there is a “hot list” of bills that will (probably) be called that day: that is usually released just minutes before session begins. As a Committee Chair, I get a text the day before to let me know which bills of mine will run the next day. The first thing I do is make sure my ranking member (the senior Republican on the committee) knows which bills will be called, so that we can both prepare. That is almost always a collaborative process, in which we work together to figure out how best to present the bill. For a complicated bill, that can mean a long back and forth. For simpler bills, particularly as we run out of time with session ending on June 9, you might hear one or both of us simply say, “Good bill. Oughta pass.”
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Bottle Bill Passes in House. Click here.
- Domestic Violence Law Bill Heads to Governor's Desk. Click here.
- Additional Legislation Passed this Week. Click here.
- New Shelf-Stable Food Box Program Available. Click here.
- Nuvance Health's 'Get Fit' Challenge. Click here.
- Connecticut's Youth Employment Program Expanded. 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.”
Bottle Bill Passes in House
Modernizing Connecticut’s bottle deposit program has been one of my priorities since I was first elected, and I am thrilled that we finally took action this week and passed the “Bottle Bill.”
Connecticut's original bottle bill was enacted in 1978 and was one of the most progressive anti-litter laws of its time. While the program worked extremely well in its early years, the law has since become outdated and return rates have dropped below 50%.
S.B. 1037, An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management, includes a number of provisions aimed at updating the bottle deposit program and increasing redemption, such as:
- Increases the redemption rate on beverage containers from 5 to 10 cents starting January 2024
- Requires certain retailers that sell beverage containers captured by the bottle program to have two reverse vending machines outside of their stores starting in October 2021
- Updates the types of beverage containers captured by the bottle program, such as containers for teas, juices, hard ciders, and hard seltzers
- Allocates $5 million through the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to create a grant program for new redemption centers in urban areas
- Creates a nickel surcharge on nip bottles, which are a major source of litter in towns across the state, at the point of sale. The money will be redistributed to Connecticut towns and cities to use to reduce waste and litter.
This is a complicated bill, and the process of drafting and editing it was equally complicated. Compromises had to be made, so not everyone got exactly what they wanted. But I’m very proud to have supported this “messy” bill that will help our towns save money by taking heavy items out of the recycling stream at a time when costs are skyrocketing, will clean up our communities by reducing litter, will improve the efficiency of recycling by getting more glass out of the system, will create jobs by supporting redemption centers, and will make it easier for people throughout the state to redeem their bottles.
It is fitting that today is World Environment Day. Although we can not turn back the clock in order to right our environmental wrongs, there is still time to protect our future. SB 1037 is one example of Connecticut's commitment to building a better world for the next generation.
House Sends Bill Strengthening CT's Domestic Violence Laws to Governor
I have worked on issues related to domestic violence for many years, including several chairing the Board of Women’s Support Services in Sharon, and I’m very proud of HB 1091, which strengthened protections for domestic violence victims and survivors by, among other things, expanding the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control.
This expanded definition recognizes intimate partner violence can be more than physical abuse – it can take shape as emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. This bill will help make the process of filing for restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and other family court matters easier for victims and survivors. It would also create a new legal aid program to provide legal representation for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
These changes can help save lives by offering more positive outcomes to individuals trapped in abusive relationships.
The bill now goes to Governor Lamont for his signature. If signed, Connecticut would join California and Hawaii as states that recognize non-physical abuse as a form of domestic violence.
Additional Legislation Passed in the House
Below are a few other pieces of legislation that have passed through the House:
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.
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.
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.
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 subject to it.
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.
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.
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.
For municipalities purchasing open space, undisclosed dams can be costly to remove. Additionally, dams can endanger the surrounding environment should they fail. With the passage of 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.
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. This 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.
Your state government is supposed to serve as an equitable representation of our communities, but across gender and race lines, barriers have maintained a largely uniform state government where women and people of color are underrepresented.
SB 883 would adopt the recommendations of the Governor's Council on Women and Girls to remove barriers to childcare expenses for candidates running for state elected office and increase transparency of processes to ensure equity when appointing individuals to boards and commissions.
Connecticut has the nation's highest cost for phone calls made to and from the state's prisons. Families spend a combined $12 million just 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 help halt the revolving door of recidivism.
Connecticut's craft beer industry continues to boom, and it may receive a boost. Just passed, 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 track.
No one should be denied employment because of their age, yet studies have found that 60 percent of workers over 45 have experienced or seen age discrimination. SB 56 would strengthen protections against age discrimination by prohibiting employers from asking job applicants their age, date of birth, and graduation date.
Epinephrine cartridge injectors, such as EpiPens, are lifesaving tools for individuals with life-threatening allergies, however high prices keep these devices out of reach. EpiPens can cost up to $700, leading consumers to hang on to long-expired epinephrine injectors or forego them altogether. Just passed, HB 6587 would cap the cost at $25 and require health carriers to include at least one covered epinephrine injector on its lowest cost-sharing tier for certain insurance plans.
Connecticut's current domestic violence laws fall short of offering comprehensive support and protection for survivors. SB 1091 updates our laws to, among other changes, expand the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. Though seemingly small, these changes can offer more positive outcomes to individuals trapped in abusive relationships.
Opioid antagonists, like Naloxone or Narcan, and EpiPens save countless lives, rescuing individuals from an accidental overdose or a severe allergic reaction respectively. SB 1011 will require police officers, who are often the first responders to a scene, to carry and effectively administer these life-saving medications.
New Shelf-Stable Food Box Program Available
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with The Salvation Army Southern New England Division, CT National Guard, CT Department of Social Services, and FEMA announce the availability of approximately 30,000 food boxes for emergency feeding networks assisting people and families experiencing food insecurity. Eligible organizations are encouraged to fill out a preliminary interest questionnaire for consideration no later than Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Organizations not affiliated with a larger food bank network and those who can act as a ‘regional’ food hub to a network of smaller organizations may receive priority. Each box weighs approximately 22 lbs. filled with nonperishable food. The contents vary but include items such as rice and beans, dehydrated milk, mac and cheese, and other canned goods.
For more information, please visit CTPantryResources.com or contact Cyrena Thibodeau at Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov or 860-895-3094 with questions.
Nuvance Health’s Get Fit Challenge
Nuvance Health’s Get Fit Challenge returns from June 6 to July 18.
For doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a few times per week, Get Fit participants in the mid-Hudson Valley and Western Connecticut are entered to win an Apple Watch, sporting goods and workout apparel.
There is no cost to take the challenge and set up a profile at WeGetFit.org. Anyone 18 and older can enter. The website keeps track of workouts and automatically enters participants into prize raffles once 12, 18 and 25 workouts are entered. The more workouts completed in the six weeks, the better the prizes.
Participants can do any physical activity, at any location and any time between the challenge dates.
For more, visit www.WeGetFit.org and sign up before June 6
Connecticut’s Youth Employment Program expanded
Additional youths this year will be able to benefit from the expansion of the Connecticut Youth Employment Program, which provides year-round employment opportunities for youths across Connecticut with community-based agencies. An additional $2 million will bring its total investment to $7.7 million and will be spent to support the program with services like transportation, food support, and other items that will decrease barriers to participation.
The investment comes from Connecticut’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – also known as the CARES Act – and is in addition to the $5 million the state previously allocated for the program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor. The Youth Employment and Training Collaboration, a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, is also funded at $710,000, giving the program a total of $7.7 million this year.
The Connecticut Youth Employment program runs year-round and is implemented by the state’s five Workforce Development Boards to increase youth leadership, improve job readiness, and improve economic stability. The 2020 program year was funded at just over $7.6 million and served more than 2,300 young people through December of 2020. The initiative will support the state’s reopening efforts.
The additional funding will provide mental health trainings for youth workers and case managers; and expand support services like transportation and food assistance. The program will expand youth peer mentors, youth outreach, and employer engagement specialists to remove barriers to participation – especially for marginalized youth – and build in equity and inclusion.
Some opportunities include:
- Virtual outreach through social media to promote safer health practices;
- Delivery of educational materials to community and other organizations;
- Outreach and assistance to homebound families; and
- Fostering youth-to-youth connections and acting as social distancing ambassadors.
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.