Anthony Nolan

Legislative Update: Bills Passed June 7, 2021

HB 6448 COVID-19 offered an opportunity for municipalities to review existing policies and procedures to find new ways to serve their communities. HB 6448 will make permanent some changes made during the pandemic to improve processes, expand public participation, and streamline opportunities for our local restaurants.   SB 1004 Accessible dental and vision care is an essential component of preventing chronic conditions – but for young adults still just starting their careers and no longer able to retain coverage through a parents' insurance policy, this can be a costly measure. Just passed, SB 1004 will allow children, stepchildren, and other dependent children to retain dental and vision care under their parents' policies until age 26 or until they are able to access their own coverage through an employer.

SB 837 The continued use of forever chemicals like PFAS, which is often found in firefighting foam, pose a significant environmental hazard. Most recently, in June 2019, the state saw a spill of PFAS containing foam threatening the aquatic habitats in the Farmington River. To better support and protect our environment, SB 837 will begin take critical steps to reduce our use of PFAS.   SB 363 SB 363 will expand the State Attorney General's authority to protect the civil rights of Connecticut residents by allowing an investigation into allegations that civil rights are being violated and initiate legal proceedings in response.

HB 6467 Through a partnership between the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), financial institutions, and Community Economic Financial Institutions, HB 6467 aims to achieve inclusive economic growth by promoting additional financing options for businesses across the state, specifically for those which are small and minority-owned.   SB 763 Mandatory reporters play a critical role in spotting the signs of elder abuse and ensuring that our older community members are safe. With an increasing number of older adults relying on paratransit services to get around, SB 763 adds paratransit drivers to Connecticut's list of those mandated to report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment – offering a comprehensive solution to keeping our older adults safe.

SB 759 Connecticut is home to a diverse group of individuals – but with the use of only "he/him/his," our constitution does not represent this diversity. To better reflect everyone, across all genders, SB 759 will create a task force to examine the Constitution of Connecticut to preserve it's meaning while replacing gendered language to affirm that our state is home to all.

Two of the most important pieces of legislation still to address include a new state budget and the legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use.   Less than 48 hours remain before the General Assembly adjourns our regular session at midnight June 9th and I will keep you informed of our progress.