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| Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you and yours well.
Tomorrow, Friday, September 24 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., join me, Senator Cabrera and State Rep. Mary Welander at the Valley Diner in Derby for a Legislative Coffee Update! All are welcome. |
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| These informal discussions are designed to spark meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to you, provide updates on our work, and answer any questions that you may have.
I hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. |
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- SB 1037, An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management updates the "Bottle Bill" to reduce waste from getting into the recycling stream, provide funding to towns to clean up "nip" bottles, and expand recycling for the first time in 40 years.
- SB 837, An Act Concerning the Use of Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Class B Firefighting Foam, bans the harmful chemical PFAS from getting into our waterways and food packaging.
- SB 927, An Act Concerning Revisions to the Sewage Spill Right-To-Know Statute, expands the "Right to Know" law to ensure the public has timely information about sewage spills.
- HB 6441, An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation, adopts recommendations of the Governor's Council on Climate Change to enable towns to be more resilient in dealing with climate change. Towns may now establish their own stormwater authority, and flood and erosion control boards will now have the authority to oversee flood prevention and climate resiliency. We also expanded the Green Bank's duties to support environmental infrastructure.
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| Are you hesitant or not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, consider participating in a listening session to discuss your concerns about the vaccine with health care professionals at Griffin Hospital. You can also receive a $40 gift card just by participating. These session are coordinated in partnership by the Yale School of Public Health, Griffin Hospital and the Prevention Research Centers.
For more information or to sign up, call 203-732-1125. |
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| With the Delta variant, it is more important than ever to roll up our sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Click the image above for an enlarged version of it. If you need assistance scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Additional vaccine sites can be found here. You can also call CT's Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
Griffin Health Mobile is offering a free day pass to Quassy with a first COVID-19 vaccination dose! Additionally, individuals who get their second vaccine at the location at 4 Fourth St can receive a $25 gift card to an Ansonia restaurant.
Click here to get a list of locations the mobile vaccine clinic will be visiting. |
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| NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT OCT. 1 |
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| Next week, several new laws in Connecticut will go into effect on October 1st. These laws are a result of the hard work of my colleagues and I during the 2021 session. We worked tirelessly to push for change that would benefit all Connecticut residents.
Below is a selection of some of the laws that will go into effect Friday, October 1st:
Breastfeeding in the Workplace
- Public Act No. 21-27 – Requires employers to provide a private room or location with an electrical outlet for women to express milk. Employers must also provide a refrigerated space to store the breastmilk.
- The law also protects breastfeeding employees from workplace discrimination.
Marijuana and Smoking Restrictions
- On October 1, a portion of Public Act No. 21-1 will go into effect.
- Medical marijuana patients who are 18 years of age or older can start growing up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants at home.
- Smoking of any kind (tobacco, vaping, marijuana) will be prohibited within 25 feet of the any door, window, or vent intake of any building open to the public.
Pedestrian Safety
- PA 21-28 clarifies the rules for pedestrians in crosswalks
- Starting October 1, drivers must slow down and stop if a pedestrian is attempting to enter the crosswalk or indicating by waving that they wish to cross. Previously, pedestrians had to be in the road to receive the right-of-way. This improvement will make our roads safer for pedestrians and avoid fatalities.
Addressing Gender Discrimination
- PA 21-30 – Requires employers to offer equal pay for comparable work regardless of gender.
- Also requires employers to provide transparency with a pay scale of similar job tasks to prospective applicants and employees.
"Bottle Bill"
- PA 21-58 – Starting October 1, certain retailers will be required to have at least two bottle redemption machines on their premises.
- It also increases the handling fee paid by the distributors to redemption centers from 2.5 cents per beverage container to 3.5 cents.
Click here the complete list of laws that will go into effect on October 1. |
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| Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 34 in Derby Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Saturday, October 16. There will be no roadwork on October 11. Learn more about the scheduled closure on the CT Department of Transportation website here. |
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| OPERATION FUEL UTILITY ASSISTANCE |
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Operation Fuel has funds available to help struggling families – right now – with programs for year-round energy assistance, water assistance, and homeless intervention and prevention, too.
Households whose income does not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines may qualify for assistance.
To apply online, visit Operation Fuel's secure portal here.
You can also connect with a fuel bank in your area. To schedule an appointment, enter your town in Operation Fuel’s Fuel Bank Finder. If you have questions or need assistance, call 860-243-2345. |
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| If you are a landlord with a tenant behind on rent or are a tenant struggling to catch up on rent payments, the UniteCT program can help. Launched in March using federal emergency COVID-19 funds, this program provides up to $15,000 directly to landlords on behalf of tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to catch up on payments. Households making up to 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development area median income are eligible for the funds. For a household of 4 in Ansonia and Derby, the AMI is $78,500.
Landlords and tenants can initiate the online application process. Paper applications are not being accepted. Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by clicking the button below.
UniteCT recently opened an office in Ansonia at 4 4th Street, Valley Residents are welcome to stop by or call 203-397-6648 or email Priscilla Santiago at psantiago@workplace.org to create an appointment to receive help applying for the program or to learn more about the program. |
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| ACCESS HEALTH CT SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD |
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| If you are still in need of quality, affordable health care, or want to save on your plan, it is not too late to get a plan during the Access Health Connecticut (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period. If you haven’t looked recently, prices for healthcare have PLUMMETED on Access Health thanks to new state and federal laws. The Special Enrollment Period ends on October 31 and enables new and existing customers to take advantage of newly available financial relief through the American Rescue Plan.
This financial help is offered only through Access Health CT and benefits many, including those with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums. If you need coverage please don't hesitate to reach out. For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period, click here.
To complete an application, make sure you have the below information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Visa, green card, immigration documents
- Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, Form 1099
- Current insurance coverage
- Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, other employment information to confirm income for everyone in tax household
Access Health CT will continue offering free help:
- Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: click “Live Chat” icon)
- Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us with a relay operator
- Extended Call Center Hours for close of the Special Enrollment Period: Sat., August 14 and Sun., August 15 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- With Enrollment Specialists in the community
- In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*:
Learn more about Access Health CT here.
The Access Health CT Open Enrollment period begins November 1! To help potential applicants learn more learn more about open enrollment, how the American Rescue Plan lowers health insurance costs, the plans available on the exchange and so much more, Access Health CT will hold Healthy Chats throughout the month of October on the below dates:
- Tuesday, October 12 at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. (Spanish Only)
- Tuesday, October 26 at 6 p.m.
Click here to register for a chat! |
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| The Office of the Healthcare Advocate will host a virtual Lunch & Learn event via Zoom on September 28 at 12 p.m. to teach employers, consumers, medical providers, and others about the evolving world of healthcare insurance and how it impacts you and those around you. This will be a 30-minute event comprised of a 15-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes for questions. Click here to access the Zoom event. |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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