Kate Farrar

On Wednesday, October 6, I hope you'll stop by for Community Office Hours from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Faxon Branch Library!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov.

I hope to see you there!

• Individuals 65 years of age and older
• Frontline workers ages 18 to 64 who are at risk of exposure
• Long-term nursing home residents; and
• Individuals with certain high-risk, underlying medical conditions.

Booster shots were previously approved for those who are immunocompromised in mid-August.

Although people who have received two vaccine doses still have significant protection against COVID-19, a third dose is a chance for older adults and those most at risk to reinforce their immunity. Those who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not yet eligible for booster shots.

Booster shots may be administered six months after the second vaccine dose. Those who are eligible for a booster shot can sign up at https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal. Booster shots will be available at hospital vaccine sites, at urgent care clinics and pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens.
 
It is important to note that high levels of demand may make appointments difficult to come by at first, but those who want booster shots will not have to wait long.
 
The COVID-19 vaccine is our greatest weapon against this deadly virus. As new variants continue to develop and spread, it is critical that everyone get vaccinated. I encourage all those that are eligible to sign up and get a booster shot to improve immunity against COVID-19.
 
If you have not gotten vaccinated, you can find a location near you by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal.

Although Connecticut is one of the most highly vaccinated states, we do not want to let our guard down. By keeping these declarations in place, we maintain the limited protections that allow our state to contain COVID-19, help individuals get vaccinated, keep kids in school and continue our economic rebound.

Plus, the General Assembly changed the law during the last legislative session to give legislative leaders the ability to reject any Executive Order. No matter what Governor Lamont does with the authority, ultimately, the legislature has the opportunity to shape these decisions.

I appreciate hearing from 20th District residents in advance of this vote. Given what has worked here in Connecticut, the continual threats of new strains, and the inability for our children to be vaccinated yet, I voted in support the continuation of the emergency declarations. Let’s continue to come together - as we have throughout this crisis - to follow the science and make data-informed decisions for the whole of our state.

Below is a selection of some of the laws that go into effect on Friday, October 1:

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 mature and 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 or stop if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or indicated that they are going to cross.

Addressing Gender Discrimination

• PA 21-30 – Requires employers to offer equal pay for "comparable” work regardless of gender.
• Also requires employers to offer prospective applicants and employees with a scale of pay among those with similar tasks.

Deterring Age Discrimination

• PA 21-69 - Prohibits employers from requiring information that would reveal an individual's age on an initial application for employment. This includes birth date, graduation date, and years spent working previous jobs, helping older workers get through the first steps of the hiring process.

"Bottle Bill"

• PA 21-58 -Starting October 1, certain retailers will be required to have at least two reverse vending 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.

If you would like to register to vote or update your voter registration, visit the Connecticut Secretary of the State website here. 

If you are a registered voter, don't forget that you can vote by absentee ballot during the November elections. You can download an application for an absentee ballot on the SOTS website, here, or through your Town Clerk. West Hartford residents can also pick up an application at the below locations:

• Town Hall Lobby
• Noah Webster Library
• Faxon Library
• Bishops Corner Library

West Hartford voters can drop off their applications at any of the Election drop boxes in town:

• Town Hall, Main Entrance, 50 South Main Street
• Main Entrance of Faxon Branch Library, 1073 New Britain Avenue

Ballots will start to be sent out to voters on October 1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all voters can vote by absentee ballot. 

Beginning January 1^st, there will be significant changes to the CT Family and Medical Leave Act. Income replacement benefits will be available for Connecticut workers who need to take unpaid time away from work to attend to their personal — or a loved one’s — health needs. 

Previously, Connecticut’s Family and Medical Leave Act only applied to workplaces with 50 or more employees, but as of January 1st, the CT FMLA's job-protections will apply to workplaces with one or more employees to ensure all workers in Connecticut receive the assistance they need.

It is equally important that we support both families and small business owners throughout the state. While these benefits begin in January, applicants may begin to file before the start date. In preparation, the CT Paid Leave Authority has put together the following webpage to guide businesses as they navigate this shift.

If you have any questions about these resources or the CT Family and Medical Leave Act, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. 

Sincerely,

Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers