Expanding Voter Access, Outdoor Dining Extension & Update on Endometriosis Bill

March 21, 2022

This week at the Capitol, the House was in session to vote on legislation regarding absentee ballot eligibility and an extension for outdoor dining. See below for more information on these bills and an update on the Endometriosis bill. 

 
Expanding Voter Access

Voting is a fundamental right that ought to be fair and accessible, but Connecticut's voting laws are needlessly restrictive when it comes to voting by absentee ballot.

On Wednesday, the House passed HB 5262, An Act Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes, to make it easier for voters to vote absentee if they're feeling unwell, worried about their health, or out of town on Election Day.  

To be eligible to cast an absentee ballot, current law requires voters to have a physical disability or illness that prevents them from voting in person or be out of town for at least 14 hours on Election Day.

No voter should ever have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their right to vote. This proposal eases some of the eligibility restrictions for absentee ballots so that more residents can choose this method to cast their ballot.

I encourage you to track this legislation as it moves forward for a vote in the Senate. I will keep you informed with further updates.
 
Outdoor Dining Extension
In response to the pandemic, the state temporarily allowed permits to increase and expand outdoor dining to offer residents a safe way to support their favorite local businesses. As we continue to adapt to our ever-changing environment, the House passed HB 5271 to extend the popular provision through next year and further allow restaurants the ability to safely rebuild their customer base. 
 
Endometriosis Bill
The Public Health Committee passed HB 5303: An Act Concerning Continuing Medical Education Requirements Concerning Endometriosis and Cultural Competency And The Creation Of A Plan For An Endometriosis Data And Biorepository Program out of committee this week! It'll now go to the House floor for a vote. 

Click here to read the full bill text. I will keep you updated as this moves forward in the legislature!
 
 
We-Ha Roundtable
I had a wonderful time participating in the We-Ha.com Roundtable with John Lyons, Ronni Newton and the West Hartford delegation! Click the photo below to watch: