Newsletter 4/1/2022

April 5, 2022

I hope you had a great week! We have several bills advancing out of committees of which I want to make you aware. I've highlighted the juvenile justice bill in this week's Legislative Spotlight.

In this e-newsletter you'll find information on:

  • Legislative Spotlight - Juvenile Justice Bill
  • Community Conversation on Disability Services
  • Fairfield Students Lobby for Lollipops
  • Juvenile Justice Part 3: Root Causes & Prevention
  • Fairfield Stands with Ukraine
  • Fairfield Ludlowe Cheer Wins State Championship
  • Earth Day Community Clean Up
 
Legislative Spotlight
Over the last 15 years, every juvenile justice bill has gone to the Governor’s desk with strong support from members on both sides of the aisle. As we work to respond to the pandemic-driven uptick in car thefts and other criminal activity that all states have experienced, House Democrats have led bipartisan discussions since last summer to develop juvenile justice reforms without undoing our recent progress.
A product of these discussion is House Bill 5417, which the Connecticut General Assembly's Judiciary Committee voted overwhelmingly to approve. The proposal would make reasonable adjustments to Connecticut's existing juvenile justice laws without reverting to the failed tough on crime strategies enacted decades ago. This bill would:
  • Increase funding to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to expand Regional Police Task Forces devoted to motor vehicle crimes. (Appropriates money for regional crime reduction strategies.)
  • Work with the Judicial Branch to speed up juvenile arraignments.
  • Provide additional funding to the Judicial Branch for juvenile probation flex funding accounts to get youth on probation into afterschool, sports, or job training programs.
  • Require GPS monitoring for repeat juvenile offenders.
  • Grow Connecticut's REGIONS Programs by allocating funding to Juvenile Justice Outreach Services.
  • Provide flexibility with the 6-hour hold at a community correctional center or lock-up if an arresting officer is in the process of seeking a detention order.

H.B. 5417 is smart on crime, includes provisions to address some of the challenges law enforcement face when attempting to solve a crime, and invests in community-based programs to reduce recidivism. We negotiated with our Republican partners to establish a training program for police officers on when to apply for and issue a detention order, to require judges who decline a detention order to articulate in writing why the order was declined, and redefine car theft in Connecticut.
 
As the committee and legislative leaders developed the proposal, House Democrats stood in firm opposition to Republican efforts to permit the transfer of 13 year-olds to adult court and reopen a centralized juvenile jail. We have learned from our history, the prior facility of this nature, CT Juvenile Training School, was shut down after costing the state $400,000 per juvenile, per year and having a nearly 90% recidivism rate. There is a trove of data that demonstrates these approaches to crime are not effective at reducing crime and making our communities safer. As we work to address juvenile crime in our state, we cannot fall back on the reactionary measures of our past.
 
The House and Senate must vote on the proposal before it goes to the governor's desk for consideration.
 
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.
 
 
Community Conversation on Disability Services
On Monday, I hosted a virtual community conversation with Commissioner Amy Porter of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) and Cheryl Cepelak, Interim Director of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) to discuss the programs and services the state provides for blind and visually impaired residents, as well as seniors losing their vision.

BESB service programs include training, adaptive technology, and devices that help people who are blind or losing their vision to function independently in their homes, communities, and work places. They also work with children in school settings to implement adaptive strategies and technology, and support educators in ensuring children who are blind can fully access the curriculum.

This was an important conversation to ensure agency leadership was hearing directly from the blind community on ways to strengthen current services and suggest opportunities for improvement. I'm thankful to all who attended to bring their  thoughts and ideas forward. The full conversation can be found here. 

If you or anyone you know is losing their vision and could use help adapting their home or work for continued independence, please contact BESB at 860-602-4000. For more information about BESB services, visit their website here. Please reach out to my office if you need assistance.
 
Fairfield Students Lobby for Lollipops
A pair of Fairfield fourth graders from Dwight Elementary School are lobbying for lollipops! Jacqueline Glick and Amelia Neubauer testified before the Government Administration and Elections Committee in support of HB 5498 to make the lollipop the official state candy. The bill passed through committee and will now head to the House floor for a vote!

I am so proud of these young activists who have been pushing for the sweet treat to become a symbol of the state for the past year. A special shoutout to their third grade teacher, Joan Robb, for introducing her students to the legislative process. Read the CT Insider story here. 
 
Juvenile Justice Part 3: Root Causes & Prevention
The third and final part of the juvenile justice panel series will be held this Wednesday, April 6th at 7:30 p.m. I hope you will join me, Brian McLaughlin, who worked for the CT Judicial Branch for 20 years, primarily as a Juvenile Probation Officer, and Iliana Pujols with the Connecticut Justice Alliance to discuss what leads kids to get involved in crime and what is proven-effective in preventing crime. Register here. 
 
Fairfield Stands with Ukraine
It was so wonderful to see Fairfield come together on Wednesday night to raise funds for the people of Ukraine and to celebrate Ukrainian culture. The outpour of support and generosity from our community continues to amaze me. All proceeds raised will benefit  RAZOM and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, two organizations that are providing urgent aid to Ukraine. Thank you to all of the organizers of Fairfield Stands with Ukraine for creating an opportunity for our community to come together and a way for us to contribute to organizations doing the essential and critical work on the ground in Ukraine.
 
 Fairfield Ludlowe Cheer Wins State Championship
Congratulations to the Fairfield Ludlowe cheer team for winning the CIAC co-ed State Championship and placing second at the New England regionals. Fairfield is so proud of you!
 
Earth Day Community Clean Up
Save the date! Fairfield Parks & Recreation is hosting a community clean up for Earth Day on Friday, April 22nd at 12 p.m. Join in to make Fairfield a cleaner and greener place for all.