Legislative Strides Toward Protecting Kids

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April 14, 2022
Last weekend I was sent to the Nation's Capital to advocate for mental health legislation and expansion on behalf of the Connecticut General Assembly at this year's National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
At the conference, I joined peer-to-peer discussions to share my legislative efforts to address and bolster children's mental health in Connecticut, offering insight and guidance to legislators and advocates from other states on how to implement and reimagine mental health policies.
 
It is an honor to be asked to represent your state in our Nation's Capital for any scenario, but a particular privilege when it pertains to your legislative priorities of protecting our kids through better mental health practices. I can only hope that my outlook, perspective, and legislative work so far has taught at least one person something that they can then bring back to their home state to progress policies that put children first. I know I have learned a tremendous deal at NatCon22 and am excited to share these new ideas with my colleagues back in Connecticut.
 
During my discussions, I shared recently released data provided from the working group – I helped establish in PA 21-35 – to develop recommendations for the strategic expansion of school-based health center services in the state. Data from this report will also offer guidance to newly proposed mental health-based legislation.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing was founded in 1969, to help address policy and social change on behalf of nearly 3,500 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults, and families they serve.
 
Protecting our Kids
Last night, the House unanimously passed a bill coming from the Children’s Committee, HB 5243 An Act Concerning The Identification And Prevention Of And Response To Adult Sexual Misconduct Against Children.
This bill expanded definitions on who are considered mandated reporters, updated mandated reporter training to include bystander training, and appropriate interaction with children training; and we make it mandatory for all school employees, not just teachers (such as coaches), and will be available for religious groups and youth serving entities. It also expanded the national CDC school safety survey and provided a first ever parental opt-out of the survey. 

It also included my proposal, An Act Establishing An Online Child Sexual Abuse And Exploitation Task Force. This task force will investigate and identify where and how online abuse of our children is happening, and if there are any challenges that are preventing these crimes from being prosecuted that we can address (like increasing law enforcement personnel dedicated toward these crimes). Together, this bill will build awareness of predatory behavior and increase protections for our children in our schools and our communities. I will keep you updated as it moves forward in the Senate.

 
Sales Tax Free Week
This is just a reminder that you have until Saturday, April 16, to participate in the additional Sales Tax Free Week we established in recently passed legislation to offer some financial relief to you and your families.

You can learn more about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, including a list of tax exempt items,

here.
 
Sexual Assault Awareness
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to focus attention on the prevalence of sexual assault in our communities, uplift the voices of survivors and commit ourselves to putting an end to sexual violence.

Last year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill which focused specifically on protecting sexual assault victims on college campuses. 

HB 6374 requires Connecticut colleges to conduct a sexual assault misconduct survey every two years and establishes a Council on Sexual Misconduct Climate Assessments to assist higher education institutions in collecting this information.

This year, we are advocating for the passage of 

HB 5472, An Act Concerning Sexual Assault and the Absence of Consent. This bill updates statutory language to define "consent" for purposes of sexual assault and clarifies that sexual intercourse without consent is a crime. HB 5472 was voted out of the Judiciary Committee and will be sent to the floor for debate and consideration.
The Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence launched their annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign. This year’s theme is healing through community. Visit endsexualviolencect.org to find out how you can get involved in building survivor communities that provide solace, connection, and prevent further violence.

If you or someone you love needs support, call or text their 24-hour hotline:
1-888-999-5545 for English,1-888-568-8332 para Español.

I hope you will join me this month in honoring the resilience of survivors as we work towards building safer communities.
 
Pediatric Cancer Awareness Gala
Every year, Southern Connecticut State University's Pediatric Cancer Awareness Organization, hosts an annual gala as a fundraiser for their “Child of the Year” who is battling pediatric cancer. This year, their gala will be a hybrid event, with both an in-person gala at Engleman Hall for approximately 100 people, and a live-stream on April 29 from 5:30PM - 7:30PM.

This year's “Child of the Year” is Adrianna. Adrianna is a Plainville first grader who attends Louis Toffolon Elementary School. She was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on March 8th, 2021, in the midst of the global pandemic. Battling cancer during a pandemic is extremely lonely, as there are no visitors in the hospital, only Mom and Dad. There are no visitors, no support staff, and everyone is isolated. Adrianna has completed a year of chemotherapy and has 16 months of treatment left.

There are a few different ways to support Adrianna, please click the links below to learn more.
Ticket Link
Donation Link
 
Derby Drug Takeback
There will be a Medication Take Back Day at Derby High School on Saturday, April 30, from 10AM - 1PM sponsored by the Alliance for Prevention and Wellness, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Derby Police Department.

Bring all your unwanted or expired medication to be properly disposed of, just check the flier below to see what will and will not be accepted.
 
Orange Drug Takeback
The Orange Police Department is partnering with Partners for Prevention and will be hosting the DEA Drug Take Back event at High Plains Community Center at 525 Orange Center Road, on Saturday, April 30, from 10AM - 2PM.
 
Something different has been added to this year’s Take Back event, Pharmacists from the CT Pharmacists Association will be available to answer any questions in regards to prescription medications.
 
Aid for Ukraine
As we continue to watch the horrifying and saddening conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I wanted to remind you all that we do not have to sit back helplessly, there are ways we can offer aid and support to the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

Fellow community member, Olena Lennon, provided us with this list of legitimate donation sites for aid to the Ukrainian community.

Click here to help volunteer to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn more about projects helping Ukraine.

Click here to support funding to cover administrative costs to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn how to help Ukrainians.

Our community, state and country all stand with the innocent citizens of Ukraine and we will continue to do all we can to offer support while actively trying to deescalate conflict.