Rep. Delany Legislative Update 4/18

April 18, 2022

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your family have been well. Last week was a busy week for me with public hearings wrapping up and a long session Wednesday where several bills were voted on. I also took some time to meet with leaders in Stamford on what I can do at the legislature to help build the community.

Below is a recap of what happened in the session last week.

To those who celebrated Easter, Passover, or Ramadan I hope you have a fun and joyful weekend. Don't forget, today is the last day to file taxes!

Here is some information I hope you find useful.

 

TOUR OF STAMFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

       

I had the honor of meeting with Stamford's finest at the South End Fire Station at the request of Kyle Houser. I spoke with firefighters about needing funding to aid with healthcare costs associated with injury or illness being on the job.

 

TOUR OF STAMFORD HOSPITAL

 

I also toured Stamford Hospital last week and visited Maureen McCauley, Stamford Hospital’s nurse manager, Laura Jordan, Stamford Health’s director of government affairs & community relations, and Michael Smeriglio, the director of facilities management, to talk about the future of healthcare in Stamford. We spoke about the urgent need for funding to provide an adequate amount of hospital beds for mental health patients. Right now there are a limited amount of beds available for mental health patients in Fairfield County and Stamford Hospital wants to fill that void.

 

VETERANS CORNER

I am co-sponsoring House Bill 5478, an act concerning property tax exemptions for certain veterans.

 

SESSION RECAP

SUNSET PROVISIONS

During last Wednesday’s session, we covered a lot of ground as we head into our final two weeks in Hartford. Our main focus this past session day was addressing a number of sunset provisions on vital programs that help protect our seniors, students, healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations. With the House’s passage of SB 493, we were able to align the end dates of four programs with the end date of the public health and civil preparedness emergency. This will allow us to continue serving those in need through June 30, 2022.

Those programs are:

  • The state Department of Public Health has the authority to disclose someone's vaccination status to local health directors and school nurses.
  • The state will continue providing non-congregate housing to those in need.
  • The state will extend rental protections for tenants facing eviction for not paying rent.
  • The state will continue to certify temporary nurses.

 

BILLS PASSED IN SESSION
 
Below are the bills that passed in session. They next head to the senate.
 
 
HB5444: AAC Union Workers
 
With the PRO-Act stalled in Washington, we will continue to do what we can on the state level to make sure workers have a voice on the job. HB 5444 updates our State Labor Relations Act to set clear timelines for labor-management negotiations.
 
 
HB5231 AAC Data Collection To Prevent Malnutrition Among Senior Citizens
 
Senior Citizens remain a vulnerable population, with many regularly relying on meal delivery services. The House passed HB 5231 to collect important information to ensure we are providing nutritional resources to those who need it.
 
 
HB5142: AAC Extended Producer Responsibility  For Certain Gas Cylinders
 
Pressurized gas cylinders can pose a serious safety hazard when not disposed of properly. With the House Passage of HB 5142, the companies that produce these cylinders will work with transfer stations and big box stores to ensure these cylinders are safely returned and recycled.
 
 
HB 5243: AAC The Identification And Prevention Of And Response To Adult Sexual Misconduct Against Children
 
School faculty and teachers play a key role in identifying potential signs of abuse. Just passed by the House, HB 5243 will work to ensure that these critical reporters have the tools necessary to not only identify, but put a stop to abuse by establishing bystander training and appropriate interaction with children training.
 

HB5168: An Act Concerning Property Tax Exemptions For Property Used For Charitable Purposes

 Our state's nonprofits have helped to guide many of our communities through the past couple years – providing critically needed support even as their own staffing levels and resources were strained. As those same nonprofits work to ensure they can meet the still increasing needs of our communities, the House took steps on Wednesday to ensure that nonprofit charitable property tax exemptions are protected.

 

HB5269: AAC Remote Meetings Under The Freedom of Information Act

 In response to the pandemic, our world went more digital than ever before. While there were some struggles, we found that offering public meetings, both in person and virtually, offered increased flexibility and accessibility. With the passage of HB 5269, the House approved the ability to allow for a permanent option to the remote meetings that have helped so many residents more easily access their elected officials.

HB5216: AAC Low-Cost Bank Accounts
 
For underbanked communities, having access to low-cost bank accounts is essential for residents to gain financial freedom and build a more solid fiscal future. With the House passage of HB 5216, state-chartered banks would have to offer checking accounts that provide lower deposit requirements, minimal fees, and no overdrafts.
 
 
HB5206: AAC Housing Authorities
 
HB 5206 ensures that housing authorities provide contact information and a clear description of their rights to empower tenants in all situations.
 
 
HB5327: AAC Energy Storage Systems And Electric Distribution System Reliability
 
HB 5327 helps to build out the in-state energy storage industry and encourage future investments, greatly benefitting Connecticut ratepayers.
 
 
THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
 
Not sure what's next? Here's a breakdown of the process during the legislative session. Learn more here: https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Childrens-Issues/Kids-News/How-a-Bill-Becomes-a-Law. You can keep track of bills, public hearings and session days at cga.ct.gov.
 
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
 
 
This session, we'll have the opportunity to continue addressing the fallout of COVID-19, make Connecticut more affordable for working families, and advance Connecticut's recovery.
 
 
 
I want to hear from you! I want to know what issues are most concerning to you and what I can do to help.
 
 

If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at hubert.delany@cga.ct.gov

 

Sincerely,

sig