April 22nd Newsletter: Financial Literacy, Bills Passed

Rep. Doucette
April 22, 2022
I hope you and your family are healthy and safe, and I hope you have had a blessed Easter, Passover, or Ramadan. We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.
 

Bills Recently Passed in the House
H.B. 5216, AN ACT CONCERNING LOW-COST BANK ACCOUNTS.
For underbanked communities especially, having access to low-cost bank accounts is essential for people to stay on more solid financial footing. With the passage of HB 5216 (which I led passage of as House chair of the Banking Committee), state-chartered banks will offer checking accounts that offer lower deposit requirements, minimal fees, and no overdrafts.

H.B. 5267, AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S STRATEGIC PLANNING REGARDING THE PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURE.
Our state is home to several arts and culture institutions which help to enrich the lives of residents, create jobs in their communities, and help to boost tourism. With the passage of HB 5267, the House acted to ensure that Connecticut's arts and culture sector is included in state-wide marketing plans so that we may further promote the great parts of our state. CLICK HERE to read more.

H.B. 5248, AN ACT CONCERNING COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING.
Gaining meaningful employment is a critical component to reentering your community following incarceration, but too often individuals face significant barriers, which limit opportunity and the ability to succeed in reintegrating. The House passed HB 5248 to remove these barriers for individuals with a criminal record trying to obtain a professional license. CLICK HERE for more details on this bill.

H.B. 5205, AN ACT CONCERNING FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.
Fair rent commissions are essential to supporting vulnerable populations facing rent hikes that often price them out of available housing. They also help stabilize rental costs in a climate where rates remain at an all-time high. With the House passage of HB 5205, we are a step closer to ensuring that larger cities and towns create these necessary commissions. CLICK HERE for more details on this bill.

H.B. 5232, AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS
This bill both broadens the rules and regulations which cover the use of service animals for blind of physically disabled individuals (previous law made reference only to service dogs). The bill also  allows employees to use sick time to train service animals and increases the amount of time employees may use from to 20 days. CLICK HERE to read more.

H.B. 5386, AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EPINEPHRINE CARTRIDGE INJECTORS, HEALTH CARRIERS AND PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.
No family should have to face the difficult decision between affording bills, putting food on the table, or paying for the out-of-pocket charges on critically needed medication. Through passage of HB 5386, the House moved to cap out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens so that families aren't financially strained in accessing these life-saving devices. CLICK HERE to read more.

H.B. 5430, AN ACT CONCERNING OPIOIDS
This legislation works to combat our ongoing opioid crisis by making changes to how its use is treated and prevented. One issue this bill attempts to solve is access to treatment services, which limits the ability of individuals to seek help. This bill lets multi-care institutions reach more people by allowing them to  provide substance use disorder treatment services in a mobile narcotic treatment program. To read more about what this bill does, CLICK HERE. 

H.B. 5146, AN ACT CONCERNING FOOD DONATION.
HB 5146 makes it easier for supermarkets to provide surplus food to those in need so that we may not only have plans in place that reduce food waste, but also supports members of our communities. CLICK HERE to read more.

H.B. 5313, AN ACT CONCERNING REGISTRATION OF TEMPORARY NURSING SERVICES AGENCIES AND MAXIMUM RATES FOR TEMPORARY NURSING SERVICES AT NURSING HOME FACILITIES.
Nursing homes have faced critical shortages in the last few years and as they work to replace staff, they have faced challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified individuals. Many nursing home have increasingly relied on nursing pool agencies, which often cause the cost of labor to skyrocket. HB 5313 establishes maximum rates nursing pool agencies may charge a facility. CLICK HERE for more details on this bill.

H.B. 5420, AN ACT CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF AND SERVICES FOR POLICE OFFICERS, CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS REGARDING POLICE TRAINING AND CERTAIN REPORTS.
Our men and women in uniform face increased rates stress, PTSD, depression, and suicide. If an officer undergoes a mental health assessment and requires treatment, they should be able to focus on recovery and not have to worry about their job protection or potential retribution. With the passage of HB 5420, the House has acted to ensure the necessary protections so that officers can focus on their mental health. CLICK HERE for more details on this bill.
 

Increasing Financial Literacy for Connecticut Residents
Click above to watch my remarks on the Financial Wellness Trust Fund.
I joined Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden this week for a press conference to promote our bill HB 5315, which is awaiting action on the House floor.

The bill will create a Center for Financial Wellness at the Treasurer’s office and the largest expansion of financial literacy programs in state history. We were also joined by 12th grade students in the Financial Algebra class from CREC Aerospace and Engineering High School.

Much of our focus in the Banking Committee this session has been directed towards increasing and promoting access, equity and stability in our banking system and in doing so, hopefully we are taking some small steps towards improving financial stability for all and shrinking the state’s generational and racial wealth gaps.

I am thankful for the support of this bill by both Treasurer Wooden and Banking Committee ranking member Rep. Delnicki, and I look forward to seeing its passage. 
 

Office of Early Childhood's Parent Cabinet
It was a pleasure to attend the kickoff event for Office of Early Childhood’s new Parent Cabinet. Comprised of 15 members, the cabinet will serve as a statewide, diverse, parent-led advisory group to the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and will meet regularly to identify ways to make improvements to the lives of children and families across the state.

Caitlin McNamara of Manchester has been selected to serve on the Parent Cabinet. Caitlin is a mother of two and also works as as the Town of Manchester’s Early Childhood Specialist. I joined Caitlin and Heather Wlochowski, Manchester YSB Director for the event yesterday. Congrats Caitlin!

Learn more about the Parent Cabinet here: https://www.ctoec.org/partnerships/parent-cabinet
 

Earth Day 2022
The time has come today to "Invest In Our Planet." That is the theme of Earth Day 2022 because climate change is not only an environmental issue but an increasingly economic one as well.

A green future is a prosperous one. EARTHDAY.ORG offers 52 ways to invest in the planet.
 
There are also a number of climate-focused bills before the General Assembly this session that would invest in Connecticut's environment and economy.
HB 5327, An Act Concerning Energy Storage Systems And Electric Distribution System Reliability: HB 5327 passed 141-0 in the House last week, and it helps build out the in-state energy storage industry and encourage future investments, greatly benefitting Connecticut ratepayers. Eversource and United Illuminating will maximize the value of any completed energy storage system through its participation in wholesale electricity and capacity markets. Any net revenues from such participation will be credited to ratepayers to offset the cost of the completed system.

SB 4, An Act Concerning The Connecticut Clean Air Act: SB 4 would expand the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) and make electric bikes eligible for CHEAPR rebates. It would also require state and regional organizations to mitigate the carbon emissions impact of new projects with carbon-reducing projects, including installing electric vehicle charging stations, bikeways and multi-use paths and improving public transit. 

SB 10, An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation: SB 10 cements a commitment for Connecticut to transition to a zero-carbon electricity supply by 2040. Clean, zero-carbon electricity is the future of the economy. SB10 offers planning, policies and funding foundations to achieve this goal. Additionally, it would provide businesses with needed certainty for long-term planning and help bring good-paying clean energy jobs to Connecticut.

Bold, decisive action is needed — and not just on Earth Day — but every day.
 

Renters' Rebate Program
If you or someone you know is elderly or disabled and currently renting housing, the Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open.

Applications are being accepted through October 1 and eligible renters may be able to get a rebate up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single persons.

The renters' rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. 
 
Here are some of the guidelines to qualify for the rebate:
  • 65 years old or above
  • 50 years old or above and the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters’ death
  • 18 years old or above and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits
  • One-year state resident

Please Click here to download the application, which can be made to your town social service agency or the assessor’s office. For additional questions about the program please call their hotline at 860-418-6377 or visit the Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program website for more information.