Session Update, April 14th

April 26, 2022

The House was in session this week to vote on several important bills. It was a long and productive day and I am proud of the work that we were able to accomplish. I've highlighted some of the legislation we passed below.

 
Session Update
The following bills passed in the House yesterday. These bills will now move to the Senate for debate and consideration. 
  • HB 5269, An Act Concerning Remote Meetings Under the Freedom of Information Act
    • In response to the pandemic our world went more digital than ever before, and 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.
  • HB 5168, 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 just took steps to ensure that nonprofit charitable property tax exemptions are protected.
  • HB 5231, An Act Concerning Data Collection to Prevent Malnutrition Among Senior Citizens 
    • Senior citizens are among our most vulnerable residents and this legislation is critical in making sure they are provided with necessary nutritional resources. The bill requires the state's five area agencies on aging to distribute and collect nutritional risk assessment surveys and report their findings to the Department of Aging and Disability Services. 
 
Investing in Breast Cancer Early Detection 
Yesterday, I joined legislative colleagues, activists, and cancer survivors at a press conference in support of two bills to address breast and ovarian cancer. I spoke to advocate for the passage of SB 249, which focuses on the early detection of breast cancer in minority communities where mortality rates from the disease are the highest. This legislation invests in early detection which is critical in saving lives. Click here to listen to my remarks at the press conference. 
 
Health Coverage for Undocumented Children
On Monday, I joined HUSKY 4 Immigrants and Senator Derek Slap and State Rep. Kate Farrar to rally in support of legislation that would provide health insurance coverage to children regardless of immigration status. 
 
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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 5472An 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.

 
Black Maternal Health Week
April 11th-17th is Black Maternal Health Week. Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complication as white women, regardless of their income or education. Join Black Mamas Matter Alliance for a week of week of awareness, activism, and community building. Click here to get involved.