House Passes Children's Mental Health Bill

5001
May 2, 2022
Dear Neighbor,

This week, in the House, we passed a historic, bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the children's mental and behavioral health system in Connecticut. 

HB5001, An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health, is a transformative piece of legislation that responds directly to the youth mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic.

Emergency rooms across Connecticut are inundated with patients awaiting placement into inpatient psychiatric beds. Schools across the state are facing a shortage of mental health professionals and are sounding the alarm on the need to expand access and support services.
 
HB 5001 works to ensure that every child has access to care when they need it. Below are some of the major components:
  • Creates a partnership with Connecticut Children’s to train pediatricians to treat early-stage mental health concerns.
  • Provides funding for recruitment and retention of child and adolescent psychologists to address the state shortage.
  • Eliminates prior authorization for inpatient psychiatric services.
  • Supports opening of the new DCF Urgent Crisis Centers specializing in meeting pediatric behavioral health needs.
  • Establishes grant program for local school boards, youth camps, and summer programs to hire mental health specialists and provide mental health services.
  • Expands DCF's existing behavioral health consultation and care coordination program, ACCESS Mental Health.

This legislation will make a difference for children and families across the state and it will save lives. You can read the full bill here.
 
Fighting the Opioid Crisis
Our fight for justice continues. The state's settlement with Purdue Pharma and other manufacturers for their role in creating the opioid epidemic requires companies, and the Sackler family, to provide funding to the state for opioid victim and survivor services.

The House passed HB 5044 which establishes an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to administer funds directly into Connecticut's continuing efforts to reduce substance use disorders, not into the state’s General Fund.
 
Major Tax Cuts for CT Residents
After months of negotiation and hearing input from residents across our state, I am happy to pass along great news. I am poised to vote early next week on a state budget which provides historic tax relief for parents, retirees, workers, and property owners.

The budget proposal we unveiled today offers Connecticut tax payers like you and our neighbors $600 million in tax cuts.
Our budget plan CUTS YOUR TAXES by:

•    Cutting state income taxes for retirees
•    Lowering property taxes on homes and cars
•    Extending tax cuts for workers in low-paying jobs (EITC)
•    Creating a state tax credit for childcare
•    Extending the 25-cent gas tax cut until December
•    Establishes state child tax credit worth $250 per child

As we approach a vote on this historic tax relief package, I will update you in the coming days on the spending side of the budget where we make groundbreaking investments in children’s mental health, increase funding in juvenile justice and anti-crime programs, leverage new federal funding for important programs, and invest in childcare, education, and our workforce.
 
Prescription Drug Take Back Day & Wellness Fair
If you have expired or unneeded prescription medications in your home, the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District and West Hartford Police Department will be participating in the National Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The collection site is located at Charter Oak International Academy. 

In addition to the drug takeback event, the West Hartford Prevention Partnership will host a Wellness Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to provide mental health and substance abuse resources. For more information about these events, please click here.