Hubert Delany

As we work to better Connecticut's environmental outcomes in the future – equity is a critical component of that conversation. HB 5297 ensures that all communities have equitable access to a safe and healthy environment.

Though lead poisoning is often viewed as a thing of the past, a recent report by CT's Department of Public Health found that more than 1000 CT children under the age of 6 were poisoned by lead in 2020. The state has continued to work on several initiatives to combat this still very real issue, including legislation just passed to reduce the thresholds of blood lead levels in individuals to require quicker response and information sharing to effectively combat the problem.

The state's settlement with Purdue Pharma for their role in creating the opioid epidemic requires both Purdue and the Sackler family to provide significant funding to the state to support services for victims and survivors of the epidemic. HB 5044 establishes an Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, which will administer the money received by the state to support Connecticut's continuing efforts to reduce substance use disorders.

Connecticut is home to beautiful shorelines with a Horseshoe Crab population that plays an integral role in the survival of several shore species. But the harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs has caused the people to dwindle, leading to functional extinction. Through HB 5140, harvesting would be prohibited to help protect the remaining population.

Marine forage fish play a critical role in the ecosystem of Connecticut's shoreline. Still, the lack of a limit on catching these species has caused a depletion of the species threatening the health of our coast. The House passed HB 5141 to protect and limit the number of certain forage fish species and prevent large-scale commercial fisheries.

A strong relationship with finances is critical to success and being properly prepared for the future. HB 5315 would allow the Treasurer to create a Center for Financial Wellness and establish a Financial Wellness Trust Fund so that communities would have access to programs and resources necessary to increase financial literacy.

Banks are currently able to close accounts with notice – leaving customers confused and in the dark about their finances. To increase transparency in banking, HB 5124 requires banks to provide customers with notice and a reason for the closure of an account.

 
Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals often rely on interpreters to better navigate the world – especially in critical settings like schools, hospitals, or courts. The House passed HB 5230 to increase and strengthen standards for these interpreters so deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals are confident in the services they are receiving.

Family Child Care Providers served a critical role over the last couple of years, offering caregivers a safe, small group setting with flexible hours to ensure their child's needs are met while managing the constant changes of the pandemic. Among other technical changes, the House passed HB 5279 to prioritize these providers like different care settings, helping parents and caregivers, and supporting the industry while it battles shortages.

No family should be left in the dark following the death of a loved one – but for two families in Bridgeport, that was their tragic reality. HB 5349 will require police to notify a deceased person's family within 24 hours after identifying the victim so that their families may be met with true compassion and decency during a traumatic event.

The House acted towards improving equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare by strengthening transparency and monitoring cost growth.

The state's prevailing wage laws exist to ensure compensation transparency and fairness for workers. SB 418 will implement reasonable measures to hold accountable contractors who have repeatedly violated these laws.

Mitigating the effects of climate change is an urgent matter and hitting our target of zero greenhouse gas emissions in the electric sector is one of the more meaningful steps in addressing this problem. SB 10 reaffirms our commitment to slowing the acceleration of the climate crisis by codifying a set target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Hate crimes have become a systemic issue, and with incidences on the rise, Connecticut needs a clear set of resources and best practices to report and investigate hate crimes and criminal acts committed by extremist groups. SB 217 establishes the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit within the State Police to combat the problem.