The pandemic led to 1.1 million women leaving the workforce nationally – accounting for approximately 63% of lost jobs according to the National Women's Law Center. The House just passed SB 407 to address this severe deficit and fill currently open positions.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. In recognizing the significance of the day, the House just passed SB 350 to distinguish it as a legal holiday.
The General Assembly has continued to support our children's well being – just passed through the House, SB 2 addresses the pandemic impact on childhood depression, anxiety, and developmental delays by making necessary investments in comprehensive support services.
Our children have faced increased stress and anxiety as we worked to combat the pandemic and attending school can serve as a refuge to many students. SB 1 establishes several initiatives to better address student's mental and physical health including supporting and expanding school-based health centers, assisting efforts to hire additional social workers, equipping schools with Narcan, supporting minority teacher recruitment, and building out mental health plans for student athletes.
As we prepare for a flow of federal funding for updating and repairing the state's infrastructure, the House is taking action to ensure the Department of Transportation is fully staffed. SB 215 supports the state's efforts to recruit and retain qualified individuals for careers in transportation engineering.
The cost of attending a postsecondary education program extends well beyond the cost of attending a class. While accruing debt for attending school, students are worried about the cost of affording laptops, broadband, transportation, and several other related costs. The House just passed SB 103 to enable CHESLA to increase access to postsecondary education opportunities.
Health care workers are currently one of the most in-demand careers – and as we optimistically move toward a post pandemic world, we know that they will remain integral to the state's continued success in combatting the pandemic and any future public health emergencies. SB 251 will address the current critical shortage by requiring the Office of Workforce strategy to assess the shortage and make recommendations to grow existing workforce development and job training programs.
Like other states across the country, CT has seen an increase in the theft of catalytic converters. With the passage of SB 256, we are working to interrupt the process of profiting off stolen catalytic converters by aiding law enforcement in the tracking and identification of potential criminal activity.
Early detection of breast cancer is necessary to early diagnosis and the probability of receiving life-saving treatment – however, out-of-pocket costs of some screening procedures and tests have served as a deterrent. SB 358 will help patients take control of their health and expand access to preventative services by covering up-to-date diagnostic and treatment services.
Connecticut residents deserve clean air, but transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to worsening air quality leading to higher rates of illnesses like asthma. Investing and encouraging wide-scale electric vehicle distribution is necessary to reducing these emissions and ultimately, improving air quality. The House just passed the Connecticut Clean Air Act to help the state breathe a little easier.
CT took an important step forward to protect employee rights with the passage of SB 163. "Captive audience" meetings are when employers force employees to listen to religious or political speech. That's not fair or right – and in CT, are no longer allowed.
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