Rep. Delany Legislative Update 12/27

December 27, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

The holiday season is here and the new year is fast approaching. Whether you have been at home or abroad, alone or with loved ones, I hope that your holidays have been filled with love, warmth, and cheer.

 

As the new year approaches many of us will be taking stock of what we have accomplished and what we hope to achieve in the months to come. This year I have been humbled by the overwhelming strength and support I have seen in our neighborhoods, our loved ones, and in the city we call home. 

 

My determination to do to the people’s work has never been stronger, and I am so grateful to serve as your State representative.

 

Below you will find more detailed information on my new leadership positions, the laws that are coming into effect with the new year, the actions I have taken within the community, and programs that I hope will be useful to you and you and your family. 
 
NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES

I’ve been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and as an Assistant Majority Leader!

 

In my new role as Vice Chairman I will be working with my colleagues on the essential policies that affect our service-members at home and overseas, our veterans, our military civilians, and all of our military families. 

 

I am honored to work alongside House Chairman Anthony Nolan, and I would like to thank Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, and Majority Leader Jason Rojas for entrusting me with these incredible responsibilities and leadership roles.
 
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

In preparation for the next legislative session I sat down with my Republican and Democratic colleagues for a conference with the non-partisan staff from the Office of Legislative Research.
 
The purpose of the conference was to equip my fellow legislators and I with the cutting-edge data and reports needed to discuss some of the key issues facing our government.
 
Our briefings covered the landscape of Connecticut’s Transportation and Electric Utility Infrastructure; the highlights of our Labor Shortages and Workforce Development Strategies; the battle-space of Housing Availability & Affordability in Connecticut; an Overview of Connecticut's Public School Curriculum Development; and the details surrounding the enactment Early Voting in America.
 
I would like to thank the men and women of the Office of Legislative Research, the Capital Library, the Office of Fiscal Analysis, and all of the non-partisan staff who are the essential foundation of the upkeep and governance of our amazing state!
 
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
 I recently took a trip to the the Diaper Bank of Connecticut to see firsthand how they provide access to basic essential supplies in our community as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
 
From diapers to menstrual products the CTDB has become a linchpin in a supply network that makes our community a kinder,  warmer, and more equitable place.
 
I would like to thank Jenny Kohl and all of her colleagues at the CT Diaper Bank for everything they do for our state!
 
NEW POLICY

As we prepare to ring in the new year and welcome the start of 2023, a number of laws passed will take effect when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st!
 
These laws mark the tireless work put in by my colleagues and me throughout the 2021 and 2022 Legislative Sessions to address your concerns and make necessary changes in Hartford.
Here are a few of the laws taking effect January 1st:

Cannabis Possession Charges Cleared:
  • Specified Connecticut residents convicted of cannabis possession will have their records automatically cleared and other specified charges can be petitioned for erasure at the start of the new year
    • Click here and scroll to the bottom of page 29 for a breakdown table on qualifying erasures
    • Announced Delay: The Governor's Office recently announced that some erasures would be delayed until, "…the second half of 2023." Click here to learn more
  • Numerous state agencies must also provide recommendations by January 1st on how to prevent cannabis use by individuals under 21and address the impacts of cannabis legalization on youth
  • These provisions were included in PA 21-1 – Passed in 2021 – that legalized the recreational adult-use of cannabis

Clean Slate Law:

  • Nearly 280,000 more people will be eligible to have their criminal records erased on January 1st, and the Board of Pardons and Paroles must provide written documentation if they deny an application for a person's qualified pardon
    • Announced Delay: As shared above, the Governor's announced delay will also affect this law's provisions
  • These provisions were included in PA 21-32 – Passed in 2021 – known as the Clean Slate Law

The Bottle Bill:

  • Will expand the types of bottles and cans accepted in the 5-cent return program to now include:
    • Teas
    • Hard Seltzers
    • Ciders
    • Energy Drinks
    • Coffee
  • This provision was included in PA 21-58 – Passed in 2021 – which makes tiered adjustments to the state's bottle redemption program through January 2024

Lead Poisoning Safety:

  • Will take a tiered approach strengthening Connecticut's lead poisoning testing standards to align with federal standards and will lower the threshold for youth testing levels that trigger parental notification or home inspection
    • The Governor's Office reported that in 2020, over 1,000 Connecticut Children tested at high enough lead levels to trigger the federal standard for a home inspection
  • These provisions were included in PA 22-49 – Passed in 2022 – and will incrementally lower the qualifying testing levels through January 2025

Breast & Ovarian Cancer Screening Coverage:

  • Certain commercial health insurance policies will be required to cover:
    • Mammograms
    • Ultrasounds
    • MRIs for breast screenings
    • Breast biopsies
    • Certain prophylactic mastectomies
    • Breast reconstruction surgery
    • BRCA 1 and 2 testing
    • Ovarian cancer screenings 
  • These provisions were included in PA 22-90 – Passed in 2022 – which expanded required insurance coverage from previous legislative efforts

These are just a few of the laws and provisions going into effect when we celebrate the new year. The full list of laws taking effect on January 1st can be accessed by clicking the button below:

Laws Taking Effect January 1
As you look over the new laws taking effect in 2023, I want to remind you that there is always an opportunity to have your voice heard, especially with the upcoming General Session convening on January 4th. Please make sure to stay active in the legislative processes and let me know what you would like to see in both our community and throughout Connecticut.
 
CAREER CONNECTICUT
Great news! CareerConneCT is expanding its intake portal. The goal of CareerConneCT is to provide underemployed and unemployed Connecticut residents with resources and training necessary for the pursuit of a well-paying, high-quality career path. The program provides free job training, case management, supportive services, and employment assistance.
Interested jobseekers should enroll through an online intake portal. Once enrolled, participants will be connected to reskilling, upskilling, or next-skilling opportunities in various in demand fields, such as manufacturing, information technology, health care, infrastructure and clean energy.

Once registered in the portal, participants will complete a brief skills inventory and then receive a Career Coach who will help them access training that meets their skills and interests. Participants also can explore career paths, learning opportunities and available jobs.

Click

here to visit the portal.