Updates from State Rep. Chris Poulos - May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023
The Student-Manufacturer Connection Fair was held at the State Capitol on Wednesday, and students from all over the state, including Southington, learned about the opportunities in the manufacturing industry, experienced hands-on exhibits, and received valuable information about a variety of training programs.

Southington High School’s robotics team, the CyberKnights, really rocked it at the Fair and I was proud to invite them into the House Chamber to present Team 195 with a citation honoring their accomplishments, including reaching the semifinals in their division at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship last month in Houston, Texas.
Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks for taking the time to read them!
Legislative Update

The House of Representatives was in session two days this week and among the bills we passed was HB 6877, which concerns risk protection orders or warrants and disqualifiers for firearm permits and eligibility certificates based on temporary commitment under a physician's emergency certification.

HB 6877 strengthens the process and execution of risk protection orders (RPOs) to keep weapons out of the hands of those who may be struggling with mental health and/or are at imminent risk of injuring themselves or someone else.
Mental Health Awareness Month 

For the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Mental Health America (and its state branch Mental Health Connecticut) invites you to "Look Around, Look Within." Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health. From neighborhood to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to mental health conditions. 

While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being and those around you. To learn more, visit mhanational.org/may. 
Free Service to Protect Against Property and Mortgage Fraud

The Southington Town Clerk's Office is now offering a free service that helps protect residents from potential property and mortgage fraud. Cott Systems' PropertyCheck works with the town's record management systems to automatically notify you of any recorded document that affects your property, helping you feel safer about your properties and online security.

PropertyCheck eliminates the time associated with searching for property records by alerting you via email or text message when a document has been recorded that matches the notifications activated.

This no-cost solution adds an additional layer of protection to records data and allowing residents to feel safer in their homes. To activate this free benefit, residents of Southington can click HERE and follow the directions to sign up.
Sunday is Mother's Day

Wishing all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!