Mary Fortier

Dear Neighbor,

 

I hope you are enjoying Summer!

 

Below I have provided a legislative update on new laws going into effect this weekend, along with other items that may benefit you.

 

As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

I hope you have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

A number of new laws that my colleagues and I worked on during the 2023 legislative session to implement meaningful change in our state will take effect in Connecticut on July 1.



See below for some highlights.

Connecticut was one the few states in the country that did not allow early voting that provides voters with options to accommodate busy and hectic schedules. Effective July 1, voters will have 14 days of early voting for general elections, 7 days of early voting for most primaries, and 4 days of early voting for special elections and presidential preference primaries.  

 

Our state has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. This new law prohibits intimidation, deception, or obstruction related to voting and allows aggrieved parties to seek remedies in court.

 

The law extends eligibility for the state’s debt-free community college program to returning students by removing requirements that a qualifying student must be a first-time enrollee at a community-technical college and awards must be applied during a student’s first 48 consecutive months, thus allowing returning students to receive the award if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

 

Under the law, $3,200 would be placed in a trust on behalf of each baby born into HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program, starting July 1. Those investments would grow over time and recipients could access that money between the ages of 18-30.

 

Endometriosis is an underdiagnosed condition. For those suffering from this condition, endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus with nearby reproductive organs often affected. The law requires UConn Health Center to develop an endometriosis data and biorepository program to enable and promote research on early detection and ways to manage the condition in adolescents and adults.

 

Certain public agencies will start providing free menstrual products including public colleges and universities, homeless and domestic violence shelters that receive state aid.

Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut Summer at the Museum – the popular state program that enables Connecticut children to receive free admission at dozens of museums across the state during the summer months – is returning for 2023 with more than 120 museums statewide participating.

 

Governor Lamont established the program in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of providing children with engaging enrichment and learning experiences during the summer months. Now in its third year, it is funded through a $10 million investment in federal COVID-19 recovery funding Connecticut received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

 

Under the program, Connecticut children ages 18 and under – plus one accompanying adult – can receive free admission to any of the participating museums, including historic house museums, historic sites, historical societies, art museums, children’s museums, science centers, special-interest museums, natural history museums, university museums, arboretums/botanical gardens, and zoos.

 

The 2023 program begins on Saturday, July 1, 2023, and concludes on Monday, September 4, 2023. The full list of participating museums is available at www.ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-summer-museum-2023-free-admission-kids.

Just in time for your summer adventures!



Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched their eBike incentive program where Connecticut residents can get a rebate on their purchase! 



An additional $1,000 voucher will also be available to Connecticut residents that meet any of the following criteria:



Must reside in an Environmental Justice (EJ) community or Distressed Municipality.



Participate in a state or federal income qualifying program.



Have an income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)



Find more information here: rb.gy/jcixd

  $23.8 Million of funding

 22 Properties

  15 Connecticut towns and cities



Learn more about this exciting news here: shorturl.at/bGK05

It's 2023. Fast, reliable internet connectivity is a necessity in our increasingly digital world.



This funding will help us connect unserved and underserved residents and small businesses in our state, leveling the playing field as we work toward our goal of universal access to one gigabit per second download speeds and 100 megabits per second upload speeds that are becoming the standard of the industry. 

Please feel free to contact me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-8267 or by email at Mary.Fortier@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,



Mary Fortier