Committee work begins and Maternal Health Awareness

January 24, 2025
 
 
Winter is certainly upon us! The cold weather protocol has been extended for this weekend. 
 
Please continue to stay safe, check on neighbors, and contact 2-1-1 for any assistance to find warming centers and shelters. 
 
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
 
This month our committee work is getting started. In each of these committees we raise bills, hold public hearings, and vote out bills to the House and Senate floor for consideration. I continue to serve on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee, and Transportation Committees.

Wednesday was the first Transportation Committee meeting of the session. I look forward to working with colleagues on this committee to make our roads safer and build healthier communities where we can live, work and thrive.

You can subscribe for updates from committees you are interested in on the Connecticut General Assembly website. Click on Committees, choose the Committee of interest, and click Subscribe on the right-hand side of the page.


 
Thursday was National Maternal Health Awareness Day.  Connecticut has passed many pieces of critical legislation such as the Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Act and expanded Medicaid coverage to ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve. 
 
In acknowledgement of this day, I participated in a press conference to announce the priorities of our new Black Maternal and Infant Health Caucus. Black women across the United States have the highest maternal mortality rate in the world and here in Connecticut we also have deep disparities. While Black people made up only 13% of live births, they make up 27% of all pregnancy-associated deaths. Babies born to Black women in Connecticut are twice as likely to be born with low birthweight than babies born to white women (12.5% vs. 6.3%). And infants born to Black women are four times more likely than those born to white women to die before their first birthday.
 
For this legislative session, the caucus will focus on three priority bills: 
 
An Act Concerning Maternal Mortality seeks to improve maternal health outcomes in Connecticut by establishing accountability measures for birthing facilities.
 
Fathers Matter in Maternal and Infant Health Act requires the Connecticut Department of Public Health to lead a statewide campaign promoting father involvement in maternal and infant health. It directs the development of training and resources for healthcare providers to engage fathers during pregnancy and postpartum. Additionally, the bill establishes funding opportunities for community-based initiatives that encourage father engagement and address cultural barriers.
 
Establishing a Maternal Mental Health Task Force seeks to establish a task force to study maternal mental health in Connecticut. The study will focus on identifying methods to expand access to maternal mental health services and increasing education about maternal mental health. The task force will consist of appointees that will be tasked with reporting findings and recommendations by October 1, 2026.

 
Love to support our local diners? Join me along with Representative Gary Turco and Senator Matt Lesser this Sunday in Newington.  We welcome your ideas and welcome hearing about any issues you or your family might need assistance with.
 
STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES
AARP Connecticut is now accepting applications for the Community Challenge Grants Program.  AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its ninth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older. Applications are being accepted now through March 5. Visit the application here. 
 
 
The Bridge Family Center is offering a 6 week course on Positive Discipline Parenting starting Thursday, February 6th. The registration deadline is February 4th and costs $10.00.
 
Click Here to Register
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA is a volunteer-supported program that helps people with household incomes of up to $68,000 annually file federal and state income tax preparation for FREE.
 
                                     Click here to find a location near you
 
Last year taxpayers were able to receive $28 million in refunds and credits due to the amazing group of volunteers.

Click here for more information on how to help Become a VITA volunteer today! 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Taniqua Huguley at THuguley@unitedwayinc.org or 860-420-2141.