Bills for Firefighter Cancer Relief and Healthcare for Seniors

May 9, 2025


 


As a member of the General Assembly's Asian American Caucus I joined with colleagues to celebrate AAPI Restaurant Week at the legislature. Not only do AAPI restaurants serve delicious food but are vibrant businesses in our communities.  This Restaurant Week is a community-led initiative that highlights the importance of these local small businesses to the state's economy.  Participating restaurants in West Hartford are Boston Pho, Nummy, and Cha Papi & Sweets.  

The entire month of May honors Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The month of May was chosen for AANHPI Heritage Month because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843.  
 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Wednesday was Newington Day at the Capitol! Thanks to the over 30 Newington residents who joined State Representative Gary Turco, Senator Matt Lesser and I for an opportunity to ask questions and share their top priorities, meet with Speaker Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas and see session in action. We look forward to next year!
 

House Democrats voted this week to make important changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program.  Substitute for Senate Bill 1426 includes among other things expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and authorizing workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits. 

Taking care of our first responders is always a legislative priority.
 

We also passed legislation to make sure that warehouse workers are treated with respect by limiting and providing clarity when employers use production quotas.

The legislation also ensures that:  

  • Employers must provide quota information upon hiring an employee
  • If quotas change, workers must be notified
  • Employees cannot be retaliated against for requesting work records
  • Quotas cannot be used to inhibit workers from using the restroom or taking an entitled break

Valuing people over profits is good public policy.
 

Also, this week, we passed important bills for seniors in the state. Thanks to Aging Committee Chair Rep. Jane Garibay and Vice Chair Rep. Mary Fortier as they hosted Senior Day at the Capitol and helped pass two important bills.

The House proudly passed Substitute House Bill 6771 establishing a legal requirement for health insurance policies to cover biomarker testing, a type of medical testing that analyzes biological samples—such as tissue or blood—to detect molecular signs (biomarkers) of health conditions or treatment responses.

Key points of the bill include:

  • Mandatory Coverage: Health insurance must cover biomarker tests when used for diagnosing, treating, managing, or monitoring diseases.

  • Evidence-Based Requirement: Coverage is contingent upon the test having demonstrated clinical utility, meaning it must be supported by:

    • FDA approval or clearance,

    • Medicare coverage determinations, or

    • Clinical practice guidelines recognized by the medical community

The bill aims to expand access to potentially life-saving or life-improving tests, especially in personalized or precision medicine, while also ensuring that only scientifically validated tests are covered.

Substitute House Bill 6913 prohibits long term care facilities from discriminating against residents based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or HIV status

This action reflects our ongoing efforts to support and care for our aging population.

We have less than one month of session. If you have questions about any issues or specific bills, please reach out to me anytime at: kate.farrar@cga.ct.gov 
 

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES

The first round of road resurfacing will begin the week of May 11th and two additional rounds will follow in the summer and fall. They will be posted on the Town of West Hartford engineering department web page.

The roads that are tentatively scheduled for repaving include:

  • Asylum Avenue (Trout Brook Drive to Steele Road)
  • Kane Street*
  • Mountain Road (Boulevard to Buena Vista Road)
  • Raymond Road*
  • Sedgwick Road (Buena Vista Road to Ridgewood Road)
  • Trout Brook Drive* (Boulevard to Park Road)

*Planned night work to minimize impacts to the traveling public.
 

Senior Day will be held on Wednesday, May 14th, from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Elmwood Community/Senior Center. A free continental breakfast and free preventative health screenings are available to all who attend.

Over 40 vendors will be featured, including senior service providers, healthcare professionals, West Hartford Social Services, Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, West Hartford Police and Fire Departments, CERT, and community advocates.
 

Saturday, May 17th is Trout Brook Trail Day!  Meet between 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. on the Trout Brook Trail behind the Elmwood Community Center.   Ride a bike, or a scooter, or take a walk along West Hartford’s 4-mile separated multi-use path.

There will be free bike helmets for children and adults (one per person), and also coffee and healthy snacks, while supplies last!

Learn more at BikeWestHartford.org
 

The Newington Library 5K Challenge Road Race is taking place Sunday, May 18th at 9:00 A.M. at Millpond Park and Garfield Street with special guest Marathon Champion Bill Rodgers. 

Online registration closes on Friday, May 16th at 5:00 P.M. click here for more information and to register.