Town Hall Recap, Memorial Day Events, and More!

May 28, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week. Last Wednesday, I had the honor of attending the 22nd Annual Training Institute, an event put together by the Coalition to End Homelessness.

The purpose of this event to bring provider staff, municipal leaders, state and federal legislators, business principals, community members, and national experts together for a day of learning.

I cohosted a workshop with Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center, Hamden Town Councilwoman Sarah Gallagher and State Representative Kadeem Roberts of Norwalk. We discussed City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the Supreme Court decision that paved the way for cities and municipalities to legally pass or enforce ordinances banning sleeping or camping on public property.

I was thrilled to have an opportunity to speak about such an important issue at this event - it was a wonderful way to kick off the day.

Please read below for more updates!

The legislative session is in full swing. Over the past few weeks, we have passed several pieces of legislation:

Amid unprecedented federal immigration crackdowns - even targeting properly documented immigrants - and the denial of due process and Habeas Corpus, we are standing by our Connecticut values, and protecting our friends and neighbors.

Connecticut has one of the strongest TRUST Act’s in the country - it was approved unanimously in 2013 - and we added to it on Wednesday:

➡️ Make sure that officials like juvenile probation officers, and employees of the Division of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are included in existing TRUST Act protections.

➡️ The TRUST Act allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities when someone has been convicted of serious crimes.

➡️ Added a slew of Class C and Class D felonies including those related to domestic violence, sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material to the list of post-conviction offenses where law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Last week, the House passed an education bill that honors civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, and much more.

HB 7009 establishes the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement, which recognizes graduating high school seniors for their exceptional achievement in civics.

This seal is for students who demonstrate civic engagement in school, through the completion of classes and assessments, and outside of the classroom by participating in community service, student government, and more.

At a time when civic engagement is alarmingly low in our country, this recognition will encourage students to learn more about the way our government works and the role they play in shaping society.

This seal also sends a powerful message that civics isn't just a class to pass; it's a way to make a difference and give back to your community.

Another key portion of the bill reforms school crisis response drills.

The tragic reality is that children need to be prepared in case of emergencies. But research has shown that some crisis response drills are ineffective and leave children with lasting anxiety.

HB 7009 establishes new standards for school crisis response drills to continue to protect and prepare students and staff while being sensitive to mental health needs.

While schools must be prepared for an emergency, organizers must ensure these drills are conducted effectively and responsibly.

Other key aspects of HB 7009 include:

Limiting the use of smart devices in school
Addressing antisemitism in schools
Providing curriculum on Islamic and Arab Studies
Allowing districts to decide whether to allow children under the age of 5 to begin kindergarten early
Raising the standard for when a student in pre-K to grade 2 can get an out-of-school suspension
Requiring same-day notification of any use of restraint or seclusion of a student.

HB 7009 is an important bill that encourages civic engagement and protects our student's mental health, and I was proud to cast my vote in support.

Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader by passing HB 6857 to reign in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors. We are proud to join a nationwide movement that prioritizes youth mental health over tech profits.

We also passed HB 6883. This bill will strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by guarding the physical addresses of shelters and group homes from public access and public discussion during agency meetings. Safeguarding these locations is a testament to our unwavering support for survivors.

Finally, the House passed a novel, landmark bill supporting public libraries that are struggling to afford the skyrocketing costs of e-books and digital audiobooks. SB 1234 bars libraries from entering into or renewing expensive contracts and licensing agreements with publishers.

The measure positions Connecticut as a national leader in this arena and marks a significant step toward transparency, equity, and sustainability in how libraries acquire and provide digital resources to the public.

Click here to find the full list of bills passed.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learning to identify the signs is an important step when seeking help or when trying to help others. Here are some common signs to be aware of:

Feeling sad or hopeless
Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
You think about hurting yourself or feel like life isn't worth living

Taking small steps to support your mental health can make a big difference:

Take breaks from social media
Go outside and relax or be active
Connect with others
Take care of your body by getting at least 7 hours of sleep, staying physically active, and eating healthy
Reduce your alcohol intake and avoid smoking

Click here for local resources for mental health assistance.

Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!

I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?

Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like by clicking here.