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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this message finds you and your family well and enjoying the start of the Fall weather! In this email, you can learn more about several new laws passed during the 2025 Legislative Session that went into effect on October 1st, find information on Early Voting for the 2025 General Election, and learn how you can support one of our local schools.
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| Pacific House Anniversary Fundraiser |
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| Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the Pacific House 40th Anniversary Gala to celebrate the incredible work they have done in our community over the last four decades. The shelter raised over $150,000 to support their work assisting young men and adults experiencing homelessness. Pacific House serves on average 60-85 people a night, reaching close to 100 people a night in the colder months. Congratulations to this year’s honorees—Marc Malloy, Tom Hynes, and the Shippan Turkey Trot! It is an honor to support the life-changing work Pacific House does for the community. |
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| New Laws Effective October 1st |
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| With fall comes cooler weather, changing leaves, and a number of new laws hitting the books. Several measures passed during the 2025 legislative session took effect on October 1st. Below is a brief overview of some of these important changes! |
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We’ve updated our motorcycle and e-bike laws to reflect our continued efforts to promote public safety and adapt to emerging technologies on our roads.
A new law raises the age from 18 to 21 for requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet and raises the age from 16 to 18 and under for children to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, scooters, and skateboards.
New regulations are also being introduced for certain high-powered electric bikes. Riders of e-bikes without pedals and equipped with batteries over 750 watts (25-28 mph) will now need a valid driver’s license to operate them. Additionally, e-bikes with batteries over 3,500 watts (35 mph to over 50 mph) will require registration and insurance, similar to motorcycles.
There is also good news for drivers - a new law is changing how towing works in our state, making it harder for cars to be towed from private property and easier for people to get their cars back if they are towed. Right now, state law lets towing companies start the process of selling a towed car worth $1,500 or less just 15 days after the tow, which is one of the shortest timelines in the country. That means if you don’t act fast, your car could be gone for good. The new law doesn’t change that 15-day starting point, but it adds more steps before a car can actually be sold. Now, tow companies have to make a real effort to contact the car’s owner and can’t finalize the sale until 30 days after the tow.
Another measure prohibits the handcuffing of children under the age of 14, except in cases where there is a clear threat to public safety or when the child poses a risk of physical violence toward an officer. This law is intended to mitigate the traumatic impact that the use of restraints can have on young children.
There is a new law that puts patients first and holds insurance companies accountable. This law allows the Connecticut Insurance Department to limit rate increases for insurers that have a track record of hiking costs, which will cap excessive premium hikes. Under this new law, insurers must treat mental health like physical health, enforcing real mental health parity. Those who don’t comply can face fines up to $625,000 and must publicly report how they’re doing.
New legislation to expand the Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund will make important changes to the Firefighter Cancer Relief Program starting October 1st, 2025. This legislation expands the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and reclassifies these illnesses as "occupational diseases" rather than personal injuries.
Follow the link below for the complete list, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. |
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With municipal elections coming up on Tuesday, November 4th, early voting will begin next week on Monday, October 20th.
First, are you eligible to vote? Check HERE.
Early voting for the November 2025 Municipal Election will begin on October 20th and will run through November 2nd. Early voting will take place at the Stamford Government Center, located at 888 Washington Blvd on the 4th Floor. The polling site will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th, and Thursday, October 30th. Same-Day Registration (SDR) is also available during the early voting period.
Click here for additional information on Early Voting.
Check out the 2025 Connecticut Voting Guide below.
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| On October 18th, Waterside School is hosting its annual Run/Walk for Waterside in memory of Jeffrey Hammond Long. All race donations will be directed to the Jeffrey Hammond Long Scholarship Fund to support the Waterside School students for generations to come. Since 2018, the event has raised more than $2 million for the school and student scholarships. Click here to register or donate. I hope to see you there! |
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As always, whenever anything is top of mind for you and I can be of help, please contact me at (860) 240-8585 or email me directly at eilish.collinsmain@cga.ct.gov.
Warm Regards,
Eilish Collins Main
State Representative |
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