As Vice-Chair of the Aging Committee, I’m pleased that the House has passed important bills advancing our efforts to support older adults across the state. These measures reflect our commitment to improving access to essential services, strengthening protections, and enhancing quality of life for seniors and their families. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to move this legislation forward, and I look forward to continuing our work to ensure Connecticut remains a place where older residents can live with dignity, independence, and security.
House Bill 5140: An Act Concerning the Study of the Needs of Senior Citizens, which allows dental hygienists to serve underserved homebound patients in private residences, such as seniors, veterans, and the disabled, who would likely go without dental care. Dental hygienists currently are allowed by law to work in facilities such as senior centers and preschools without the oversight of a dentist, and this legislation expands upon that. The dental hygienist will have worked under the supervision of a dentist for more than two years. This change helps remove barriers to essential oral health services and ensures that vulnerable residents can receive the care they need in the comfort of their homes.
House Bill 5142: An Act Concerning the Use of Technology for Virtual Visitation and Monitoring in Nursing Homes and Residential Care Homes, extends protections for the use of technology to residents of residential care homes and sets a penalty for violation of the protections. It ensures those living in residential care homes can set up virtual monitoring systems so families have peace of mind and they can keep an eye on their loved ones. In the case of roommates, permission must sign off on paperwork, which can change at any time. With the support of many stakeholders, the legislation passed unanimously.
House Bill 5143: An Act Requiring Training for Homemaker-Companion Agency Employees, requires homemaker companion agency employees to complete eight hours of basic training each year, including training on topics such as: helping individuals with Alzheimer’s, identifying abuse, identifying when care is above capacity of a homemaker companion, and hygiene assistance. Currently, there isn’t a set training for homemaker companions.
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After several recent tragedies involving children in Connecticut and growing calls for more accountability in our child welfare system, House Democrats are taking action in the 2026 legislative session.
The Committee on Children is leading House Bill 5004: An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency, which will:
- Prioritize placing children with family members and responsible adults who are already in their lives.
- Make sure there is follow-up with sister agencies when DCF-involved children travel out of state.
- Support caregivers and children with funding for after-school programs, childcare, and incidentals.
- Uplift our child welfare workforce through improved training, stipends for mentors and mentees, and personal emergency communication devices.
- Require additional eyes on children who are the subject of multiple reports of abuse or neglect, and those residing with someone on parole or probation after incarceration for serious crimes against children.
- Provide robust real-time data for policymakers and the public on DCF performance through a user-friendly dashboard.
- Establish a new committee to gather legislators, state agencies, experts, and stakeholders to review our child welfare policies and performance and make recommendations for improvements.
This significant legislation reflects a bipartisan effort to reform the Department of Children and Families with policies and procedures that put children first, and a commitment to continued attention to this important issue.
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Since 2025, masked federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, many inadequately trained, have waged a campaign of fear and intimidation with a reckless disregard for the constitutional rights of the people they encounter.
Parents are afraid of bringing children to medical appointments or sending them to school, court dates are skipped for fear of being detained, and congregants are afraid of going to their places of worship.
We as a state have an obligation to address the unprecedented breakdown in federal accountability and attacks on the rule of law. Senate Bill 397: An Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability, represents a measured and lawful response to these concerns. The legislation seeks to strengthen accountability by requiring clear identification from federal agents, restricting enforcement actions in sensitive locations, and creating a pathway for individuals to seek recourse when their constitutional rights are violated. Specifically, Senate Bill 397 does the following:
- Enables any person the right to sue federal actors who violate their constitutional rights.
- Ensures the Inspector General has clear unrestricted authority to investigate the unauthorized use of force by state, local and certain federal agents when force results in death.
- Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves when conducting operations.
- Builds on the framework established in 2025, designating protected areas – hospitals, schools, court houses, places of worship – that will be shielded from civil immigration arrests unless a law enforcement officer presents a signed judicial warrant.
- Establishes a floor of at least 480 hours of training for law enforcement officers in Connecticut.
- Regulates automated license plate reader technologies, permitting an active hot list, but capping retention of data to 21 days absent an ongoing criminal investigation.
This legislation is not born out of partisan preference. It’s a measured response to protect the people of Connecticut. No one is above the law, and the protection of constitutional rights is not solely within the federal government’s purview.
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House Bill 5003: An Act Concerning Workforce Development and Working Conditions in the State, focuses on creating safer, more equitable workplaces while strengthening Connecticut’s workforce.
The bill makes targeted investments in the people who keep our communities running by supporting first responders, veterans, nurses, teachers, and skilled workers. It expands benefits for police, firefighters, and veterans, including assistance for families of fallen responders, housing support, and improved access to education and job opportunities.
It also enhances worker protections by providing stronger safeguards for nurses, teachers, and paraeducators, ensuring better support in the event of workplace injuries, and promoting fair pay and safer conditions across industries. Updated standards, such as protections for nursing mothers, reflect the needs of today’s workforce.
In addition, the legislation invests in workforce development through training programs and stronger partnerships between education and industry, helping connect residents to good-paying jobs while supporting business growth. It also includes measures to improve oversight in home care, strengthen hospital staffing compliance, and establish clear guidelines for remote work during severe weather.
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House Bill 5035: An Act Requiring School Districts to Ban Cellular Phones in the Classroom, advances a statewide “bell-to-bell” or arrival to dismissal cellphone policy for K–12 public schools. The goal is to reduce classroom distractions and support student mental health by creating a consistent standard across all districts.
Under the proposal, all public school districts would be required to adopt and enforce the policy, with devices turned off and stored securely, such as in lockers, throughout the school day. By limiting access to cellphones during instructional hours, the measure aims to curb social media dependency, improve student focus, and address behavioral challenges.
The bill also includes reasonable exceptions, allowing cellphone use when necessary for a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), a 504 plan, or documented medical needs approved by a physician.
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House Bill 5343, An Act Concerning the Reporting of Advertising Purchased by the State, strengthens transparency and accountability in how public funds are used for advertising. The bill establishes standardized reporting requirements for state-funded advertising expenditures, including details on spending amounts, vendors, and the purpose of each campaign. By enhancing oversight and expanding public access to this information, the legislation helps ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and supports more informed evaluation of state communications.
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We also advanced the following bills:
House Bill 5226: An Act Concerning Mobile Manufactured Homes and Mobile Manufactured Home Parks
Senate Bill 259: An Act Concerning Female Genital Mutilation
House Bill 5331: An Act Concerning Faithful Presidential Electors
House Bill 5558: An Act Concerning the Department of Developmental Services' Abuse and Neglect Investigations
House Bill 5381: An Act Establishing an Account to Compensate Victims of Unlawful Funeral Service Practices
House Bill 5514: An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes
House Bill 5464: An Act Implementing Recommendations from the Department of Transportation and Establishing a Pilot Program to Operate Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices on Limited Access Highways
Senate Bill 89: An Act Updating Prison Rape Elimination Standards
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will begin a milling and resurfacing project that will be performed on Route 72 in Plainville and Bristol from Route 372 Forestville Avenue to Blakeslee Street. The Todd Street commuter lot is also included in this project which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 13 and be completed on Friday, June 12.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 72 in Plainville and Bristol from Route 372 Forestville Avenue to Blakeslee Street. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The night work schedule for this project is from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sunday to Thursday.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
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National Bike & Roll to School Day takes place on May 6 and offers a chance to celebrate the benefits of active commuting while building a sense of community, safety, and school spirit.
Events can be as simple as a few families walking or biking to school together, or as elaborate as a large celebration with organized activities.
Ivy Drive School will be taking part. Click here to check to see if your school is registered, and if not, sign up today!
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The state’s 2026 Sky’s The Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge is now underway. This year’s theme, America’s 250th, invites participants to explore 20 different hikes across Connecticut’s state parks and forests, each offering its own unique history and story to discover.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection also notes that additional missions may be introduced throughout the year, keeping the challenge fresh and engaging.
Getting started is easy: download the Goosechase app on your phone and enter the code ZMUCP8 to join. From there, you can take part in fun, interactive missions like checking in at designated locations, snapping photos, answering trivia, and uncovering hidden gems along the way.
The challenge runs through December 4, giving you plenty of time to get outside, stay active, and experience the natural beauty of Connecticut.
For more information, visit ctparks.com. |
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Click here for more information and to register.
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The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.
Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.
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