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In this week's eblast, you can read about bills that just became laws, Access Health CT's Temporary Premium Assistance program, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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Connecticut has long been a national leader in combating hate crimes. Governor Ned Lamont recently signed legislation that strengthens the ability of law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate, charge, and prosecute hate crimes while pursuing the enhanced penalties associated with those offenses.
Connecticut was among the first states in the nation to enact a hate crimes law in 1990. Since then, additional hate crime provisions have been added to state statutes over several decades in response to evolving needs and protections.
The newly signed legislation consolidates Connecticut’s existing hate crimes laws into a dedicated chapter of the state statutes, making them easier for law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public to locate and understand. The law also updates and standardizes terminology across the statutes to ensure greater consistency and clarity.
In conjunction with the signing of Public Act 26-77, the Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council, which was established in 2021 to increase public awareness, encourage reporting, and help prevent hate crimes, announced the launch of a new statewide public awareness campaign, Hate Is More Than a Word… It May Be a Crime. The Council also unveiled expanded online resources to help residents recognize, report, and respond to hate crimes and bias incidents.
Click here to watch the public service announcement, and click here to visit the Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council website for additional information or to report a hate crime. |
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A new law has been signed strengthening protections for children going to and from school by holding drivers accountable when they fail to stop for school buses has been signed into law.
Beginning October 1, 2026, drivers who violate the state’s school bus stopping law for a third time will face a six-month suspension of their driver’s license. Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or back of a school bus displaying its flashing red lights and remain there until the lights are off.
Violations include a $450 fine for the first offense and a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in prison, or both for a subsequent offense. This new law adds another important layer of accountability. |
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New legislation prohibiting the sale and importation of handguns that can easily be converted into fully automatic machine guns has been signed into law.
This addresses a recent nationwide increase in which firearms have been designed in a way that enables them to become automatic weapons with the use of a simple conversion device that’s about the size of a Lego |
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Time is running out to sign up for Access Health CT's health insurance plan with Temporary Premium Assistance!
The Temporary Premium Assistance program was created to help customers who lost all financial assistance when the federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired late last year.
The program has provided over $1.6 million in savings for 10,580 Connecticut residents so far.
The Special Enrollment Period for the event will end Tuesday, June 30, and I hope you'll consider applying!
Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:
- Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
- Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of the FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
Please read below for information on how to receive help online, in person, and over the phone: Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them—including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or working with a Certified Broker in their area.AHCT expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new Mobile Enrollment Team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator.For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
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Governor Lamont has announced a plan to allocate $8.5 million from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund to provide $300 grocery assistance cards to approximately 25,000 Connecticut residents who are expected to lose their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to recent federal rule changes.
Under the proposal, eligible individuals who have lost SNAP eligibility as a result of new federal work requirements will receive a one-time grocery assistance card that can be used to purchase food at participating grocery stores. In addition, applicants will be connected with resources and support services to help them regain SNAP eligibility whenever possible.
The initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to residents facing food insecurity while helping families navigate changes to federal benefit programs. As the cost of groceries continues to place pressure on household budgets, this assistance will help ensure that vulnerable residents can continue to access nutritious food and meet their basic needs.
Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund was established in late 2025 to help the state respond quickly and effectively to federal policy changes and funding reductions that impact residents. This proposal marks the fourth plan submitted by Governor Lamont to legislative leaders for the use of the fund since its creation, demonstrating Connecticut’s ongoing commitment to supporting residents during times of economic uncertainty and transition. |
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Mark your calendar for Connecticut Open House Day on June 13! More than 200 attractions across the state, including museums, arts and cultural venues, historic sites, farms, and restaurants, will offer free or discounted admission and special promotions. It’s a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors alike to discover new destinations and celebrate the rich experiences that make Connecticut such a great and fun place to explore.
Check out CTVisit for a listing of what you can do across the state next Saturday. |
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Please feel free to contact me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-8267 or by email at Larry.Pemberton@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
All my best,
Larry Pemberton
State Representative
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