Protecting Kids on Social Media & Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors

May 16, 2025



 
 

I joined my House colleagues in voting for bills fostering civic engagement among our children, strengthening protections for children on social media, improving healthcare for seniors, and much more. I’ll dig deeper into all those proposals and break down how they make Simsbury and Connecticut a safer and better place to live.

I would like to remind everyone that bears are out and looking for food. Please make sure to secure your trash. Keep scrolling to learn more about what bears are up to right now.

Thank you to the various volunteers who planted a native plant garden this week! Read below to find out where you can see how their hard work came to fruition.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

  • Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors
  • Improving Protections for Survivors
  • Fostering Civic Engagement in Our Kids
  • Child Social Media Protection
  • Transparency in Ticket Resale Market
  • Students Visit Capitol
  • Puppies for Adoption Visit Capitol
  • What Bears Are Up To in May
  • New Native Plant Garden at Meadows
  • Community Events
 

Strengthening Healthcare for Seniors

The House voted to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors. This legislation reflects our ongoing efforts to support and care for our aging population.

The bill:

  • Increases access for vital biomarker testing
  • Requires nursing homes to consider proximity to family members in any transfer of a resident
  • Enhances safety with improved background checks for all nursing home employees
  • Establishes a task force to address the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia.

The measure now moves to the Senate. If it passes there and Governor Lamont signs it into law, the legislation would take effect in January.
 

Improving Protections for Survivors

We also passed a bill improving 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.
 

Fostering Civic Engagement in Our Kids

My House colleagues and I advanced an education bill that honors civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, limits the use of smart devices in school, 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.

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.

The bill also 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.

The bill now moves to the State Senate for approval.
 

Child Social Media Protection

We took a step toward addressing the mental health crisis among teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support.

This measure aims to help children the moment they try to join a social media platform, and that’s because it would require parental consent for anyone under the age of 18 to open an account. The bill also tries to regulate content saying social media companies would not be able to target minors with content or with push notifications between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader with this new effort to reign in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors.
 

Transparency in Ticket Resale Market

We passed a bill on Wednesday to crack down on the legalized scalping of online ticket sales and resales by requiring the disclosure of hidden fees and markups while banning lookalike companies that profit off speculation and jacking up the price. The measure also requires ticket resellers to provide refunds for cancelled live entertainment events.
 
These new rules put Connecticut fans first! It's all about transparency and protecting your wallet.
 

Students Visit Capitol

I had the pleasure of speaking to a 4th grade class from St. Mary's School along with Senator Paul Honig about the legislative process as they visited the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol. This group of voracious readers were eager to learn how bills become law and to get a peak behind the curtain of government.

These students proposed a great idea I hear a lot from visiting students for a new bill: no homework!

Thank you to St. Mary's for stopping by for a visit!
 

Puppies for Adoption Visit Capitol

I would like to thank the Connecticut Humane Society for bringing nearly a dozen puppies, including this adorable Husky, to the Capitol! Just make sure you don't tell Boone, he can get a little jealous!
 

What Bears Are Up To in May

You may have spotted a bear or two around town, and this serves as a reminder to secure your trash. These animals return to areas with reliable sources of food. Mother bears may leave their cubs and travel long distances to gather a meal for the family. In the meantime, her babies are learning how to communicate and climb trees. 
 

CLICK HERE to learn more!
 

New Native Plant Garden at Meadows

You will find a special native plant garden along the fence at the gates to the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. I would like to thank volunteers from the Meadows and Simsbury Pollinator Pathway for their amazing dedication to protecting and preserving our environment. The new garden is a line of sustainable, low-water, low-maintenance native grasses, and the flagpole is surrounded by easy-care, hearty native perennials.
 

Community Events

The Simsbury Land Trust is looking for volunteers to remove invasive plants from its properties. You’ll get to learn how to identify and manage invasive plants in your own backyard while helping Simsbury Land Trust remove harmful plants.

Recommended items include bug spray, long pants, loppers, and work gloves.

Plant removal workdays are from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on 5/17, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/7, 6/11, 6/14, 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28.

Please email margerywinters@comcast.net if you are interested in attending!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You’re invited to learn more about Juneteenth at the Town of Simsbury’s annual “Celebrate Freedom” event. It will be held on Saturday, June 14 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. The free event will include black-owned businesses offering delicious food, beer, live music, and the world’s largest LEGO® Black Brick Play Zone! CLICK HERE to learn more.