Geraldo Reyes Jr

As we ring in the new year, several new laws will take effect impacting early voting, hospice care, online privacy, and so much more. Please read below for a full list of what to expect in 2024.

Our community is in the holiday spirit and grateful for the love surrounding us each and every day. Keep scrolling to take a look at the highlights of two Christmas parties in Waterbury that I had the pleasure of attending.

You will find the following sections below:

• New Laws Effective January 1
• Christmas Party at La Casa Bienvenida 
• Christmas Holiday Gathering with Madres Latinas

As we approach a new year, there are some laws taking effect January 1 addressing key issues including early voting, health and mental health, as well as online privacy and data protection.

There will also be an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Although extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list of new laws. Please share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.

EARLY VOTING (PA 23-5)

Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting requiring a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

SUPPORT FOR DEPENDENT SPOUSES (PA 23-7)

Sets a timeframe within which the court must hold a hearing on temporary financial support in divorce, legal separation, annulment, and custody proceedings.

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (PA 23-174)

Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.

PROTECTING MATERNAL HEALTH (PA 23-147)

Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers, an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths and a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.

ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS (PA 23-56)

Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including provisions on consumer health data, minors’ social media accounts and online services, online dating operators, and a task force on internet crimes against children. 

RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL 
OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (PA 23-137)

Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living. 

WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC 
STRESS INJURIES (PA 23-35)

Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.