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I hope this message finds you and yours well!
I want to thank everyone who attended the Veterans Panel and Senior Resource Fair in September! This month, I will be hosting an Education Forum at the Derby Town Hall on October 16th. Find more information on this event below, and I hope parents and families are able to attend!
In this email, you will find information on new laws taking effect on October 1st, learn about a great opportunity for high school seniors, and find local events and resources. As always, I am here as a resource for Ansonia and Derby residents to help address any questions or concerns you have. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office at any time and email me at kara.rochelle@cga.ct.gov. |
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Thank you to all the veterans who came out to the Veterans Panel to engage in a meaningful conversation about what is being done and what we can do next to support them in our community and around the state. It was a valuable and important discussion. I also want to thank State Representative Jaime Foster and State Representative Hubert Delany for coming to the 104th as part of their listening tour. We got a lot done this year for vets, and there is always more to do in our mission to serve those who have done so much for our country.
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| The 2025 Senior Resource Fair was a huge success! I want to thank everyone who was able to attend and all of the incredible vendors and volunteers who helped connect senior residents with essential services. It was great to bring this event back to the Valley for an important and fun afternoon. This event was created to help seniors through the complex process of finding the services they need. If you weren't able to attend, and would like a list of all the organizations and resources that were there, email me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov! |
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| On Thursday, October 16th, I will be hosting an Education Forum starting at 6 p.m. at the Derby Town Hall. I will be joined by State Representatives Jenn Leeper, Chair of the Education Committee, Maryam Khan, Chair of the Special Education Subcommittee, Mary Welander, and State Senator Jorge Cabrera. The forum will feature a presentation from the School + State Finance Project to discuss the funding allocated for our schools in the 2026-2027 State Budget. |
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| As of this week, on October 1, 2025, several new laws passed during this year’s legislative session officially went into effect. Read more about some of these laws below. |
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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.
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.
Starting October 1st, a new law will crack down on street takeovers and reckless ATV and dirt bike use. This new law will allow municipalities to seize and destroy illegal ATVs, dirt bikes, and mini motorcycles, and also allows towns to fine and impound vehicles used in street takeovers. The new law will also require permanent license revocation after a third offense involving illegal racing or takeovers.
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. Coverage under the program now extends to state firefighters serving at UConn and Bradley International Airport.
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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| Connecticut Automatic Admission Program |
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I wanted to share this great opportunity for Connecticut high school students!
The Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) guarantees automatic college admission to students with strong grades. This program waives the application fee, student essays, and recommendation letters for participating institutions.
Seniors with a 3.0 weighted GPA or 2.75 unweighted GPA can apply to 10 participating public and private colleges with just one free application.
Participating colleges and universities include:
🎓 Central Connecticut State University
🎓 Eastern Connecticut State University
🎓 Southern Connecticut State University
🎓 Western Connecticut State University
🎓 Albertus Magnus College
🎓 Goodwin University
🎓 Mitchell College
🎓 University of Bridgeport
🎓 University of Hartford
🎓 University of New Haven
For more information and application instructions, visit www.ct.edu/autoadmit. |
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The drug epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. When they do - it has dangerous and often tragic consequences.
You can help fight that epidemic by participating in DEA Takeback Day. It's an opportunity for anyone to remove unneeded medications from their homes, preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.
On October 25th, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can turn in excess drugs at various locations around the Valley, including Woodbridge and Orange Police Departments. Locations will be open across the state. You can find details on the drop-off process and locations by using the DEA Collection Site Locator. Click HERE for more info. |
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| Happening in the Community |
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Team, Inc. is offering a FREE 3-part series on financial education with the second class on October 8th. Each class will be held every other Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Team Inc. School at 80 Howard Ave. Free childcare and dinner will be provided each week during the class.
Click here to sign up. |
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The Derby Library is offering resume assistance with Marc Weissman various dates this month. This is a free program for a 1-on-1 session to review and optimize your resume.
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Scouts BSA Troop 7 will host a can and bottle drive on Sunday, October 12th, from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Ansonia.
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| Team, Inc. is offering assistance with energy bill payments this season. To learn more about the programs you may qualify for and apply for assistance, attend the information session on October 16th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Ansonia Senior Center. |
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| The Derby Public Library is looking for book donations for an upcoming book sale. They will have various drop off days over the next few months including October 11th and 18th. |
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| Life Health and Wellness is holding its 2nd Annual Western Themed Fundraiser on October 18th! Tickets are on sale now for $30.00. |
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| October's Master's Table Community Meal will take place on Sunday, October 19th, at Assumption Church Hall. Meals are free and open to the public! |
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| The Christ Episcopal Church in Ansonia will host a Trunk or Treat from 4 to 6 p.m. on October 19th. The Church will also be collecting food donations during the event for the shelter. |
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| Mark your calendars! The Ansonia Senior Center is holding a Halloween Costume Bingo on October 28th. Sign up at the Senior Center now! |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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