Session Recap, Funding for West Haven, and More!

May 9, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! Sunday is Mother's Day. Take the day to honor the mothers and mother figures in your life. Thank you for all you do - your love makes the world a better place.

The legislative session is starting to pick up. The House met twice this week - later on in this email, I will highlight a few bills that were passed, including one I had the honor of introducing on the House floor.

Please see below to see what else I've been up to in Hartford and in the 117th district!

Session Wrap Up

During yesterday's session, I had the honor of introducing HB 6913: An Act Concerning Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities on the House floor.

This bill prohibits discrimination in long-term care facilities based on a wide range of protected characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and HIV status. It also requires staff to receive training in cultural competency and reinforces residents’ rights to privacy and respectful care. We crafted this legislation to protect people, not to punish anyone. It’s about preventing repeated, targeted mistreatment and making sure that LGBTQ+ residents receive the same respectful care as everyone else. I was proud to take this bill out and speak to its importance on the floor.

Thank you to the other members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, the Aging Committee, Rep. Steve Stafstrom, legislative leadership and all of the advocates that helped make this legislation a reality.

HB 6913 now heads to the Senate for further action.

Click here to see a brief video about this legislation.

On Wednesday, House Democrats voted to make important changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including among other things expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and authorizing workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits. Taking care of our first responders is always a legislative priority.

We also took action to make sure that warehouse workers are treated with respect by passing legislation that limits and provides clarity when employers use production quotas.
The legislation also ensures that:

Employers must provide quota information upon hiring an employee
If quotas change, workers must be notified
Employees cannot be retaliated against for requesting work records
Quotas cannot be used to inhibit workers from using the restroom or taking an entitled break

Valuing people over profits is good public policy.

Click here to find the full list of bills passed.

In the 117th District

I joined West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer and Governor Ned Lamont on Monday for a press conference to announce $1.8 million in state bond funding for neighborhood upgrades around the West Haven VA Medical Center.

The funding, which was allocated by the State Bond Commission, will pay for VA neighborhood pedestrian safety improvements, such as new paving, sidewalks, lighting and bus shelters, as well as other beautification and streetscape enhancements.

Click here to read more.

Coming up at the Capitol! The House will be back in session next Wednesday and Thursday. Stay tuned for key updates, votes, and what’s on the legislative agenda.

Here are some great ways to stay informed:

The Connecticut Network (CT-N) provides live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of legislative sessions. You can watch sessions live on Roku, YouTube or their website: https://www.ct-n.com.
Connecticut General Assembly's official website offers a Schedule of Events: cga.ct.gov/calendarofevents.asp.
Follow Connecticut House Democrats on social media for legislative updates and policy priorities.