Steven Stafstrom

 

This year’s legislative session was both productive and impactful. After thoughtful discussion and deliberation, our committee advanced a number of important bills that will make a real difference in the lives of Connecticut residents.
 

Here are a few highlights from the session:

In HB 7212, we’re strengthening the Trust Act by limiting the type of information that can be disclosed to federal immigration authorities. We’re also expanding this limitation to include all public agencies—an important step to protect the rights and safety of our state’s immigrant communities. You can read more about the bill and the process it's gone through in the Connecticut Insider.

To keep our roads safe, we passed HB 7132, “An Act Concerning Non-Safety Related Stops.” This legislation clarifies traffic stop procedures and allows law enforcement to better focus on serious threats—especially targeting those who drive under the influence of cannabis. You can read more about the bill in this Connecticut Mirror article.

 We also took action to address the growing issue of street takeovers with SB 1284, empowering local governments to respond more effectively. And in a strong show of bipartisanship, we passed HB 7260 to combat reckless driving on our highways. You can read more about SB 1284 in this article in NBC CT. For more information about HB 7260, read this article from CT News Junkie.

We’re also advancing health equity and protections. SB 1380 prohibits discrimination by health care providers, while HB 7135 offers legal protections to providers who deliver reproductive and gender-affirming care. For more information on HB 7135 – you can read this CT Mirror article.

With SB 1438, we’re making it a Class D felony to perform female genital mutilation—firmly standing against this harmful practice. You can read more about this bill in the Hartford Courant and Equality Now.

As we continue through the legislative process, I remain committed to advocating for these bills and look forward to working across the aisle to help ensure their successful passage.