Gary LeBeau

LeBeau Highlights New Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2012

HARTFORD—State SenatorGary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) today outlined several new state laws taking effect on January 1, 2012, including a host of beneficial new insurance coverage regulations, paid sick leave for certain service-industry workers, tax incentives for new job growth and partial loan forgiveness for ‘green’ job majors.

“We had a very good session last year in the midst of some very trying times,” Sen.LeBeau said. “Not only did we pass good legislation regarding business and job growth, but we worked to protect people in need, too. I think some of these new laws definitely reflect that.”

The new laws include two that Sen. LeBeau had input on in his capacity has Senate Chairman of the Commerce Committee: tax credits for new job creation, and loan forgiveness for college graduates in ‘green’ studies.

Tax credits for new job creation

As part of the October special session on jobs and the economy, the legislature passed a comprehensive package of small-business assistance that includes tens of millions of dollars in state-funded small business grants, loans and tax credits.

Beginning January 1, Connecticut businesses can earn tax credits ranging from $500 to $900 for every new employee they hire. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees can earn a tax credit for each new hire; 50-100 employees earns a tax credit for at least five new hires; and over 100 employees earns a tax credit for at least 10 new hires. The credits range from $500 for a new employee to $900 for hiring a veteran.

Loan forgiveness for college graduates in ‘green’ studies

One aspect of the Democratic Majority Leader’s Roundtable jobs bill that was passed in 2010 takes effect on New Year’s Day. $3 million is being made available in loan forgiveness grants to any Connecticut resident who graduated on or after May 1, 2010 from a state college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the promotion of clean energy, renewable energy or energy efficiency; reducing greenhouse gases or carbon emissions; or inventing, designing and applying chemical products and processes to eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. The family contribution for the most recent full academic year cannot exceed $35,000, and students are eligible for a maximum loan of $2,500 per year for up to four years.

Expanded insurance coverage for breast MRIs, bone marrow tests, colorectal cancer screening and ostomy supplies

New laws effective January 1 require insurance companies to: pay for a comprehensive ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a woman’s breast or breasts if a mammogram shows she has ‘dense’ breast tissue; cover the cost of an annual colorectal cancer screening with no coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense; cover testing to determine compatibility for bone marrow transplants (limited to one free test in a lifetime); and increase the maximum annual coverage for ostomy appliances and supplies from $ 1,000 to $ 2,500.

Sen. LeBeau said it is worth noting that of the 135 ‘no’ votes cast against these four insurance bills, 131 were cast by Republicans.

Paid sick leave for service industry workers in businesses with 50+ employees

Service industry workers in businesses with 50 or more employees can begin accruing paid sick leave on January 1 at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. Such workers had to have worked with the employer for at least 680 hours and averaged at least 10 hours a week over the past three months. Workers can use their sick leave for an illness or injury to themselves, a child or spouse, or for a family violence issue.

“This is another very popular policy with the public, garnering 72 percent support among all state residents according to a June Quinnipiac University poll. 79 percent of women and even 50 percent of Republicans support it,” Sen.LeBeau said.