Month: June 2017

Fonfara Welcomes CTNext Innovation Places Award for Hartford/East Hartford

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Fonfara Welcomes CTNext Innovation Places Award for Hartford/East Hartford

The CTNext Board of Directors has approved a $2 million implementation grant for Hartford/East Hartford’s Innovation Places initiative for fiscal year 2018. Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who was instrumental in designing and passing a comprehensive law to help Connecticut embrace the innovation economy, applauded the decision by CTNext to invest in the Hartford area.

“I’d like to congratulate the core team that made this happen, in particular Michelle Cote of the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” Sen. Fonfara, who co-chairs the Finance Committee said.

Innovation Places are concentrated areas where entrepreneurs and innovators have easy access to tech talent, support organizations and research institutions. These dense areas are intended to be highly walkable, transit-connected, and mixed-use in zoning to facilitate interactions among entrepreneurs and innovators across different organizations, and to be conducive to the creation of start-up companies. This environment is intended to be attractive not only for entrepreneurs to work in, but also to live in and for recreation, to help the community retain the most in-demand workers.
CTNext received Innovation Places applications from 12 communities across the state and, following a comprehensive review, the CTNext Board of Directors selected the finalists. The program will distribute $30 million to the winning cities and communities over a period of five years to support catalytic projects to stimulate their local innovation ecosystem. In total, four designated communities were announced as the winners Tuesday, including Hartford/East Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Thames River.

Hartford/East Hartford Innovation Places Initiative

Vision:

Increase local innovation and commercialization in the region’s strongest economic clusters—insurance, healthcare and aerospace/advanced manufacturing. Build upon amenity- rich downtown Hartford and create new amenities in the Trinity/Hartford Hospital Impact Area to enable them to become thriving Innovation Places. Create social networks that tie together Hartford’s many existing, but fragmented and underutilized, resources and assets.

Team/Partners: UConn, Goodwin College, Trinity College, University of Hartford, Metro Hartford Alliance, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Hartford Healthcare, City of Hartford, Town of East Hartford, reSET, Small Business Development Corporation, Innovate Hartford, MakerspaceCT and several entrepreneurs.

Major Catalytic Projects

Economic Initiatives—Accelerate innovation and commercialization in insurance, medical technology and aerospace/advanced manufacturing.

  • InsureTech Accelerator. Attract next-generation insurance companies to Hartford.
  • Digital Health Incubator/Accelerator. Support the development and testing of “minimum viable products” and new digital health technologies.
  • Technical Assistance, Training and Talent Recruitment. Provide aerospace/advanced manufacturing suppliers with technical assistance, training and talent recruitment to develop next-generation products and methods.

Physical Place Initiatives—Develop the Trinity/Hartford Hospital Impact Area as a thriving Innovation Place with diverse live/work/play opportunities.

  • Space-Matching and Grant Assistance. Provide access for local businesses to space-matching and grant assistance to improve area amenities.
  • Pop-Up Food Park. Provide healthy, affordable fresh produce while creating a shared “third space” for Innovation Places interactions.

Social Capabilities Initiatives—Network and connect the region’s many assets.

  • Asset and Cluster Mapping. Support area entrepreneurs by providing asset mapping and new tools. Provide cluster mapping to identify and connect resources within emerging clusters.
  • Build Networks. Build networks between startups and corporations and between students and the Hartford region.
  • New Makerspace. Serve as a shared space for collaboration between InsureTech, MedTech and aerospace initiative participants, as well as Hartford entrepreneurs.
  • Promote New Initiatives and Resources. Coordinate and promote each of the new initiatives and resources.

Impact Areas: Downtown Hartford area and the Trinity/Hartford Hospital area.

Winfield Welcomes CTNext Innovation Places Grant for New Haven

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Winfield Welcomes CTNext Innovation Places Grant for New Haven

The CTNext Board of Directors today approved a $2 million implementation grant for New Haven’s Innovation Places initiative for fiscal year 2018. Last year the state legislature passed a comprehensive law to help Connecticut embrace the innovation economy. Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) applauded the decision by CTNext to invest in the Elm City Innovation Collaborative.

“I want to congratulate everyone who worked together to create this plan to move New Haven towards a growing business economy,” Sen. Winfield said. “New Haven is home to both young and experienced business professionals who will benefit greatly from the Innovation Places initiative. I look forward to seeing the positive progress of this approach to fostering business in our community.”

Innovation Places are concentrated areas where entrepreneurs and innovators have easy access to tech talent, support organizations and research institutions. These dense areas are intended to be highly walkable, transit-connected, and mixed-use in zoning to facilitate interactions among entrepreneurs and innovators across different organizations, and to be conducive to the creation of start-up companies. This environment is intended to be attractive not only for entrepreneurs to work in, but also to live in and for recreation, to help the community retain the most in-demand workers.

CTNext received Innovation Places applications from 12 communities across the state and, following a comprehensive review, the CTNext Board of Directors selected the finalists. The program will distribute $30 million to the winning cities and communities over a period of five years to support catalytic projects to stimulate their local innovation ecosystem. In total, four designated communities were announced as the winners Tuesday, including New Haven, Hartford/East Hartford, Stamford, and Thames River.

Elm City Innovation Collaborative

Vision: A connected city, growing together, where people want to live, with help for everyone.

New Haven has a thriving innovation economy built around the prestige of our world-class institutions and sustained by the intellectual and cultural life of our city. To catalyze our growth as a global innovation hub, New Haven needs to bridge the separations between its diverse, dynamic communities; unlock the energy of our growing companies and world-class talent; and fuel initiatives that encourage growth, connection, livability, and opportunities for our workers and businesses.

Team/Partners: Yale University, City of New Haven, Medtronics, Alexion, SeeClickFix, The District, Elm Street Ventures, Gnostic Ventures, SCSU, Gateway, The Grove, MakeHaven, MEA Mobile, CfAL, Science Park, New Haven Free Public Library, and Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Major Catalytic Projects

Connectivity: New Haven’s rich talent network will grow closer and more accessible through:

  • Ives Innovation Commons: using our main library as a front door to entrepreneurship
  • Collaboratory: a new partnership bringing YEI’s expertise into each of our communities
  • State House: a central hub for art, innovation, craft, and trade, through a diverse array of events, workshops, productions, and experiences

Growth: As New Haven’s housing boom fuels mixed-use development across the City, growing companies will have room to grow locally through:

  • Fabric: a new, larger location for graduates from co-working spaces like The Grove
  • The District: creating right-size space for growing companies in a developing tech campus
  • Vivarium Expansion: providing more capacity for biopharma companies at Science Park

Livability: Key place-making initiatives build on New Haven’s dense, walkable cityscape with parklets, pedestrian infrastructure, and public art.

Talent: With partnerships between five digital skills bootcamps, a new Tech Training Umbrella expands and coordinates the programs that feed talent into our growing companies. New companies will also receive incubation help and guidance through programs like the new Medtronics Incubator and HealthHaven Hub, turning innovative ideas for medical devices and treatments into growing local companies.

Impact Areas: New Haven is focusing its investments in a 5-node district. Three nodes (Downtown/Ninth Square, WAGO and the Medical District) are Core Innovation Centers, each with a ¼ mile walking radius that contains a vibrant urban environment. Two nodes (Yale Science Hill/Science Park and District Square) are considered Emerging Districts that are undergoing a transformation. The three core nodes total 344 acres.

Gerratana Leads Unanimous Senate Passage of Legislation to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

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Gerratana Leads Unanimous Senate Passage of Legislation to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

Bill limits access to opioids, expands access to overdose reversal medications, and takes other steps to fight opioid addiction

photo of Senator Gerratana.

Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) today led the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of House Bill 7052, which takes several critical steps toward further combatting the opioid epidemic in Connecticut.

An increase in prescriptions for opioid painkillers by doctors has led to a dramatic increase in people addicted to heroin and other opioids. The CDC reported that people who use prescription opioid painkillers are 40 times more likely to try heroin. Every year there is a significant increase in heroin deaths. There were 917 fatal overdoses in Connecticut during 2016, an increase of 26 percent over the previous year, and the vast majority of these involved opioids.

“The opioid epidemic has touched every community in Connecticut, tragically capturing loved ones in addiction and taking hundreds of lives,” said Senator Gerratana. “We have all heard the tragic stories of people prescribed opioids by their doctor following an injury or medical procedure, only to find themselves descending into a tailspin of addiction. We need to slow the spread of these dangerous drugs and help pull people back from their addiction and help them get the care they need. This bill will save lives. It will further limit the overuse and abuse of prescription opioids and expand access to life-saving care. I applaud all of my colleagues who helped work on this bill. We will continue to do our part to support the families and medical professionals who are doing the important work of putting people on the road to recovery from opioid addiction.”

Preventing Opioid Abuse

We have all heard the tragic stories of people prescribed opioids by their doctor following an injury or medical procedure, only to find themselves descending into a tailspin of addiction. We need to slow the spread of these dangerous drugs and help pull people back from their addiction and help them get the care they need. This bill will save lives. It will further limit the overuse and abuse of prescription opioids and expand access to life-saving care. I applaud all of my colleagues who helped work on this bill. We will continue to do our part to support the families and medical professionals who are doing the important work of putting people on the road to recovery from opioid addiction.”
– Senator Terry Gerratana
http://senatedems.ct.gov/gerratana-news/740-gerratana-170606

Posted by CT Senate Democrats on Tuesday, June 6, 2017

This year’s bill builds upon bills passed by Senator Gerratana in previous years to fight back against the growing opioid epidemic. This year’s bill:

  • Establishes a “standing order” model, which would make it easier for friends and family members of opioid addicts to obtain Narcan, the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication;
  • Reduces the maximum opioid prescription for minors from 7 days to 5 days, unless the prescribing doctor can document that an extended prescription is absolutely necessary to treat chronic pain, acute pain, or palliative care;
  • Requires that health insurers cover medically necessary detox equipment
  • Allows for the safe disposal of unused medications by registered nurses (RNs) providing home health care, which can include taking the medications to a prescription drug drop box;
  • Increases the sharing of data on opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths by state agencies;
  • Makes opioid prescriptions more secure by ensuring that they be electronically prescribed, rather than prescribed using a pad and paper;
  • Requires alcohol and drug treatment facilities use American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for admission guidelines
  • Ensures that all patients being prescribed an opioid are informed and aware of the risks of opioid use, signs of addictions, and dangers of drug interactions; and
  • Allows patients to add a file to their medical record indicating that they do not want to be prescribed or administered any opioids.

Now that House Bill 7052 has passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, it moves to the desk of Governor Dannel P. Malloy and awaits his signature.

State Leaders: Amazon to Create Large-Scale Distribution Center and Add 1,800 New Jobs in North Haven

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State Leaders: Amazon to Create Large-Scale Distribution Center and Add 1,800 New Jobs in North Haven

Company’s investments will bring jobs, economic activity, and tax revenue to the town, region, and state

State leaders today announced that Amazon—the largest internet-based retailer in the world—has decided to expand its presence in Connecticut with the creation of a new state-of-the-art, 855,000 square-foot fulfillment center in North Haven. The company plans to spend $255 million on the project, where it will create 1,800 jobs at the new facility.

The company, which recently opened a fulfillment center in Windsor and a sorting center in Wallingford, currently employs approximately 2,000 people in Connecticut. With the addition of the North Haven facility, that number will increase to approximately 3,800 Connecticut-based employees.

“This is a significant win for our state’s taxpayers and our economy,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. “Amazon’s $255 million investment to expand operations in Connecticut is proof positive that when we work with companies and bring our collective ingenuity to bear, we deliver on creating jobs for the hardworking residents of our state. With plans to nearly double their Connecticut workforce—growing another 1,800 jobs on top of the 2,000 employees they currently have in the state—Amazon’s decision to open third facility here is a testament to the high quality and productivity of our workforce.”

“Amazon has established a significant footprint in Connecticut—very good news for our workforce and our economy,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “I congratulate Governor Malloy, DECD Commissioner Smith and the partners that helped bring Amazon to Connecticut and expand its presence to North Haven.”

“Amazon’s decision to invest 1,800 new, good-paying, jobs in North Haven is a victory for the greater New Haven area,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) said. “Connecticut’s partnership with Amazon has already yielded thousands of jobs and I want to thank Governor Malloy, his administration and local officials for their work in making this agreement possible.”

Amazon’s North Haven fulfillment center will be located at 415 Washington Avenue—the 168-acre property formerly utilized by Pratt & Whitney that has been vacant for over 15 years.

“Five years after announcing our first fulfillment center in Connecticut, we’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in North Haven, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs that offer wages 30 percent higher than traditional retail roles and include comprehensive benefits on day one, bonuses and stock awards,” Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s vice president of North America operations, said. “We’ve found an abundance of talent in Connecticut’s workforce, and we are so happy to have this opportunity to expand in the state to serve customers.”

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is supporting the project through its First Five Plus program. The company will be eligible to earn up to $15 million in Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment tax credits if certain job creation and capital investment milestones are reached. An additional $5 million in credits may be available if the company surpasses initial job targets. The company may also be eligible for a sales and use tax exemption of up to $5 million on equipment and construction materials. Local approvals—to be voted on tonight—will provide additional incentives to help bring the project to fruition.

“Today’s announcement is great news for North Haven and Connecticut,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said. “The property, once humming with thousands of workers from Pratt & Whitney, was sold more than 15 years ago and has remained idle and vacant ever since. This is a significant development that will bring jobs, economic activity, and tax revenue for the town, region, and the entire state.”

“This is exciting news for the State of Connecticut and Town of North Haven,” Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) said. “I thank the Governor’s administration and town officials for working in collaboration with all parties including state lawmakers and community members to show Amazon the remarkable potential of our town to be a new hub for business growth. After seeing this piece of property remain vacant for so many years, this new development is a major accomplishment. I welcome the new jobs and opportunities and I look forward to continuing to work with Amazon as a new local partner to bring new development, growth and vitality to our entire region.”

“I am so excited that Amazon has chosen to operate out of a new fulfillment center located in North Haven,” State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-North Haven) said. “This new addition will foster job and tax growth for the residents of North Haven. I trust that Amazon will be a good civic neighbor.”

Signed into law in 2011, the First Five program supports large-scale economic development projects to encourage job creation, new capital investment, and business expansion or relocation. The 15 participating companies have created about 3,800 jobs, well above the minimum 200 jobs per company required to be created under the program. The companies are investing almost $1.4 billion within Connecticut—more than four times the amount of state financial assistance, providing the state with a strong return on its investment.

Started in 1994 as an online bookstore, Amazon diversified first into digital media and later into a wide range of consumer products. The company has grown to be the largest cloud computing company and internet-based retailer in the world.

Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

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Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

Leaders of the Connecticut State Senate joined with community advocates and religious leaders today to announce that the Senate is prepared to approve a comprehensive bill aimed at strengthening Connecticut’s hate crime laws, making them the strongest in the nation.

Over the last year, the United States has endured incidents of hate including murders, assaults, bomb threats and vandalism that have been directed against African-Americans, Hindu- Americans, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, Sikh-Americans, transgender women and others.

“We will punish hate crimes appropriately and will have the strong hate crimes law in the nation,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “When a bomb threat is made against a religious community center or a religious cemetery is desecrated, or a mosque is vandalized, or women and the LGBT communities are specifically targeted, that is a crime that affects not just the members of the building and cemetery threatened or vandalized, but all members of the protected group throughout our society. Passing this bill will make Connecticut the national leader in the fight against these despicable acts, and serve as a model for other states looking to combat hate and crimes based on bigotry and bias.”

“I thank all the lawmakers and advocates who came here today to stand in unity against bigotry and prejudice. Together, in partnership with one another, we have the ability to pass legislation and send a strong message that Connecticut will protect all people, of all races, of all religions, of all ethnicities, of all sexual orientations and of all genders against hate,” said Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven).

“Across the United States, over the course of the last year, we have witnessed a disturbing spike in hate crimes,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Strengthening this law will ensure that, here in Connecticut, we will punish those who target communities based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.”

“This legislation will strengthen our criminal justice laws to send a clear message that Connecticut has zero tolerance for hate and violence directed at someone because of who they are, what they look like, or where they come from,” said Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton).

“It is critical that we respond legislatively to the unacceptable increase in religious hate crimes we are seeing in our country,” said Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Co-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “Strengthening our hate crime laws to adequately punish the individuals who commit these horrific crimes also sends a clear message to others that these types of cowardly acts will not be tolerated and the punishment will fit the crime.”

“I want to extend a humble thank you to the entire Judiciary Committee for their hard-work on this important legislation,” said Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield), Co-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “As legislators we must work together to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected so that we can all live peacefully in our great state. I think this bill sends a clear message that as policymakers we will not tolerate threats or intimidation based on hate. I am proud to stand in support of this bipartisan legislation—legislation that works to protect all Connecticut residents against hate crimes.”

“On behalf of ADL leadership and supporters in Connecticut and across our nation, I wish to express profound gratitude to the Connecticut legislature,” said Steve Ginsburg, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League—Connecticut Region. “ADL drafted the first ever model hate crimes statute, and now welcomes HB 5743 which, with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses, will set an example for how—when unified—we can protect minorities, ensure our freedoms and strengthen democracy. Our state already had relatively strong hate crimes protections, but today our leaders made clear that when incidents of bias and hate are on the rise, good enough isn’t good enough. Protecting community centers, including gender as a protected category and enhancing penalties makes all Connecticut residents and their communities safer and sets a proud example for our children. ADL will keep pushing until all 50 states have hate crimes laws (#50statesagainsthate), and we look forward to being a part of our state’s new Hate Crimes Advisory Council.”

“Passage of HB 5743 marks a major advancement in deterring hate crimes in the State of Connecticut. Elimination of such crimes requires additional steps that will help breakdown the barriers, misperceptions and prejudices that leads to such acts of intolerance,” said Howard Sovronsky, Executive Director of the Hartford Jewish Federation. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford applauds the Legislature for this bold move and we continue our commitment to collectively work to stamp out hate where ever it appears.”

House Bill 5743, An Act Concerning Hate Crimes:

  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing penalties, making it a felony (instead of a misdemeanor) for committing a hate crime against a group of persons (instead of a specific individual.)
  • Strengthens and modernizes Connecticut’s hate crime laws to include hate crimes based on gender (sex). Current law protects only “gender identity or expression,” not gender.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty to a Class C felony (from a Class D felony) for making a bomb threat or other threat of violence against a house of worship, religious community center or other religious institution—or any daycare facility—if the threat is made with the intent to terrorize another person or to cause the evacuation of the building or grounds. This puts the penalty for such bomb threats on par with threats made against schools.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty for desecrating any house of worship or any religious cemetery from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony if there is more than $10,000 in damage, or a Class D felony if there is less than $10,000 in damage.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by expanding the threshold for a 1st-degree hate crime from its current requirement of causing “serious physical injury” to instead causing “physical injury.”
  • Establishes a court’s power to order extensive, relevant community service and/or restitution, in addition to any other penalties imposed for hate crime convictions.
  • Establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for individuals convicted of hate crimes.
  • Creates a state-wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council.

Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

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Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

Leaders of the Connecticut State Senate joined with community advocates and religious leaders today to announce that the Senate is prepared to approve a comprehensive bill aimed at strengthening Connecticut’s hate crime laws, making them the strongest in the nation.

Over the last year, the United States has endured incidents of hate including murders, assaults, bomb threats and vandalism that have been directed against African-Americans, Hindu- Americans, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, Sikh-Americans, transgender women and others.

“We will punish hate crimes appropriately and will have the strong hate crimes law in the nation,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “When a bomb threat is made against a religious community center or a religious cemetery is desecrated, or a mosque is vandalized, or women and the LGBT communities are specifically targeted, that is a crime that affects not just the members of the building and cemetery threatened or vandalized, but all members of the protected group throughout our society. Passing this bill will make Connecticut the national leader in the fight against these despicable acts, and serve as a model for other states looking to combat hate and crimes based on bigotry and bias.”

“I thank all the lawmakers and advocates who came here today to stand in unity against bigotry and prejudice. Together, in partnership with one another, we have the ability to pass legislation and send a strong message that Connecticut will protect all people, of all races, of all religions, of all ethnicities, of all sexual orientations and of all genders against hate,” said Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven).

“Across the United States, over the course of the last year, we have witnessed a disturbing spike in hate crimes,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Strengthening this law will ensure that, here in Connecticut, we will punish those who target communities based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.”

“This legislation will strengthen our criminal justice laws to send a clear message that Connecticut has zero tolerance for hate and violence directed at someone because of who they are, what they look like, or where they come from,” said Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton).

“It is critical that we respond legislatively to the unacceptable increase in religious hate crimes we are seeing in our country,” said Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Co-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “Strengthening our hate crime laws to adequately punish the individuals who commit these horrific crimes also sends a clear message to others that these types of cowardly acts will not be tolerated and the punishment will fit the crime.”

“I want to extend a humble thank you to the entire Judiciary Committee for their hard-work on this important legislation,” said Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield), Co-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “As legislators we must work together to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected so that we can all live peacefully in our great state. I think this bill sends a clear message that as policymakers we will not tolerate threats or intimidation based on hate. I am proud to stand in support of this bipartisan legislation—legislation that works to protect all Connecticut residents against hate crimes.”

“On behalf of ADL leadership and supporters in Connecticut and across our nation, I wish to express profound gratitude to the Connecticut legislature,” said Steve Ginsburg, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League—Connecticut Region. “ADL drafted the first ever model hate crimes statute, and now welcomes HB 5743 which, with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses, will set an example for how—when unified—we can protect minorities, ensure our freedoms and strengthen democracy. Our state already had relatively strong hate crimes protections, but today our leaders made clear that when incidents of bias and hate are on the rise, good enough isn’t good enough. Protecting community centers, including gender as a protected category and enhancing penalties makes all Connecticut residents and their communities safer and sets a proud example for our children. ADL will keep pushing until all 50 states have hate crimes laws (#50statesagainsthate), and we look forward to being a part of our state’s new Hate Crimes Advisory Council.”

“Passage of HB 5743 marks a major advancement in deterring hate crimes in the State of Connecticut. Elimination of such crimes requires additional steps that will help breakdown the barriers, misperceptions and prejudices that leads to such acts of intolerance,” said Howard Sovronsky, Executive Director of the Hartford Jewish Federation. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford applauds the Legislature for this bold move and we continue our commitment to collectively work to stamp out hate where ever it appears.”

House Bill 5743, An Act Concerning Hate Crimes:

  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing penalties, making it a felony (instead of a misdemeanor) for committing a hate crime against a group of persons (instead of a specific individual.)
  • Strengthens and modernizes Connecticut’s hate crime laws to include hate crimes based on gender (sex). Current law protects only “gender identity or expression,” not gender.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty to a Class C felony (from a Class D felony) for making a bomb threat or other threat of violence against a house of worship, religious community center or other religious institution—or any daycare facility—if the threat is made with the intent to terrorize another person or to cause the evacuation of the building or grounds. This puts the penalty for such bomb threats on par with threats made against schools.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty for desecrating any house of worship or any religious cemetery from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony if there is more than $10,000 in damage, or a Class D felony if there is less than $10,000 in damage.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by expanding the threshold for a 1st-degree hate crime from its current requirement of causing “serious physical injury” to instead causing “physical injury.”
  • Establishes a court’s power to order extensive, relevant community service and/or restitution, in addition to any other penalties imposed for hate crime convictions.
  • Establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for individuals convicted of hate crimes.
  • Creates a state-wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council.

Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

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Senate Set to Approve Strongest Hate Crimes Law in the Nation

Leaders of the Connecticut State Senate joined with community advocates and religious leaders today to announce that the Senate is prepared to approve a comprehensive bill aimed at strengthening Connecticut’s hate crime laws, making them the strongest in the nation.

Over the last year, the United States has endured incidents of hate including murders, assaults, bomb threats and vandalism that have been directed against African-Americans, Hindu-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, Sikh-Americans, transgender women and others.

“We will punish hate crimes appropriately and will have the strong hate crimes law in the nation,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “When a bomb threat is made against a religious community center or a religious cemetery is desecrated, or a mosque is vandalized, or women and the LGBT communities are specifically targeted, that is a crime that affects not just the members of the building and cemetery threatened or vandalized, but all members of the protected group throughout our society. Passing this bill will make Connecticut the national leader in the fight against these despicable acts, and serve as a model for other states looking to combat hate and crimes based on bigotry and bias.”

“I thank all the lawmakers and advocates who came here today to stand in unity against bigotry and prejudice. Together, in partnership with one another, we have the ability to pass legislation and send a strong message that Connecticut will protect all people, of all races, of all religions, of all ethnicities, of all sexual orientations and of all genders against hate,” said Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven).

“I am extremely proud that Connecticut is once again a leader in the fight against intolerance and hate, and that we are updating our statutes to send a clear message that we will bring the full force of the law against anyone who attacks our state’s diverse community based on religion, race, gender or sexual orientation,” said Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford), Senate Democratic Chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee. “We have demonstrated here today that standing up to hatred knows no political party, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for demonstrating our commitment to protecting the people of Connecticut.”

“On behalf of ADL leadership and supporters in Connecticut and across our nation, I wish to express profound gratitude to the Connecticut legislature,” said Steve Ginsburg, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League—Connecticut Region. “ADL drafted the first ever model hate crimes statute, and now welcomes HB 5743 which, with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses, will set an example for how—when unified—we can protect minorities, ensure our freedoms and strengthen democracy. Our state already had relatively strong hate crimes protections, but today our leaders made clear that when incidents of bias and hate are on the rise, good enough isn’t good enough. Protecting community centers, including gender as a protected category and enhancing penalties makes all Connecticut residents and their communities safer and sets a proud example for our children. ADL will keep pushing until all 50 states have hate crimes laws (#50statesagainsthate), and we look forward to being a part of our state’s new Hate Crimes Advisory Council.”

“Passage of HB 5743 marks a major advancement in deterring hate crimes in the State of Connecticut. Elimination of such crimes requires additional steps that will help breakdown the barriers, misperceptions and prejudices that leads to such acts of intolerance,” said Howard Sovronsky, Executive Director of the Hartford Jewish Federation. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford applauds the Legislature for this bold move and we continue our commitment to collectively work to stamp out hate where ever it appears.”

House Bill 5743, An Act Concerning Hate Crimes:

  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing penalties, making it a felony (instead of a misdemeanor) for committing a hate crime against a group of persons (instead of a specific individual.)
  • Strengthens and modernizes Connecticut’s hate crime laws to include hate crimes based on gender (sex). Current law protects only “gender identity or expression,” not gender.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty to a Class C felony (from a Class D felony) for making a bomb threat or other threat of violence against a house of worship, religious community center or other religious institution—or any daycare facility—if the threat is made with the intent to terrorize another person or to cause the evacuation of the building or grounds. This puts the penalty for such bomb threats on par with threats made against schools.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by increasing the penalty for desecrating any house of worship or any religious cemetery from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony if there is more than $10,000 in damage, or a Class D felony if there is less than $10,000 in damage.
  • Strengthens hate crime laws by expanding the threshold for a 1st-degree hate crime from its current requirement of causing “serious physical injury” to instead causing “physical injury.”
  • Establishes a court’s power to order extensive, relevant community service and/or restitution, in addition to any other penalties imposed for hate crime convictions.
  • Establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for individuals convicted of hate crimes.
  • Creates a state-wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council.

Flexer Strengthens Sexual Assault Laws by Extending Statute of Limitations

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Flexer Strengthens Sexual Assault Laws by Extending Statute of Limitations

 

Hartford, CT – A bill doubling the length of time felony sexual assault crimes can be prosecuted cleared the Connecticut Senate Monday in a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

Authored by State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson), An Act Concerning The Statute Of Limitations For The Prosecution Of Sexual Assault increases the statute of limitations to ten years for the violation of certain sexual assaults.

“Connecticut needs to catch up with the rest of the country. We have one of the shortest statutes of limitations for sexual assault in America. The bill we moved forward here tonight is a good step forward for victims of violent sexual crimes, and I am pleased that it passed with broad, bipartisan support,” said Sen. Flexer. “It has been well documented that many victims of sexual assault are sometimes too traumatized or fearful of retribution to immediately report such a crime and the current statute of limitations of five years is simply not long enough. The window on seeking justice should not be closed after an arbitrary amount of time.”

Nineteen other states, including Alabama, Idaho, West Virginia and most recently California, have entirely eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual assault. 

“As we have seen in cases like the one that was recently brought against Bill Cosby, it sometimes takes decades for victims to come forward – and often times it is that first disclosure that empowers other victims to come forward as well. Those people are no less victims of a horrendous crime just because they did not initially feel safe to come forward at the time,” said Sen. Flexer, who sits on the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee where the bill originated. “This extension is good public policy and I am hopeful that in the future we are able to revisit this law again with the eventual goal of completely eliminating the statute of limitations, allowing more victims to hold their attackers accountable in a court of law.”

The legislation extends the statute of limitations to ten years for the crimes of sexual assault in the second and third degrees, as well as sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm. There is limitation of prosecution in Class A violations of sexual assault in the first degree or aggravated sexual assault in the first degree.

The legislation was endorsed by organizations including the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Senate Bill 1042 goes next to the State House of Representatives for consideration.

 

Flexer Leads Passage of Bill to Protect Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel from Discriminatory Practices

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Flexer Leads Passage of Bill to Protect Veterans & Active Duty Military Personnel from Discriminatory Practices

 

Hartford, CT – The State Senate Monday passed legislation aimed at shielding veterans from discrimination related to employment, among introducing other protections for military personnel.

Senate Bill 917, An Act Concerning Discriminatory Practices Against Veterans, Leaves Of Absence For National Guard Members, Registration For Certain Medicaid Programs And Disclosures Of Certain Records To Federally Military Law Enforcement, passed the Senate in a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

“We have heard stories from numerous veterans who have faced discrimination in a variety of areas. It is incredibly important that we ensure that Connecticut’s veterans and active duty personnel have recourse in the event that they face discrimination in the workplace, housing, public accommodations or elsewhere,” said State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson), who chairs the General Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee and authored the bill. “Adding veterans to the list of protected classes under our state statutes will allow them to take advantage of the measures already afforded to other residents who face discrimination. Additionally, this bill will ensure that Connecticut residents who serve in the National Guard in another state, like many of my constituents who serve in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, are granted leave from their employment without fear of being fired from their jobs.”

The legislation:

 

  • Protects against certain discriminatory practices related to housing, employment, retribution for reporting discrimination, public accommodations, and credit on the basis of an individual’s status as a veteran
  • Requires employers of employees who serve in the National Guard of another state to grant leave for purposes of such service
  • Permits active duty members of the armed forces to register certain family members for Medicaid home and community-based programs if such members are registered to vote, pay real property taxes or are licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state
  • Includes military law enforcement authorities under the United States Department of Defense in the list of federal law enforcement authorities required to receive Department of Children and Families records pertaining to neglect or abuse of a child

 

The bill goes next to the State House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. Bye Supports Stronger Law for Survivors of Sexual Assault

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Sen. Bye Supports Stronger Law for Survivors of Sexual Assault

State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) this evening cast her vote for a stronger statute of limitation law in Connecticut for sexual assaults, giving the survivors of 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-degree sexual assault up to 10 years to report a crime – twice the current five year statute of limitations.

The bill passed the Senate on a unanimous and bipartisan 36-0 vote after passing the Judiciary Committee in April on a unanimous and bipartisan 39-0 vote. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“It’s a little unnerving that in Connecticut, you have six years to collect a debt on a written contract, but only five years to report a rape. This doesn’t change the burden of proof needed for a conviction in court cases, but it does help fix unacceptable discrepancies in our statute of limitation laws and it allows the survivors of sexual assault to get justice,” Sen. Bye said.

This bill extends the criminal statute of limitations for certain sexual assault crimes from five years to 10 years. The bill applies to the following crimes:

Under existing Connecticut law, and unchanged by the bill, is that:

  • in some circumstances, 1st degree sexual assault and 1st degree aggravated sexual assault are class A felonies, with no statute of limitations;
  • there is no statute of limitations for any of the above crimes in specified circumstances when there is DNA evidence;
  • in other sexual assault cases where the victim was a minor, the statute of limitations may extend as far as the victim’s 48th birthday; and
  • the statute of limitations is suspended if the defendant has fled the state before the statute of limitations has expired.