Month: June 2017

Senate Majority Leader Duff and Senator Winfield Lead Passage of Bill Strengthening Connecticut’s Consumer Data Security Laws

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Senate Majority Leader Duff and Senator Winfield Lead Passage of Bill Strengthening Connecticut’s Consumer Data Security Laws

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s and Congressional Republicans action repealing a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) privacy rule adopted last October requiring Internet Service Providers to get customers’ permission to use and share, the Connecticut Senate is gave unanimous passage today to a bill that will strengthen its consumer data privacy laws. The Obama-era rule also required ISPs to adopt security practices to help prevent large-scale data breaches, and to notify users, the FCC and the FBI in case of a major hack.

“The Republican rollback of FCC privacy rules is deeply troubling,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “That’s why the Connecticut Senate is leading the way to strengthen our data privacy laws so that consumers will be alerted in the event of a data breach and will receive protections in the event their personal information is exposed. The legislation will bring together experts in the field to ensure that Connecticut is a national leader when it comes to protecting consumers.”

“As data breaching through hacking and other methods continues to be a rising trend, it’s important that we put legislation in place to protect consumers. This bill will help ensure that credit card customers are better informed when someone gains unauthorized access to their sensitive information and further help reduce their risk of identity theft,” Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) said.

Senate Bill 974 improves Connecticut’s existing data breach notification laws by expanding instances when customers must be notified if their data has been stolen to include all records, not just “computerized” and “electronic.”

If there is a data breach, current law requires the company to provide affected customers identity theft protection services and identity theft mitigation services for at least 12 months. This bill changes it to 24 months—more in line with standards across the country.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a working group to study:

  • Broadband Internet access service consumer data privacy
  • Industry standards regarding the protection of consumer data
  • The definitions of “sensitive” vs. “nonsensitive” customer personal information
  • Methods of customer notification regarding data privacy
  • Methods of enforcement

Members of the working group include:

  • Attorney General
  • Office of Consumer Counsel
  • Commerce committee member
  • Energy committee member
  • Representative of a nonprofit with expertise in data privacy
  • Representative of a nonprofit with expertise in data privacy
  • Member of the broadband service industry
  • Attorney with consumer privacy expertise

Larson Advances Bill to Reimagine the Capitol Area Transportation System

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Larson Advances Bill to Reimagine the Capitol Area Transportation System

The Connecticut Senate Friday passed a bill to prioritize an infrastructure project to replace the Interstate I-84 and 91 viaduct with a tunnel system to alleviate traffic congestion, revitalize the region and reconnect the North End of Hartford with the rest of the city.

Senate Bill 501, An Act Concerning The Construction of Tunnels For Interstate Routes 84 And 91 In The Hartford Region, passed the Senate on a largely bipartisan vote of 30-6.

The legislation would allow the State Department of Transportation to consider using federal funds to construct tunnels if such funds become available.

The plan was developed by State Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) and Congressman John Larson (D-1).

“This is a bold, forward thinking solution to what is a huge infrastructure project, and the support we saw this evening for our ‘big dig’ plan sends a strong statement to the federal government that the State of Connecticut is serious about seeing this project through,” said Sen. Larson. “The state is already working on plans to revamp the I-84 and 91 interchange. This is an opportunity for our state to have a grand reimagining of our community’s transportation system and reclaim a significant portion of our Capital city using primarily federal dollars.”

The plan would reroute I-84 underground from the area of Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford to the Charter Oak Bridge and then underneath the Connecticut River to the vicinity of Roberts Street in East Hartford. I-91 would be buried along the Connecticut River north of Riverside Park in Hartford to the South Meadows.

“I would like to thank my colleague Sen. Larson for bringing forward this bold, innovative idea that has the potential to have a dynamic impact on the future not only of Hartford but on the state of Connecticut and the entire northeast corridor,” said Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), who serves as the Democratic Senate Chair of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee.

Significant benefits of the proposal include:

  • Bringing back the entire South Meadows neighborhood in East Hartford
  • Solving the long-term traffic problem
  • Connecting Hartford to its neighbors and the riverfront
  • Creating valuable areas for development in Hartford where the highways currently stand

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

Senate Majority Leader Duff and Senator Winfield Lead Passage of Bill Strengthening Connecticut’s Consumer Data Security Laws

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Senate Majority Leader Duff and Senator Winfield Lead Passage of Bill Strengthening Connecticut’s Consumer Data Security Laws

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s and Congressional Republicans action repealing a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) privacy rule adopted last October requiring Internet Service Providers to get customers’ permission to use and share, the Connecticut Senate is gave unanimous passage today to a bill that will strengthen its consumer data privacy laws. The Obama-era rule also required ISPs to adopt security practices to help prevent large-scale data breaches, and to notify users, the FCC and the FBI in case of a major hack.

“The Republican rollback of FCC privacy rules is deeply troubling,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “That’s why the Connecticut Senate is leading the way to strengthen our data privacy laws so that consumers will be alerted in the event of a data breach and will receive protections in the event their personal information is exposed. The legislation will bring together experts in the field to ensure that Connecticut is a national leader when it comes to protecting consumers.”

“As data breaching through hacking and other methods continues to be a rising trend, it’s important that we put legislation in place to protect consumers. This bill will help ensure that credit card customers are better informed when someone gains unauthorized access to their sensitive information and further help reduce their risk of identity theft,” Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) said.

Senate Bill 974 improves Connecticut’s existing data breach notification laws by expanding instances when customers must be notified if their data has been stolen to include all records, not just “computerized” and “electronic.”

If there is a data breach, current law requires the company to provide affected customers identity theft protection services and identity theft mitigation services for at least 12 months. This bill changes it to 24 months—more in line with standards across the country.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a working group to study:

  • Broadband Internet access service consumer data privacy
  • Industry standards regarding the protection of consumer data
  • The definitions of “sensitive” vs. “nonsensitive” customer personal information
  • Methods of customer notification regarding data privacy
  • Methods of enforcement

Members of the working group include:

  • Attorney General
  • Office of Consumer Counsel
  • Commerce committee member
  • Energy committee member
  • Representative of a nonprofit with expertise in data privacy
  • Representative of a nonprofit with expertise in data privacy
  • Member of the broadband service industry
  • Attorney with consumer privacy expertise

Fonfara Celebrates Opening of UTC Research Hub

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Fonfara Celebrates Opening
of UTC Research Hub

Spurring Economic Development Through Innovation

Senator John Fonfara commemorates the ribbon cutting for United Technologies Corporation's new research hub in East Hartford and applauds state efforts to collaborate with UTC to accelerate Connecticut’s innovation economy.

Posted by CT Senate Democrats on Friday, June 2, 2017

Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) today commemorated the ribbon cutting for United Technologies Corporation’s new research hub in East Hartford and applauded state efforts to collaborate with UTC to accelerate Connecticut’s innovation economy.

“I’m grateful to UTC for staying home. This is a facility where research on behalf of the company on aerospace and business technologies will grow,”Sen. Fonfara said. “This shows young people that Connecticut is a place where you can not only grow up, get a good education, go to a fine university, and raise a family, but also to aspire and achieve your dreams in developing the kinds of technological advances that we’re seeing around the world today.”

Fonfara Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation Supporting Tunnel Option for Reconstruction of I-91/I-84

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Fonfara Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation Supporting Tunnel Option for Reconstruction of I-91/I-84

Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) today voted for a bill that would see the State Department of Transportation study the construction of tunnels to alleviate traffic at the Interstate 84 and 91 interchange in Hartford.

Senate Bill 501 allows the DOT to consider using federal funds that may become available to build tunnels for I-84 and I-91 in the Hartford area. The bill passed the Senate 30-6 Friday.

“This is such a visionary proposal that should be part of the consideration of the Department of Transportation in deciding our future for Interstate 84 and Interstate 91 in Hartford, which has long been the bane of our existence,” Sen. Fonfara said. “Through this plan, Hartford has an historic opportunity to remove a monumental barrier dividing the state’s capital city, to reconnect neighborhoods, to regain access to the Connecticut River, and to turn existing highways into scenic boulevards.”

Like many similar interstate highway interchanges of its era, Hartford’s I-84/I-91 interchange and viaduct are approaching the end of their useful life. The DOT has undertaken a project which begins to grapple with the challenge of how best to replace this aging highway alignment and complex system of raised structures in ways that respond not only to transportation needs, but also to essential elements of urban design and economic development imperatives.

The plan to build a tunnel for both I-84 and I-91 in Hartford would include significant benefits including:

  • Bringing back the entire South Meadows neighborhood in East Hartford.
  • Solving the long-term traffic problem Connecting Hartford to its neighbors and the riverfront.
  • Creating valuable areas for development in Hartford where the highways currently stand.

Larson Supports Bill to Protect Connecticut Seniors

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Larson Supports Bill to Protect Connecticut Seniors

The State Senate voted Thursday evening on a bill to protect elderly homeowners in dire financial circumstances from possible deception or bad decisions by requiring banks to counsel them on the pros and cons of reverse mortgages before signing any such agreement.

The bill passed the chamber on a 24-12 mostly party-line vote, with all Democratic state senators voting in favor of the pro-consumer legislation and two-thirds of Republican senators voting against the measure.

“Senior citizens who are struggling financially and facing the challenge of whether or not to keep their home, most likely their biggest investment and asset, should absolutely receive counseling before entering into a reverse mortgage agreement,” said Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “It’s common sense to make sure that anyone entering into a contract of this magnitude knows what they getting.”

Senate Bill 579, “An ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMERS APPLYING FOR REVERSE MORTGAGES,” establishes a counseling requirement that must be met before any bank or credit union in Connecticut can accept a reverse annuity mortgage loan application (a reverse annuity mortgage allows elderly homeowners to convert accumulated home equity into liquid assets.)

Such counseling may include telling elderly homeowners about other options available to them, the financial implications of entering into a reverse mortgage, disclosing that a reverse mortgage may have tax consequences, affect eligibility for assistance under federal and state programs, or have an impact on the homeowner’s estate and heirs.

The bill also requires reverse mortgage lenders to store a signed certification from the borrower that the counseling requirements were met.

Nationally, reverse mortgages are sometimes marketed to older Americans with advertisements featuring reassuring celebrity spokesmen. Last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined three reverse mortgage companies a combined $800,000 for using deceptive advertisements to sell reverse mortgages, noting that while these national firms promoted the loans as essentially risk-free, borrowers of reverse mortgages can default on their loans and lose their homes through foreclosure if they fail to make necessary payments for property taxes, insurance or home maintenance.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Flexer Protects Elderly Homeowners Seeking a Reverse Mortgage

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Flexer Protects Elderly Homeowners Seeking a Reverse Mortgage

The State Senate voted Thursday evening on a bill to protect elderly homeowners in dire financial circumstances from possible deception or bad decisions by requiring banks to counsel them on the pros and cons of reverse mortgages before signing any such agreement.

The bill, originally authored by Senate Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) in the General Assembly’s Aging Committee, passed the chamber on a 24-12 mostly party-line vote, with all Democratic state senators voting in favor of the pro-consumer bill and two-thirds of Republican senators voting against the measure.

“It is critically important that we put in place laws to protect our older citizens who are often the targets of predatory practices, especially when entering into reverse mortgage contracts,” said Sen. Flexer, who formerly served as the chair of the Aging Committee for the past two years. “This is a good piece of legislation that serves to ensure elderly homeowners are fully educated on how reverse mortgages work to aid them in making such a monumentally consequential decision.”

Senate Bill 579, “An ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMERS APPLYING FOR REVERSE MORTGAGES,” establishes a counseling requirement that must be met before any bank or credit union in Connecticut can accept a reverse annuity mortgage loan application (a reverse annuity mortgage allows elderly homeowners to convert accumulated home equity into liquid assets.)

Such counseling may include telling elderly homeowners about other options available to them, the financial implications of entering into a reverse mortgage, disclosing that a reverse mortgage may have tax consequences, affect eligibility for assistance under federal and state programs, or have an impact on the homeowner’s estate and heirs.

The bill also requires reverse mortgage lenders to store a signed certification from the borrower that the counseling requirements were met.

Nationally, reverse mortgages are sometimes marketed to older Americans with advertisements featuring reassuring celebrity spokesmen. Last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined three reverse mortgage companies a combined $800,000 for using deceptive advertisements to sell reverse mortgages, noting that while these national firms promoted the loans as essentially risk-free, borrowers of reverse mortgages can default on their loans and lose their homes through foreclosure if they fail to make necessary payments for property taxes, insurance or home maintenance.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Moore Applauds Senate Passage of Bill Protecting Access to Health Care for Women

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Moore Applauds Senate Passage of Bill Protecting Access to Health Care for Women

At a time when national legislators have moved to slash health care coverage for millions of Americans, including 109,000 Connecticut residents enrolled under the ACA, Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today celebrated the unanimous senate passage of a bill aimed at protecting health benefits for women, children and adolescents.

“As someone who has worked in women’s healthcare for many years, I’ve seen first-hand the hardships women go through to receive adequate care, especially in poor and minority communities,” Sen. Moore said. “In Connecticut, we understand how critical it is for all women to receive the quality medical care they need to live healthy lifestyles. The fight for women’s healthcare doesn’t end here, but it starts with us, it starts with this bill. Women’s health rights need protection now more than ever.”

Senate Bill 586, “An Act Expanding Mandated Health Benefits for Women, Children and Adolescents,” passed the Senate early Friday morning.

The bill seeks to ensure that women’s health care will be protected under any circumstances with or without protections from the federal government. The bill expands mandated health benefits for women, children and adolescents; expands mandated contraception benefits; and requires the Commissioner of Social Services to amend the Medicaid state plan to provide expanded contraception benefits.

Thanks to President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, nearly 800,000 Connecticut women have not been charged a copay or deductible for contraceptive coverage resulting in an average yearly savings of hundreds of dollars. SB 586 will ensure that regardless of what happens now to the Affordable Care Act in Washington, the protections essential health benefits it affords to all women will remain law in Connecticut.

This bill makes sure that health insurance coverage plans cover 21essential benefits that women need in order to receive comprehensive healthcare in our state, including:

  • Well-woman visits for any woman who is younger than 65 years old;
  • Breast cancer screenings
  • Screenings for sexually transmitted diseases
  • Breastfeeding support and counseling for any pregnant or breastfeeding woman;
  • Breastfeeding supplies, including a breast pump;
  • Gestational diabetes screening for any woman who is 24 to 28 weeks pregnant, and any woman who is at increased risk for gestational diabetes; and
  • Osteoporosis screening for any woman who is 60-years-old or older.

Sen. Winfield Votes to Protect Elderly Homeowners Seeking a Reverse Mortgage

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Sen. Winfield Votes to Protect Elderly Homeowners Seeking a Reverse Mortgage

Hartford, CT— Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) voted today to protect elderly homeowners in dire financial circumstances from possible deception by requiring banks to counsel them on the pros and cons of reverse mortgages before signing any such agreement. 

The bill passed in the Senate on a 24-12 mostly party-line vote, with all Democratic state senators voting in favor of the pro-consumer bill and two-thirds of Republican senators voting against the measure. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

“Unfortunately, FBI research shows that because seniors tend to have good credit, are a trusting population, and are less likely to report fraud, they can be extremely vulnerable to many types of scams and are often taken advantage of,” Sen. Winfield said. “This bill would establish a fair and critical step to protecting a senior home-owner’s finances by requiring banks to give them clear and necessary counseling they need to make an informed decision.”

Senate Bill 579, “An Act Concerning Protections for Consumers Applying for Reverse Mortgages,” establishes a counseling requirement that must be met before any Connecticut bank or credit union can accept a reverse annuity mortgage loan application (a reverse annuity mortgage allows elderly homeowners to convert accumulated home equity into liquid assets.)

Such counseling may include telling elderly homeowners about other options available to them, the financial implications of entering into a reverse mortgage, disclosing that a reverse mortgage may have tax consequences, affect eligibility for assistance under federal and state programs, or have an impact on the homeowner’s estate and heirs.

The bill also requires reverse mortgage lenders to store a signed certification from the borrower that the counseling requirements were met.

Nationally, reverse mortgages are sometimes marketed to older Americans with advertisements featuring reassuring celebrity spokesmen. Last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined three reverse mortgage companies a combined $800,000 for using deceptive advertisements to sell reverse mortgages, noting that while these national firms promoted the loans as essentially risk-free, borrowers of reverse mortgages can default on their loans and lose their homes through foreclosure if they fail to make necessary payments for property taxes, insurance or home maintenance.

Hartley Leads Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Connecticut’s Bioscience Pipeline

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Hartley Leads Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Connecticut’s Bioscience Pipeline

Bill will ensure that students are trained and ready to fill jobs in the bioscience sector

HARTFORD, CT – Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) today led the unanimous, bipartisan Senate passage of legislation that will ensure that students graduating from Connecticut’s institutions of higher education are equipped with the tools they need to pursue careers in the growing bioscience sector.

“This bill will help us target curriculum to meet the needs of the many bioscience and precision medicine firms that are looking to hire new talent,” said Senator Hartley. “The Jackson Laboratory and other employers are creating jobs that attract top talent from around the world. We want to ensure that more of those jobs are going to Connecticut residents, and this bill is a critical part of building the pipeline that will allow us to do that.”

Senate Bill 959  requires that Connecticut evaluate and strengthen the workforce pipeline to better meet the needs of the bioscience and precision medicine sector.  This will ensure that Connecticut’s state college and university system is preparing students for jobs needed in these sectors, include: researchers and clinicians to data scientists, health informaticians and, and genomic counselors. The demand for each of these jobs is growing, and Connecticut residents will be trained to meet that demand.

The bill will establish a working group tasked with taking an inventory of current educational resources available in the state to prepare students for careers in bioscience. In January of 2018, the group will deliver recommendations on how those resources can be improved and expanded upon.

A 2015 economic competitiveness diagnostic of Connecticut identified bioscience as an emerging job sector and noted that the bioscience sector has great potential to become a major economic driver. In response to those findings, Senator Hartley and her colleagues on the legislature’s Commerce Committee have worked with stakeholders to develop and pass legislation encouraging further development in these areas. Senate Bill 959 is one of several bills that have been identified as being critical to pursuing Connecticut’s economic strategy in regards to growing bioscience.

Now that Senate Bill 959 has passed the Senate, it moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.