Flexer Leads Bipartisan Senate Passage of Four Good Government Bills

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Flexer Leads Bipartisan Senate Passage of Four Good Government Bills

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) lead the Senate in bipartisan passage of four good government bills which originated in the Government Administration and Elections Committee. Senator Flexer is Senate chair of the committee.
“I am pleased that these bills received bipartisan support and were passed by the Senate,” said Senator Flexer. “Each of these bills protects and promotes good government and the rights of all residents of Connecticut. These pieces of legislation will ensure Connecticut remains a leader on gender equality, allow for victims of domestic violence to maintain their privacy, enhance consumer privacy, and help small businesses and non-profits promptly receive the pay they deserve. Working together with my Democratic and Republican colleagues we were able to move legislation forward that reflect the principles of fairness and equality that make our communities and state better off.”

Senate Bill 1104, “An Act Concerning General Neutrality in the State Constitution,” would establish a commission to review the text of the state Constitution and potentially recommend the removal of all gendered language. The commission would be charged to submit a report before January 1, 2020 with its findings. Before reaching the Senate, this legislation passed the Government Administration and Elections Committee by a 12-3 vote. Today, the Senate passed the bill 31-1.

Senate Bill 1105, “An Act Concerning the Confidentiality of Law Enforcement Records Concerning Victims of Sexual Assault and Family Violence,” would allow the nondisclosure of victims of certain crimes in law enforcement records. Specifically, victims of family violence, sexual assault and voyeurism would not be named in publicly disclosed police reports upon the legislation’s passing. This bill passed the Government Administration and Elections Committee by a unanimous 16-0 vote. Today, the Senate passed the bill unanimously 33-0.

Senate Bill 1108, “An Act Establishing a Task Force Concerning Consumer Privacy,” would create a task force to study consumer privacy. The task force would study requiring businesses to disclose the potential use of any personal information and giving consumers the right to discover personal information held by that business. This bill was also passed by a unanimous 16-0 vote in the Government Administration and Elections Committee. Today, the Senate passed the bill unanimously 33-0.

Senate Bill 683, “An Act Concerning a Penalty for Late Payments of State Contractors by Third-Party Entities,” would create a monetary penalty for state contractors that fail to make timely payments to third-party entities. The bill would require that a contractor pay a penalty to a small business or non-profit if the contractor fails to pay them within forty-five days of the contractor’s receipt of a properly completed claim or receipt of goods and services. The penalty would equal one-half percent of the total value of the late payment. The bill was passed by a unanimous 16-0 vote. Today, the Senate passed the bill unanimously 33-0.

Legislation to Establish Pilot Program for Cash Crop Which Will Help Connecticut’s Economy Passes State Senate

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Legislation to Establish Pilot Program for Cash Crop Which Will Help Connecticut’s Economy Passes State Senate

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the State Senate approved legislation which will create a hemp industry in Connecticut. The bill passed unanimously and State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), who is also co-chair of the Environment Committee, said this legislation will be incredibly advantageous to our states’ agriculture economy and farmers.

“This presents an exciting opportunity to grow business in our state in an incredibly lucrative industry,” said Sen. Cohen. “Many other states are already reaping the benefits of industrial hemp and I want Connecticut to realize all of that potential. Passing this legislation will create opportunities for new farmers; help farmers who are struggling, present seemingly endless manufacturing opportunities and strengthen our economy. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and allow our state to miss out on this opportunity.

State Senators Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) applauded the passage of this legislation and agreed it will greatly benefit our state’s farmers and economy.

“I have already met with manufacturers and industrial leaders in my district who are thrilled at the prospect of working with hemp,” said Sen. Anwar. “The faster we can introduce hemp into our state, the better. Hemp won’t just provide a new crop for farmers, but it’ll give businesses everywhere new materials and resources they can use to directly help their bottom lines. I’m excited to see this legislation move forward.”

“Hemp has the potential to be a game-changer in Connecticut,” said Sen. Needleman. “Farmers will gain the opportunity to benefit from an entirely new, lucrative crop. Manufacturers and industries will have the chance to implement new materials and resources into their products. The state’s economy as a whole will likely benefit from its introduction to our state, and this legislation will push us closer to that goal.”

Senate Bill 893 will require the Department of Agriculture (DoAg) commissioner to adopt regulations establishing an industrial hemp pilot program in accordance with federal law. The pilot program will study the growth, cultivation and marketing of industrial hemp in Connecticut and ensure hemp growth and cultivation only takes place at sites certified by, and registered, with DoAg.

In 2014, Public Act 15-202 legalized an industrial hemp pilot program authorized under the 2014 farm bill. This legislation establishing a pilot program in Connecticut will jumpstart the process and positions our state to reap the benefits of industrial hemp as soon as possible.

This proposed bill has received support from the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (CTFBA) as their former executive director, Bryan Hurlburt, provided testimony in favor of passing this bill. At the March 5 public hearing, Hurlburt testified that the legalization of industrial hemp in Connecticut would be “a lifeline for the agricultural economy, providing a much-needed cash crop to a market that is strapped for cash and markets.” The CTFBA estimated that an acre of hemp could generate 500 to 1,500 pounds of dried flowers per acre, generating gross revenues of $37,500 to $150,000 per acre. The Hemp Industries Association notes that U.S. retail sales of hemp products totaled nearly $700 million in 2016

“Industrial hemp will not only help our state’s farmers, but it will also create a new industry which has proven to be incredibly profitable in other states,” said Sen. Cohen. “This cash crop will provide for new business entry and pathways for existing businesses to grow. Additionally it will lead to the creation of jobs, thus strengthening our state’s economy.”

Hemp has been grown for centuries for use in clothes, paper, and rope. According to the Congressional Research Service, there are over 25,000 different uses for industrial hemp, including fibers, textiles, paper, construction and insulation materials, cosmetic products, animal feed, food and beverages and a local hemp industry would fulfill a demand for locally produced CBD oil. CBD is currently being used to alleviate some epileptic conditions and the FDA recently approved a new medicine, Epidiolex. The Connecticut Hemp Association estimates more than 100 Connecticut farmers are interested in planting hemp.

On March 8, this legislation passed the Environment Committee by a bipartisan and unanimous 28-0 vote. It now awaits further action by the State House of Representatives.

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) led Senate approval today in approving a binding arbitration award that will give pay raises to 34 deputy prison wardens after they went six of the past nine years with no wage increase while paying more for their own healthcare and retirement pension.

The Senate voted 20-14 mostly along party lines today to approve an arbitrated award with the Counsel of Correctional Supervisors Chapter, CSEA, SEIU Local 2001. The arbitration award, which sets the salaries for 34 deputy prison wardens in the CSEA, NP-8 Correctional Supervisors Bargaining Unit, was determined by a neutral third party. The current average salary for a deputy warden is $103,130.

“A neutral third party looked at the history of pay freezes the deputy wardens have taken over the past decade and decided it was time for them to receive a small pay increase, something along the lines of what the average private-sector worker has received over the past decade. Not Wall Street wages, but a living wage,” Sen. Osten said. “I was a corrections lieutenant for over 20 years. I can tell you most people would never want to work in a prison, let alone even take a one-hour tour of a prison. This is hard, thankless, often dangerous work. It’s time these deputy wardens were recognized for their service and sacrifice.”

Included in the arbitration award is a $2,000 lump sum payment this year and a 3.5% wage increase in both 2020 and 2021. The wardens are also eligible for – but not guaranteed – an additional 1% pay increase through the Performance Assessment & Recognition System (PARS).

For comparison, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly private-sector wage in Connecticut increased 11.4% from 2010 to 2017. Over the past year, according to the most recent state Department of Labor report, private-sector weekly pay in Connecticut has increased 3.4%.

Between Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2018, the deputy wardens received no wage increase in six of those nine years (3% wage hikes were awarded in 2014 and 2015). However, the deputy wardens shared in all the 2017 SEBAC concessions, including contributing an additional 2% of their pay to their pension contributions.

Overall, the 2017 SEBAC changes are expected to provide approximately $24 billion in savings to Connecticut taxpayers over the next 20 years through a combination of wage freezes, furlough days, and pension and healthcare changes. Through the SEBAC changes, Connecticut state employees saw increased healthcare co-payments and premiums, new restrictions on health insurance, increased pension contributions, and increased contributions towards retirement health care benefits.

Below is a year-by-year breakdown of wage and benefit changes for the deputy wardens:

CCFSA Honors Senator Moore With 2019 ‘Family Legislator Of The Year’ Award

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

CCFSA Honors Senator Moore With 2019 ‘Family Legislator Of The Year’ Award

HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) recently presented State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) with the 2019 Family Legislator of the Year award. Senator Moore was given the award in recognition of her legislative work on behalf of families and children.

“Senator Marilyn Moore is a true leader who embodies what CCFSA stands for as an organization,” said Barry Simon, President and CEO of Oak Hill and Chair of the Board of Directors for CCFSA, who presented Senator Moore with the award. “She is compassionate, bold, thoughtful and determined to use her position to help the most vulnerable citizens in our state. While serving the communities of Bridgeport, Monroe, and Trumbull, Senator Moore has made an impact locally and statewide in helping those who need a safety net. It has been said that ‘a leader takes people where they want to go; a great leader takes people where they don’t want to go but ought to be.’ Senator Moore demonstrates this philosophy of leadership in all she does.”

“It’s an honor to be named CCFSA Family Legislator of the Year,” said Senator Moore. “CCFSA does incredible work for children and families across Connecticut. As Co-Chair of the Human Services Committee and Vice Chair of the Committee on Children, I’m focused on ways we can improve the quality of life for children and strengthen families in our state. Through their services and advocacy, CCFSA is a great partner in this work and I’m grateful to be recognized with this award.”

Senator Moore has consistently been an advocate for legislation that supports Connecticut families. She has co-sponsored legislation for a living wage, paid family and medical leave, and debt-free college. She has championed the “two-generational approach,” or 2GEN which seeks to disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty. This session she lead the passage of Senate Bill 1080, “An Act Concerning a Two-Generational Initiative,” which would establish a first in the nation executive cabinet focused on promoting economic success across generations. Governor Ned Lamont recently named Senator Moore a co-chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues within the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls.

The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies is a statewide network of fifteen independent, non-profit, family service agencies that deliver services to over 180,000 families annually from more than 100 sites located throughout Connecticut. CCFSA serves as a statewide provider network for multiple programs including: the welfare-to-work TANF Case Management program, the court-mandated Parent Education Program for parents involved in divorce or child custody proceedings, the Social Services Block Grant, Counseling Services and Housing Mobility Counseling.

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Protecting the Public Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Protecting the Public Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

HARTFORD – State Senator Saud Anwar (D-East Hartford) joined the State Senate today in approving a binding arbitration award that will give small pay raises to 34 deputy prison wardens after they went six of the past nine years with no wage increase while paying more for their own healthcare and retirement pension.

The Senate voted 20-14 today to approve an arbitrated award with the Counsel of Correctional Supervisors Chapter, CSEA, SEIU Local 2001. The arbitration award, which sets the salaries for 34 deputy prison wardens in the CSEA, NP-8 Correctional Supervisors Bargaining Unit, was determined by a neutral third party.

“Our deputy wardens work long and hard to protect our state, and they have more than earned these pay increases, especially in light of their not receiving raises for the majority of the last decade,” said Sen. Anwar. “Not only that, but they voluntarily conceded benefits in the 2017 SEBAC concessions. This contract ensures they will be able to continue keeping the public safe. They are public safety workers, and we rely on them every day to protect us. It is worthwhile to reward them.”

Sen. Kushner’s Bill Protecting CT’s Air Quality Passes State Senat

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Kushner’s Bill Protecting
Ct’s Air Quality Passes State Senate

HARTFORD — State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today led Senate approval of her bill to provide air quality monitoring assistance to towns like Sherman, New Fairfield and Kent that may have their air quality affected by the Cricket Valley Energy Center in New York.

Senate Bill 585, “AN ACT CONCERNING AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN TOWNS NEAR THE CRICKET VALLEY ENERGY CENTER,” passed the Senate on a unanimous and bipartisan vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“This bill will help establish some baseline air quality measurements so we have some idea of what the air quality is like in western Connecticut right how that might change in the coming years when Cricket Valley goes online in New York,” said Sen. Kushner. “This air monitoring has been a real priority for residents in my district, so I’m glad the state Senate came through for them today.”

Western Connecticut residents are concerned about possible air pollution from the 1,110-megawatt Cricket Valley Energy power plant that is being built in Dover Plains, New York – less than 10 miles from the Sherman Town Green, and less than 20 miles from New Fairfield Town Hall.

The plant, powered by natural gas, is expected to go online in mid-November.

Since the Cricket Valley project was a New York State project, the residents of Sherman, New Fairfield, Kent and other adjacent Connecticut towns weren’t aware of it until after the project had been approved and construction began.

Even Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection(DEEP) officials concede that the Cricket Valley Energy plant will contribute more pollutants into the air in at least a 50-mile radius of the plant – they just don’t know exactly where, and how much.

The bill calls for DEEP to provide technical assistance and support “to any municipality that purchases, leases or is provided the use of air monitoring equipment for the purpose of establishing an air quality baseline in such municipality and determining any effect on such baseline by the Cricket Valley Energy Center in the State of New York.”

That assistance may include information on the best practices for establishing a baseline, guidance on the siting and placement of air quality monitors, information concerning the best maintenance and practices required to assure the accuracy of air quality monitors, proposed schedules for data retrieval, and reviewing the results.

If approved by the House and signed into law by the governor, the bill would take effect on October 1.

Moore Applauds Insurance Commissioner’s Decision to Implement Spanish Language Insurance Licensing Exams

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Moore Applauds Insurance Commissioner’s Decision
to Implement Spanish Language Insurance Licensing Exams

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) joined Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), State Representatives Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport) and Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais to announce the implementation of a Spanish language version of the insurance producer licensing exam.

Beginning on October 1, 2019, insurance producers will have the option of taking licensing examinations in Spanish.

House Bill 6091, introduced by Rep. Rosario this session, called for the Insurance Commissioner to offer English and Spanish language versions of insurance producer licensing exams administered to certain applicants for licenses.

In working with legislators, Commissioner Mais found that it would be quicker to implement this important goal administratively.

“I would like to thank Insurance Commissioner Mais, the Insurance Committee Chairs Senator Lesser and Representative Scanlon, and my Bridgeport colleague Representative Rosario for all of their work on this important change for our Spanish-speaking residents,” Sen. Moore said. “There are so many families in Connecticut, and especially in Bridgeport, that will benefit from better access to insurance policies and insurance industry jobs. Our state succeeds when we are accepting of all backgrounds and removing government barriers for certain communities.”

“I thank and commend Commissioner Mais for his initiative and willingness to implement the Spanish language exams without the need for legislation,” Rep. Rosario said. “This measure will open doors for those seeking to acquire their licenses and will increase services to a segment of the population that can benefit from Spanish speaking agents.”

“Spanish speaking residents of Connecticut need access to insurance just as much as every other resident – as homeowners, drivers, health care consumers and small business people,” said Sen. Lesser. “This initiative is good for business, it’s good for Connecticut’s residents, and it’s good for our economy. I’m thrilled, as co-Chair of the Insurance Committee – but also as the son of a Spanish-speaking immigrant from South America – that Commissioner Mais is taking the lead on this initiative. I also want to thank Rep. Chris Rosario for proposing this legislation to begin with.”

“I want to thank Rep. Rosario for introducing this bill and Commissioner Mais for his leadership in proactively making this common sense change. Offering licensing examinations in the second most commonly spoken language in Connecticut will lead to more professional opportunities and better customer service for Spanish speakers across our state and that’s something we are proud to celebrate today,” said Rep. Scanlon.

“I am pleased to stand with my legislative colleagues in announcing this important initiative. Inclusion is a core value for Governor Ned Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. Inclusion in insurance is important to both me and the Connecticut Insurance Department and this is just one example of how we can continue to be inclusive to both insurance producers and insurance consumers in Connecticut,” Commissioner Mais said.

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

After Years With No Raises, Deputy Prison Wardens Finally Win Arbitrated Pay Hike

HARTFORD – State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined the State Senate today in approving a binding arbitration award that will give small pay raises to 34 deputy prison wardens after they went six of the past nine years with no wage increase and actually saw a reduction in their real wages.

“The annual 2.8 percent wage increase for deputy prison wardens, who risk their personal safety each day on the job, will get them caught up with inflation as six of the past nine years they had no wage increase,” said Sen. Maroney.

Below is a year-by-year breakdown of wage and benefit changes for the deputy wardens:

Lesser Applauds Insurance Commissioner’s Decision to Implement Spanish Language Insurance Licensing Exams

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Lesser Applauds Insurance Commissioner’s Decision
to Implement Spanish Language Insurance Licensing Exams

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator and Insurance and Real Estate Committee co-chair Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) joined State Representatives Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport), his fellow co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais to announce the implementation of a Spanish language version of the insurance producer licensing exam.

Beginning on October 1, 2019, insurance producers will have the option of taking licensing examinations in Spanish.

In working with legislators, Commissioner Mais found that it would be quicker to implement this important goal administratively. Sen. Lesser said this decision will greatly benefit our state.

Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors Passes State Senate

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Legislation to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors Passes State Senate

HARTFORD, CT – Yesterday, the State Senate voted by a tally of 18-12 to advance legislation which allows insured individuals to keep information about the healthcare they received privately. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), who voted in favor, said this legislation will protect domestic violence survivors.

“Victims of domestic violence deserve privacy and confidentiality when they access crucial healthcare services,” said Sen. Haskell. “A victim whose abuser holds their health insurance policy can be at risk if they seek help and their abuser finds out through documents. By asking for this information to be kept confidential, they can seek help without being exposed to any possible reaction from their abuser. We all need to stand up against abuse; this bill does just that.”

Senate Bill 977, “An Act Concerning Explanation of Benefits (EOB)” has been supported across the state, including by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) which sees this as a vital tool to allow victims of violence to seek care without fear of retaliation. When the abuser is the policy holder, it presents a deterrent to domestic violence survivors seeking care over fear the policy holder will be alerted to their medical use. SB 977 will keep this information confidential to the patient, enabling them to seek care without fear of retaliation. Ashley Starr Frechette, the Director of Health Professional Outreach at CCADV provided public testimony on SB 977 and said this is crucial legislation for protecting survivors.

“One in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives,” said Frechette. “Victims of domestic violence suffer from health consequences related to domestic violence at an incredibly high rate, and unfortunately breeches in patient confidentiality often occur through EOBs and other methods of communication generated by health plans and insurers. This violates basic rights to privacy and puts victims of domestic violence in extreme danger. Passing SB 977 would allow victims to choose a safe and appropriate method of receiving their Personal Health Information and EOB, without the fear that their abuser will get a copy.”

SB 977 will do the following:

Allow individuals to choose how they receive EOBs and allow individuals to not receive EOBs at all
Allow individuals to choose how they receive EOBs, either by mail or electronically
Prohibit insurers from requiring covered individuals to waive their right to limit disclosures as a precondition to any action regarding their policy

SB 977 covers individuals who are legally able to consent to their own care. Currently in Connecticut law, minors have the right to consent to HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, reproductive health care, substance abuse treatment, and mental health treatment. These are the only services that a minor can consent to.

Allowing any insured enrollee to request that EOB documents about their care be redirected to another address (including email) or not issued is an important step toward improving privacy. The subscriber can still access information about the use of the plan or a deductible, through other means including the carrier’s web portal.

This legislation applies to insurers, health care centers, hospital and medical service corporations, fraternal benefit services and any other entity which delivers, issues, renews, amends or continues a health insurance policy. According to the Office of Fiscal Analysis, this legislation presents no fiscal impact to Connecticut taxpayers.

On March 19, SB 977 advanced out of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee by a 15-5 tally. The bill now awaits action by the State House of Representatives.