Month: May 2019

Legislative Leaders Request Additional DPH Guidance to Increase Vaccine Rates

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Legislative Leaders Request Additional DPH Guidance to Increase Vaccine Rates

No vote is planned for regular session

House and Senate majority leadership today announced that they have asked the state Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide additional data and policy recommendations on how to increase vaccination rates in school districts and schools with high vaccine exemption rates. DPH will report back to the General Assembly by no later than January 1, 2020. No vote on the state’s vaccination policy is expected while awaiting DPH’s legislative recommendations.

“We want DPH to clearly articulate their needs so we can ensure all school children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and our vaccine rates increase,” said House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin).

“This data will help us find solutions that will benefit the public health of children and families across our state,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven). “Vaccinating your children protects them and others against serious and preventable diseases. We must embrace our responsibility to do what we can to ensure that our schools are healthy learning environments for all children.”

Leaders will ask DPH the following questions:
What statutory authority does the Department need to increase vaccinations rates in schools?

How should the legislature handle unvaccinated children who are currently enrolled in schools to protect children who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions such as immune system disorders and/or risk of allergic reactions?

Should the religious exemption be removed from statute or is there an alternative that will similarly increase vaccination rates in under-vaccinated schools?

“Let me be very clear, there was overwhelming support in our Caucus to remove the religious exemption,” House Majority Leader Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) said, “But there were real concerns over what to do for unvaccinated children who are already in school – we need a solution that minimizes upheaval to these children and maximizes the overall public health benefits. Our goal is to ensure Connecticut schools are not put at risk of an outbreak and students are not exposes to dangerous, and preventable, diseases.”

“A lack of vaccinations is causing public health crises across the country,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “We don’t want Connecticut to be affected next. We need to take these concerns seriously and seek out solutions that will promote the health and safety of our children.”

Recently, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) released data on the immunization rates for the state’s public and private schools – more than 100 Connecticut schools fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended 95 percent immunization rate for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). Additional school data is expected to be release in June.

Senator Needleman Supports Senate Passage Of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

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Senator Needleman Supports Senate Passage Of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation requiring nursing homes to increase transparency and ensure their residents receive effective care. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) endorsed its passing. The Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“This bill is personal for me. I’ve had many loved ones who have relied on this kind of care. Often, patients in nursing homes cannot take care of themselves. They depend on their caretakers, and when those caretakers are overworked, they are left helpless. The care and treatment of people at the end of their lives, or who otherwise cannot take care of themselves, require thorough, compassionate care. This bill will ensure the wellbeing of those patients, reserving their dignity by ensuring their loved ones will have accessible, thorough information about their loved ones’ care. It puts disciplinary action on the table for nursing homes who don’t meet necessary levels. I look forward to seeing it reach the House floor.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.
The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Martin Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior to its approval by the Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote.

House Passes Key Sen. Needleman Bill Allowing For Increased Collection Of Offshore Wind Energy

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House Passes Key Sen. Needleman Bill Allowing For Increased Collection Of Offshore Wind Energy

HARTFORD, CT – This week, the House passed legislation that would authorize the state of Connecticut to increase collection of energy created by offshore wind turbines. This allows the state to benefit from diversification of power and energy sources, additionally benefitting the state by giving it increased access to energy-efficient alternative fuel sources. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) played a key role in the bill’s development in his position of Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

House Bill No. 7156, “An Act Concerning The Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind,” increases procurement of offshore wind in Connecticut to 2,000 megawatts. The bill increases Connecticut’s access and reliance on renewable energy sources, additionally bolstering job growth in the wind energy industry and increasing potential investment in power infrastructure from the private sector. The shift would represent 30 percent of the state’s entire energy load coming from offshore wind sources, part of the state’s goal of generating 40 percent of energy from renewable resources by 2030.

“Offshore wind presents a fantastic opportunity for our state to expand its use of energy-efficient power sources,” said Sen. Needleman. “It’s just what Connecticut needs to decrease our reliance on pollutive fuels while giving increased access to renewable energy. I’m heartened to see this legislation pass the House and look forward to it reaching the Senate floor.”

This bill received overwhelming support from legislators and members of the public, who said the state could move toward a clean energy network and align with neighboring states already benefitting from offshore wind. Dozens of organizations and individuals, ranging from shoreline wind companies to the Connecticut State Building and Construction Trades Council, endorsed it. It represents an opportunity for the state to pursue economic development in the wind industry, giving businesses the opportunity to pursue the power source. It may also lead to Connecticut’s energy bills, currently the most expensive in the continental United States, declining, benefitting consumers, and could expand hiring in the burgeoning industry.

Its approval comes just weeks after Governor Ned Lamont announced that New London’s State Pier would receive $93 million in infrastructure improvements to accommodate wind turbine generator assembly and staging, the latest action taken by the state to expand its access to wind energy.

Senator Anwar Leads Senate Passage of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

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Senator Anwar Leads Senate Passage of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

anwar

State Senator Saud Anwar speaks Wednesday on legislation improving transparency for nursing home staffing information.

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation requiring nursing homes to increase transparency and ensure their residents receive effective care. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), vice-chair of the Public Health Committee, led its passing. The Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“Our nursing home residents aren’t receiving the care they deserve. Our nursing home caretakers do not have the time or resources to properly administer that care. This needs to stop,” said Sen. Anwar. “This legislation will make nursing homes responsible to provide transparent and detailed information, requiring them to hold themselves accountable and exposing homes that are not providing adequate care. I am excited to see it progress to the House floor.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.

The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Martin Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior to its approval by the Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote.

 

Alex Bergstein Leads Senate Passage of New Environmental Infrastructure Fund for CT Green Bank

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Alex Bergstein Leads Senate Passage of New Environmental Infrastructure Fund for CT Green Bank

HARTFORD — The state Senate today gave its approval to a bill championed by state Senator Alex Bergstein (D-Greenwich) that would allow Connecticut’s highly successful Green Bank to expand its current role of investing only in clean energy projects to include investments in a broader array of environmental projects, including land conservation, recycling, bio-digesters, electric vehicle charging stations, reforestation, and coastal resiliency.

Senate Bill 927, “AN ACT CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WITHIN THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK,” passed the Senate on a 34-2 bipartisan vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Connecticut’s Green Bank – the first one in the country – is a shining example of innovation and achievement. It has a stellar track record of taking our limited public funds and leveraging that six-fold with private funds to create $1.5 billion in investments, over 16,000 jobs, lower energy costs for homeowners, and prevent more than five million tons of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere, which reduces asthma and lowers health care costs,” Sen. Bergstein said. “Imagine if this track record of innovation and success was expanded to include recycling, zero-emission vehicle refueling, climate resiliency, land conservation, and other important projects.”

In 2011, Connecticut’s Green Bank became the first green bank in America. Since then, New York, Rhode Island and California have followed suit. Since its inception, the Connecticut Green Bank has invested $237 million in energy industry ratepayer funds (not state taxpayer money) to harness another $1.2 billion in private investment.

At its public hearing in March, SB 927 received support from a wide variety of environmental and municipal groups, including the Sierra Club of Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy, The Connecticut Council of Small Towns, and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

“This would facilitate more private investment in the Green Bank and environmental infrastructure projects,” testified Ann Gadwah, Chapter Chair of the Sierra Club of Connecticut. “In our current budget situation, more private investment in the Green Bank makes good financial sense and gives the Green Bank more flexibility for funding in these projects. It would also allow the Green Bank to use its bonding capability to provide access to additional low-cost and long-term financing. Again, it just makes good financial sense.”

“Connecticut’s small towns recognize the importance of protecting natural resources in our communities by preserving open space and watershed lands, addressing non-point source pollution, adopting recycling programs, and meeting state and federal environmental standards,” testified Betsy Gara, executive director of COST. “This will assist municipalities in complying with environmental standards and lessen the burden on the state’s property taxpayers.”

Sen. Maroney Applauds State Senate Passage of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

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Sen. Maroney Applauds State Senate Passage of
Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the state Senate passed legislation by a bipartisan 31-4 vote which will require nursing homes to increase their staffing transparency and ensure their residents receive quality care. State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) endorsed its passing. The state Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“We know that increasing staffing levels at nursing homes will positively impact the care residents receive and job satisfaction for nurses,” said Sen. Maroney. “Our state’s nurses need relief from the long work hours that can impair their ability to provide the best care to our loved ones and family members. This legislation will provide peace of mind to Connecticut families that their loved ones are receiving the best care and will ensure we are not running our state’s nurses, who sacrifice so much to care for our loved ones, into the ground.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.
The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Martin Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior to its approval by the state Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote. It will now move to the state House of Representatives for further action.

Sen. Maroney Applauds State Senate Passage of New Environmental Infrastructure Fund for CT Green Bank

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Sen. Maroney Applauds State Senate Passage
of New Environmental Infrastructure Fund for CT Green Bank

HARTFORD, CT — The state Senate today gave its approval to a bill championed by state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) that would allow Connecticut’s highly successful Green Bank to expand its current role of investing only in clean energy projects to include investments in a broader array of environmentally friendly projects, including land conservation, recycling, bio-digesters, electric vehicle charging stations, reforestation, and coastal resiliency.

Senate Bill 927, “AN ACT CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WITHIN THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK,” passed the Senate on a 34-2 bipartisan vote and now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

“I am thrilled to see this legislation pass the state Senate as this was one of my priorities this legislative session,” said Sen. Maroney. “I believe in order for a state to thrive, government must innovate and this legislation accomplishes that by enabling the Green Bank to provide resources and intellectual capital to our state’s cities to assist them in improving their environmental outcomes. Across the nation, in cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Atlanta, they have taken similar measures to prevent harmful environmental practices like allowing sanitary sewer water and storm water to co-mingle. Still in our state, cities like New Haven, New London and Hartford have storm and sanitary sewer water co-mingled, which leads to raw sewage being dumped into rivers or the sound. This legislation presents a creative way to help cities and towns mitigate storm water run-off. I commend state Senator Alex Bergstein (D-Greenwich) for her leadership on this important legislation and leading debate on this bill in the state Senate.”

In 2011, Connecticut’s Green Bank became the first green bank in America. Since then, New York, Rhode Island and California have followed suit. Since 2011, Connecticut’s Green Bank has invested $237 million in energy industry ratepayer funds (no state taxpayer money is used) to harness another $1.2 billion in private investment.

At its public hearing in March, SB 927 received support from a wide variety of environmental and municipal groups, including the Sierra Club of Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy, The Connecticut Council of Small Towns, and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

“This would facilitate more private investment in the Green Bank and environmental infrastructure projects,” testified Ann Gadwah, Chapter Chair of the Sierra Club of Connecticut. “In our current budget situation, more private investment in the Green Bank makes good financial sense and gives the Green Bank more flexibility for funding in these projects. It would also allow the Green Bank to use its bonding capability to provide access to additional low-cost and long-term financing. Again, it just makes good financial sense.”

“Connecticut’s small towns recognize the importance of protecting natural resources in our communities by preserving open space and watershed lands, addressing non-point source pollution, adopting recycling programs, and meeting state and federal environmental standards,” testified Betsy Gara, executive director of COST. “This will assist municipalities in complying with environmental standards and lessen the burden on the state’s property taxpayers.”

Senator Looney Supports Senate Passage Of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

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Senator Looney Supports Senate Passage Of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation requiring nursing homes to increase transparency and ensure their residents receive effective care on a vote of 31 to 4.
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven)
endorsed its passing. The Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“I’m pleased that the Senate passed this important bill,” said Senator Looney. “Quality patient care is reliant on an adequate resident-to-staff ratio. Knowing the nursing staff levels is critical for families when they are faced with making a decision about which
nursing home is the best for their family member. This legislation will ensure that patients are receiving proper medical treatment, improve patient health outcomes, and reassure family members that their loved ones are receiving the care they need.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work
with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations
or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.

The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff
levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior
to its approval by the Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote.

 

Senate Fights Back Against Trump Administration’s Attacks On Equality

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Senate Fights Back Against Trump Administration’s Attacks On Equality

HARTFORD, CT – Early this morning, the Senate passed legislation that would create a committee to study gender-based or expression-based discrimination in schools and workplaces across Connecticut. This committee would study current anti-discrimination laws and determine the extent of current discrimination based on gender identity and expression. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) lauded its passing.

The bill aims to protect Connecticut residents from numerous actions the Trump administration has taken to backtrack on progress combating gender discrimination. President Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military, cruelly overlooking what it would mean for those currently serving or how it would impact our military readiness. The U.S. Department of Justice reversed policy that provided non-discrimination protections for transgender people in the workplace. The Department of Education also reversed policy and will not take action on any complaints filed by transgender students who are banned from restrooms that match their gender identity. Staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were instructed not to use the term “transgender” in official documents.

“Connecticut isn’t going to stand by and accept these attacks on human dignity. LGBTQ members of our society face undue discrimination, even with existing protections under current laws, and we have a responsibility to change that,” said Sen. Haskell. “No matter who you are, you deserve to feel comfortable, safe and supported, and you deserve to be able to live your life free from discrimination. This study of current anti-discrimination laws is an excellent start, as it will provide a roadmap for how we might continue the fight for a Connecticut that’s welcoming to everyone.”

According to a study of LGBTQ school students in Connecticut conducted by GLSEN, 85 percent of students were the target of homophobic remarks and 20 percent of students were physically harassed because of their gender expression. This is despite Connecticut updating its anti-discrimination laws in 2011. This legislation is designed to study the effects of those updates and the effectiveness of current laws, and whether further updates would better protect individuals in schools and places of employment.

This legislation received support from numerous individuals and groups, among them Chief Public Defender Christine Perra Rapillo, ACLU-CT Executive Director David McGuire and the National Association of Social Workers-CT. They argued that the bill would help fight discrimination based on gender identity or expression in Connecticut, providing better protections for many individuals, especially those who are transgender or gender-nonconforming. It would determine “whether enhancements should be made to the existing statutes to assure equal treatment and safety of this protected class of individuals,” Rapillo said.

Senator Haskell Votes ‘Yea’ On Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

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Senator Haskell Votes ‘Yea’ On Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation requiring nursing homes to increase transparency, better ensuring their residents receive effective care. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) supported the bill on the Senate floor and urged his colleagues in the House to address this key topic. The Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“Nursing home residents and the compassionate employees who take care of them deserve our respect and support,” said Sen. Haskell. “That’s why we took action to make sure our residents are properly monitored and relieve strain on caretakers, preventing them from being overworked. I am excited to see it move on to the House.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.

The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Martin Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior to its approval by the Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote.