Sen. Anwar Votes in Favor of Legislation to Prohibit Deceptive Advertising by Crisis Pregnancy Centers
HARTFORD, CT – Today, from the state Capitol Building, state Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted for legislation to prohibit deceptive advertising by crisis pregnancy centers in Connecticut. The legislation, Senate Bill 835, “An Act Concerning Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers,” passed by a 21-15 tally and will move to the state House of Representatives.
“This bill is not about pro-life versus pro-choice, as people have made it out to be,” said Sen. Anwar. “It is about false advertisements and manipulating health care consumers. It’s about honesty and transparency. It’s also about the actual harm being done to women’s health. Limited service pregnancy centers provide care for the limited areas they are interested in; it is important their advertisements are true and transparent about what they offer, not deceptive.”
SB 835 passed the Public Health Committee by a 20-13 vote in February and, if advanced from the House to the governor’s desk for enactment, this legislation would prohibit deceptive advertising by limited services pregnancy centers, which it defines as pregnancy services centers that do not directly provide, or provide referrals for, abortions or emergency contraception. Per the Office of Legislative Research, this bill specifically prohibits them, with intent to perform a pregnancy-related service, from publicly making or disseminating a deceptive statement about the provision of these services or the services themselves that the center knows or reasonably should know is deceptive. The prohibition includes public statements made in advertisements, print publications, online, or any other manner and it applies regardless of whether the centers make these statements themselves or cause others to do so and statement itself is deceptive or is deceptive by omission. If enacted, the bill goes into effect on July 1.
Limited service pregnancy centers, also referred to as crisis pregnancy centers (CPC) have garnered national and statewide attention for deceptive practices in which scientific-based information crucial to a woman’s decision regarding their pregnancy is supplanted with nonscientific or faith-based evidence to coerce woman from getting an abortion. According to a March 2018 report on inherently unethical practices of CPCs from the American Medical Association, “They strive to appear as sites offering clinical services and unbiased advice. Lay volunteers who are not licensed clinicians at CPCs often wear white coats and see women in exam rooms.” The report continues, “Despite looking like legitimate clinics, most CPCs are not licensed, and their staff are not licensed medical professionals… perhaps most worrisome, regardless of whether a particular location is licensed, CPCs engage in counseling that is misleading or false. Despite claims to the contrary, these centers do not meet the standard of patient-centered, quality medical care.”
What’s more, during the public testimony period of legislative session, Lauren Marazzi, a fifth year MD/PhD student in Farmington said, “In medical school, we are extensively trained and tested on how to communicate with patients to effectively build a strong patient-provider relationship and enter into an informed decision-making paradigm. Our training goal, and eventual goal as providers, is to accurately explain all options of treatment for any medical condition, pregnancy included, so that our patients feel empowered to make the decision that is best for their health and their lives. Performing this action requires education, trust, empathy, and honesty. I simply do not see how informed decision making by a pregnant person can be achieved via counseling with volunteers at centers whose websites display medically unsound information regarding abortions.”
Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union Connecticut chapter commented on SB 835, “This bill addresses a problem that arises when limited service pregnancy centers (commonly referred to as crisis pregnancy centers or CPCs) do not offer medical services, complete information, or referral to healthcare providers who offer a range of medical services, but advertise in such a way that potential clients would think that the CPC does offer some or all of those services.”
Sen. Hartley, Rep. Reyes Welcome Grant Selection to Support Vaccine Equity Efforts in Waterbury
Sen. Hartley, Rep. Reyes Welcome Grant Selection to Support Vaccine Equity Efforts in Waterbury
Today, State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) and State Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr. (D-Waterbury), Chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, welcomed the announcement by Governor Lamont and the state Department of Public Health that Waterbury will be a recipient of federal grant funding to be used to develop partnerships between local health, community organizations, and vaccine providers to promote and expand vaccine equity. The city is one of 27 municipalities and local health departments to be selected to share in over $13 million in federal support.
The grant funding is part of a national undertaking to make sure residents in underserved communities, including ethnically diverse communities and communities of color, have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccines. Efforts to be put into action through these partnerships include, but not limited: door-to-door canvassing, outbound calling and texting, peer-to-peer training, and canvassing in immigrant communities. Also, the funding will go toward mobile and fixed site COVID-19 vaccination programs, helping transportation services, and homebound and homeless vaccinations.
“To ensure the health and economic recovery of our state, we need to continue scaling up efforts to have the COVID-19 vaccine accessible to every neighborhood in the City of Waterbury,” said Sen. Hartley. “I’m pleased the city has been selected to be awarded this critical grant funding to bolster ongoing community outreach efforts and help residents with transportation needs.”
Rep. Reyes said, “This week Connecticut became the first state in the nation to vaccinate 50% of its population – a huge testament to not only the healthcare workers administering vaccines, but also to the state’s continued commitment for an efficient and equitable vaccine rollout plan. This grant is vital to town’s like Waterbury as it works synergistically with our own local efforts to protect and vaccinate our residents. I am thankful Governor Lamont and DPH both understood and implemented equitable practices in order to safely vaccinate communities like my home of Waterbury.”
The announcement of this federal support follows the Department of Public Health requesting applications from local health districts and departments for the grants. The applying districts and departments had to detail efforts that would be taken to address vaccine equity in the municipalities they serve. In addition, the applicants had to identify community and vaccine provider partners. Final grant amounts are not currently available as contracts with the recipients have not been finalized, according to a release from the governor’s office.
Sen. Needleman Appreciates State Investment in the Fight Against Invasive Aquatic Plants
Sen. Needleman Appreciates State Investment in the Fight Against Invasive Aquatic Plants
Grant funding to benefit waters including Connecticut River
GUILFORD – State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today joined State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes to welcome state grants that will represent significant investment in the fight against invasive aquatic plants, which can wreak havoc on natural wildlife as well as water safety and recreation ability. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today announced the recipients of the inaugural round of grant funding through the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program, with a total of $360,000 going to 21 projects to reduce impacts of aquatic invasive species on inland waters in Connecticut.
“In recent years, invasive aquatic species have caused significant issues in many of our state’s natural waters,” said Sen. Needleman. “They can clog lakes and ponds and harm natural wildlife, also impacting the usability and recreation opportunities available to the public. When many ponds and lakes serve as local recreational draws, they can even negatively impact local economies. I welcome this new funding for programs that aim to fight these scourges head-on, cleaning up our rivers, lakes and ponds. Our state’s investment in these programs to support safe, clean waters will pay strong dividends for fish, birds, plants and, of course, people across Connecticut.”
Among the projects receiving grant funding are two from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station valued at a combined $36,000, respectively to support the CAES Aquatic Plant Program and to support education and outreach for Connecticut’s invasive aquatic plant, clam and mussel identification guide. The Connecticut River Conservancy will receive $45,505 to create a management plan for Hydrilla, an invasive species, and to coordinate hand removal of water chestnuts in the Connecticut River watershed.
Towns in the 33rd District including East Hampton, Lyme and Old Lyme have experienced growth of invasive weeds and algae in their waterways and bodies of water in recent years, as has the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River flows through and directly impacts nearly every municipality in the 33rd District.
The Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program was made possible in 2019 when the Connecticut General Assembly voted on a bipartisan basis to create a $5 Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp fee (Public Act 19-190) for all registered boats using Connecticut waters to fund the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account.
The funds must be used for one of three purposes:
- Programs to eradicate aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms;
- Education and public outreach programs about protecting and preserving state lakes, rivers, and ponds;
- Grants to state and municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations to conduct research and provide education on managing state lakes, rivers, and ponds.
For this first round of funding, DEEP had a total of $360,000 to award for eligible control, research and education and outreach projects. The maximum grant award was $50,000. Matching funds were required and had to equal or exceed 25% of the total amount of funding received from DEEP under this grant program.
Senator Kushner Excited, Thankful as Inaugural Round of Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Funding Heavily Benefits Candlewood Lake, Local Waters
Senator Kushner Excited, Thankful as Inaugural Round of Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Funding Heavily Benefits Candlewood Lake, Local Waters
Today, State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) was excited by the announcement that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s inaugural round of grant funding through the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program included significant financial support for her district’s local waters, most notably its support for Candlewood Lake. The grant program was initially created in 2019 as the state established an Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp fee – the funds go to programs protecting lakes, ponds and rivers by addressing aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms. A total of $360,000 will be distributed to 21 projects statewide.
“Our state’s lakes, ponds and rivers are amongst our greatest strengths. This isn’t just because of the recreational value and natural beauty they bring, however. They also become an important economic driver for surrounding towns and cities. But our gorgeous lakes, rivers and ponds are under attack by invasive species. Candlewood Lake and Lake Kenosia, among others statewide, have fallen victim to invasive species like Eurasian milfoil, and more recently Zebra Mussels,” said Sen. Kushner. “In 2019, I fought for legislation creating the Invasive Species Stamp, and today, it’s beginning to fulfill its purpose. The dispersal of $360,000 statewide to protect lakes and ponds is wonderful. I’m especially appreciative of the support for Candlewood Lake, Ball Pond and Lake Kenosia in the 24th Senate District. It will be great for these lakes and ponds to come back to life and remain safe from threatening vegetation, giving the local community much more to enjoy.”
Projects statewide receiving funding are intended to improve and benefit lakes and ponds, as well as stretches of the Connecticut River. Projects of note include:
- The Candlewood Lake Authority will receive $26,711 to support education and outreach of the Candlewood Lake Watershed Steward Program. That program informs boaters on aquatic invasive species threatening Candlewood Lake.
- The Ball Pond Advisory Committee in New Fairfield will receive $2,960.11 to support research including identification and monitoring of cyanobacteria in Ball Pond using plankton tows and fluorometry.
- Edwin M. Long, Ph.D, Western Connecticut State University will receive $3,225 to support research into identifying and quantifying toxin genes from cyanobacteria in Connecticut waterways including Candlewood Lake.
- The Housatonic Valley Association will receive $25,500 to support removal of water chestnut from Danbury’s Lake Kenosia.