Senator Anwar Votes to Give Final Approval to Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD – Democrats in the state Senate today led the way in approving a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated and burdensome voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate in approving the legislation.
Currently, the state constitution sets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as the only day to vote for legislative and statewide offices; election officials have to receive and declare votes on this one day. Connecticut is one of just seven states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
“It is overdue for Connecticut to adopt early voting, especially given the overwhelming support by both Democrats and Republicans in our state for its expansion,” said Sen. Anwar. “Making matters worse, we are one of just seven states in the country not allowing this practice that expands access and ease of voting among the public. With such strong support, it makes sense for us to allow the public to make its decision in November 2022.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Because of a lack of Republican legislative support for in-person early voting, while this proposal did pass the legislature in 2019, it did so without a ‘supermajority’ of votes in both chambers, and so it needs to pass the Connecticut House and Senate with simple majorities this year before voters can have their say.
The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote. The ballot question will appear on the November 2022 ballot.
Sen. Anwar Votes To Pass Legislation Bolstering Many of the Services Provided by Nursing Homes and Supporting Long-Term Care Workers
Sen. Anwar Votes To Pass Legislation Bolstering Many of the Services Provided by Nursing Homes and Supporting Long-Term Care Workers
HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted to pass a bill to address personal protective equipment stockpiles and staffing hours at nursing homes, while also addressing many concerns created or exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 1030 “An Act Concerning Long Term Care Facilities,” passed by a 35-0 tally. The bill heads to the state House of Representatives for further debate and action.
“The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare many issues in our society, but the devastating impacts it has had on nursing homes and care homes are especially tragic,” said Sen. Anwar. “We must protect our vulnerable populations from the unfortunate, significant losses of life experienced during the last 15 months. This bill takes significant actions to protect the residents of nursing homes and memory care units, putting steps in place that can and will save lives and protect individuals’ health in the event of another pandemic. In my recent interactions with community members, they’ve told me more needs to be done for assisted living and memory care units, and I look forward to addressing their concerns going forward.”
SB 1030 makes various unrelated changes concerning long-term care (LTC) facilities such as nursing homes and dementia special care units, and the delivery of long-term care services. The bill requires the following:
- Nursing homes and dementia special care units to employ a full-time infection and prevention control specialist.
- Each LTC facility’s administrative head must provide their emergency operations plan to the municipality.
- Nursing homes must maintain a two-month supply of personal protective equipment.
- The administrative head of each LTC facility to ensure that there is at least one staff member during each shift who is licensed or certified to start an intravenous line.
- Requires nursing home infection prevention and control committee to meet at least monthly and, during an infectious disease outbreak, daily.
- Nursing homes required to test staff and residents for an infectious disease during an outbreak,
- Requires the state’s Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee, by October 1, 2021, to amend the plan for emergency responses to public health emergencies to include a plan for emergency responses related to nursing homes.
- Requires DPH to establish minimum staffing level requirements for nursing homes of at least three hours of direct care per resident per day.
This legislation previously passed the Public Health Committee by a 32-1 tally on March 29 and, during the public hearing portion of legislative session, received praise from Audrey Thompson, a CNA from Villa of Stamford, a nursing home.
“Staffing needs to be consistent on a daily basis to ensure residents are receiving the proper care they should be receiving, and it shouldn’t consist of the bare minimum. Our residents deserve more,” said Thompson. “That’s why I urge you to pass Senate Bill 1030 because it gets back to basics with proper staffing levels.”
“Passing this bill would be a start to treating workers how they should be treated,” said Imogene McClymont, a CNA at Touchpoints at Farmington. “We need better staffing so that the residents would have more interaction with us and so they can receive better care.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic nursing homes were hit hard and stretched beyond their limits in several areas as they continued to provide care to their residents.
“Healthcare workers have become Social Workers, Mental Health workers and Hospice care to the ones dying without family because we don’t want them to die alone,” said Patricia Hansen, an LPN at Orange Healthcare. “Not to mention more so with the COVID. We have joined hands and circled the dying with prayers as their Last Rites. Yes, unless you work it firsthand you will never know what it is like.”
Sen. Kushner Leads Final Approval to Bill to Disclose Salary Ranges and Help Close the Wage Gap
Sen. Kushner Leads Final Approval to Bill to Disclose Salary Ranges and Help Close the Wage Gap
HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) this evening voted to give final approval to a bill that requires employers to provide both job applicants and their own employees with the wage ranges of their positions – a practice which could help close the wage gap in Connecticut, where women earn an average 84 cents (or less) for every dollar a man makes for comparable work.
House Bill 6380, “AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISCLOSURE OF SALARY RANGE FOR A VACANT POSITION,” was approved by the Senate on a 20-14 vote and now heads to Governor Lamont for his signature of the bill into law. The bill had previously passed the House of Representatives and the Judiciary and Labor and Public Employees committees on purely partisan votes, with Republicans vehemently opposed to the bill.
“When I entered the workforce nearly 50 years ago, it was clear to me that women were treated unfairly, especially when it came to wages,” said Sen. Kushner. “We knew then that ‘salary secrecy’ kept women in the dark and made it easier to pay us less than our male counterparts. For years, we have been incrementally leveling the playing field. This bill is the next step forward when employees know a range of what the employer is willing to pay. They are much more likely to ask for a fair wage. What could possibly be wrong with that?”
HB 6380 not only requires the disclosure of salary ranges for a position, it also broadens the standard used to determine whether an employer is discriminating in the amount of compensation it pays to an employee based on sex (i.e., gender wage discrimination), and it allows job applicants and employees to bring a lawsuit to redress violations within two years.
At the February public hearing on the bill, a variety of advocates spoke of the need for salary range disclosures.
“Ensuring both salary range transparency and comparable pay for comparable work can positively impact the wage gap,” testified Liza Andrews, Director of Public Policy & Communications for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Studies show that when job applicants are clearly informed about the context for negotiations – including the range and types of compensation and benefits available – women are more successful at salary negotiation, which increases their earnings and closes the wage gap.”
“When an employer asks a job applicant what his or her salary expectations are without providing the applicant any information about the pay for the position, women and people of color lose out. Studies show that women often ask for less when they negotiate than men, even when the women applicants are otherwise equally qualified,” testified Andrea Johnson, Director of State Policy, Workplace Justice & Cross-Cutting Initiatives for the National Women’s Law Center. “Since employers tend to anchor salary negotiations, consciously or subconsciously, on the job applicant’s first request, providing applicants with a salary range that the employer is willing to pay helps level the negotiating playing field and reduces gender and racial wage gaps.”
“The wage gap begins with a woman’s first job after college and adds up over time,” testified Susan Eastwood, a board member of Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in Connecticut. “These inequities in pay have consequences for Connecticut families, and as a whole they have national impacts. Women’s earnings are critical to economic growth: if women received equal pay, the United States economy would produce additional income of $512.6 billion.”
If signed into law, the bill would take effect beginning October 1.
Senator Haskell Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
Senator Haskell Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD – Democrats in the state Senate spearheaded a much-needed and long-awaited constitutional amendment which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would bring Early Voting to Connecticut. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, joined the Senate in approving the resolution.
Currently, Connecticut’s state constitution limits voting to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Connecticut is one of just seven states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
“Regardless of which candidate or party you support, surely we all believe that elections should be accessible and convenient,” said Sen. Haskell. “Frankly, it’s embarrassing that Connecticut finds itself on a list with just six other states that deny their citizens the right vote on a date that is convenient for them. For commuters, students, seniors, people with disabilities and so many others, bringing Early Voting to Connecticut will make our democracy more accessible. My constituents frequently ask me why our laws are so outdated. Now, they have a chance to improve our electoral process and weigh in on referendum in the 2022 election.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote. The ballot question will appear on the November 2022 ballot.
Sen. Flexer Leads Final Approval of Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
Sen. Flexer Leads Final Approval of Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD – State Senator Mae Flexer this afternoon led the state Senate in approving a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums.
Currently, the state constitution sets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as the only day to vote for legislative and statewide offices; election officials have to receive and declare votes on this one day. Connecticut is one of just six states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
If approved by voters in 2022, the members of the state legislature in January 2023 would then be tasked with writing the early voting regulations.
“I want to thank the people of Connecticut who have so forcefully advocated over the past several years for early voting and who got us to this momentous vote today,” said Sen. Flexer, who is Senate Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee that oversees such matters. “I want Connecticut to be a beacon of light in our country where, right now, too many other state legislatures in America are making it harder and harder for their constituents to vote. Our residents right here in Connecticut should be empowered to decide whether or not they want to have early voting. And that’s what this resolution does.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Because of a lack of Republican legislative support for in-person early voting, while this proposal did pass the legislature in 2019, it did so without a ‘supermajority’ of votes in both chambers, and so it needed to pass the Connecticut House and Senate with simple majorities this year before voters can have their say. The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote.
Senate Approves Bill Modernizing Connecticut Voting Rules
Senate Approves Bill Modernizing Connecticut Voting Rules
Democrats in the state Senate approved an important modernization of Connecticut voting laws that will improve voting access for everyone by allowing different state agencies to automatically enroll new voters, restore voting rights for all inmates when they are released from custody, and allow people with developmental disabilities to have a legal representative assist them with registering to vote and with voting.
State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford) voted in favor of Senate Bill 5, “An Act Concerning Increased Opportunities For Absentee Voting, Safe and Secure In-Person Voting, Voter Registration And Certain Other Changes Regarding Election Administration.” It passed the Senate on a 25-10 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This legislation helps ease the process for residents to access their right to vote and for candidates running for an election,” said Sen. Miller. “With the pandemic forcing people to stay indoors, we saw numerous voters acquire ballots and vote absentee which increased voter participation. This alone is why it is imperative that we continue to make online applications accessible to those who are unable to leave their homes. The 2020 election has taught us that the easier an electoral process is, the more likely voters will participate in an election.”
Some of the new voting provisions in SB 5 include:
- Requires the DMV, various state agencies, and public higher education institutions to use a Secretary of the State-approved electronic system to automatically transmit voter registration applications for qualified applicants to the Registrars of Voters. Under existing law, the DMV must include a voter registration application as part of each motor vehicle driver’s license application or renewal, or each identity card application. Under SB 5, state agencies like public assistance agencies, libraries, and any state-funded program that provides services to people with disabilities must include a voter registration application with each service or with each assistance application, recertification, renewal, or change of address. Public higher education institutions must also distribute mail voter registration application forms.
- Restores, as of July 1, voting privileges to convicted felons who are on parole or special parole or who are confined in a community residence. Currently, automatic restoration of voting privileges is only granted to people who are on probation or who have completed their sentences and are released from physical incarceration.
Eliminates the prohibition on so-called ‘mentally incompetent people’ being admitted as voters; it allows people with developmental disabilities to have a legal representative assist them with registering to vote and voting - Requires the implementation of e-signature systems for most elections-related forms and applications
- Requires Registrars of Voters to annually distribute voter registration information at public high schools
- Requires Town Clerks to post notices for state, municipal elections on the town website
- Adds “sibling” to the list of immediate family members and adds designees allowed to return absentee ballots on behalf of voters
- Electors suffering from long-term illnesses will be made eligible for permanent absentee ballot status
Senator Needleman leads Senate Approval of Legislation Studying Viability of Separating PURA, DEEP
Senator Needleman leads Senate Approval of Legislation Studying Viability of Separating PURA, DEEP
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) led the Senate in its debate and approval of legislation enacting a study examining the separation and decoupling of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such an action would benefit the state by allowing PURA to operate without direct DEEP approval; by law, PURA is within DEEP, and many PURA actions require DEEP approval, creating roadblocks and delays in important activity.
“This study will seek to improve efficiency in our state departments, specifically ensuring that PURA’s work in regulating state utilities will not be limited or delayed by its need to operate under DEEP,” said Sen. Needleman. “This doesn’t just offer opportunities to advance and enhance our state’s operations, but could further achieve better electricity rates for consumers over time if PURA is given autonomy outside of DEEP, allowing for more independence in decision-making. I’m encouraged by the long-term possibilities of this study.”
Senate Bill 855, “An Act Concerning The Decoupling Of The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority And The Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection,” would require the state Office of Policy and Management to study DEEP and PURA, determining how they could potentially be decoupled. Currently, PURA is considered within DEEP by law. The PURA chairperson needs DEEP approval to conduct certain business such as planning and organizing; the DEEP commissioner further is made a party in every PURA proceeding and can participate at their discretion.
In 2011, PURA was moved into DEEP, which critics have said removed independent decision-making from the regulatory authority. Connecticut’s high utility rates and continued episodes of inadequate utility response in recent years, most recently the days-long outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020, have further added to that criticism; the majority of public testimony submitted regarding Senate Bill 855 recommended the decoupling of these two bodies to ensure greater autonomy and independence in certain utility regulatory decisions. The AARP of Connecticut testified that PURA adjudicating energy and utility issues when DEEP is a party to every proceeding represents an “insurmountable conflict of interest.”
State Senator Needleman Votes in Support of Bill that Increases Penalty for Intentional Injury of Police Animal
State Senator Needleman Votes in Support of Bill that Increases Penalty for Intentional Injury of Police Animal
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the Senate’s passage of a bill that will increase the penalty for intentionally injuring a police animal or dog in a volunteer canine search and rescue team. Senate Bill 123, “An Act Increasing The Penalty For The Intentional Injury Of A Police Animal Or Dog In A Volunteer Canine Search And Rescue,” will better protect police animals.
“Police dogs are heavily trained and play vital roles in many local police departments, from assisting in missing persons cases to searching for contraband,” said Sen. Needleman. “Police departments invest years of time and thousands of dollars into their training, all the better to protect their communities, and we need to dissuade anyone with ill intentions from harming them. This bill does just that and I’m proud to support it.”
SB 123 increases the criminal penalty for intentionally injuring an officer’s animal or a volunteer canine search and rescue team’s dog while they are performing their duties under supervision. Specifically, the bill raises the penalty from a class D to a class C felony. This increases the maximum term of imprisonment from five to 10 years and increases the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000.
Police dogs are vital partners in law enforcement. They are specifically trained to assist police and other law enforcement personnel on the job. Their duties include but are not limited to; searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding evidence and assisting in police operations. They must be trained to remember verbal cues and hand gestures. On average, the long-term investment for each police animal is between $12,000 and $20,000. These police animals are therefore valuable resources to the communities and should be protected at all costs. They deserve all of the protection that the law can reasonably give them.
In 2011, four men were arrested in a knife fight that left a Norwalk police dog with injuries. Police dog Czar, a 3-year-old Belgium shepherd, who had been put on alert, went after one of the men, biting him in the abdomen. The dropped one of the knives but began slashing at Czar’s muzzle with the other. Czar was treated by his handler and taken to the vet. Unfortunately, due to his injuries, Czar had to be euthanized.
Czar was able to help get in between the suspect and the officer, therefore, shielding the officer from further harm. We need to give these canine officers credit and protect them like they protect our officers.
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Vote to Expand Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Health Care Providers, Including EMS Personnel, Department of Corrections Employees, Emergency Dispatchers and Health Care Providers Related to COVID-19
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Vote to Expand Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Health Care Providers, Including EMS Personnel, Department of Corrections Employees, Emergency Dispatchers and Health Care Providers Related to COVID-19
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate in its approval of a bill that would expand eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to include emergency medical services personnel, Department of Correction employees, telecommunicators such as 911 emergency dispatchers and, under certain COVID-19-related circumstances, health care providers.
“Post-traumatic stress can put heavy pressure on an individual, and that can lead to significant issues over time,” said Sen. Anwar. “The trauma that emergency medical professionals, prison guards, emergency dispatchers and, notably, health care professionals treating COVID-19 patients experience in the line of duty can leave them struggling. They sacrifice in support of our communities and they deserve our support in return. I’m grateful to Senator Julie Kushner, leader of the Labor Committee, for her work in achieving these breakthroughs for so many in need.”
Senate Bill 660, “An Act Expanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Certain Mental Or Emotional Impairments Suffered By Health Care Providers In Connection With COVID-19,” seeks to expand workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress injuries to cover emergency medical services personnel, all Department of Correction employees, telecommunicators such as 911 emergency dispatchers and health care providers who experienced certain circumstances related to COVID-19. The bill also changes “post-traumatic stress disorder” to “post-traumatic stress injury” in current law.
PTSI events compensable with workers’ compensation benefits for emergency health workers and Department of Corrections employees include incidents where an individual views a deceased minor, witnesses a person’s death or incident causing a person’s death, injury to someone who dies before or upon admission to a hospital, traumatic physical injury leading to permanent disfigurement or amputation, or having physical contact with/treating injured persons who die before or upon admission. Emergency dispatchers can receive aid if they hear such incidents by radio or telephone.
Health care providers who witnessed death due to COVID-19, witnessed injury to someone who died from COVID-19, cared for someone who died of COVID-19 or witnessed traumatic physical injury leading to loss of vital body function due to COVID-19 would be eligible for PTSI workers’ compensation benefits. “Health care provider” specifically refers to people employed at doctor’s offices, hospitals, health care centers, clinics, medical schools, health departments, nursing facilities, retirement facilities, nursing homes, group homes, home health providers, laboratory and medical testing, pharmacies and personal care providers regularly employed for at least 26 hours per week.
Under the bill, PTSI benefits would be capped at 52 weeks; would be prohibited from being awarded beyond four years after a qualifying event, which must happen after July 1, 2019 under current law; and requires employers contest such a claim through a process similar to other workers’ compensation claims.
The Labor and Public Employees Committee unanimously approved the legislation in March. It now proceeds to the House for further debate and potential approval.
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Vote to Expand Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Health Care Providers, Including Ems Personnel, Department of Corrections Employees, Emergency Dispatchers and Health Care Providers Related to COVID-19
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Vote to Expand Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Health Care Providers, Including Ems Personnel, Department of Corrections Employees, Emergency Dispatchers and Health Care Providers Related to COVID-19
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the Senate in its approval of a bill that would expand eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to include emergency medical services personnel, Department of Correction employees, telecommunicators such as 911 emergency dispatchers and, under certain COVID-19-related circumstances, health care providers.
“As the first selectman of Essex, I work with first responders and have seen the extreme sacrifices they make for our communities,” said Sen. Needleman. “On a regular basis, they see events many of us would consider the worst days of our lives, and the extreme emotional stress of those moments often leaves them struggling. Today, we’re taking action to provide post-traumatic stress relief to them, and to health care professionals who saw so much tragedy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m grateful to State Senator Julie Kushner, leader of the Labor Committee, in fighting for this support for the people who keep our communities safe.”
Senate Bill 660, “An Act Expanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Certain Mental Or Emotional Impairments Suffered By Health Care Providers In Connection With COVID-19,” seeks to expand workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress injuries to cover emergency medical services personnel, all Department of Correction employees, telecommunicators such as 911 emergency dispatchers and health care providers who experienced certain circumstances related to COVID-19. The bill also changes “post-traumatic stress disorder” to “post-traumatic stress injury” in current law.
PTSI events compensable with workers’ compensation benefits for emergency health workers and Department of Corrections employees include incidents where an individual views a deceased minor, witnesses a person’s death or incident causing a person’s death, injury to someone who dies before or upon admission to a hospital, traumatic physical injury leading to permanent disfigurement or amputation, or having physical contact with/treating injured persons who die before or upon admission. Emergency dispatchers can receive aid if they hear such incidents by radio or telephone.
Health care providers who witnessed death due to COVID-19, witnessed injury to someone who died from COVID-19, cared for someone who died of COVID-19 or witnessed traumatic physical injury leading to loss of vital body function due to COVID-19 would be eligible for PTSI workers’ compensation benefits. “Health care provider” specifically refers to people employed at doctor’s offices, hospitals, health care centers, clinics, medical schools, health departments, nursing facilities, retirement facilities, nursing homes, group homes, home health providers, laboratory and medical testing, pharmacies and personal care providers regularly employed for at least 26 hours per week.
Under the bill, PTSI benefits would be capped at 52 weeks; would be prohibited from being awarded beyond four years after a qualifying event, which must happen after July 1, 2019 under current law; and requires employers contest such a claim through a process similar to other workers’ compensation claims.
The Labor and Public Employees Committee unanimously approved the legislation in March. It now proceeds to the House for further debate and potential approval.