Senator Anwar Votes to Approve Bill Modernizing Connecticut Voting Rules
HARTFORD – State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined his colleagues today in the approval of 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.
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,” passed the Senate on a 25-10 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“Our elections are most effective when the highest number of citizens cast their ballots and exercise their rights,” said Sen. Anwar. “I am highly supportive of this bill because of the opportunities it seeks to make voting registration easier, expands access to absentee ballots and takes further steps to benefit our state’s election systems. It will make sure access to the ballot is expanded and gives more Connecticut residents opportunities to cast their votes.”
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. Right now that 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
- Electors suffering from long-term illnesses will be made eligible for permanent absentee ballot status
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Vote to Approve Bill Modernizing Some Connecticut Voting Rules
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Vote to Approve Bill Modernizing Some Connecticut Voting Rules
HARTFORD – State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the Senate today to pass Senate Bill 5 to modernize some Connecticut voting standards and improve voting access statewide through a variety of measures.
Updates to current voting laws in Senate Bill 5 include the development of an automatic electronic voter registration application, the development of an e-signature system for elections-related forms and applications, and distributing voter registration information in public high schools. The measure passed by a vote of 25-10.
“We know that higher voter turnout gives us the most representative government in our communities,” said Sen. Needleman. “Therefore, it simply makes sense for us to support increased voting turnout whenever possible. The automatic transmission of registration applications and eased access to the polls this legislation provides will strengthen our state’s voting laws and benefit future elections.”
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,” overhauls Connecticut’s voting standards.
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. Right now that 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
Senate Approves Bill Modernizing Connecticut Voting Rules
Senate Approves Bill Modernizing Connecticut Voting Rules
Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury, Middlebury and Naugatuck), joined the Senate in voting to approve an important modernization of Connecticut voting laws that will improve voting access for everyone by allowing different state agencies to automatically enroll new voters and allow people with developmental disabilities to have a legal representative assist them with registering to vote and with voting.
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,” passed the Senate on a 25-10 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This common-sense legislation will make voting more accessible to Connecticut residents, especially for people with disabilities and students of voting-age. These updates will strengthen efforts to ensure all people in our state have the opportunity to make their voices heard in casting a ballot,” said Sen. Hartley.
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Passage of Adult Adoption Birth Record Bill
Senator Needleman Joins Senate Passage of Adult Adoption Birth Record Bill
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today joined the State Senate in passing the legislation allowing adult adopted persons access to their birth certificates, a change that has been years in the making. As it has already passed the House, the legislation now progresses to Governor Ned Lamont’s desk for signing into law.
“It’s simply unfair for individuals to be prevented from accessing important documents that don’t just tell their lives’ stories, but can also protect their health,” said Sen. Needleman. “This bill will provide thousands of residents of our state with access to documents all other residents can freely access at any time. This is especially important considering the potential health information available through these records. I’m proud to join my colleagues and push forward this important legislation, finally making it law.”
House Bill 6105, “An Act Concerning Access To Original Birth Certificates By Adult Adopted Persons,” previously passed the House by a vote of 115-28 on May 4.
This legislation aims to end decades of their denial of important, sometimes life-impacting access to their own information. It would amend state statutes to allow all adopted individuals, and their children and grandchildren, to obtain their original birth certificates. Upon request, an individual would be able to write a request to their town or city’s registrar of birth records and receive birth records within 30 days of that request’s receipt.
Current state law says only individuals born or adopted after Oct. 1, 1983 can access their original birth certificates. Individuals born or adopted before that date are barred from accessing those records. There are more than 38,000 Connecticut residents who were adopted and were born before 1983.
Several organizations testified in support of this legislation during a public hearing held in February. The North American Council on Adoptable Children endorsed the legislation under the belief that every adopted person has the right to receive personal information about their birth, foster and adoption history, including medical information, educational and social history. The Connecticut State Medical Society gave its support, believing the legislation will lead to improved patient care and medical health, while the Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families supported the “equity of rights for all adopted adults.” Adopted adults cited their desires to know their histories; at least one mother who gave her daughter up for adoption in the 1960s said “closed adoptions hurt everyone” and passing the legislation “gives my daughter the document that is her right to have.”
This issue was previously raised in the General Assembly in 2017, 2018 and 2019 but was not enacted, despite wide bipartisan appeal; its discussion dates back to at least 1998, when similar legislation was first proposed in the Legislature. At least seven other states have passed similar legislation, including Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire. Court orders are still required to obtain these records in 25 additional states.
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Passage of Adult Adoption Birth Record Bill
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Passage of Adult Adoption Birth Record Bill
State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today joined the State Senate in passing the legislation allowing adult adopted persons access to their birth certificates, a change that has been years in the making. As it has already passed the House, the legislation now progresses to Governor Ned Lamont’s desk for signing into law.
“This is an important bill. We want to make sure people have information about their birth parents,” said Sen. Anwar. “As our understanding about medical illnesses and family history information has become so critical, there is a medical reason to know about who one’s birth parents are and identify ways to prevent early illnesses and have more in-depth management to prevent cardiac, respiratory, neurologic, psychiatric illnesses as well as cancers. I feel that this bill will give closure to individuals from a critical question most may take for granted and understand their sense of belonging, among other benefits.”
House Bill 6105, “An Act Concerning Access To Original Birth Certificates By Adult Adopted Persons,” previously passed the House by a vote of 115-28 on May 4.
This legislation aims to end decades of their denial of important, sometimes life-impacting access to their own information. It would amend state statutes to allow all adopted individuals, and their children and grandchildren, to obtain their original birth certificates. Upon request, an individual would be able to write a request to their town or city’s registrar of birth records and receive birth records within 30 days of that request’s receipt.
Current state law says only individuals born or adopted after Oct. 1, 1983 can access their original birth certificates. Individuals born or adopted before that date are barred from accessing those records. There are more than 38,000 Connecticut residents who were adopted and were born before 1983.
Several organizations testified in support of this legislation during a public hearing held in February. The North American Council on Adoptable Children endorsed the legislation under the belief that every adopted person has the right to receive personal information about their birth, foster and adoption history, including medical information, educational and social history. The Connecticut State Medical Society gave its support, believing the legislation will lead to improved patient care and medical health, while the Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families supported the “equity of rights for all adopted adults.” Adopted adults cited their desires to know their histories; at least one mother who gave her daughter up for adoption in the 1960s said “closed adoptions hurt everyone” and passing the legislation “gives my daughter the document that is her right to have.”
This issue was previously raised in the General Assembly in 2017, 2018 and 2019 but was not enacted, despite wide bipartisan appeal; its discussion dates back to at least 1998, when similar legislation was first proposed in the Legislature. At least seven other states have passed similar legislation, including Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire. Court orders are still required to obtain these records in 25 additional states.
Senator Needleman Joins Final Approval of Online Gaming & Sports Betting Bill
Senator Needleman Joins Final Approval of Online Gaming & Sports Betting Bill
HARTFORD – State Senator Norm Needleman today joined the Senate’s final approval to a bill that will bring sports betting and online gambling to Connecticut, run by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. The legislation passed by a bipartisan 28-6 vote.
“Today, the Senate helps move Connecticut forward, ensuring our state advances into the modern day through online gambling and the introduction of sports betting,” said Sen. Needleman. “This legislation has been worked on extensively by many of my colleagues for months, and I want to take a moment to thank Senator Cathy Osten for her leadership. I look forward to Connecticut being able to compete with its neighbors and increase revenue in coming years.”
House Bill 6451, “AN ACT CONCERNING GAMING AGREEMENTS WITH THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT,” passed the House of Representatives last week on a bipartisan 122-21 vote. After today’s Senate approval, the bill will go to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.
The bill is based on a new, contractual agreement negotiated between the governor and the tribal nations that must still be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior and published in the Federal Register.
The bill will allow the tribes to conduct in-person and online sports wagering and fantasy sports wagering on their reservations, and to conduct online sports betting for casino games and fantasy sports.
The bill also allows the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) to conduct in-person and online sports wagering, online keno, and online lottery games. The CLC can also conduct in-person sports wagering at up to 15 facilities, which may be licensed off-track betting facilities pursuant to the creation of an operating agreement.
In exchange for the right to conduct these expanded gambling operations, the bill requires monthly payments from the tribes and the CLC to the state’s General Fund ranging from 13.75% to 20% of gross revenues from sports wagering, online casino gaming, and fantasy contests, and annual payments of $500,000 from each tribe and $1 million from the CLC toward certain problem gambling programs. The bill also delays the authorization of an off-reservation casino gaming facility in East Windsor for 10 years.
Finally, the bill creates a licensing process for fantasy sports betting sites like Draft Kings and Fan Duel. Those sites will be allowed to operate in Connecticut like any other form of sports wagering after the state creates regulations and issues licenses to them.
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Regarding his Vote Against Gaming Bill
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Regarding his Vote Against Gaming Bill
Tonight, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) issued the following statement following his vote against a gaming bill before the Senate seeking to allow sports betting and online gaming:
“I have had serious concerns about this bill based on a number of issues, but primarily because this bill negatively targets East Windsor. Sections 25 and 26 look at impacting existing plans in East Windsor for casino construction that the previous General Assembly had already approved. I am upset that one of the most important economic development projects for the Capitol region has been delayed. While the pandemic may have delayed the project, the Tribes had shown every intention to implement the casino there had this agreement not been created. This harms the Capitol region’s economic development and based on that alone I did not support it. I did present an amendment to the bill which was to strike Sections 25 and 26 related to East Windsor, but that amendment did not pass on a bipartisan vote. I voted against this bill because it harms economic development in the Capitol region and there was no reason to eliminate the casino while gaming could have been initiated as well.”
Sen. Osten Leads Final Senate Approval of Online Gaming & Sports Betting Bill
Sen. Osten Leads Final Senate Approval of Online Gaming & Sports Betting Bill
HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today led final passage in the state Senate of a bill that will bring sports betting and online gambling to Connecticut, run by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation.
House Bill 6451, “AN ACT CONCERNING GAMING AGREEMENTS WITH THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT,” passed the Senate this evening on a bipartisan 28-6 vote after passing the House of Representatives last week on a bipartisan 122-21 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Ned Lamont, who is expected to sign the bill into law.
“This bill represents years of work to expand gaming in our state,” said Sen. Osten who for several years has led efforts to negotiate a new state compact with the two tribes, whose tribal nations reside within her district. “And it’s important to note that this bill is not just about updating our gaming compacts to reflect modern gambling trends. This bill is also about jobs and businesses and revenue and the economy not only in southeastern Connecticut, but all throughout Connecticut, because that’s where the employees of these two casinos live. This bill is also about recognizing and honoring Connecticut’s Native American history, and two of our largest employers in the state. This bill has been a long time coming and I am very glad to see it pass tonight.”
The bill is based on a new, contractual agreement negotiated between the governor and the tribal nations that must still be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior and published in the Federal Register.
The bill will allow the tribes to conduct in-person and online sports wagering and fantasy sports wagering on their reservations, and to conduct online sports betting for casino games and fantasy sports.
The bill also allows the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) to conduct in-person and online sports wagering, online keno, and online lottery games. The CLC can also conduct in-person sports wagering at up to 15 facilities, which may be licensed off-track betting facilities pursuant to the creation of an operating agreement.
In exchange for the right to conduct these expanded gambling operations, the bill requires monthly payments from the tribes and the CLC to the state’s General Fund ranging from 13.75% to 20% of gross revenues from sports wagering, online casino gaming, and fantasy contests, and annual payments of $500,000 from each tribe and $1 million from the CLC toward certain problem gambling programs. The bill also delays the authorization of an off-reservation casino gaming facility in East Windsor for 10 years.
Finally, the bill creates a licensing process for fantasy sports betting sites like Draft Kings and Fan Duel. Those sites will be allowed to operate in Connecticut like any other form of sports wagering after the state creates regulations and issues licenses to them.
Senator Kushner Leads Senate Passage of Legislation Requiring Employers to Recall Laid-Off Workers in Order of Seniority
Senator Kushner Leads Senate Passage of Legislation Requiring Employers to Recall Laid-Off Workers in Order of Seniority
Today, the State Senate passed legislation requiring employers to recall certain laid-off workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in order of seniority, an effort to promote equity and fairness. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of workers were laid off across the state; this act will ensure that as employers recover and rehire workers, they must bring back workers in seniority order, or length of service, before hiring new employees. State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) led the Senate’s adoption of the bill; she serves as Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee.
“This bill represents a ‘reset,’ so to speak, for workers,” said Sen. Kushner. “Hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs because of the pandemic – this legislation will ensure that some of those workers will rest easier knowing that when the economy improves, their job will be there for them. A 20-year McDonald’s worker shouldn’t be replaced with a new, younger worker. But that’s exactly what happened — he was laid off at the beginning of the pandemic. A few months later, when customers returned, the employer scaled back up, but didn’t rehire the long-term worker. This is just plain wrong.”
Senate Bill 658, “An Act Requiring Employers To Recall Certain Laid-Off Workers In Order Of Seniority,” requires private-sector employers with at least fifteen employees in the janitorial, maintenance, security, hospitality and foodservice industries to meet certain requirements related to recalling employees laid off between March 10, 2020, and December 31, 2024. Those employers must: notify laid-off employees about available positions they are qualified for, then offer positions first to those who can qualify for the position with current skill levels or who can take on the role with the same training as a new employee. If more than one employee is entitled to the preference for the position, seniority would determine who gets the offer. Employees would have five days to accept or reject an offer.
Employee qualifications will be determined by the employees’ holding the same or similar positions at the enterprise when most-recently separated from service or care, or can be, qualified for a position with the same training as a new employee hired for the position. A rehired employee must work for at least 30 work days unless there is just cause for their termination.
If a laid-off employee declines the offer due to certain reasons, such as an underlying health condition leaving them at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, the laid-off employee retains the right to recall until the end of the public health emergency and a position is being filled.
If an employer hires someone instead of a laid-off employee with seniority, the employer must give the laid-off employee written notice identifying the other person including the reasons for the decision.
The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against laid-off employees for exercising their rights under the bill. A laid-off employee aggrieved by a violation would be allowed to bring civil action in Superior Court.
In public testimony about the bill, Senate President Martin M. Looney said it would protect workers, ensuring they will return to former jobs at former rates of pay and conditions of work, protecting them from being forced to reapply for their jobs as if they were new employees being hired at a much lower rate of pay. “The last year has been a long year for employees in our state as they have struggled with the economic hardship caused by the pandemic,” Senator Looney said. “We owe them a fair deal and a level playing field as they work to regain their former economic standing.”
The legislation passed the Labor and Public Employees Committee by a 9-4 vote in March. The legislation now moves to the House for their consideration.
Senator Haskell Joins Senate Passage of Legislation Expanding Access to Voting
Senator Haskell Joins Senate Passage of Legislation Expanding Access to Voting
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) voted in favor of Senate Bill 5, a comprehensive reform that will bring Connecticut’s elections into the 21st century. Some of the critical provisions included in this bill are the expansion of automatic voter registration, the development of an e-signature system for elections-related forms, and the development of an electronic absentee ballot application system. As Senate Vice-Chair of the Government Administrations and Election Committee, Sen. Haskell spoke on the Senate floor in support of the legislation.
“Across the country, we’re seeing states restrict access to the ballot, making democracy less convenient and government less representative. I’m so proud that Connecticut is moving in the opposite direction. We are modernizing our statutes, making elections more accessible and encouraging young people to make their voice heard,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m grateful for Senator Flexer’s leadership on this bill, and I’m so excited that my proposal to create a secure online portal for absentee ballot requests has been included in the comprehensive bill. Not too long ago, I was a college student trying my best to apply for an absentee ballot in Connecticut. Frankly it was a hassle, and too many of my peers decided to forgo the headache. This provision will help more young people step up and participate in the democratic process.”
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,” modernizes Connecticut’s voting standards by:
- Requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles, voter registration agencies and public higher education institutions to use an electronic system approved by the secretary of the state and compliant with the National Voting Rights Act to automatically transmit voter registration applications for qualified applicants to registrars of voters.
- Requiring the implementation of e-signature systems for most elections-related forms and applications.
- Requiring registrars of voters to annually distribute voter registration information at public high schools.
- Requiring town clerks to post notices for state, municipal elections on the town website.
- Adding “sibling” to the list of immediate family members and adds designees allowed to return absentee ballots on behalf of voters.
- Restoring electoral privileges for convicted felons upon release from confinement, eliminating current standards where individuals must be released from community residences, discharged from parole and pay all conviction-related fines before regaining voting rights.
- Creating a secure, online portal for absentee ballot applications. Ballots would still be delivered in paper format through the mail.
- Electors suffering from long-term illnesses will be made eligible for permanent absentee ballot status.
- Electors requiring assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability or inability to read or write can be given assistance at a polling place by a person of their choice.
- Co-sponsored by Senator Haskell and many of his Democratic colleagues, this legislation improves the accessibility and efficiency of the voting process, putting steps in place to grow the electorate in future elections.
Common Cause Connecticut testified earlier this year that SB5 will make voting more accessible while ensuring security and accuracy of voter rolls through automatic voter registration, a process that allows individuals to register to vote through a single interaction with an eligible government agency like the DMV. The policy has already been adopted in 23 states, it said, and can strengthen the accuracy of voter rolls and save municipalities money in the process. It further endorsed the drop boxes, online absentee ballot application and other examples of what it called “common-sense reforms.”
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving said the legislation matches its ideals for civic and resident engagement, raising up community voice and encouraging participation in the voting process; the AARP Connecticut testified that policies should be enacted encouraging and promoting maximum participation in the electoral process, with SB5 helping to seniors conveniently cast a ballot.