Senator Haskell Leads Senate Approval of Innovative Infrastructure Financing; Supports Parentage Act, Public Health Improvements
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, led the Senate debate on legislation that would allow the Department of Transportation to take advantage of innovative financing opportunities. This key step will pave the way for public private partnerships, allowing the state to finance major infrastructure improvements and compete for our fair share of federal dollars.
Additionally, Sen. Haskell voted to adopt the Connecticut Parentage Act, a bill that expands parentage rights for children born to same-sex couples and includes a recognition of non-biological parents. Finally, Senator Haskell spoke on the Senate floor about changes to public health statutes, including the important shift to require health clubs to provide and maintain automatic external defibrillators, an issue raised and championed by his constituent.
“As Congress is currently debating a historic and transformative investment in our transportation infrastructure, I’m focused on making sure Connecticut stands ready to apply for and receive federal grants” said Sen. Haskell. “From our aging rail line to our many decaying bridges, we can certainly demonstrate a need for assistance. But we fall short when it comes to utilizing innovative financing tools, including public private partnerships. Without partnership from the private sector, we’ll never be able to tackle the most important (and most expensive) improvements. This bill will pave the way for more innovation inside our Department of Transportation, leading to shorter commutes, less traffic and more modern trains.”
Senate Bill 920, “An Act Concerning Public-Private Partnerships,” authorizes the governor to approve up to five public-private partnership transportation projects through 2027. A public-private partnership is generally an agreement between a state executive branch or quasi-public agency and a private entity for the financing, design, construction, development, operation or maintenance of certain facilities. These agreements must be approved by the governor, who must find a project will create jobs and economic growth. Crucially, this bill will put more Connecticut residents to work and launch more transportive projects. The bill earned bipartisan support.
“As the proud uncle of two kids being raised by two wonderful father, this bill is a no-brainer,” said Sen. Haskell. “It’s time for our laws to recognize the equality and dignity of same-sex couples who have children. Gender-specific references with regard to parentage have no place in our states — especially not in the year 2021.”
House Bill 6321, “An Act Concerning Adoption And Implementation Of The Connecticut Parentage Act,” makes significant and wide-ranging changes to state statutes in its adoption of the Uniform Parentage Act, also known as the Connecticut Parentage Act. This bill makes changes including:
- Providing equal treatment under the law for children born to same-sex couples by taking actions including removing gender-specific references, such as changing “maternity” and “paternity” to “parentage”
- Expands recognition of non-biological parents by making marital, or “hold-out,” presumptions gender-neutral and establishing de-facto parentage, where a person is adjudicated to be a parent under certain circumstances
- Provides guidance on making formal judgments or decisions on parentage and competing claims of parentage, in other words creating best-interest-of-the-child factors for courts to consider
- Provides a process to establish acknowledged parentage through agreement
- Provides for making formal judgments on genetic parentage and updating rules governing children born under surrogacy
- Establishes a procedure to enable children conceived through assisted reproduction to access medical and identifying information about donors
“I’ll never forget the first time I heard from Suzanne Brennan, a constituent of mine in Ridgefield,” said Sen. Haskell. “She shared her family’s story, recounting the tragic loss of her husband due to a cardiac incident. He was working out at a gym, a place where people are statistically more likely to experience heart issues. Although an AED would have likely saved his life, there was no such device on site. Oddly, we require AEDs in schools and golf courses, but not gyms. This bill is about saving lives and preventing future tragedies, and I’m so grateful that Suzanne has advocated to help other families avoid losing their loves ones.”
Senate Bill 1083, “An Act Concerning Various Revisions To The Public Health Statutes,” makes several notable adjustments to public health statutes currently standing in Connecticut. Perhaps most importantly, the legislation requires health clubs to provide and maintain at least one automatic external defibrillator, also known as an AED, with employees trained in its use.
This issue was co-introduced by Sen. Haskell and Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, then championed by Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams. Studies show that the odds of survival in the event of a cardiac event more than double if an AED is on hand; conversely, chance of survival from cardiac events decreases up to 10 percent every minute defibrillation is not performed. Connecticut joins several other states, including Massachusetts, in requiring health clubs have AEDs.
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation Requiring Affordable Options for Long-Term Care Policies
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation Requiring Affordable Options for Long-Term Care Policies
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, led debate during the Senate Session on legislation that will ensure insurance coverage for seniors in Connecticut. Senate Bill 1046, ‘An Act Concerning Long-Term Care,’ requires the Insurance Commissioner to develop a set list of affordable benefit options for long-term care policies.
“Sky-rocketing long-term care insurance rates are a national crisis and a hardship for families across Connecticut,” said Sen. Lesser. “This bill closes a critical loophole that allows insurance companies to layer on increase after increase.”
SB 1046 puts consumer protections in place to prevent customers from financial harm. The legislation imposes measures on insurers, HMOs and other organizations issuing and selling long-term care insurance, action made necessary by the spiking cost of long-term care insurance for many residents in recent years and decades. Long-term care is designed to protect residents from the cost of nursing homes, elder care assistance and health care made necessary as an individual ages, but fluctuations in the market have caused significant turmoil for policyholders in recent years facing significant increases in premiums year after year.
Under existing law, insurance companies are required to phase in increases of over 20% over three years. A loophole allows them to come back multiple times during that three-year period, increasing rates multiple times. The legislation also requires the insurance commissioner to design plans with standardized affordable benefits – protecting cost-sensitive residents from being manipulated.
Under Senate Bill 1046, insurers filing for a rate increase of 20% or more will be prohibited from filing an additional rate increase during this period. They will have to wait until the three years of that policy is complete.
SB 1046 also requires the commissioner to develop and prescribe a minimum set of affordable benefit options to be offered by long-term care insurers that file for rate increases of 20% or more. Insurers must give policyholders the option of reducing their benefits to reduce their premium rate before implementing a rate increase.
Policyholders paid for their policies; for them to lose coverage just as they will require services will negatively impact their health, as would eschewing other important financial obligations to cover the cost of extreme premiums. Several seniors testified to the Legislature citing 15% annual increases and reductions of quality of plans in recent years, highlighting an increased financial strain that requires action.
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation that Provides Dental and Vision Health Insurance to Children
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation that Provides Dental and Vision Health Insurance to Children
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, led debate during the Senate Session on legislation that will provide and extend dental and vision health coverage for children, stepchildren, and other dependent children through the age of 26.
“Dental and vision coverage is essential for young adults,” said Sen. Lesser. “Over a decade ago, we allowed young adults to stay on their parents’ health plans. Allowing young people to stay on their parents’ dental and vision coverage to age 26 is incredibly good policy and ensures that they get continuity of care. With limited income, young adults are the most likely age group to go without coverage.”
Under Senate Bill 1004, ‘An Act Concerning Dental And Vision Insurance Coverage For Children, Stepchildren, And Other Dependent Children,’ these children would be able to retain dental and vision insurance coverage under their parents’ insurance policies until they turn 26 years old or obtain their own coverage through an employer. Currently, young people are kicked off their parents, guardian’s dental and vision health coverage plans at age 19.
In 2008, legislation was passed to allow children to remain on their parents’ health plan until age 26, however, dental and vision coverage was not included. Oral care is crucial for other health conditions. Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Vision is just as important. Regular eye exams are an important part of finding eye diseases early and preserving vision.
Many individuals at age 19 do not qualify for benefits through their employer and cannot be on their family plans due to their age. Thousands of students after high school and through their college years don’t have the ability to receive dental and vision healthcare coverage which is a huge disadvantage when it comes to this crucial care. Out of pocket costs can be detrimental to young individuals which leads to ending routine care.
Ages 19 to 26 are a time of transition for many, including college or graduate students, and people just starting their careers and families. Dental services are expensive and young people often have financial barriers that prohibit them from paying for care out of pocket.
According to a study conducted by Cigna, every dollar spent on preventative care (i.e. exams, cleanings, X-rays etc.) can help you save between $8 and $50 on restorative and emergency treatments. This is because preventative care is considered to be the most affordable form of dentistry. If a person wants to save money, the best thing they can do is stay proactive and commit to regular dental checkups every six months. Increasing the time frame a child is covered, decreases the chances of harmful diseases in the future.
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation Requiring Affordable Options for Long-Term Care Policies
State Senator Matt Lesser Leads Debate and Passage of Legislation Requiring Affordable Options for Long-Term Care Policies
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, led debate during the Senate Session on legislation that will ensure insurance coverage for seniors in Connecticut. Senate Bill 1046, ‘An Act Concerning Long-Term Care,’ requires the Insurance Commissioner to develop a set list of affordable benefit options for long-term care policies.
“Sky-rocketing long-term care insurance rates are a national crisis and a hardship for families across Connecticut,” said Sen. Lesser. “This bill closes a critical loophole that allows insurance companies to layer on increase after increase.”
SB 1046 puts consumer protections in place to prevent customers from financial harm. The legislation imposes measures on insurers, HMOs and other organizations issuing and selling long-term care insurance, action made necessary by the spiking cost of long-term care insurance for many residents in recent years and decades. Long-term care is designed to protect residents from the cost of nursing homes, elder care assistance and health care made necessary as an individual ages, but fluctuations in the market have caused significant turmoil for policyholders in recent years facing significant increases in premiums year after year.
Under existing law, insurance companies are required to phase in increases of over 20% over three years. A loophole allows them to come back multiple times during that three-year period, increasing rates multiple times. The legislation also requires the insurance commissioner to design plans with standardized affordable benefits – protecting cost-sensitive residents from being manipulated.
Under Senate Bill 1046, insurers filing for a rate increase of 20% or more will be prohibited from filing an additional rate increase during this period. They will have to wait until the three years of that policy is complete.
SB 1046 also requires the commissioner to develop and prescribe a minimum set of affordable benefit options to be offered by long-term care insurers that file for rate increases of 20% or more. Insurers must give policyholders the option of reducing their benefits to reduce their premium rate before implementing a rate increase.
Policyholders paid for their policies; for them to lose coverage just as they will require services will negatively impact their health, as would eschewing other important financial obligations to cover the cost of extreme premiums. Several seniors testified to the Legislature citing 15% annual increases and reductions of quality of plans in recent years, highlighting an increased financial strain that requires action.
Senator Lesser Votes in Favor of Hayln’s Law, Comprehensive Bill Improving Public Health
Senator Lesser Votes in Favor of Hayln’s Law, Comprehensive Bill Improving Public Health
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) voted in favor of a comprehensive bill to improve several fundamental and consequential aspects of public health. The legislation, Senate Bill 1083 “An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes,” revises how partners are labeled in marriage licenses, allows residents 16 years of age to donate blood and requires training for the identification of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The bill heads to the state House of Representatives after passing the state Senate.
Part of this legislation was inspired by a young girl who lost her life at 9 years old. The first section of the bill, also known as Halyn’s Law, emphasizes education amongst the medical examiner’s community and will lead to more accurate and uniform reporting of potential SUDEP cases amongst the epilepsy community.
“I’m so pleased we were able to pass Halyn’s Law in the Senate,” said Sen. Lesser. “A family in grief, the Murtha’s of Wethersfield, are turning their tragedy into hope for kids across our state. I am so grateful for the incredible advocacy of Chris Murtha, Halyn’s Dad, and his advocacy with the Epilepsy Foundation to help get the data we need to cure this condition.”
Halyn Murtha died from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) on May 25, 2019 just 2 months shy of her 10th birthday. Halyn was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was just 1 year old. Her parents, Chris Murtha and Dr. Victoria Murtha, who reside in Wethersfield, say she endured thousands of seizures in her short life, multiple combinations of medications and many hospital visits where she was hooked up to EEG monitoring equipment for days trying to find a cure for her epilepsy. Along her journey, she was additionally challenged with learning delays and autism. Her parents say her life was challenging, but she was happy and had a way of spreading her unique spirit with the world.
The bill previously passed out of the Public Health Committee by a 29-4 tally and makes the following changes to statues regarding public health, according to the Office of Legislative Research:
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
- Requires the Chief Medical Examiner, starting January 1, 2022, to complete at least one contact hour of training or education in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) as part of his required continuing medical education. This portion of this legislation is also referred to as Halyn’s Law in memory of Hayln Murtha of Wethersfield who was nine years of age when she died lof SUDEP in May of 2019.
- Under the bill, “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” is the death of someone with epilepsy that is not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes unrelated to epilepsy. By law, physicians must generally complete at least 50 hours of CME during every two years.
- According to the Epilepsy Foundation, annually more than one in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP making it the leading cause of death in people with uncontrolled seizures.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SUDEP occurs more often in people ages 21 to 40 compared to other age groups and counting SUDEP cases is hard because SUDEP is not always included on death certificates.
- Per the executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, Linda Wallace, this bill “will lead to more accurate and uniform reporting of potential SUDEP cases amongst the epilepsy community. This will result in the collection of critical data to help identify the causes and potential risk factors associated with SUDEP.”
- The Murtha family provided public testimony saying, “Like all parents, we want to see our children grow up to be healthy and happy, to protect them from harm, and to be a positive contributor to society. Halyn doesn’t have that chance to grow up and we couldn’t protect her from epilepsy. But she was happy, and this bill is one of the ways she can make a lasting contribution to society.”
- Under the bill, “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” is the death of someone with epilepsy that is not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes unrelated to epilepsy. By law, physicians must generally complete at least 50 hours of CME during every two years.
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in Health Clubs
- Requires licensed health clubs to provide and maintain at least one automatic external defibrillator (AED) and, among other things, ensure that at least one employee trained in its use is on the premises during business hours.
- Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the Department of Consumer Protection can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a health club’s license if it fails to comply with these requirements.
- AEDs save lives as the chances of a return to spontaneous circulation in people who suffer from out of hospital cardiac arrest is only 5% without the assistance of a defibrillator. Those odds increase to 25% with an defibrillator, according to Avive. Additionally, according to the American Heart Association median average for survival from a cardiac arrest with near-immediate bystander CPR and use of a public access defibrillator was around 40%
- Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the Department of Consumer Protection can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a health club’s license if it fails to comply with these requirements.
Hospital Patients and Notification to Family and Caregivers
- Requires hospital personnel to ask patients, upon admission, whether they want the hospital to notify a family member, caregiver, or support person about the admission.
- If the patient chooses the notification, hospital personnel must make reasonable efforts to contact the family member, caregiver, or support person as soon as practicable, but within 24 hours after the request.
- Existing law already requires hospitals to do this for the patient’s physician, upon the patient’s request.
Blood Donations by Minors
- Allows a 16-year-old, with parental or guardian written consent, to donate blood, or any of its components, and consent to blood withdrawal at a voluntary blood donation program.
- Existing law, unchanged by the bill, allows a person age 17 or older to do so without parental or guardian consent.
- Currently, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico and Wyoming are the only states that do not allow 16-year-olds to donate blood.
- Existing law, unchanged by the bill, allows a person age 17 or older to do so without parental or guardian consent.
Marriage Licenses
- Requires the public health commissioner, by January 1, 2022, to revise marriage license applications and certificates to replace references to “bride” and “groom” with “spouse one” and “spouse two.” The bill also removes the race ethnicity designation on marriage licenses.
Temporary Permits for Art Therapists
- By law, the Department of Public Health (DPH) may issue nonrenewable temporary permits to art therapist licensure applicants with a graduate degree in art therapy or a related field. The permit allows the holder to practice under the general supervision of a licensee.
- Existing law, unchanged by the bill, prohibits DPH from issuing a temporary permit to someone with a pending professional disciplinary action or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in any state. The commissioner may revoke a temporary permit for good cause, as she determines
Senator Moore Leads Passage of Bill to Create a Council to Oversee Fatherhood Initiatives in Connecticut
Senator Moore Leads Passage of Bill to Create a Council to Oversee Fatherhood Initiatives in Connecticut
Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), co-Chair of the Human Services Committee, led debate, discussion, and the passage of a bill that establishes a council to make recommendations concerning fatherhood initiatives. The Connecticut Fatherhood Initiatives (CFI) promotes the positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their children.
The bill, Senate Bill 912, An Act Concerning Funding And Oversight Of Fatherhood Initiatives, would also provide state funding for fatherhood initiatives. Children eligible or formerly eligible for services funded under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant would benefit from any available federal and private funds for programs that promote CFI objectives. Grants could provide employment and training opportunities for low-income fathers, classes in parenting and financial literacy, and other support services and programs that promote responsible parenting, economic stability, and interaction between fathers and children.
“Creating a council to oversee such an important initiative will help support fathers and children across Connecticut,” said Sen. Moore. “This bill means more support and resources to strengthen these important family relationships. A father plays an important role in a child’s life and I am proud to lead passage of this initiative and continue the good work of my former House colleague Pat Wilson Pheanious.”
Senator Moore spoke today about the important work former State Representative Pat Wilson Pheanious did as a single mother and raised the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative idea. Wilson Pheanious worked toward altering the way state agencies would deal with fathers looking for a way back into their children’s lives. She successfully worked to pass a legislative pilot program.
Senate Bill 912 would establish an advisory council to study and make recommendations concerning funding and oversight of fatherhood initiatives including the John S. Martinez Fatherhood Initiative. This Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative, named after former Representative John S. Martinez, who passed away in 2002, is a statewide collaborative effort to change the systems that can improve the ability of fathers to be fully and positively involved in the lives of their children. Rep. Martinez was an active member of the Fatherhood Advisory Council and was instrumental in sponsoring Fatherhood Initiative of Connecticut legislation which passed in 1999.
The John S. Martinez Fatherhood Initiative of Connecticut continues to work, support, and promote the positive interaction of fathers with their children. The initiative collaborates with a wide range of partners to assist communities and agencies in identifying and addressing the needs of fathers and families. The initiative focuses on four proven systems change strategies including, capacity-building in existing programs; infusing father-friendly principles and practices into existing systems; media advocacy to promote responsible fatherhood; and recommending social policy change to strengthen families.
This bill would also allow the advisory council, which will consist of at least 28 members, to study and recommend if fatherhood initiatives should be integrated with early childhood programs funded by the Office of Early Childhood, and whether the Office of Early Education or the Department of Education should oversee these initiatives. The council will oversee the collaboration between state agencies and provide services for fathers and families.
The council will also seek opportunities to coordinate services and support fathers eligible for services under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. Assistance would be provided to families so children can be cared for in their own homes while promoting independency and self-sufficient by promoting job preparation and work and marriage.
Sen. Duff Leads Senate Ban on the Import, Sale and Possession of Connecticut of Africa’s ‘Big Six’ Endangered Species
Sen. Duff Leads Senate Ban on the Import, Sale and Possession of Connecticut of Africa’s ‘Big Six’ Endangered Species
HARTFORD – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today led the Senate passage of the 2021 version of “Cecil’s Law, ” which would ban any person in Connecticut from importing, possessing, selling, offering for sale or transporting any of the big six endangered African animal species: elephant, lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, and giraffe.
The bill passed on a 30-3 bipartisan vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The bill is named after “Cecil,” a 13-year old lion who was part of a long-term university study who lived primarily in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and who was killed in July 2015 by an American hunter.
The bill – which passed the Senate in 2019 but was not raised for consideration that year in the House – bans importing, possessing, selling, offering for sale, or transporting in Connecticut a specimen (dead or alive) of any of the above six types of African animals.
There is a graduated penalty structure for violations, ranging from no penalty for someone who — unaware and in good faith — violates the ban, all the way up to a class D felony for someone with at least two prior violations subject to penalty. In all cases, the bill requires seizing the specimen and destroying it, unless the specimen is alive.
A first offense is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in prison, or both; subsequent offenses are class D felonies, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to five years in prison, or both.
The bill does contain several exemptions, however, including for a specimen that is already legally in the state, or distributed to a beneficiary or an heir, as long as the owner obtains a certificate of possession from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“These are beautiful, wild, endangered animals that we are seeking to protect and help save from extinction,” Sen. Duff said. “There’s not much that’s sporting about ambushing these amazing animals. African nations are working hard to protect these animals, and we need to do our part too to protect their heads and hides and body parts from being bought and sold on the international market.”
According to Friends of Animals, from 2005-2015, 59 trophy hunting permits were issued to Connecticut residents by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service so people could hunt and kill leopards for their trophies. Six additional permits were provided to Connecticut residents to kill African elephants in Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. From 2005-2016, Connecticut residents killed 39 lions and one giraffe and imported their trophies.
Senator Anwar Leads Senate Approval of Legislation Aligning Department of Children and Families with Modern Needs
Senator Anwar Leads Senate Approval of Legislation Aligning Department of Children and Families with Modern Needs
HARTFORD – State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today led the Senate’s approval of legislation updating the standards and laws of the Department of Children and Families. Sen. Anwar is the Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee. The legislation repeals several outdated standards while making slight adjustments that will better align the department with the needs of children statewide.
“I’m proud my colleagues and I were able to accomplish changes to benefit children statewide,” said Sen. Anwar. “From ensuring a health care professional joins the State Advisory Council on Children and Families to streamlining other processes to benefit the state’s aid and care for children, I believe this bill helps our aid to youths in Connecticut and look forward to its becoming law.”
Senate Bill 872, “An Act Concerning The Department of Children and Families’ Recommendations For Revisions To The Statutes Concerning Children,” makes nine significant changes to laws governing the Department of Children and Families. Several involve removing and repealing obsolete and unnecessary rules and standards, while others update DCF regulations to better meet children’s needs today. Changes include:
- Requiring the department to submit certain federally required reports to the legislature instead of a comprehensive strategic planning requirement
Eliminates a requirement for agencies including DCF to submit a twice-annual progress report on the Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Plan and data-driven recommendations to legislative committees - Repeals language regarding reporting mandates that the state has met
- Repeals a provision on reporting cases where children identify adults with significant relationships as resources when developing or revising a permanency plan
- Adds a licensed health care professional to the membership of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families
The legislation passed the Committee on Children unanimously in March and passed the Senate unanimously today. It now moves to the House.
Senator Hartley Joins Senate Approval of Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes Bill
Senator Hartley Joins Senate Approval of Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes Bill
State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) joined the state Senate to approve a bill that will expand the definition of domestic violence in state law to include the “coercive control” so often exhibited in domestic abuse situations that follows a pattern of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating acts that harm a person and deprive them of their freedom, autonomy and their human rights.
Senate Bill 1091, “AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE…” passed the Senate and moves on to a vote in the House of Representatives.
“There are people all across Connecticut that will be helped by this bill. This bill will provide greater access to legal representation for victims of domestic violence. In addition, it will give more protection to victims when testifying in court proceedings,” said Sen. Hartley. “I want to thank the legislators, victims and advocates that helped craft this bill and urged its approval. I am proud to lend it my support.”
SB 1091 is the result of months of work to update Connecticut’s domestic violence laws to allow more favorable and fair treatment of victims seeking restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and other matters in family court. If passed by the House and signed into law by the governor, Connecticut would join at least 17 states that have already incorporated more than physical violence into the criteria necessary for issuing a restraining order.
SB 1091 creates a more efficient restraining order process, allowing victims to email marshals the forms needed to serve a restraining order on the alleged abuser. Currently, the forms must be physically delivered by the applicant to the courthouse. The bill also allows victims the option of testifying remotely in court proceedings — and not in presence of their alleged abuser — if they have a hearing for a restraining order, a protective order, or a standing criminal protective order.
The bill requires that a safe space be provided to victims of family violence in all court locations constructed after July 1, 2021; it allows the state Department of Social Services to expedite general assistance to victims of domestic violence by not factoring in the income of the alleged abuser when determining the amount of assistance available to them; it requires court officials to consider cash-only bonds when previous family violence court orders have been violated; and it establishes a process for tenants to change the locks on their apartments after obtaining a protective order or a restraining order.
The bill’s creation of a new, so-called “Civil Gideon” program will, through the Connecticut Bar Foundation, provide grants to non-profits to provide legal services in the five judicial districts with the highest number of applications for restraining orders: Waterbury, Fairfield (Bridgeport), Hartford, New Haven, Stamford-Norwalk.
In one study, victims of domestic violence with access to legal counsel reported substantially less revictimization. Another study found that domestic violence victims with legal counsel had higher employment rates and used less government programs, thereby saving the sponsoring state twice as much as the program’s cost.
Various aspects of the public policies included in SB 1091 have been supported by a broad range of state and national organizations, including: The Center for Family Justice; Child USA (National); CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence; CT Voices for Children; CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence; CT Legal Services; CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund; CWCSEO; Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury; Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund (National); Domestic Violence Crisis Center (lower Fairfield County); Greater Hartford Legal Aid; Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund; New Haven Legal Assistance Association; Prudence Crandall Center (New Britain and surrounding towns); Safe & Together Institute (Canton); and the YWCA of Greenwich.
Senator Kushner Leads Senate Adoption of Labor Bills Strengthening Rights for Domestic, Green Energy Workers
Senator Kushner Leads Senate Adoption of Labor Bills Strengthening Rights for Domestic, Green Energy Workers
HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, led the Senate’s approval of key labor bills seeking to ensure workers’ rights are upheld. One piece of legislation broadens the information domestic workers receive regarding job duties, providing these key workers with knowledge about their employment to better inform them; the other centers on the need for more renewable energy projects in the state that will provide good jobs with benefits for Connecticut’s skilled workers and encourage workforce development to ensure local hiring.
“Historically, new immigrants and Black and Brown workers have made up the majority of domestic workers so many Connecticut families rely upon to care for their homes and families. In many cases, these workers do not know what they’re entitled to under current Connecticut law,” said Sen. Kushner. “This bill provides organizational support to educate and train domestic workers and requires employers to provide a written description of the hours of work and expectations of the employer upon hire. This bill is exciting, because it’s innovative. We will utilize existing organizations – trusted organizations, organizations that already doing the work to, in essence, partner with the state to get the word out about wage and hour laws, as well as to assist workers in filing claims if there is a problem. This puts the state in better position to make sure domestic workers are being treated fairly and have opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t know they had.”
Senate Bill 943, “An Act Requiring Employers To Provide Certain Information To Domestic Workers At The Time Of Hire And Establishing An Education And Training Grant Program For Domestic Workers,” requires employers of certain domestic workers – including housekeepers, home management, child care, laundering, meal preparation, home companion services and caretakers – to receive key information upon their hiring about their pay rate, hours of employment and pay schedule. The bill requires employers to inform workers about: job duties and responsibilities, availability of sick leave, rest days, vacation, personal days and holidays; and whether they will be charged for board and lodging. This is in addition to existing law requiring information on wages, vacation pay, sick leave and health and welfare benefits, among others.
The legislation further establishes a domestic workers education and training program for these workers, assisting qualified organizations such as nonprofits working with domestic workers in providing education and training for both workers and employers, online resources for domestic workers and their employers, and technical and legal assistance to domestic workers and employers through legal service providers.
Domestic workers are often women and people of color, working important jobs that keep households thriving across the state and that act to support the economy. These same workers are not covered under the National Labor Relations Act, holding back many workers from being fully informed on their rights. Senate Bill 943 changes this, empowering these vital workers with the skills and knowledge they must know to ensure their rights are not being violated.
Senate Bill 943 was approved by the Labor and Public Employees Committee by a 9-4 vote in March and by the Appropriations Committee by a 31-16 vote May 3. It now proceeds to the House.
“Moving to Green Energy is critical to the survival of our planet. With the growth of green energy in our state, it’s important to make sure our skilled workers are aren’t left behind. We’ve relied on this workforce for every major energy project in the past, this makes sure that these future jobs will be there for them, with good wages and good benefits,” said Sen. Kushner. “This bill supports workforce development for long-term growth in the industry; it supports our communities in making sure large-scale projects benefit the towns and cities they will take place in; it makes sure workers are paid well and fairly.”
Senate Bill 999, “An Act Concerning A Just Transition To Climate-Protective Energy Production and Community Investment,” requires the developers of renewable energy projects including projects supporting energy efficiency improvements, upgrades to building electrification, developing renewable energy or enhancing resilience against climate change, with construction costs and/or facility costs of at least $2.5 million, to meet certain requirements. A developer, under the legislation, must:
- Enter a community benefits agreement with a community organization representing the host community’s residents. That agreement details the projects contributions to the host community and any aspects of the project that will mitigate adverse conditions in that host community, creating opportunities for businesses, communities and workers.
- Ensure the establishment of a workforce development program, giving newly hired and existing employees opportunities to develop skills qualifying them for higher-paid jobs on covered projects. This can include apprenticeship training through state or federal agencies as well as pre-apprenticeship training enabling students to qualify for registered apprenticeship training.
Ensure each contractor and subcontractor involved in project building has necessary resources to perform portions on the covered project, has all licenses and certifications required, participates in apprenticeship training and has not seen major issues in previous projects in the previous three years. Contractors must also pay workers at least applicable wages for their classifications and will not misclassify workers as independent contractors.
Construction employees must also be paid at least the prevailing wage for their job classifications, with contractors required to submit monthly certified payroll records ensuring this pay rate, with failure to pay such wages resulting in fines or other penalties. Operations, maintenance and security employees of buildings must also be paid the standard wage for their job classifications.
Construction projects covered by project labor agreements are exempt under the legislation.
This legislation is intended to ensure the growing adoption of renewable energy in Connecticut dovetails with creating well-paying jobs in that industry. It prepares workers by training them and developing their skills, creating a talent pipeline as green energy continues to expand in use and popularity; it also ensures the industry develops fair-paying positions and community-oriented practices supporting not only the state’s workers but the public and environmental health of Connecticut as a whole.
The legislation passed the Labor and Public Employees Committee by a 9-4 vote in March. It now proceeds to the House.