Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Addresses issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment

HARTFORD, CT — Today, the Senate Democratic Majority of the Connecticut General Assembly announced the first of its legislative priorities for the 2023 session, focusing on creating “A Safer Connecticut” for our residents by addressing the issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment.

Today’s announcement marks the first of four successive days of public policy statements from Senate Democrats on a wide variety of issues confronting Connecticut and its residents: improved personal safety, strengthening education and Connecticut’s workforce, improving mental and physical health, and lowering costs for consumers.

“Safety has been at the crux of all modern societies. As far back as 1689 in John Locke’s ‘Second Treatise on Civil Government’ he states ‘The great end of men’s entering into society being the enjoyment of their properties in peace and safety,'” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven). “Fast forward to 2023 and our safety concerns have moved past the worries over the absolute power of a King or Lord to the unchecked power of massive technology corporations. The fear of being broadsided by a passing horse has been replaced by the fear of being broadsided by a 5,000 pound pickup truck while crossing the street, riding a bike, or changing lanes in a vehicle. The times have changed but the need for safety remains. Our ‘A Safer Connecticut’ agenda addresses through sound public policy the varying safety concerns we all have in a modern world.”

“As a father of two older boys, I understand the pleas of children for the latest and greatest cell phone,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “When that parent finally breaks down and buys that new phone for their child like we all do, we need to make sure our kids are safe and protected once they power that device on. Big Tech is collecting too much data on all of us, but especially our children. That data is bought and sold, exploiting our most personal information. Beyond the technology companies, there is the very real increase of online threats, stalking and harassment by dangerous individuals. We need to be doing everything we can to not only hold those criminals accountable, but also to prevent their access to our youth in the first place.”

Today’s “A Safer Connecticut” announcement focuses on a number of public policy areas including:

Online Safety & Privacy

Senate Bill 3: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY AND PROTECTIONS will help reduce electronic harassment by modernizing state laws to deal with ever-changing electronic harassment methods.

“With the proliferation of online hacking and the scamming we have a responsibility to try and stay one step ahead of them. It’s a never-ending challenge,” said state Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), who is Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “What we see happening with adult online users is problematic. What is even scarier is the access online predators have to our children.”

“Privacy is a human right,” said state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford). “Medical information should only be accessible to a patient and their medical provider. The choice to have a family or not have a family should be between a woman and her medical professionals, and not intruded on by digital advertising. We have seen a rise in anxiety among children and much of that has been caused by the increase in social media usage. We are seeking to ensure that apps designed for children are designed with the best interest of the child in mind, not with what is best for the bottom line.”

From 2014 to 2020, the share of Americans reporting online experience with physical threats, stalking, sexual harassment, or sustained harassment has risen from 14% to 25% (Emily A. Vogels, The State of Online Harassment, Pew Research, January 13, 2021). As more of our world moves online and children engage online at younger and younger ages, Connecticut needs to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect people, especially kids, online.

Many people are familiar with federal HIPPA laws, which require your personal health information to be kept private between you, your doctor, and anyone you choose to share it with (such as a spouse or insurance company). But there’s a lot more private health information that is not covered by HIPPA, such as your phone location if you visit an abortion clinic, or a menstrual cycle app that you keep on a smartphone.

Law enforcement officials are also constantly challenged by electronic harassment, threats, fraud and other illegal acts that can be hard to investigate and prosecute.
Senate Bill 3 seeks to address both of these issues by:

Identifying and holding accountable individuals who have an online presence only to gain personal information and potentially try to harm children
Maintaining a woman’s privacy when she seeks medical care at a medical office or abortion clinic by outlawing any ‘geo-fencing’ which could be triggered when a smartphone or other device enters a particular location
Assisting law enforcement by requiring that when a warrant is issued to investigate suspected criminal activity at a telecommunication provider, website, or social media site, that telecom provider cannot disclose the existence of the warrant to the target for 90 days, in order to prevent the possible deletion or destruction of any electronic evidence
Placing more restrictions on social media companies and other online entities that collect and sell the personal information of children under age 18
Requiring employers, when responding to recommendations about a previous employee, to disclose any history of sexual harassment where a complaint was filed, as well as all acts of sexual assault
Requiring dating apps to ask users whether they are on a sex offender registry, notifying them that providing false information is a crime, and then requiring that online platform to disclose that information in the user’s online profile

Domestic Violence

Senate Bill 5: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTIONS AGAINST AND RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, will provide even greater protections for – and enhanced responses to – people involved in domestic and intimate partner violence.

“Connecticut is known for being at the forefront nationally when it comes to domestic violence protections,” said state Senator Mae Flexer.” We have an obligation to continue looking at ways to protect the lives of those who have been victims of, or who could become victims of, domestic or intimate partner violence. We will continue to invest in the systems that support survivors in our courts, through counseling for families and children and the housing needs that are more and more dire. We also need to send a strong message to potential abusers that we will do everything in our power to stop the abuse, hold you accountable and to protect lives from harm.”:

Senate Bill 5 will::

Look at new standards (i.e. acceptable timely responses) between local police departments and state offices, such as the State’s Attorney’s Office
Examine and expand the Judicial Branch pilot program which uses GPS monitoring of certain people convicted of violating a protective order
Continue innovative funding for advocates that support survivors and children and fill in the gap for a decline in federal funds for domestic violence agencies across the state
Prevent a domestic violence victim from having to pay any alimony to an abuser convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or certain other Class A and B felonies

Mental Health and Addiction

Senate Bill 9: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS, will strengthen our response to the fentanyl and opioid epidemic and improve access to physical, mental and behavioral health care.

“In the first nine months of 2022 we had over 1,000 drug overdose deaths in Connecticut – four people a day on average” said state Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), who is Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. “It’s almost all opioids and fentanyl, and it’s affecting people in their homes, across decades of different age ranges, and impacting whites, Blacks and Hispanics in large numbers. We can and must do more for our state residents to protect them from this scourge of tainted and deadly drugs.”

According to the state Department of Public Health, from January to the first week of November 2022, there were 1,139 confirmed fatal overdoses in Connecticut, with 85% of the cases involving fentanyl and 24% involving the animal tranquilizer xylazine. In 2021, about 60% of drug overdose deaths occurred in the person’s home.

Senate Bill 9 will:

Create more access to the anti-overdose drug Narcan, such as through bulk purchases or prescribing it along with new and refilled opioid prescriptions
Pilot a safe injection site program
Create more access to fentanyl strips, which test unregulated or counterfeit drugs for possible fentanyl contamination in powder or pill form
Improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), such as hormonal implants and hormonal or copper IUD’s
Allow for pharmacist-provided (over-the-counter) contraceptive care, such as birth control pills, without a doctor’s prescription. Both The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Academy of Family

Physicians have called for making birth control pills available over-the-counter without a prescription

Create new discharge standards for patients being discharged from a hospital and or nursing homes
Expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce by creating job pipelines at younger ages (similar to Connecticut’s existing technical school job pipeline for manufacturing jobs)
Improve EMS services throughout Connecticut through increased state funding

Motorist, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety

“While there has been increased focus on making improvements to roadway safety, the seemingly constant barrage of wrong-way driver reports and news of motorist, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are evidence that much more needs to be done,” said state Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), who is the new Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee. “If the people of Connecticut are serious about creating safer roadways in our state – and I believe that they most certainly are – we are going to offer them some fairly comprehensive new public policies to help achieve that.”

“Last year, Connecticut saw its highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1988. Meanwhile, the number of fatal crashes on state roads has increased about 40% since 2019. Additionally, wrong-way driving deaths in Connecticut more than doubled from 2018 to 2022.

Topics that the Transportation Committee will be looking at include:

Implementing additional countermeasures to decrease accidents and fatalities caused by wrong-way driving
Creating a State Police “fatal collision reduction team” charged with identifying the motor vehicle violations most associated with crashes, identify intersections throughout Connecticut with a history of crashes, and engage in high-visibility enforcement of these violations and intersections
Creating violation-specific motor vehicle license retraining classes
Studying whether bicyclists should stop at red lights, and whether to amend Connecticut’s right-on-red turn law (such as banning right turns at red lights where a crosswalk is present)
Creating a new driver video regarding laws impacting motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to reduce accidents as part of the state MV licensing requirement
Creating a public health campaign at pharmacy counters and cannabis retailers warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of certain medications or cannabis
Allowing cities and towns to install automatic speed cameras and issue infractions in school zones and at intersections with a history of crashes
Requiring drivers to stop and grant the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk, rather than “slow or stop” for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as is current law
Allowing speed limits not to exceed 65mph on multiple lane, limited access highways in Connecticut, rather than setting an established speed of 65 mph (i.e. speed limits could be lower on certain roadways depending on design, population and traffic flow)
Banning all open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Connecticut is one of just 11 states in America and the only state in the Northeast that allows open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles
Requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet; there have been 190 unhelmeted motorcycle operators or passengers fatally injured on Connecticut roads over the past five years

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Addresses issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment

Today’s “A Safer Connecticut” announcement focuses on a number of public policy areas including:

Online Safety & Privacy

Senate Bill 3: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY AND PROTECTIONS will help reduce electronic harassment by modernizing state laws to deal with ever-changing electronic harassment methods.

Identifying and holding accountable individuals who have an online presence only to gain personal information and potentially try to harm children
Maintaining a woman’s privacy when she seeks medical care at a medical office or abortion clinic by outlawing any ‘geo-fencing’ which could be triggered when a smartphone or other device enters a particular location
Assisting law enforcement by requiring that when a warrant is issued to investigate suspected criminal activity at a telecommunication provider, website, or social media site, that telecom provider cannot disclose the existence of the warrant to the target for 90 days, in order to prevent the possible deletion or destruction of any electronic evidence
Placing more restrictions on social media companies and other online entities that collect and sell the personal information of children under age 18
Requiring employers, when responding to recommendations about a previous employee, to disclose any history of sexual harassment where a complaint was filed, as well as all acts of sexual assault
Requiring dating apps to ask users whether they are on a sex offender registry, notifying them that providing false information is a crime, and then requiring that online platform to disclose that information in the user’s online profile

Domestic Violence

Senate Bill 5 will::

Look at new standards (i.e. acceptable timely responses) between local police departments and state offices, such as the State’s Attorney’s Office
Examine and expand the Judicial Branch pilot program which uses GPS monitoring of certain people convicted of violating a protective order
Continue innovative funding for advocates that support survivors and children and fill in the gap for a decline in federal funds for domestic violence agencies across the state
Prevent a domestic violence victim from having to pay any alimony to an abuser convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or certain other Class A and B felonies

Mental Health and Addiction

Senate Bill 9 will:

Create more access to the anti-overdose drug Narcan, such as through bulk purchases or prescribing it along with new and refilled opioid prescriptions
Pilot a safe injection site program
Create more access to fentanyl strips, which test unregulated or counterfeit drugs for possible fentanyl contamination in powder or pill form
Improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), such as hormonal implants and hormonal or copper IUD’s
Allow for pharmacist-provided (over-the-counter) contraceptive care, such as birth control pills, without a doctor’s prescription. Both The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Academy of Family

Physicians have called for making birth control pills available over-the-counter without a prescription

Create new discharge standards for patients being discharged from a hospital and or nursing homes
Expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce by creating job pipelines at younger ages (similar to Connecticut’s existing technical school job pipeline for manufacturing jobs)
Improve EMS services throughout Connecticut through increased state funding

Motorist, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety

Topics that the Transportation Committee will be looking at include:

Implementing additional countermeasures to decrease accidents and fatalities caused by wrong-way driving
Creating a State Police “fatal collision reduction team” charged with identifying the motor vehicle violations most associated with crashes, identify intersections throughout Connecticut with a history of crashes, and engage in high-visibility enforcement of these violations and intersections
Creating violation-specific motor vehicle license retraining classes
Studying whether bicyclists should stop at red lights, and whether to amend Connecticut’s right-on-red turn law (such as banning right turns at red lights where a crosswalk is present)
Creating a new driver video regarding laws impacting motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to reduce accidents as part of the state MV licensing requirement
Creating a public health campaign at pharmacy counters and cannabis retailers warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of certain medications or cannabis
Allowing cities and towns to install automatic speed cameras and issue infractions in school zones and at intersections with a history of crashes
Requiring drivers to stop and grant the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk, rather than “slow or stop” for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as is current law
Allowing speed limits not to exceed 65mph on multiple lane, limited access highways in Connecticut, rather than setting an established speed of 65 mph (i.e. speed limits could be lower on certain roadways depending on design, population and traffic flow)
Banning all open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Connecticut is one of just 11 states in America and the only state in the Northeast that allows open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles
Requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet; there have been 190 unhelmeted motorcycle operators or passengers fatally injured on Connecticut roads over the past five years

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Addresses issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment

Today’s “A Safer Connecticut” announcement focuses on a number of public policy areas including:

Online Safety & Privacy

Senate Bill 3: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY AND PROTECTIONS will help reduce electronic harassment by modernizing state laws to deal with ever-changing electronic harassment methods.

Identifying and holding accountable individuals who have an online presence only to gain personal information and potentially try to harm children
Maintaining a woman’s privacy when she seeks medical care at a medical office or abortion clinic by outlawing any ‘geo-fencing’ which could be triggered when a smartphone or other device enters a particular location
Assisting law enforcement by requiring that when a warrant is issued to investigate suspected criminal activity at a telecommunication provider, website, or social media site, that telecom provider cannot disclose the existence of the warrant to the target for 90 days, in order to prevent the possible deletion or destruction of any electronic evidence
Placing more restrictions on social media companies and other online entities that collect and sell the personal information of children under age 18
Requiring employers, when responding to recommendations about a previous employee, to disclose any history of sexual harassment where a complaint was filed, as well as all acts of sexual assault
Requiring dating apps to ask users whether they are on a sex offender registry, notifying them that providing false information is a crime, and then requiring that online platform to disclose that information in the user’s online profile

Domestic Violence

Senate Bill 5 will::

Look at new standards (i.e. acceptable timely responses) between local police departments and state offices, such as the State’s Attorney’s Office
Examine and expand the Judicial Branch pilot program which uses GPS monitoring of certain people convicted of violating a protective order
Continue innovative funding for advocates that support survivors and children and fill in the gap for a decline in federal funds for domestic violence agencies across the state
Prevent a domestic violence victim from having to pay any alimony to an abuser convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or certain other Class A and B felonies

Mental Health and Addiction

Senate Bill 9 will:

Create more access to the anti-overdose drug Narcan, such as through bulk purchases or prescribing it along with new and refilled opioid prescriptions
Pilot a safe injection site program
Create more access to fentanyl strips, which test unregulated or counterfeit drugs for possible fentanyl contamination in powder or pill form
Improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), such as hormonal implants and hormonal or copper IUD’s
Allow for pharmacist-provided (over-the-counter) contraceptive care, such as birth control pills, without a doctor’s prescription. Both The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Academy of Family

Physicians have called for making birth control pills available over-the-counter without a prescription

Create new discharge standards for patients being discharged from a hospital and or nursing homes
Expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce by creating job pipelines at younger ages (similar to Connecticut’s existing technical school job pipeline for manufacturing jobs)
Improve EMS services throughout Connecticut through increased state funding

Motorist, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety

Topics that the Transportation Committee will be looking at include:

Implementing additional countermeasures to decrease accidents and fatalities caused by wrong-way driving
Creating a State Police “fatal collision reduction team” charged with identifying the motor vehicle violations most associated with crashes, identify intersections throughout Connecticut with a history of crashes, and engage in high-visibility enforcement of these violations and intersections
Creating violation-specific motor vehicle license retraining classes
Studying whether bicyclists should stop at red lights, and whether to amend Connecticut’s right-on-red turn law (such as banning right turns at red lights where a crosswalk is present)
Creating a new driver video regarding laws impacting motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to reduce accidents as part of the state MV licensing requirement
Creating a public health campaign at pharmacy counters and cannabis retailers warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of certain medications or cannabis
Allowing cities and towns to install automatic speed cameras and issue infractions in school zones and at intersections with a history of crashes
Requiring drivers to stop and grant the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk, rather than “slow or stop” for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as is current law
Allowing speed limits not to exceed 65mph on multiple lane, limited access highways in Connecticut, rather than setting an established speed of 65 mph (i.e. speed limits could be lower on certain roadways depending on design, population and traffic flow)
Banning all open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Connecticut is one of just 11 states in America and the only state in the Northeast that allows open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles
Requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet; there have been 190 unhelmeted motorcycle operators or passengers fatally injured on Connecticut roads over the past five years

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Addresses issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment

Today’s “A Safer Connecticut” announcement focuses on a number of public policy areas including:

Online Safety & Privacy

Senate Bill 3: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY AND PROTECTIONS will help reduce electronic harassment by modernizing state laws to deal with ever-changing electronic harassment methods.

Identifying and holding accountable individuals who have an online presence only to gain personal information and potentially try to harm children
Maintaining a woman’s privacy when she seeks medical care at a medical office or abortion clinic by outlawing any ‘geo-fencing’ which could be triggered when a smartphone or other device enters a particular location
Assisting law enforcement by requiring that when a warrant is issued to investigate suspected criminal activity at a telecommunication provider, website, or social media site, that telecom provider cannot disclose the existence of the warrant to the target for 90 days, in order to prevent the possible deletion or destruction of any electronic evidence
Placing more restrictions on social media companies and other online entities that collect and sell the personal information of children under age 18
Requiring employers, when responding to recommendations about a previous employee, to disclose any history of sexual harassment where a complaint was filed, as well as all acts of sexual assault
Requiring dating apps to ask users whether they are on a sex offender registry, notifying them that providing false information is a crime, and then requiring that online platform to disclose that information in the user’s online profile

Domestic Violence

Senate Bill 5 will::

Look at new standards (i.e. acceptable timely responses) between local police departments and state offices, such as the State’s Attorney’s Office
Examine and expand the Judicial Branch pilot program which uses GPS monitoring of certain people convicted of violating a protective order
Continue innovative funding for advocates that support survivors and children and fill in the gap for a decline in federal funds for domestic violence agencies across the state
Prevent a domestic violence victim from having to pay any alimony to an abuser convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or certain other Class A and B felonies

Mental Health and Addiction

Senate Bill 9 will:

Create more access to the anti-overdose drug Narcan, such as through bulk purchases or prescribing it along with new and refilled opioid prescriptions
Pilot a safe injection site program
Create more access to fentanyl strips, which test unregulated or counterfeit drugs for possible fentanyl contamination in powder or pill form
Improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), such as hormonal implants and hormonal or copper IUD’s
Allow for pharmacist-provided (over-the-counter) contraceptive care, such as birth control pills, without a doctor’s prescription. Both The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Academy of Family

Physicians have called for making birth control pills available over-the-counter without a prescription

Create new discharge standards for patients being discharged from a hospital and or nursing homes
Expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce by creating job pipelines at younger ages (similar to Connecticut’s existing technical school job pipeline for manufacturing jobs)
Improve EMS services throughout Connecticut through increased state funding

Motorist, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety

Topics that the Transportation Committee will be looking at include:

Implementing additional countermeasures to decrease accidents and fatalities caused by wrong-way driving
Creating a State Police “fatal collision reduction team” charged with identifying the motor vehicle violations most associated with crashes, identify intersections throughout Connecticut with a history of crashes, and engage in high-visibility enforcement of these violations and intersections
Creating violation-specific motor vehicle license retraining classes
Studying whether bicyclists should stop at red lights, and whether to amend Connecticut’s right-on-red turn law (such as banning right turns at red lights where a crosswalk is present)
Creating a new driver video regarding laws impacting motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to reduce accidents as part of the state MV licensing requirement
Creating a public health campaign at pharmacy counters and cannabis retailers warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of certain medications or cannabis
Allowing cities and towns to install automatic speed cameras and issue infractions in school zones and at intersections with a history of crashes
Requiring drivers to stop and grant the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk, rather than “slow or stop” for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as is current law
Allowing speed limits not to exceed 65mph on multiple lane, limited access highways in Connecticut, rather than setting an established speed of 65 mph (i.e. speed limits could be lower on certain roadways depending on design, population and traffic flow)
Banning all open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Connecticut is one of just 11 states in America and the only state in the Northeast that allows open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles
Requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet; there have been 190 unhelmeted motorcycle operators or passengers fatally injured on Connecticut roads over the past five years

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Webmaster

Senate Democrats Announce “A Safer Connecticut” Agenda

Addresses issues of domestic violence, online privacy, transportation safety, and improved access to mental health and addiction treatment

Today’s “A Safer Connecticut” announcement focuses on a number of public policy areas including:

Online Safety & Privacy

Senate Bill 3: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE PRIVACY AND PROTECTIONS will help reduce electronic harassment by modernizing state laws to deal with ever-changing electronic harassment methods.

Identifying and holding accountable individuals who have an online presence only to gain personal information and potentially try to harm children
Maintaining a woman’s privacy when she seeks medical care at a medical office or abortion clinic by outlawing any ‘geo-fencing’ which could be triggered when a smartphone or other device enters a particular location
Assisting law enforcement by requiring that when a warrant is issued to investigate suspected criminal activity at a telecommunication provider, website, or social media site, that telecom provider cannot disclose the existence of the warrant to the target for 90 days, in order to prevent the possible deletion or destruction of any electronic evidence
Placing more restrictions on social media companies and other online entities that collect and sell the personal information of children under age 18
Requiring employers, when responding to recommendations about a previous employee, to disclose any history of sexual harassment where a complaint was filed, as well as all acts of sexual assault
Requiring dating apps to ask users whether they are on a sex offender registry, notifying them that providing false information is a crime, and then requiring that online platform to disclose that information in the user’s online profile

Domestic Violence

Senate Bill 5 will::

Look at new standards (i.e. acceptable timely responses) between local police departments and state offices, such as the State’s Attorney’s Office
Examine and expand the Judicial Branch pilot program which uses GPS monitoring of certain people convicted of violating a protective order
Continue innovative funding for advocates that support survivors and children and fill in the gap for a decline in federal funds for domestic violence agencies across the state
Prevent a domestic violence victim from having to pay any alimony to an abuser convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, or certain other Class A and B felonies

Mental Health and Addiction

Senate Bill 9 will:

Create more access to the anti-overdose drug Narcan, such as through bulk purchases or prescribing it along with new and refilled opioid prescriptions
Pilot a safe injection site program
Create more access to fentanyl strips, which test unregulated or counterfeit drugs for possible fentanyl contamination in powder or pill form
Improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS), such as hormonal implants and hormonal or copper IUD’s
Allow for pharmacist-provided (over-the-counter) contraceptive care, such as birth control pills, without a doctor’s prescription. Both The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Academy of Family

Physicians have called for making birth control pills available over-the-counter without a prescription

Create new discharge standards for patients being discharged from a hospital and or nursing homes
Expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce by creating job pipelines at younger ages (similar to Connecticut’s existing technical school job pipeline for manufacturing jobs)
Improve EMS services throughout Connecticut through increased state funding

Motorist, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety

Topics that the Transportation Committee will be looking at include:

Implementing additional countermeasures to decrease accidents and fatalities caused by wrong-way driving
Creating a State Police “fatal collision reduction team” charged with identifying the motor vehicle violations most associated with crashes, identify intersections throughout Connecticut with a history of crashes, and engage in high-visibility enforcement of these violations and intersections
Creating violation-specific motor vehicle license retraining classes
Studying whether bicyclists should stop at red lights, and whether to amend Connecticut’s right-on-red turn law (such as banning right turns at red lights where a crosswalk is present)
Creating a new driver video regarding laws impacting motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to reduce accidents as part of the state MV licensing requirement
Creating a public health campaign at pharmacy counters and cannabis retailers warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of certain medications or cannabis
Allowing cities and towns to install automatic speed cameras and issue infractions in school zones and at intersections with a history of crashes
Requiring drivers to stop and grant the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk, rather than “slow or stop” for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as is current law
Allowing speed limits not to exceed 65mph on multiple lane, limited access highways in Connecticut, rather than setting an established speed of 65 mph (i.e. speed limits could be lower on certain roadways depending on design, population and traffic flow)
Banning all open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle in Connecticut. Connecticut is one of just 11 states in America and the only state in the Northeast that allows open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles
Requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet; there have been 190 unhelmeted motorcycle operators or passengers fatally injured on Connecticut roads over the past five years

Sen. Maher Joins in for Book Giveaway at Ferguson Library in Stamford

Posted on January 28, 2023November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

Sen. Maher Joins in for Book Giveaway at Ferguson Library in Stamford

STAMFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) joined local families and children for an afternoon of reading at the Ferguson Library in Stamford as part of a Winter Wonderland Book Giveaway for students in grades pre-K to fifth. The event, which included guest readers, snacks and encouraged people of all ages to sign up for a library card, was organized by the Ferguson Library and Stamford Public Education Foundation. Sen. Maher said this event was an excellent way to get children reading, and for those already in love with the written word, deepen their passion for reading books.

“Today was an amazing day and success for the Ferguson Library and all of the children who picked up a book or got their very first library card,” said Sen. Maher. “We know how important reading and literacy are for our children, but it’s even more important to create a safe space for young people to develop a positive relationship with reading. Events like the one today accomplishes this important step of fostering positive environments for young readers by blending books, family and community.”

In addition to reading and adding books to their collections at home, families were also invited to create winter-themed crafts. The Ferguson Library is located on 1 Public Library Plaza and is open Monday-Thursday from 10 am-8 pm, Fridays from 10 am-6 pm, Saturdays from 10 am-5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm-5 pm.

Manchester Delegation To Host Legislative Forum In Manchester On February 2

Posted on January 27, 2023November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

Manchester Delegation To Host Legislative Forum In Manchester On February 2

On February 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Manchester delegation of legislators including State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-Manchester), State Representative Jeff Currey (D-Manchester), State Representative Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester and State Representative Jason Doucette (D-Manchester) will host a legislative forum open to the public at the Whiton Library, located at 100 North Main Street in Manchester.

The forum will involve introductions from elected officials followed by a question-and-answer period where residents can ask questions, discuss policy proposals and get more information from their representatives in Hartford.

“As a new Senator, I’m excited for this opportunity to meet with the public and hear their concerns about issues impacting our daily lives,” said Sen. Rahman. “The feedback and input we receive from our constituents will help inform our work at the Capitol during this year’s legislative session and beyond.”

“I always look forward to the opportunity to meet with residents face-to-face and really talk about their concerns and ideas,” said Majority Leader Rojas. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the conversation and better understand the key issues of importance to our communities as we proceed with the legislative session.”

“I encourage residents to come out and be a part of the conversation,” said Rep. Currey. Even if you only are looking to learn a little bit more about how we are representing our communities and how a bill becomes a law at the State Capitol, it’s so important to play an active role in the process. Having the opportunity to hear directly from you is how I become a better legislator.”

“Conversation and feedback from constituents helps shape my legislative priorities,” said Rep. Luxenberg, whose district lies solely in Manchester. “I want to know what we can do at the State Capitol to help people who are struggling.”

“I am looking forward to hearing directly from constituents about the issues that matter the most to them,” said Rep. Doucette, whose district includes parts of Glastonbury and Manchester. “The feedback is invaluable to my legislative work.”

SEN. MARX WELCOMES OVER $400,000 IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL CULTURAL, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Posted on January 26, 2023November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

SEN. MARX WELCOMES OVER $400,000 IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL CULTURAL, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed 40 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants totaling $442,800 for various museums, performing arts venues, historical societies and other cultural and arts organizations in the 20th Senate District. These grants were awarded by CT Humanities to organizations locally and across Connecticut and were funded by the Connecticut General Assembly.

The grants make up part of $30.7 million allocated over the 2022-23 biennium by the state legislature, supporting CT Humanities’ mission of connecting people to cultural and humanities organizations via grants, partnerships and collaborative programs.

“It’s encouraging to know that dozens of arts, culture and historical organizations will have added, important funding to support their staff and continue pursing their work,” said Sen. Marx. “All around our district and in our communities, arts and culture inspire us and foster educational growth. I’m thankful to CT Humanities for its support of these important organizations.”

In December 2021, a CT Humanities distribution of funding to 632 organizations benefitted job retention and growth, supported K-12 education and aided technology and digital improvements, according to CT Humanities. About 88% of the organizations receiving funds used them to hire and keep employees.

The full list of grant recipients in this round of funding in the 20th District includes:

East Lyme

East Lyme Historical Society $5,700
East Lyme Puppetry Project, Inc. $5,200
Eastern Connecticut Ballet $20,200
Niantic Children’s Museum $5,000
The Southeastern CT Org. for Racial Equity $5,100

Montville

Shoreline Ringers $5,500
Tibet-American Community of Connecticut $5,600

New London

7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps $9,800
Connecticut College $5,000
Connecticut Early Music Society $6,700
Connecticut Storytelling Center $11,000
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra $20,300
Expressiones Cultural Center Inc. $7,900
Flock Theatre $9,100
Garde Arts Center Inc $5,000
Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut $10,700
Hygienic Art Inc. $11,700
Lyman Allyn Art Museum $5,000
New London Community Orchestra $5,400
New London County Historical Society $7,200
New London Cultural District Commission $11,500
New London Landmarks $7,200
New London Maritime Society at Custom House Maritime Museum $9,700
New London Music Festivals $5,800
OutCT Inc. $5,600
Thames River Heritage Park $10,500
Thames Valley Music School $11,200
Writer’s Block Ink $8,200

Old Lyme

Florence Griswold Museum $30,800
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts $50,500
Lyme Art Association $13,200
Musical Masterworks $11,200
MusicNow Foundation, Inc. $5,500
Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc. $5,900

Old Saybrook

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center $57,700
Old Saybrook Historical Society $7,300

Salem

Live & In Color $8,000

Waterford

SE CT Community Orchestra (SECCO) $5,300
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center $5,000
Waterford Historical Society, Inc. $5,600

SEN. NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES OVER $388,000 IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL CULTURAL, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Webmaster

SEN. NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES OVER $388,000 IN GRANTS FOR LOCAL CULTURAL, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed 31 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants totaling $388,300 for various museums, performing arts venues, historical societies and other cultural and arts organizations across the 33rd Senate District. These grants were awarded by CT Humanities to organizations locally and across Connecticut and were funded by the Connecticut General Assembly.

“It’s so exciting to know that more than two dozen local organizations focused on keeping the arts and humanities alive, and preserving the history of our towns, will receive valuable support,” said Sen. Needleman. “I’m grateful to CT Humanities for its good work supporting our communities. These funds will pay direct dividends to local education, employment and fostering creativity and care for culture and art in our communities.”

The full list of grant recipients in this round of funding in the 33rd Senate District include:

Chester

Chester Historical Society $6,700

Clinton

Clinton Arts Council, Inc. $5,700
Clinton Historical Society $6,200
Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy $8,200
Opera Theater of Connecticut $7,400

Colchester

Colchester Historical Society $5,500
Sustain Music & Nature $6,400
Increasing the Field Training Officer (FTO) compensation to 2 hours per shift
Adding a new, annual $500 lump sum payment for Bachelor of Arts or Master’s degree, which covers about a third of the State Police employees

East Haddam

Connecticut River Valley Symphonic Band $5,100
East Haddam Historical Society $6,400
Epoch Arts $7,300
Goodspeed Musicals $108,800
I-Park $13,800
String of Pearls Big Band Inc $5,200

Essex

Cappella Cantorum $6,000
Community Music School $17,300
Con Brio Choral Society $7,000
Connecticut Children’s Theatre $5,700
Connecticut River Museum $24,900
Essex Historical Society $7,300
Essex Winter Series $8,000
Ivoryton Playhouse $5,000
Maritime Music & Tradition Society $5,600
Spectrum Art Gallery $7,800

Haddam

Haddam Historical Society $8,100

Lyme

Lyme Public Hall & Local History Archives $5,600

Old Saybrook

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center $57,700
Old Saybrook Historical Society $7,300

Portland

Brownstone Quorum * $5,400
Portland Historical Society and Ruth Callendar House Museum of Portland History $5,900
Quarry View $5,900

Westbrook

Westbrook Historical Society, Inc. $5,100

SEN. MARX VOTES FOR NEW STATE POLICE UNION CONTRACT

Posted on January 25, 2023November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

SEN. MARX VOTES FOR NEW STATE POLICE UNION CONTRACT

HARTFORD – State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) joined her colleagues in the state Senate today in the bipartisan approval of a new, four-year Connecticut State Police labor union contract that will boost state police trainee pay, provide a $3,500 bonus this year, and deliver 2.5% pay raises each year, along with a multitude of other state police benefits. This marks one of the first votes Sen. Marx has made as a State Senator in the Senate chambers.

“Our first responders work hard and make sacrifices to support our communities and our state,” said Sen. Marx. “This contract makes sure they are receiving the respect and support they deserve in turn. I’m encouraged and hopeful that this contract will better provide police officers with tools they need to continue to keep us safe and do their jobs to the best of their abilities.”

The Connecticut State Police labor union contract – which was negotiated by Governor Ned Lamont and approved today by the state legislature – covers the four fiscal years from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. In late December, 94% of state troopers voted to approve their labor union contract.

“This four-year agreement will enhance the state’s ability to recruit and retain the most qualified troopers, and it ensures that those who risk their lives daily are fairly compensated for their responsibilities and the dangers required of their profession,” State Police Union Executive Director Andy Matthews said at the January 18 public hearing on the contract.

The new agreement offers a 2.5% general wage increase in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with a wage reopener clause for 2026. State Police trooper trainee pay will jump from $50,000 this year to $65,638 in 2024 and then to $67,279 in 2025 and beyond – a 35% pay increase. Full-time State Police employees will receive a $3,500 lump sum payment this year, and State Police employees with the most years of service will receive an additional 2% lump sum payment.

There are nearly a dozen other beneficial changes in the new State Police labor union contract, including:

Adding Juneteenth Independence Day as a paid state police holiday, with overtime.
Increasing the safety shoe & equipment stipend to $150
Adding a new, annual $500 health and wellness stipend
Increasing the uniform cleaning stipend to $650
Adding a new $100 monthly hazardous duty stipend for employees assigned to the Fire Explosion Investigations Unit
Increasing the education tuition reimbursement fund to $90,000
Increasing the training fund set-aside to $50,000
Increasing the Field Training Officer (FTO) compensation to 2 hours per shift
Adding a new, annual $500 lump sum payment for Bachelor of Arts or Master’s degree, which covers about a third of the State Police employees

The Connecticut State Police force currently stands at 877; it once had a mandated State Police force of 1,248, but that number has not been met for over a decade.

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella said Connecticut is currently graduating new State Police trooper classes of 30 to 40 officers – which is the national average – about twice a year. The next class is scheduled to graduate in April, with the next class after that beginning in May.