Sen. Lesser Welcomes $186,040 in Summer Enrichment Grants for Local Organizations in Summer of 2023, 2024
HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) welcomed the state’s announcement that $186,040 in state grants will be awarded to organizations in the 9th Senate District in the summers of 2023 and 2024 through the Summer Enrichment Program which will allocate $13 million in grants to 110 organizations across the state for the next two summers. These resources come from federal COVID-19 relief dollars the state received to support its response to the pandemic, including from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.
This program is intended to connect Connecticut students whose education was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with low- or no-cost high-quality enrichment opportunities, including summer camps, childcare centers and other similar programs. The program prioritized communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
“These summer enrichment programs are so important for families. Not only do they provide safe, fun and educational activities for kids – they also offer affordable childcare options for parents while school is out for the summer,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser. “Many of these children are still suffering from the effects of the pandemic, and I’m pleased that the Lamont administration is making sure we can give these kids a normal, fun summer camp experience.”
“Since we created this program a couple of years ago, these grants have expanded access to summertime learning opportunities for thousands of Connecticut students who otherwise may not have been able to enroll in this kind of high-quality programming,” Governor Lamont said. “Summer camps are a valuable experience for children when they are out of school – not only for supporting their overall education, but also when it comes to strengthening their social skills and emotional well-being. Continuing this program has been an important priority for our administration, and I’m glad that we are able to provide funding for it for another two summers.”
The following organizations in Sen. Lesser’s district received funding: Camp Spencer (City of Middletown) will receive $41,120 in 2023 and $44,920 in 2024; Summer Enrichment (Northern Middlesex YMCA) will receive $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024; Families seeking to enroll their children in the participating programs for the summer of 2023 can find a list of available opportunities online by visiting summerct.org. Camps will run as early as the first week of June through the end of August.
Sen. Cohen and Rep. Lemar Join Road Safety Advocates to Share Support for Lowering BAC Levels to .05
Sen. Cohen and Rep. Lemar Join Road Safety Advocates to Share Support for Lowering BAC Levels to .05
HARTFORD, CT – Today, Chairs of the Transportation Committee, State Senator Christine Cohen(D-Guilford) and State Representative Roland Lemar(D-New Haven), along with Ranking Members State Senator Tony Hwang(R-Fairfield) and State Representative Kathy Kennedy(R-119) joined representatives from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to share their support for lowering Connecticut’s BAC limit to .05 for drivers.
Currently, the legal BAC limit for drivers is .08 and Connecticut ranks third nationally in fatalities due to impaired driving. Driving while impaired is the largest single contributor to road fatalities with 46% of all Connecticut traffic fatalities involving a driver with at least a BAC of .01. Studies indicate that drivers with a BAC of .08 show considerable impairment, and the risk of being killed for drivers between .05 and .79 is 7 times that of drivers with no alcohol (NIH/NIAAA, Voas)
As of 2023 there are more than 90 countries with a .05 BAC limit. Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, New York and North Carolina have proposed bills to lower the limit to .05. If passed, Connecticut would join Utah who reduced their BAC limit to .05 in 2018. Once passed, Utah saw a 19.8% reduction in the fatal crash rate reduction from 2016-2019, while the rest of the United States showed a 5.6% fatal crash rate reduction during the same years.
Upon enacting the policy, Utah saw a boost to the restaurant and tourism industry. State officials reported an increase in visits to State and National Parks, spending went up by 7% and alcohol sales and tourism measures continued to increase.
For more information on the benefits of .05 BAC see additional resources from the Vision Zero Council here.
“The unfortunate reality is Connecticut has a drunk driving issue, ranking third nationally in fatalities due to impaired driving,” said Sen. Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee. “I’m so pleased to be joined by so many fierce advocates for road safety in support of this proposal. It is important to note that we are not looking to prevent people from going out and enjoying our robust restaurant and entertainment industry. Instead, we are wanting to create a culture shift – if you are going to be drinking, make a plan for how you will be getting home.”
“Any drunk driving incident in Connecticut is a cause for concern,” Rep. Roland Lemar, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, said. “Our goal is simple: every resident of Connecticut should feel safe when they get in their vehicle, regardless of the time or place. As we gather here today and advocate for the passage of SB 1082, we are reaffirming our commitment to that goal. By lowering the blood alcohol limits for driving, we will unequivocally make our residents safer.”
“This proposal faces long odds this session, no doubt about it,” said Sen. Tony Hwang, Ranking Senator on the Transportation Committee. “But it has started what I view to be a productive conversation at the State Capitol. Lowering the blood alcohol content must be done with a full public awareness and educational campaign. This should also include cannabis awareness. We must keep the discussion going regarding making our state roadways safer for everyone and preventing dangerous accidents and tragic deaths.”
State Representative Kathy Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee said, “As Ranking Member on the Transportation Committee, it is my responsibility to uphold any measures that contribute to all drivers returning home safely, but as a mother, this is my priority. In our public hearing, we heard that lowering the BAC level has been proven by other states to reduce traffic fatalities by 20%, therefore, I look forward to experiencing these same safety benefits in our state by implementing this bill.”
“We know drunk driving is a problem, and lowering Connecticut’s BAC level to 0.05% is a clear solution,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation, Transportation Safety Program Supervisor Joseph Cristalli. “Scientific evidence shows that virtually all drivers are impaired at 0.05% BAC,” “The risk of being involved in a severe or fatal crash is significantly higher for drivers with alcohol in their system than drivers with no blood alcohol content. Dropping the BAC level to 0.05% would save lives and deter drivers from getting behind the wheel when impaired.”
“In countless investigations and studies, the National Transportation Safety Board has seen the devastating toll impaired driving takes on families and communities across our country,” said NTSB Member Tom Chapman. “Extensive evidence tells us lowering the legal BAC to .05—as proposed by SB 1082—is one of the proven countermeasures that saves lives.”
“Connecticut still is ranked in the Top 3 of all states having the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving alcohol,” said Bob Garguilo, Executive Director New England Region, MADD. “Many innocent men, women, and children are dying as a result of someone making the decision to drive a vehicle while impaired. “Research shows the impairment and crash risk are significantly elevated at .05 per se and higher. Given that data, MADD CT supports our state’s legislative efforts, which seek to create an illegal BAC limit of .05 per se.
“Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety, urges swift passage of SB 1082,” said Peter Kurdock, General Counsel, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety. “This legislation will make Connecticut’s roads safer by lowering the limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while driving from .08 to .05 percent. Impaired driving is a deadly and costly threat to all of Connecticut’s road users that is entirely preventable. Taking this commonsense action will save lives and help to curb the scourge of drunk driving in Connecticut.”
SEN. KUSHNER, COMMISSIONER JUTHANI TOUR CONNECTICUT CHILDBIRTH & WOMEN’S CENTER IN ADVANCE OF BILL TO CREATE FIRST-EVER BIRTH CENTER LICENSE
SEN. KUSHNER, COMMISSIONER JUTHANI TOUR CONNECTICUT CHILDBIRTH & WOMEN’S CENTER IN ADVANCE OF BILL TO CREATE FIRST-EVER BIRTH CENTER LICENSE
DANBURY – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani toured the Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center on Locust Avenue this morning in advance of a discussion in the state Senate about a bill that would create a brand-new DPH license category for freestanding birth centers, replacing the old ‘maternity hospital’ license now on the books.
Founded in 1997, the Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center is located across the street from Danbury Hospital. Senate Bill 986, “AN ACT PROTECTING MATERNAL HEALTH,” as proposed by Governor Ned Lamont, would create a new and separate licensing category for stand-alone, private birthing centers staffed by midwives like the Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center.
The Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center is one of the nearly 250 accredited birthing centers in the United States and is the only one in Connecticut. Staffed by a team of midwives, its homelike atmosphere meets all local, state, and federal health, fire and safety regulations and is licensed by the state Department of Public Health.
According to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation, the average hospital birth in America costs $18,865, including pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. The Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center charges a flat fee of $8,500.
“The Connecticut Childbirth Center has really been a trailblazer for a quarter-century here in Connecticut. It’s enormously popular and very successful, and it’s really the template for what other such private birthing centers could be created around Connecticut under this new proposed licensing system,” said Sen. Kushner, who has been working with DPH and the Childbirth Center on details of the legislation. “Not every woman wants to deliver in a hospital setting. Not every family wants to or can afford to pay their share of an $18,000 hospital bill. For those people seeking an alternative, but who still want caring and professional medical attention, the Connecticut Childbirth center is there for therm. It’s a model that should be replicated across the state.”
“Allowing more opportunities for birth options is something we should be doing more of in Connecticut, and Governor Lamont’s bill will help give women more opportunities,” Commissioner Juthani said. “This bill is about choice, and the state Health Department is committed to working with birth centers and hospitals to make life better for Connecticut families.”
“The biggest difference this bill will make is that there will be more birthing centers throughout Connecticut. Right now, the licensing process is both tedious and expensive. This bill will reduce that,” said Cathy Parisi, Director of Midwifery and the Center. “This bill will encourage more women to give birth at birthing centers.”
Senator Rahman Joins Senate Democrats In Passage of Priority Legislation Improving Children’s Mental Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Senator Rahman Joins Senate Democrats In Passage of Priority Legislation Improving Children’s Mental Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senate Democrats led passage of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children,” priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans by conservatives that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children.
“Mental health issues are prevalent in our society now more than ever, an issue that we absolutely need to take control of,” said State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), who voted in support of the bill. “I’m proud to vote for a bill that imposes additional protections for student and worker mental health. Additionally, we need to make sure our libraries are providing meaningful services to visitors, not bogged down in complaints and attempts to ban literature. This bill installs protections to better ensure that. I’m looking forward to its passage.”
SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, commonly by conservatives, which has remained an issue over the past year. The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
The legislation also covers certain, specific scenarios in which a worker would need to use a mental health wellness day. They are as follows: where a service worker is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, or the parent or guardian of a child who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, provided such service worker is not the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such family violence or sexual assault; for medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability, to obtain or obtaining services from a victim services organization; to relocate or while relocating due to such family violence or sexual assault; to participate or while participating in any civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from such family violence or sexual assault
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it optional for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Democrats In Passage of Priority Legislation Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Senator Anwar Joins Senate Democrats In Passage of Priority Legislation Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senate Democrats led passage of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children,” priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans by conservatives that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children.
“We know mental health issues are increasing for residents across our state, and we know there are attacks on free access to literature as well,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), who voted for the bill. “I am relieved and proud that today, we are working to protect individuals. Mental health wellness days, supports for Birth to Three, finding new ways to aid at-risk teenagers and supporting libraries that work to examine challenges against their catalogs will all be useful and valuable tools to aid our state in years to come.”
SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, commonly by conservatives, which has remained an issue over the past year. The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
The legislation also covers certain, specific scenarios in which a worker would need to use a mental health wellness day. They are as follows: where a service worker is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, or the parent or guardian of a child who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, provided such service worker is not the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such family violence or sexual assault; for medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability, to obtain or obtaining services from a victim services organization; to relocate or while relocating due to such family violence or sexual assault; to participate or while participating in any civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from such family violence or sexual assault
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it optional for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.
SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE TO IMPROVE TREATMENT, REMEDIATION AND AWARENESS OF MOLD IN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE TO IMPROVE TREATMENT, REMEDIATION AND AWARENESS OF MOLD IN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) led the Senate’s passage of legislation seeking to improve treatment, remediation and awareness of mold in residential housing.
Senate Bill 959, “An Act Concerning Mold In Residential Housing,” if passed by the House and made law, would see the Department of Public Health develop standards to identify and assess mold in residential housing, standards for remediating mold, guidelines for limiting exposure to mold and a public awareness campaign with public service announcements raising awareness of mold, which can harm residential health with extended exposure. It would also create a working group to evaluate the connection between mold growing in buildings and use of polybutylene pipes, which would issue findings to the General Assembly by the end of the year.
“Mold can cause serious health complications, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions – it’s a threat to public health and we need to take action,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m proud to lead the Senate today in focusing on this important issue. By taking steps to improve mold treatment and remediation standards in residential housing, bolster public awareness of mold’s health issues and study the potential impact of certain pipes on mold’s presence and growth, we will take strong steps to protect and improve public health and respiratory health in our state.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to moldy environments can contribute to a variety of health impacts from conditions similar to allergies to more intense reactions among those predisposed to respiratory issues; in 2004, the Institute of Medicine found evidence to tie indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract, asthma and similar issues among those exposed in such environments. Early mold exposure can also potentially cause asthma in children; people with allergies, lung diseases, immune suppression conditions or chronic respiratory disease are at increased risk of difficulty breathing and infection from mold.
Polybutylene pipes were a form of pipes used in the manufacturing of water supply piping from 1978 to 1995. The pipes have previously been tied to leaks causing water leaks, damage and mold growth in certain circumstances.
Senator Hochadel Applauds Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Senator Hochadel Applauds Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Today, state Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden) applauded passage of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children,” priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans by conservatives that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children.
“I am glad to stand with my colleagues to pass this important piece of legislation that will help protect the mental well-being of children across the state,” said Sen. Hochadel. “As a former teacher, I know students learn best when they have the freedom to explore topics that interest them. Students grow when they are provided an abundance of titles about multiple topics.”
SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, commonly by conservatives, which has remained an issue over the past year. The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
The legislation also covers certain, specific scenarios in which a worker would need to use a mental health wellness day. They are as follows: where a service worker is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, or the parent or guardian of a child who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, provided such service worker is not the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such family violence or sexual assault; for medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability, to obtain or obtaining services from a victim services organization; to relocate or while relocating due to such family violence or sexual assault; to participate or while participating in any civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from such family violence or sexual assault
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it optional for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.
Senator Moore Applauds Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Senator Moore Applauds Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Today, state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) applauded passage of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children,” priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans by conservatives that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children.
SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, commonly by conservatives, which has remained an issue over the past year. The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
The legislation also covers certain, specific scenarios in which a worker would need to use a mental health wellness day. They are as follows: where a service worker is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, or the parent or guardian of a child who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, provided such service worker is not the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such family violence or sexual assault; for medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability, to obtain or obtaining services from a victim services organization; to relocate or while relocating due to such family violence or sexual assault; to participate or while participating in any civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from such family violence or sexual assault
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it optional for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.
Senate Democrats to Lead Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Senate Democrats to Lead Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) voted in favor of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children,” priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans by conservatives that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children.
“I am proud to support legislation that disallows the banning of books that provides young children with educational values surrounding minority communities,” said Sen. Gaston. “Children deserve to learn and grow their education. And, the mental health of students in Connecticut should come first. This legislation creating specific provisions for our students will improve mental health with added resources.”
SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, commonly by conservatives, which has remained an issue over the past year. The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
The legislation also covers certain, specific scenarios in which a worker would need to use a mental health wellness day. They are as follows: where a service worker is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, or the parent or guardian of a child who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, provided such service worker is not the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of such family violence or sexual assault; for medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability, to obtain or obtaining services from a victim services organization; to relocate or while relocating due to such family violence or sexual assault; to participate or while participating in any civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from such family violence or sexual assault
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it optional for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.
Sen. Maher Leads Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
Sen. Maher Leads Passage of Comprehensive Priority Legislation Focused on Improving Children’s Health and Protecting Literary Freedom
HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) led passage of Senate Bill 2 “An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children”, priority legislation for the caucus that, among other important factors, aims to protect libraries from the onslaught of book bans that have been prevalent across the nation. The bill also contains several provisions crucial to fostering positive health and wellness for Connecticut children. Sen. Maher serves as Senate Chair for the Committee on Children, which passed this bill earlier in the legislative session, and said that this bill has great potential to help many throughout Connecticut.
“This is a good bill and I am glad it moves another step closer to becoming law,” said Sen. Maher. “In the past year, book bans have been used as a tool to further marginalize the LGBTQ and Black and Hispanic communities. These bans are also an attack on our freedom of speech and have no place in our state. SB 2 is a comprehensive bill that protects against politically fueled book bans, which has remained an issue over the past year.”
The American Library Association (ALA) recently reported last year there were 1,269 attempts to ban books across the country, a sizable increase from the 729 in 2021. Last year, Texas banned 801 books from July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 according to Statista. Florida banned 560 books and Pennsylvania banned 457 last year as well. According to PEN America, Between August and November, Missouri banned nearly 300 books in at least 11 school districts. These bans are targeted specifically at books regarding the LGBTQ community and communities of color. According to PEN America, “more than 40% of the banned titles address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer themes or have prominent queer characters.” Per Statista, “40 percent of banned titles featured protagonists or other key characters of color.”
Rewarding Libraries that Protect Literary Freedom
SB 2 enables libraries that prioritize and protect literary freedom, by establishing a system to review books that have been challenged via a policy set by their governing board, to have access to a state grant which could provide a library with approximately $1,300 to $3,000 per library.
Per the legislation, ” no principal public library shall be eligible to receive a state grant, if such principal public library does not maintain and adhere to collection development, collection management, and collection reconsideration policies which are approved by their governing body. The collection reconsideration policy shall offer residents a clear process to request a reconsideration of library materials. In the instance of a book challenge, these policies shall govern.”
Establishing the Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate
Per the bill, SB 2 establishes an Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate in the Insurance Department and sets forth their requirements and guidelines for appointment and to respond to vacancies. One employee must be an attorney. One must be a patient care navigator. The bill continues: the advisory committee for the Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate shall consist of seven members appointed legislatively and shall make an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the Office of Behavioral Health Advocate.
Addressing Birth to 3
Per the bill language, “the bill makes permanent the $200 general administrative payment the Office of Early Childhood commissioner must make to certain Birth to Three early intervention service providers that will sunset under current law on June 30, 2024.” This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law. Under the bill and current law, the commissioner must make these payments to providers for each child: with an individualized family service plan on the first day of the billing month; whose plan accounts for less than nine service hours during the billing month, as long as the provider delivers at least one service during the month.
Help for At-Risk Teenagers
SB 2 makes it possible for the State Department of Education (SDE) to hire one full-time employee responsible for awarding a grant to, and collaborating with, a nonprofit organization specializing in identifying and providing services for at-risk teenage students with depression, anxiety, substance abuse struggles, and trauma and conflict-related stresses, per the bill language. The bill continues: the organization must use the grant to train school behavioral health providers to provide them services. The bill allocates $15,000, for the 2024 fiscal year, to SDE from the federal funds the state received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to fund the awarding of a grant to a nonprofit organization to train school behavioral health providers to identify and provide services for these students. This will go into effect July 1, 2023, if signed into law.
Lowering licensure costs for mental health and behavioral health workers
The bill lowers the following licensure costs: initial Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses are lowered from $315 to $200; LMFT associate licensure lowered from $220 to $125; License renewals for LMFTs are lowered from $320 to $200; License renewals for LMFT Associates are lowered from $220 to $125; they are currently renewed every two years, and they will now be renewed every year. The bill also adds to the number of times the LMFT-A license may be renewed to compensate for its shift to annual renewals.
Creating Mental Wellness Days
SB 2 requires employers to allow workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to their emotional or psychological well-being. Currently, existing law allows service workers to use paid sick leave for their, or their spouse’s or child’s (1) illness, injury or health condition; (2) medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition; or (3) preventive care. Per bill language, the legislation applies to specified service worker occupations covered by existing law, they are as follows: certain food service industry jobs; health care; hospitality; retail; sanitation industry workers
If signed into law, this will go into effect on October 1, 2023
Due to the clear need for this bill, SB 2 received support during the public hearing period of the legislative session. Nicole Chen of Yale Dems spoke in favor of SB 2, saying, “this bill would allocate further resources towards improving children’s access to mental, physical, and emotional health services.” Chen added “this shortage of mental health services for children in Connecticut demands a solution. We should prioritize this issue, increasing funding along with access to professional services and training, in order to ensure children the chance at help.”
Sen. Maher stated: “The components of this bill ensure we’re continuing to provide the necessary resources and support to address the holistic health of our young people. I am proud of the work my caucus put into crafting a strong, necessary piece of legislation and I am optimistic it will be signed into law.”
The bill heads to the state House of Representative for further debate and action. It previously passed the Committee on Children by a 13-6 tally before landing in the state Senate.