Month: May 2025

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

HARTFORD—Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) today voted in support of passage of Senate Bill 1317, “An Act Concerning Liens for Violations of the Housing Code or Public Place Ordinances.” The bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, aims to enhance the ability of municipalities to enforce housing and public place ordinances by allowing unpaid penalties to become liens on the associated properties.

“This legislation is a critical tool for cities like New Haven to ensure that property owners are held accountable for maintaining safe and healthy living conditions,” said Senator Looney. “By enabling municipalities to place liens for unpaid penalties, we are reinforcing the importance of adhering to housing codes and public ordinances. Stregthening enforcement will ultimately benefit all residents and prevent creeping blight in our neighborhoods.”

“When housing density is high, it only takes a few violations to impact entire neighborhoods,” said Senator Winfield. “This bill empowers New Haven and other cities to take necessary actions to uphold housing standards and protect public spaces.”

SB 1317 addresses the challenges municipalities face in collecting fines for housing code violations and public place ordinance infractions. By permitting unpaid penalties to constitute liens on real estate from the date of the penalty, the bill provides a more effective mechanism for municipalities to enforce compliance and maintain community standards.

The bill, which passed 29-6 in the Senate, is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

HARTFORD—Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) today voted in support of passage of Senate Bill 1317, “An Act Concerning Liens for Violations of the Housing Code or Public Place Ordinances.” The bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, aims to enhance the ability of municipalities to enforce housing and public place ordinances by allowing unpaid penalties to become liens on the associated properties.

“This legislation is a critical tool for cities like New Haven to ensure that property owners are held accountable for maintaining safe and healthy living conditions,” said Senator Looney. “By enabling municipalities to place liens for unpaid penalties, we are reinforcing the importance of adhering to housing codes and public ordinances. Stregthening enforcement will ultimately benefit all residents and prevent creeping blight in our neighborhoods.”

“When housing density is high, it only takes a few violations to impact entire neighborhoods,” said Senator Winfield. “This bill empowers New Haven and other cities to take necessary actions to uphold housing standards and protect public spaces.”

SB 1317 addresses the challenges municipalities face in collecting fines for housing code violations and public place ordinance infractions. By permitting unpaid penalties to constitute liens on real estate from the date of the penalty, the bill provides a more effective mechanism for municipalities to enforce compliance and maintain community standards.

The bill, which passed 29-6 in the Senate, is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Senator Anwar Joins Passage Of Legislation Supporting Thousands of CT College Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Anwar Joins Passage Of Legislation Supporting Thousands of CT College Students

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 5, “An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability.” This legislation is a top priority of Connecticut Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended.

“Connecticut’s colleges and universities are supporting countless students today, but growing costs mean students are looking for the best opportunities for them – which doesn’t always mean staying in Connecticut,” said Sen. Anwar. “This bill seeks to fix a program needing attention to ensure its maximum utilization by students, a shift that should support thousands of Connecticut students to stay in-state for higher education and possibly build careers and lives here.”

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox voted to pass Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“I am here as a state senator, a lawyer and a professor because my father gained access to higher education. He was the first person in his family to get a college education, and that access point has made a difference to our family across continents and generations, and that story rings true for so many American families,” said Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox. “Higher education trains our future leaders and our society benefits most when we lift up the voices of those who historically have not had a seat at the table. This legislation creates that opportunity and I am proud to vote in favor today.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Data Privacy and Online Safety Bill

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Data Privacy and Online Safety Bill

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, led Senate Passage of a bill that will amend laws related to consumer data privacy, social media, and youth online monitoring. The bill also seeks to introduce registration and regulation requirements for data brokers.

Senate Bill 1356, ‘An Act Concerning Data Privacy, Online Monitoring, Social Media, Data Brokers And Connected Vehicle Services,

“There is an increasing need for websites to take greater responsibility in implementing robust data security measures,” said Sen. Maroney. “As online platforms continue to collect and process vast amounts of personal information, ensuring the protection of user data should be a top priority. As we have seen from recent chatbox’s engaging children in sexualized conversations, we need to do more to protect children from harm online.”

Senate Bill 1356 builds on our state’s landmark Connecticut Data Privacy Act (PA 22-15). It covers more consumers under the act by widening the threshold for its applicability. It gives consumers more information and options regarding how their data is used. It increases platform responsibility to protect children.

In further efforts to protect consumers, it requires data brokers to be registered with DCP. And lastly, the bill protects victims of domestic violence and similar crimes by protecting their car’s data from the person who has abused them.

This bill will:

-require websites aimed toward children to have a cyberbullying and mental health resources page. The measure aims to provide young users with immediate access to support and guidance, promoting safer and more supportive online environments.

-establish the right for individuals to know if they are being digitally profiled, empowering them with greater transparency. This provision ensures users can make informed choices and exercise their right to opt out of data profiling practices.

-strengthen protections for children in Connecticut by prohibiting targeted advertising aimed at them. This move aims to safeguard young users’ privacy and reduce the influence of manipulative marketing tactics online.

-mandate data protection assessments to evaluate potential risks associated with data collection and processing. These assessments must specifically test for heightened risks of harm, ensuring that companies proactively identify and address threats to users’ privacy and safety.

-prohibit the use of addictive features designed to engage children, aiming to promote healthier online habits. It requires tools to prevent adults from directly communicating with children without proper safeguards, and gives children the ability to consent to their own data profiling and employment-related activities, ensuring greater control over their digital lives.

In 2024, there were 1900 data breaches in Connecticut. With this legislation, more websites will be held responsible for ensuring there is data security on their sites. Prioritizing data security, websites can enhance user trust, prevent breaches, and comply with evolving privacy regulations, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment.

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led passage of Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended. The legislation passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “By investing in our students and giving them timely notice of the amount of their Roberta Willis grants, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Today we are taking a big step to make higher education more affordable for families,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”

“It is critical that we increase state support for the scholarship program and ensure high school seniors are notified of their award before they decide where to attend college,” said Sen. Derek Slap. “By passing this bill we increase the likelihood students can afford college – and can stay in Connecticut for their education.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led passage of Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended. The legislation passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “By investing in our students and giving them timely notice of the amount of their Roberta Willis grants, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Today we are taking a big step to make higher education more affordable for families,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”

“It is critical that we increase state support for the scholarship program and ensure high school seniors are notified of their award before they decide where to attend college,” said Sen. Derek Slap. “By passing this bill we increase the likelihood students can afford college – and can stay in Connecticut for their education.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led passage of Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended. The legislation passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “By investing in our students and giving them timely notice of the amount of their Roberta Willis grants, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Today we are taking a big step to make higher education more affordable for families,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”

“It is critical that we increase state support for the scholarship program and ensure high school seniors are notified of their award before they decide where to attend college,” said Sen. Derek Slap. “By passing this bill we increase the likelihood students can afford college – and can stay in Connecticut for their education.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

SEN. CABRERA, BETHANY MOM WELCOME BILL TO LICENSE MUNICIPAL YOUTH CAMPS

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. CABRERA, BETHANY MOM WELCOME BILL TO LICENSE MUNICIPAL YOUTH CAMPS

State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) and Bethany resident Amy Lestinsky at the State Capitol in Hartford on the day Senate Bill 6 was passed in the Senate.

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) and Bethany mother Amy Lestinsky today welcomed the Senate passage of a bill that – among its many other resources for infants, toddlers, and disconnected youth – also subjects town-run youth camps to stricter state oversight, such as inspections, immunizations, and criminal background checks for employees.

Senate Bill 6, “AN ACT CONCERNING RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTHS,” passed the Senate today on a 22-12 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The section of the bill addressing town-run youth camps was proposed by Sen. Cabrera at the urging of Bethany parents like Ms. Lestinsky and others after the arrest last year of a Bethany Parks and Recreation Department employee who has since been charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of illegal sexual contact, five counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and one count of risk of injury to a minor for incidents involving several Bethany youth.

Parents believe that if local town-run summer camps like the one in Bethany faced stricter state oversight, such as criminal backgrounds checks and mandatory reporting requirements, the accused employee would have been caught earlier and fewer children would have been harmed.

“This was a horrible situation which never should have occurred in the first place for a variety of reasons. Now, with this bill which hopefully will pass in the House and be signed into law by the governor, we can help reduce the chances of this ever happening again,” Sen. Cabrera said. ” I want to thank the parents of Bethany for bringing this to my attention and for being such valuable and courageous partners in creating this legislation and in raising public awareness of this issue.”

“We need municipalities to have licensed programs. Rules and guidelines must be followed by all the people responsible for our children,” said Lestinsky, whose daughter was sexually assaulted by the Bethany town employee. “We cannot let something like this happen again.”

Connecticut state law currently allows town and city youth camps to operate with no state oversight; programs run by private companies and nonprofits must be licensed by the state and are subject to a variety of requirements, including requirements related to immunizations, medication administration, inspections and investigations, criminal background checks, and

reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

Senate Bill 6 subjects those municipal camps to the same regulations as private and non-profit camps.

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL STRENGTHENING LACTATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL STRENGTHENING LACTATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, proudly led the Senate’s approval of legislation establishing a new licensing program for lactation consultants through the state Department of Public Health. This initiative will ensure families across the state have access to qualified, trained professionals during one of the most important stages of their child’s development.

The bill sets clear standards for the use of the title “lactation consultant,” ensuring that those offering specialized breastfeeding support have the appropriate training and credentials. At the same time, it preserves the ability of certified lactation counselors, doulas, peer counselors and others working in maternal and child health support programs to continue offering services, as long as they do not identify themselves as licensed lactation consultants.

“This legislation is about supporting families,” said Sen. Anwar. “It helps ensure that care provided to new parents is both accessible and high-quality. With licensed professionals guiding breastfeeding support, we’re giving every child a healthier start and every family the confidence they deserve during those early, previous days.”

“SB 1373 aims to provide the full range of breastfeeding support to all nursing mothers, regardless of income status,” State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Bridgeport, Fairfield), the House Chair of the Public Health Committee, said. “This bill will help both at-risk infants and mothers across the state successfully breastfeed. I am grateful to the bill’s champion, Rep. Leeper, and Public Health Committee Co-Chair Sen. Anwar for their advocacy on this bill.”

“I’m so happy to see SB 1373 pass in the Senate,” State Representative Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield, Southport), a cosponsor of the bill, said. “I’ve been working on this bill for 3 years because the data is unambiguous that access to clinical lactation support, for all women who want it, will result in better health outcomes for both mothers and babies. Passage of this bill will help narrow the alarming racial gap in maternal and infant health outcomes and will improve longterm health.”

“Ensuring access to licensed lactation consultants is a critical step toward closing racial and economic disparities in maternal and infant health,” said State Representative Kai Belton (D-Middletown), a cosponsor of the bill. “Too many families in underserved communities face unnecessary barriers to breastfeeding support. This legislation is a huge step in helping parents, regardless of income, access the care they need to give their babies a strong, healthy start.”

Senate Bill 1373, “An Act Requiring The Licensure Of Lactation Consultants,” would establish a licensing program through the Department of Public Health in July 2026, restricting unlicensed people from generally presenting themselves as lactation consultants. However, people licensed or certified as another type of provider providing consulting under the scope of a license or certification, those in educational programs for licensure and doulas and midwives would be among those who could continue practicing.

The bill passed by a 24-11 tally with one abstention after previously passing the Public Health Committee by a 22-10 count. It next moves to the House for further consideration.