Saud Anwar

Children’s Committee Sends Legislation Focused on Youth Protection from Harm to House Floor

Today, the Children’s Committee voted to send several pieces of legislation focused on the protection of children from harm to the House floor, approving of bills that would prevent children from purchasing electronic nicotine and vapor systems online and require background checks for youth sports coaches, trainers and instructors, as well as certain employees of youth camps. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), the Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee, was encouraged to see the legislation move forward.

House Bill 6110, “An Act Concerning The Online Sale and Delivery of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Vapor Products,” would close a loophole that potentially allows underage children to acquire those products online. The legislation would require buyers to provide identification at time of purchase and ensure the name on that identification matches the payment method used to buy it.

“We’ve fought so hard to protect children from the adverse effects of vaping, and we need to make sure they cannot purchase them online,” said Sen. Anwar. “By adding this step to the process, children and teens hoping to purchase these products underage have another roadblock in their way, protecting their lungs from the harmful effects of vaping and smoking.”

House Bills 6511 and 6417, “An Act Requiring Background Checks For Youth Sports Coaches, Trainers and Instructors” and “An Act Requiring Background Checks For Certain Employees Of Youth Camps” respectively, would require youth sports coaches, instructors and athletic trainers over the age of 18 to submit to background checks, as would youth camp employees over the age of 18 who provide care or have unsupervised access to children.

“Sadly and tragically, sometimes those responsible for the well-being of children act in ways that harm those children,” said Sen. Anwar. “By adding these background checks, we can add an additional layer of protection to prevent any bad actors from doing harm, making sure children’s’ coaches, trainers, instructors and counselors help youths grow and flourish.”