Saud Anwar

Senator Anwar Releases Statement as Senate Gives Approval to HB5001

Bill provides significant mental health resources for children in crisis

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee and Senate Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement after the Senate gave final approval to House Bill 5001, which provides additional mental health resources and aid to children statewide:

“I’m so proud to have led the Senate’s final passage of House Bill 5001, which now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. In recent years, both before and during the pandemic, children’s mental health issues have grown significantly. This bill works in junction with Senate Bill 1 and 2 in a full approach to meeting children’s mental health needs. Senate Bill 1 and 2 address the root causes of children’s mental health from a preventative standpoint; conversely, House Bill 5001 works to improve availability and provision of services to children who are struggling today. There is work left to be done, but these efforts go a long way toward rising to the challenges experienced by too many today – and our work this session will get help to those struggling. My thanks go out to Representatives Steinberg, Linehan, Exum, Welander, McCarthy-Vahey, Nuccio and Petit, to name just a few of my colleagues who gave their support to this important bill.”