Author: Devin James

SEN. MARX APPROVES EXPANSION OF PAID SICK DAYS IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 6, 2024

SEN. MARX APPROVES EXPANSION OF PAID SICK DAYS IN CONNECTICUT

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) today voted to expand Connecticut’s decade-old paid sick time law from covering only about 12% of the state workforce to covering nearly the entire state workforce – about 1.6 million people – by 2027.

The bill passed the Senate on a 23-12 vote and now heads to the governor for his signature into law.

“I went to my first local legislative briefing in 2011 to advocate for homemakers and companions who were not covered under the law,” said Sen. Marx. “When I learned their job classification was carved out I was so disappointed for these hardworking men and women. I am thrilled they will now get the benefit they so deserve.”

Connecticut’s current paid sick leave law dates back to 2011 and only requires businesses with 50 “service worker” employees or more – about one out of every 8 jobs in the state – to give up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually.

House Bill 5005, “An Act Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State,” will increase Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law in several ways:

  • It expands current state law by covering nearly all private-sector employees and employers, moving from 25 employees in 2025, to 11 employees in 2026, to those with at least one employee in 2027.
  • It broadens the range of family members for whom an employee can use their paid sick leave to care for.
  • It increases the rate at which employees can accumulate paid sick leave.
  • It broadens the reasons why employees can use paid sick leave.

Several New England states already exceed Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont – each of which requires paid sick for all employees.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Senator Hochadel Votes to Expand Paid Sick Leave

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Votes to Expand Paid Sick Leave

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, voted Monday to expand Connecticut’s decade-old paid sick time law from covering only about 12% of the state workforce to covering nearly the entire state workforce – about 1.6 million people – by 2027.

The bill passed the Senate on a 23-12 vote and now heads to the governor for his signature into law.

“No one should be compelled to go to work sick. That’s common sense and I’m proud to cast a vote in favor of expanding our policy to ensure that all employees are covered,” Senator Hochadel said. “This bill’s passage is a victory for Connecticut workers, their families, and the countless employees who will now be spared unnecessary contamination.”

Connecticut’s current paid sick leave law dates back to 2011 and only requires businesses with 50 “service worker” employees or more – about one out of every 8 jobs in the state – to give up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually.

House Bill 5005, “An Act Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State,” will increase Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law in several ways:

  • It expands current state law by covering nearly all private-sector employees and employer, moving from 25 employees in 2025, to 11 employees in 2026, to those with at least one employee in 2027.

  • It broadens the range of family members for whom an employee can use their paid sick leave to care for.

  • It increases the rate at which employees can accumulate paid sick leave.

  • It broadens the reasons why employees can use paid sick leave.

Several New England states already exceed Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont – each of which requires paid sick time for all employees.

SEN. LESSER APPROVES EXPANSION OF PAID SICK DAYS IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

SEN. LESSER APPROVES EXPANSION OF PAID SICK DAYS IN CONNECTICUT

State Senator Lesser today voted to expand Connecticut’s decade-old paid sick time law from covering only about 12% of the state workforce to covering nearly the entire state workforce – about 1.6 million people – by 2027.

The bill passed the Senate on a 23 -12 vote and now heads to the governor for his signature into law.

“Nobody should be forced to go to work when they or a family member is sick, putting themselves and the public at risk,” said Sen.  Lesser. “I was in the legislature in 2011 when we passed our first in the country sick days law. Family friendly policies improve public health and provide real support to working families.”

Connecticut’s current paid sick leave law dates back to 2011 and only requires businesses with 50 “service worker” employees or more – about one out of every 8 jobs in the state – to give up to 40 hours of paid sick leave annually.

House Bill 5005, “An Act Expanding Paid Sick Days in the State,” will increase Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law in several ways:

  • It expands current state law by covering nearly all private-sector employees and employer, moving from 25 employees in 2025, to 11 employees in 2026, to those with at least one employee in 2027.
  • It broadens the range of family members for whom an employee can use their paid sick leave to care for.
  • It increases the rate at which employees can accumulate paid sick leave.
  • It broadens the reasons why employees can use paid sick leave.

Several New England states already exceed Connecticut’s outdated paid sick leave law, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont – each of which requires paid sick for all employees.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Working on Behalf of Success Village Residents

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Working on Behalf of Success Village Residents

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport and Stratford, released the following statement Monday regarding an ongoing hot water disruption at Success Village:

“The boiler situation at Success Village is at the top of my mind, even as I advocate for Bridgeport and Stratford in the final hours of the legislative session. The loss of hot water affecting 2,000 of my constituents is frankly unacceptable.

“To that end, I have been in near constant contact with the state Housing Department and have been in touch with civic leaders and residents both of Bridgeport and Stratford, driving conversations to explore any and every avenue to ensure that hot water is restored as soon as humanly possible.

“This is a complex set of circumstances that will require a wide range of community partners to include the city of Bridgeport and the town of Stratford and their leadership.

“Residents of Success Village can be sure that I will do everything in my power to advocate for resources to repair or replace the affected infrastructure.”

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Posted on by Devin James
State Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

May 4, 2024

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Early this morning, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the Senate’s vote to advance Senate Bill 3, moving significant advances in consumer protection one step closer to becoming law. The bill carries a number of improvements for consumers regarding broadband internet access, “junk fees” and the “right to repair,” as well as changes to statutes regarding drone purchasing and operations for municipal and state governments.

“This bill takes aim at significant consumer frustrations, from ensuring quality internet service statewide to ending the unwelcome surprise of ‘junk fees,'” said Sen. Needleman. “It’s a valuable piece of legislation that will make life easier in several small but significant ways.”

“Senate Bill 3 will end the deceptive concealment of junk fees, empowering individuals to make informed choices,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Furthermore, by safeguarding the right to repair, this legislation will grant consumers autonomy over their possessions. In essence, this legislation heralds a new era of fairness that continues Connecticut’s leadership in putting consumers first.”

Senate Bill 3, ” An Act Concerning Consumer Protection,” would take a variety of steps including:

  • Having the Office of Consumer Counsel study the merits, feasibility and means of ensuring digital equity and quality broadband Internet service access for residents statewide, including guaranteeing minimum speeds for access and requiring comparable capacities for all subscribers to a broadband internet service
  • Having the Department of Consumer Protection develop a “Net Equality Program” that would seek to ensure that at least 90% of Connecticut households have affordable broadband internet service access by 2025 and 95% by 2028, with a maximum monthly cost established by July 2025 with minimum speeds of 25 MB/s download and 3MB/s upload
  • Seeking to end “junk fees” by preventing businesses to display prices to consumers that exclude fees, charges or costs, or that intentionally misrepresent fees to mislead individuals, with exceptions for taxes and mandatory gratuities
  • Preventing any producer of internet-connected audio listening devices (such as Google Home or Amazon Echo/Alexa) from selling recordings or data collected from listening, also preventing them from eavesdropping on consumers without their knowledge.
  • Preserving the “right to repair,” where individual consumers can perform repairs to their own electronic devices and appliances instead of being required to receive repairs from a specific producer or manufacturer
  • Preventing purchases of drones manufactured or assembled in China or Russia by state departments, state agencies, state municipalities or businesses entering a contract with state agencies or departments.

Many of these actions are intended to directly protect consumers. Expansions and efforts to support broadband internet access in the state will help ensure all state residents, including low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities, underserved demographics and rural communities, can keep up with modern internet demands. As of last year, more than 10,000 homes and small businesses in Connecticut, and as many as hundreds of thousands of state residents, do not have access to high-speed internet.

Efforts to fight junk fees will match the federal government’s; the Biden administration has worked to reduce and repeal hidden fees and predatory price advertisements for several years. They also build on 2023 Connecticut legislative work to ban hidden fees on tickets to live events, which went into place last year.

Revelations that producers of listening devices have eavesdropped and even sold information collected from user data have caused controversy in recent years. Amazon paid a fine to the Federal Trade Commission for eavesdropping on consumers while Cox admitted in an earnings call that it monetized data it collected from user data with targeted advertisements.

Enshrining the right to repair will build on efforts already started by other states including California to prevent electronics and appliance manufacturers from monopolizing repair markets of their products, supporting small businesses and members of the public.

Banning drones manufactured in China and Russia would work to counter potential relaying of data from drones back to their countries of origin; the FBI has warned these drones can represent “significant risk” to critical infrastructure in the United States.

Prior to today’s passage in the Senate, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee on April 22 by a 24-11 vote and the General Law Committee on March 12 by a 14-8 vote. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN LEADS SENATE IN DIVERSIFYING STATE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN SUPPORT OF RATEPAYERS

Posted on by Devin James
State Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 4, 2024

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN LEADS SENATE IN DIVERSIFYING STATE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN SUPPORT OF RATEPAYERS

Early this morning, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) led the Senate’s passage of legislation that will create increased flexibility for Connecticut’s acquisition of energy supply in the best interest of ratepayers. The bill seeks to diversify Connecticut’s energy portfolio, reducing reliance on certain current forms of production, while enhancing cost saving mechanisms and supporting the production of clean energy. It passed the Senate by a 35-0 vote.

“Our state, and our region, can find new and improved ways to increase our energy supply in a manner that would result in savings for ratepayers,” said Sen. Needleman. “Our state needs to pursue additional means of supply and support Connecticut’s clean energy goals. This proposal gives state leaders a roadmap to accomplish just that. We’re continually finding ways to simplify complicated and outdated energy regulations and I’m encouraged by the progress this bill represents.”

Senate Bill 385, “An Act Concerning Energy Procurements,” takes the following steps:

  • Protects ratepayers by authorizing the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Commissioner to coordinate with officials from at least two New England states to issue a solicitation for zero-carbon electricity generating resources from a nuclear power generating facility. The commissioner would be allowed to select proposals determined to be in ratepayers’ best interests, taking into consideration factors including impacts on electric system operations, reliability and fuel diversity.
  • Based on the recommendations of the state’s Hydropower task force, the bill allows the DEEP Commissioner to support Connecticut’s clean hydropower energy production by soliciting proposals from providers of run-of-the-river hydropower who are interconnected with the electric distribution system.
  • Ensures that Connecticut remains a national leader in fuel cell development by creating a rebate to support fuel cells impacted by the volatility of global energy markets that are part of the shared clean energy facilities (SCEF) program.
  • Supports the clean energy market by extending the requirement that electric suppliers purchase 5% Class III renewable energy credits to 2026
  • Creates a task force focused on improving consumer protections for people purchasing, leasing, or entering into solar panel agreements and requires it to provide recommendations to the Energy and Technology Committee.
  • Expands an existing statute that allows PURA to select either the Green Bank, DEEP, the electric distribution companies, a third-party vendor, or any combination to administrate the energy storage solutions program to other programs for clean energy programs which would allow for the lowest cost administration of these programs.
  • Finally, it would help spread out costs and lower ratepayer impact for offshore wind power purchase agreements by expanding the maximum term from 20 to 30 years. Additionally, it would require the EDCs to prioritize contracts related to offshore wind that support employment of local fishermen.

These steps support state efforts and policy directives to pursue zero-carbon and clean energy, supporting a cleaner energy future.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Posted on by Devin James
May 4, 2024

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Early this morning, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) joined the Senate’s vote to advance Senate Bill 3, moving significant advances in consumer protection one step closer to becoming law. The bill carries a number of improvements for consumers regarding broadband internet access, “junk fees” and the “right to repair,” as well as changes to statutes regarding drone purchasing and operations for municipal and state governments.

“With the internet as a constant in everyday life, and frustration about ‘junk fees’ that are attached to online purchases and waste consumers’ money, as well as devices and appliances requiring expensive repairs among the many consumer pressures in everyday life, this bill addresses a number of consumer needs that will create consumer protections in Connecticut,” said Sen. Maher. “Improved access to broadband internet will support state residents and address some common complaints they have.”

“Senate Bill 3 will end the deceptive concealment of junk fees, empowering individuals to make informed choices,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Furthermore, by safeguarding the right to repair, this legislation will grant consumers autonomy over their possessions. In essence, this legislation heralds a new era of fairness that continues Connecticut’s leadership in putting consumers first.”

Senate Bill 3, ” An Act Concerning Consumer Protection,” and its actions are intended to directly protect consumers. Expansions and efforts to support broadband internet access in the state will help ensure all state residents, including low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities, underserved demographics and rural communities, can keep up with modern internet demands. As of last year, more than 10,000 homes and small businesses in Connecticut, and as many as hundreds of thousands of state residents, do not have access to high-speed internet.

Efforts to fight junk fees will match the federal government’s; the Biden administration has worked to reduce and repeal hidden fees and predatory price advertisements for several years. They also build on 2023 Connecticut legislative work to ban hidden fees on tickets to live events, which went into place last year.

Revelations that producers of listening devices have eavesdropped and even sold information collected from user data have caused controversy in recent years. Amazon paid a fine to the Federal Trade Commission for eavesdropping on consumers while Cox admitted in an earnings call that it monetized data it collected from user data with targeted advertisements.

Enshrining the right to repair will build on efforts already started by other states including California to prevent electronics and appliance manufacturers from monopolizing repair markets of their products, supporting small businesses and members of the public.

Banning drones manufactured in China and Russia would work to counter potential relaying of data from drones back to their countries of origin; the FBI has warned these drones can represent “significant risk” to critical infrastructure in the United States.

Prior to today’s passage in the Senate, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee on April 22 by a 24-11 vote and the General Law Committee on March 12 by a 14-8 vote. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 4, 2024

SENATE PASSES BILL TO REVEAL JUNK FEES, ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR AND PROTECT CONSUMERS

Early this morning, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s vote to advance Senate Bill 3, moving significant advances in consumer protection one step closer to becoming law. The bill carries a number of improvements for consumers regarding broadband internet access, “junk fees,” streaming services and the “right to repair,” as well as changes to statutes regarding drone purchasing and operations for municipal and state governments and price gouging in disaster situations.

“If you don’t have broadband internet, you’re a step behind everyone else in 2024, but too many state residents still don’t have access,” said Sen. Anwar. “If you’re shopping, last-minute ‘junk fees’ will either cost you money at the last minute or waste your time when you look elsewhere. This bill works to address these issues while also focusing on the fairness of internet service and preventing potential spying on Connecticut residents in multiple ways, to name just a few advances. It’s a positive, empowering step forward for our state.”

“Senate Bill 3 will end the deceptive concealment of junk fees, empowering individuals to make informed choices,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Furthermore, by safeguarding the right to repair, this legislation will grant consumers autonomy over their possessions. In essence, this legislation heralds a new era of fairness that continues Connecticut’s leadership in putting consumers first.”

Senate Bill 3, ” An Act Concerning Consumer Protection,” would take a variety of steps including:

  • Having the Office of Consumer Counsel study the merits, feasibility and means of ensuring digital equity and quality broadband Internet service access for residents statewide, including guaranteeing minimum speeds for access and requiring comparable capacities for all subscribers to a broadband internet service
  • Having the Department of Consumer Protection develop a “Net Equality Program” that would seek to ensure that at least 90% of Connecticut households have affordable broadband internet service access by 2025 and 95% by 2028, with a maximum monthly cost established by July 2025 with minimum speeds of 25 MB/s download and 3MB/s upload
  • Seeking to end “junk fees” by preventing businesses to display prices to consumers that exclude fees, charges or costs, or that intentionally misrepresent fees to mislead individuals, with exceptions for taxes and mandatory gratuities
  • Preventing any producer of internet-connected audio listening devices (such as Google Home or Amazon Echo/Alexa) from selling recordings or data collected from listening, also preventing them from eavesdropping on consumers without their knowledge.
  • Preserving the “right to repair,” where individual consumers can perform repairs to their own electronic devices and appliances instead of being required to receive repairs from a specific producer or manufacturer
  • Preventing purchases of drones manufactured or assembled in China or Russia by state departments, state agencies, state municipalities or businesses entering a contract with state agencies or departments.

Many of these actions are intended to directly protect consumers. Expansions and efforts to support broadband internet access in the state will help ensure all state residents, including low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities, underserved demographics and rural communities, can keep up with modern internet demands. As of last year, more than 10,000 homes and small businesses in Connecticut, and as many as hundreds of thousands of state residents, do not have access to high-speed internet.

Efforts to fight junk fees will match the federal government’s; the Biden administration has worked to reduce and repeal hidden fees and predatory price advertisements for several years. They also build on 2023 Connecticut legislative work to ban hidden fees on tickets to live events, which went into place last year.

Revelations that producers of listening devices have eavesdropped and even sold information collected from user data have caused controversy in recent years. Amazon paid a fine to the Federal Trade Commission for eavesdropping on consumers while Cox admitted in an earnings call that it monetized data it collected from user data with targeted advertisements.

Enshrining the right to repair will build on efforts already started by other states including California to prevent electronics and appliance manufacturers from monopolizing repair markets of their products, supporting small businesses and members of the public.

Banning drones manufactured in China and Russia would work to counter potential relaying of data from drones back to their countries of origin; the FBI has warned these drones can represent “significant risk” to critical infrastructure in the United States.

Prior to today’s passage in the Senate, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee on April 22 by a 24-11 vote and the General Law Committee on March 12 by a 14-8 vote. It now goes to the House for further consideration.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

SENATOR MARONEY LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO BAN FOREIGN DRONES, REVEAL JUNK FEES AND ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 4, 2024

SENATOR MARONEY LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO BAN FOREIGN DRONES, REVEAL JUNK FEES AND ESTABLISH RIGHT TO REPAIR
Early this morning, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Senate Chair of the General Law Committee, led the Senate’s vote to advance Senate Bill 3, moving significant advances in consumer protection one step closer to becoming law. The bill carries a number of improvements for consumers regarding broadband internet access, “junk fees,” streaming services and the “right to repair,” as well as changes to statutes regarding drone purchasing and operations for municipal and state governments. It passed the Senate by a 26-10 tally.

“Today, we are working in support of consumers across Connecticut, providing them more rights and improving the service they’ll experience in daily life,” said Sen. Maroney. “Access to the Internet becomes more pressing every day. Junk fees peel money out of consumers’ wallets. Re-establishing the “right to repair” supports consumers’ desires to perform repairs on their own products. All of our actions today will help families across Connecticut and I’m proud to lead our efforts.”

“Senate Bill 3 will end the deceptive concealment of junk fees, empowering individuals to make informed choices,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Furthermore, by safeguarding the right to repair, this legislation will grant consumers autonomy over their possessions. In essence, this legislation heralds a new era of fairness that continues Connecticut’s leadership in putting consumers first.”

“Senate Bill 3 stands as a testament to the commitment of Senate Democrats to fostering fairer, more accountable market practices for the benefit of consumers,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “We are stepping up to address systemic imbalances and promote responsible conduct from corporations. Additionally, by restricting the purchases of Chinese and Russian made drones for state and local governments, we are safeguarding our national security interests. We cannot leave exploitative practices unchecked and this bill a proactive approach that puts consumers first.”

Senate Bill 3, ” An Act Concerning Consumer Protection,” would take a variety of steps including:

  • Having the Office of Consumer Counsel study the merits, feasibility and means of ensuring digital equity and quality broadband Internet service access for residents statewide, including guaranteeing minimum speeds for access and requiring comparable capacities for all subscribers to a broadband internet service
  • Seeking to end “junk fees” by preventing businesses to display prices to consumers that exclude fees, charges or costs, or that intentionally misrepresent fees to mislead individuals, with exceptions for taxes and mandatory gratuities
  • Preventing any producer of internet-connected audio listening devices (such as Google Home or Amazon Echo/Alexa) from selling recordings or data collected from listening, also preventing them from eavesdropping on consumers without their knowledge.
  • Preserving the “right to repair,” where individual consumers can perform repairs to their own electronic devices and appliances instead of being required to receive repairs from a specific producer or manufacturer

The bill would also prevent purchases of drones manufactured or assembled in China or Russia by state departments, state agencies, state municipalities or businesses entering a contract with state agencies or departments.

Many of these actions are intended to directly protect consumers. Expansions and efforts to support broadband internet access in the state will help ensure all state residents, including low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities, underserved demographics and rural communities, can keep up with modern internet demands. As of last year, more than 10,000 homes and small businesses in Connecticut, and as many as hundreds of thousands of state residents, do not have access to high-speed internet.

Efforts to fight junk fees will match the federal government’s; the Biden administration has worked to reduce and repeal hidden fees and predatory price advertisements for several years. They also build on 2023 Connecticut legislative work to ban hidden fees on tickets to live events, which went into place last year.

Revelations that producers of listening devices have eavesdropped and even sold information collected from user data have been revealed in recent years. Amazon paid a fine to the Federal Trade Commission for eavesdropping on consumers while Cox admitted in an earnings call that it monetized data it collected from user data with targeted advertisements.

Enshrining the right to repair will build on efforts already started by other states including California to prevent electronics and appliance manufacturers from monopolizing repair markets of their products, supporting small businesses and members of the public.

Banning drones manufactured in China and Russia would work to counter potential relaying of data from drones back to their countries of origin; the FBI has warned these drones can represent “significant risk” to critical infrastructure in the United States.

Prior to today’s passage in the Senate, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee on April 22 by a 24-11 vote and the General Law Committee on March 12 by a 14-8 vote. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

Caption: Senator Maroney introduces Senate Bill 3 on the Senate floor shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

SEN. LESSER VOTES TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE WORKER SAFETY, BOLSTER PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH SENATE BILL 1

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

SEN. LESSER VOTES TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE WORKER SAFETY, BOLSTER PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH SENATE BILL 1

State Senator Matt Lesser hailed the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 1, which seeks to improve health and safety of Connecticut residents including improving on-job safety of home health care workers, and improved oversight and monitoring of serious mental and physical health maladies.

“Nobody who cares for us should have to put their life or safety on the line. After the recent killings of home health workers, it was clear that we needed to improve the safety of visiting nurses and other home health workers. It was important that we provided funding for home escorts, required safety training and ensured that all health facilities comply with national workplace safety standards,” Senator Lesser said. “All of those provisions originated in Senate Bill 365, our bill from the Human Services Committee. I am thrilled we were able to collaborate with our colleagues on the Public Health Committee to get them incorporated into Senate Bill 1. ”

Lesser also hailed another provision, which establishes a Parkinson’s Disease registry.

“I was approached by a constituent, Regina Stankaitis of Cromwell about the urgent need to improve Connecticut’s coordination and response to Parkinson’s Disease,” Lesser said. “I am thrilled we were able to get support to do just that in this bill.”

Senate Bill 1, “An Act Concerning The Health And Safety Of Connecticut Residents,” promises to make a number of changes to current health care and public health laws, with its foremost intent improvements to the health and safety of the home health care workers who take care of Connecticut residents every day.

The law will require home health care and home health aide agencies to collect and provide information regarding patient history of violence toward healthcare workers, substance use, domestic abuse and violent acts or sex offender registry inclusion, as well as information regarding the safety of residences they plan to visit. Agencies will also provide annual staff training to recognize hazards commonly encountered in home care workplaces and have monthly safety assessments with staff and provide a mobile app or GPS system for on-duty safety checks.

The bill will also create a grant program for escorts and safety tools from the Department of Social Services and create a working group comprised of stakeholders in the home care industry, including workers, police and organization representatives to study health care worker safety.

This drive to support home care workers came after the October 2023 death of home care nurse Joyce Grayson, who was killed while visiting a patient who resided in a halfway house; that patient has since been charged with her murder. The urgency of the call only grew after the January 2024 deaths of live-in caregiver Otoliegle Morulane and his patient in an East Lyme house fire.

In addition to Senate Bill 1’s focus on health care worker safety, it takes a broad, overarching approach to improving public health in Connecticut. Its measures include development and distribution of gun safety material distribution for increased awareness and education; working groups to study health issues like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, loneliness and isolation, and nail salon workers’ potential exposure to chemicals; studies on prescription drug shortages; increased public access and education regarding opioid drug deactivation systems; and increased oversight and studying of Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia, among many other aspects.

The bill further will support individual and group health insurance plans covering coronary calcium scans, will ensure hospitals and nursing facilities are prepared for cybersecurity breaches and have plans to respond if needed, and will support a statewide health information exchange that will interconnect myriad state medical services.

Prior to the Senate’s approval this week, Senate Bill 1 was previously approved by a 25-12 vote on March 20 in the Public Health Committee. It will next be considered by the House; upon its passage there, it would proceed to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward