Author: Devin James

Senate Bill 1: Landmark Child Care Expansion Clears Senate

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Bill 1: Landmark Child Care Expansion Clears Senate

The Senate voted Friday to pass sweeping education legislation, which puts Connecticut on track to significantly expand access to childcare and addresses a special education crisis faced by municipalities across the state.

Senate Bill 1 — 2025’s flagship proposal from the state Senate’s Democratic majority — passed on a 32-4 vote and directly responds to some of the most pressing issues faced by Connecticut families and municipalities.

It will provide relief for parents struggling to pay for costly child care and takes steps to address critical special education needs experienced by towns and cities across the state.

Child Care

The bill creates a first-in-the-nation, independent investment vehicle to support expanded access to child care. The Early Childhood Education Endowment will be supported by expected surplus funding, capped at $300 million this year and utilizing the total expected surplus in subsequent years.

The endowment will eventually support the creation of an estimated 16,000 additional preschool and infant toddler child care spaces by 2030. These new slots will be free or reduced cost, depending on the income of the households enrolling their children in qualifying programs. Families earning less than $100,000 will receive free child care, while households earning more will have access to child care at a cost that will not exceed 7% of their income.

“This historic investment in child care marks a turning point for Connecticut. For too long, the high cost and limited availability of reliable care have pushed parents, especially women, out of the workforce and placed enormous strain on family budgets,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney said. “At the same time, low wages and meager benefits have driven providers out of the field. Senate Bill 1 takes a comprehensive approach to these challenges, strengthening the child care system so that families can thrive, providers are supported, and our youngest learners arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.”

“Parents have been telling us that child care is unaffordable, and municipalities have been clear they need help with special education. Senate Bill 1 tackles both,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said. “We’re taking sustainable steps toward universal child care so parents can stay in the workforce without breaking the bank. And we’re overhauling special education to bring more oversight, more efficiency, and a system that actually works for families and educators.”

“Right now, families in underserved communities have fewer child care options and face higher barriers to access. Senate Bill 1 is designed with equity in mind,” Senator Doug McCrory, Senate chair of the Education Committee, said. “It ensures that funding doesn’t just flow to the communities that can afford to pay more, but reaches the families who need it most. Every child deserves the same strong start, no matter where they live.”

The proposal requires that at least 35% of new child care slots serve infants and toddlers, directly addressing a critical shortfall  in Connecticut’s child care system.

The bill will include several provisions designed to support the child care and pre-kindergarten workforce. It features a health insurance subsidy program for child care workers, addressing a pervasive barrier to workforce retention in the industry. Senate Bill 1 also allows for more competitive and sustainable educator wages through rates established by the Office of Early Childhood.

Special Education

Senate Bill 1, along with its companion proposal House Bill 5001, responds to feedback from communities across Connecticut, which have wrestled with the soaring and unpredictable costs associated with special education programing.

Recognizing the high cost of private, out-of-district special education services, the bill creates a $10 million grant to incentivize the development of in-district programming.

The proposal seeks to address the costs associated with transporting students to and from special education programs. It creates a Request For Information (RFI) intended to determine the most efficient transportation routes, ensuring the municipalities are not spending limited funds on redundant trips.

The bill calls for districts to establish Instructional Support Partners who will work closely with teachers, parents, and school teams to streamline processes like IEP development, facilitate meaningful professional learning, and advance effective strategies that support student growth and inclusion. By requiring at least 50% of their time to be spent on these specialized responsibilities, this new position represents a bold step forward in promoting support for educators and student success—particularly for those who need it most.

The legislation responds to parents’ concerns about frequent staff changes in out-of-district special education programs. It requires these programs to notify parents, school boards, and the state Department of Education if any staffing change lasts more than 10 school days.

Looney Advances Passage of Bill Enhancing Worker Protections

Posted on by Devin James

Looney Advances Passage of Bill Enhancing Worker Protections

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D–New Haven) advanced Senate Bill 1274, An Act Concerning Working Conditions, which strengthens labor standards and safeguards for workers across Connecticut. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now advances to the House of Representatives.

“This legislation represents a meaningful step forward in ensuring dignity, safety, and fairness for workers across our state,” said Senator Looney. “Whether it’s establishing clear standards for compensation of mandated pre- and post-shift work, enhancing workplace accommodations for breastfeeding, or preparing for the realities of heat-related illness in the workplace, Senate Bill 1274 reflects a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to modern workplace challenges. Our labor laws must evolve in tandem with the realities that workers face today.”

Expanded Definition of “Hours Worked”
Clarifies that “hours worked” includes time spent waiting on the employer’s premises when no work is provided, time spent in mandatory security screenings, and on-call time under certain conditions. It also allows for written agreements to exclude sleep periods for live-in workers providing companionship services, as per federal standards, provided specific sleep accommodations and minimum rest periods are met.

Workplace Accommodations for Breastfeeding
Requires employers to provide reasonable break time for employees to express breast milk or breastfeed on-site whenever needed, not just during scheduled breaks. It also mandates that employers make reasonable efforts to provide a private, non-bathroom space near the work area, which includes access to refrigeration and electrical outlets.

Workplace Heat Safety Task Force
Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on heat safety standards for workplaces. The task force will examine best practices and heat safety regulations from other states and deliver a report to the legislature by January 1, 2026.

Senator Gaston Supports Bill to Convert Unused Properties into Homes

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Supports Bill to Convert Unused Properties into Homes

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), voted in support of a bill he co-sponsored, intended to reduce the high cost of housing by eliminating the red tape around the conversion of commercial buildings into residential developments.

Senate Bill 1444, ‘An Act Concerning the Conversion of Commercial Real Property for Residential Use,’ was proposed by Senator Rahman and passed by the state Senate on a 33-3 vote. It will now head to the House for consideration during the final week of the session.

“This is something that speaks to the fierce urgency of now in reference to what we need to do here in the state of Connecticut around Housing,” said Sen. Gaston. “Converting these vacant and unutilized commercial properties, into residential units can rapidly increase the housing supply, especially in our urban areas. This can help address the blight problems and therefore reduce some of the crime we see around the area.”

The legislation would boost the availability of homes in Connecticut by allowing developers to convert unused commercial space into housing, subject to summary review by the municipality where the property is located. The change allows towns to opt into an expedited approval process to bypass hearing and permitting requirements that often slow conversion projects.

In order to be converted into residential developments, properties would still need to meet applicable building and fire codes under Senate Bill 1444. The proposal requires towns and cities to decide on a conversion application within 65 days of its submission.

Senator Rahman Leads Passage of Bill to Convert Unused Properties into Homes

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Rahman Leads Passage of Bill to Convert Unused Properties into Homes

Senator MD Rahman, co-chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, led passage Friday of a bill intended to reduce the high cost of housing by eliminating the red tape around the conversion of commercial buildings into residential developments.

Senate Bill 1444, An Act Concerning the Conversion of Commercial Real Property for Residential Use, was proposed by Senator Rahman and passed by the state Senate on a 33-3 vote. It will now head to the House for consideration during the final week of the session.

The legislation would boost the availability of homes in Connecticut by allowing developers to convert unused commercial space into housing, subject to summary review by the municipality where the property is located. The change allows towns to opt into an expedited approval process to bypass hearing and permitting requirements that often slow conversion projects.

“As Connecticut wrestles with an ongoing housing shortage, which inflates the cost of rent and mortgages across the state, the last thing we want to do is let properties sit vacant and become blighted,” Senator Rahman said. “This bill cuts through bureaucratic barriers and promotes the conversion of unused spaces into homes, repurposing these structures before they become eyesores.”

In order to be converted into residential developments, properties would still need to meet  applicable building and fire codes under Senate Bill 1444. The proposal requires towns and cities to decide on a conversion application within 65 days of its submission.

Sens. Looney, Duff, Lesser Statement on Trump’s Target on Cromwell Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Sens. Looney, Duff, Lesser Statement on Trump’s Target on Cromwell Schools

CROMWELL –  Today, Senate President Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Matt Lesser issued a statement on the Trump administration’s investigation into Cromwell Public Schools for allowing a transgender athlete to participate on a sports team that aligns with the person’s gender identity.

“This is the first instance we know of where the federal government is directly targeting a local Connecticut school system. This administration feels brazen enough to weaponize federal resources to target our local schools and bully and discriminate against our LGBT children while gutting critical agencies like the Department of Education. It appears cruelty is the point and instead of protecting students, they are targeting our teachers and schools and ripping funding away from basic healthcare and food assistance”

“In Connecticut we have passed legislation that reaffirms our commitment to our students’ right to express their gender identity without fear of discrimination. Let us be perfectly clear – our values remain steadfast and consistent in support of individual rights and liberty, regardless of who occupies the White House or who the President decides to unfairly target next.”

Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill to Enhance Katie Beckett Waiver Program

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Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill to Enhance Katie Beckett Waiver Program

Early Friday morning, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, led final and unanimous passage of legislation implementing the recommendations of the Katie Beckett Working Group, which Sen. Lesser serves as co-chair, ensuring families of terminally ill children are better served by the program.

The Katie Beckett Waiver program is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and provides Medicaid healthcare services and supports to individuals 21 years of age and younger with a physical disability who may or may not have a co-occurring developmental disability. These services are for young adults and children who would normally not qualify for Medicaid due to family income. The purpose of the waiver is to provide home and community-based services to individuals who would prefer to reside in their home or in the community instead of an alternative institution.

Unfortunately, Connecticut is the only state in New England with a cap on the number of qualified individuals accepted into the Katie Beckett Waiver program. The way the waitlist is structured leaves some families on a waiting list longer than the child’s life expectancy.

This legislation to improve the waiver program came from the advocacy of Chloe Negron’s family. Chloe was a Guilford girl diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare genetic disorder. Her father, David, testified before the Human Services Committee last year on the need to improve the program and served on the Katie Beckett Working Group. Chloe tragically passed away earlier this year.

The legislation passed requires DSS to develop a five-year plan to eliminate the waiting list for the Katie Beckett Waiver Program and add home modification coverage, as well as report to the Appropriations and Human Services Committee their recommendations on state appropriations needed to implement the plan. According to DSS, 331 people are currently on the waitlist.

Additionally, the bill lowers the maximum age for Katie Beckett participants from 21 to 18.

The bill also requires the DSS commissioner to include information on eligibility criteria and provider reimbursement rates for the waiver program in its Medicaid provider bulletins and to post certain information on the website.

Lastly, the bill requires DSS to annually administer a survey, via mail or e-mail, to applicants on the program’s waiting list, asking applicants to confirm or update demographic information and whether they wish to remain on the waiting list. Applicants who do not respond must remain on the waiting list.

“The Katie Beckett Program is a critical resource for Connecticut families who are faced with unimaginable tragedy,” said Sen. Lesser. “My heart breaks for any family with a seriously ill child. This bill will hopefully make life easier for some of them. I am very grateful to David Negron and all the members of the Katie Beckett Task Force for their wisdom and strength and glad we could send this bill to Governor Lamont for signing.”

Senate Passes Legislation Allowing Civil Actions Against Bad Actors in the Gun Industry

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Allowing Civil Actions Against Bad Actors in the Gun Industry

The Senate gave final passage early Friday to legislation that will allow victims of gun violence to bring civil actions against gun manufacturers, distributors, or retailers who fail to implement reasonable safeguards to ensure their products do not fall into the wrong hands.

The Senate voted 25-11 to pass House Bill 7042, which was approved by the House last month and now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature.

The bill allows for legal action against firearm manufacturers, retailers, and distributors who fail to adopt reasonable controls to prevent the sale of firearms to ineligible purchasers, straw buyers, traffickers, or individuals the seller has reasonable cause to believe will use the weapon to commit a crime or harm others.

“Despite the deadly nature of their products, gun manufacturers and sellers have enjoyed broad immunity to civil action, which has allowed them to turn a blind eye to dangerous sales practices that all too often end in tragedy,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D–New Haven. “This bill holds the industry accountable by giving victims an opportunity to recover appropriate damages from an irresponsible gun industry member.”

“The gun industry has operated with impunity for too long, shielded from responsibility while our communities pay the price,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said. “This bill pulls back that curtain. If you’re marketing firearms recklessly or willfully ignoring where your products end up, you’re going to be held accountable.”

“When we talk about gun violence, we often focus on individuals who pull the trigger, but rarely on the systems that enable access to firearms in the first place,” Senator Gary Winfield, Senate chair of the Judiciary Committee, said. “This legislation recognizes that the industry operates in a certain way and that way has consequences. We’re creating a framework where those consequences are no longer ignored.”

The legislation leverages an exception in the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a 2005 law that generally shields the gun industry from civil lawsuits. The “predicate exception” within PLCAA allows states to enforce statutes that establish a standard of conduct for firearm manufacturers and sellers. The bill does not single out the industry, rather it treats them like others by removing part of a shield that no other industry benefits from.

Through H.B. 7042, Connecticut joins nine other states that have taken action to expand the ability of victims to sue the firearm industry for illegal conduct, according to the Giffords Law Center.

The bill also closes a loophole in Connecticut law that allowed individuals convicted of certain violent misdemeanors in other states to receive pistol permits here, even though a comparable conviction in Connecticut would disqualify them. This change ensures consistent treatment of applicants regardless of where the conviction occurred.

Senate Passes Legislation Allowing Civil Action Against Bad Actors in the Gun Industry

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Allowing Civil Action Against Bad Actors in the Gun Industry

The Senate gave final passage Thursday to legislation that will allow victims of gun violence to bring civil actions against gun manufacturers, distributors, or retailers who fail to implement reasonable safeguards to ensure their products do not fall into the wrong hands.

The Senate voted 25-11 to pass House Bill 7042, which was approved by the House last month and now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature.

The bill allows for legal action against firearm manufacturers, retailers, and distributors who fail to adopt reasonable controls to prevent the sale of firearms to ineligible purchasers, straw buyers, traffickers, or individuals the seller has reasonable cause to believe will use the weapon to commit a crime or harm others.

“When a manufacturer puts profits over people and releases a dangerous product into the world, they don’t just fail in quality—they fail in humanity,” said Sen. Gaston, Chair of the Public Safety & Security Committee. “Negligence that harms lives must not be ignored, excused, or buried. It must be exposed, confronted, and held accountable in the eyes of the law and the court of public conscience. I stand resolute in supporting this progressive piece of legislation that will further protect Connecticut residents through firearm safety.”

The legislation leverages an exception in the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a 2005 law that generally shields the gun industry from civil lawsuits. The “predicate exception” within PLCAA allows states to enforce statutes that establish a standard of conduct for firearm manufacturers and sellers. The bill does not single out the industry, rather it treats them like others by removing part of a shield that no other industry benefits from.

Through H.B. 7042, Connecticut joins nine other states that have taken action to expand the ability of victims to sue the firearm industry for illegal conduct, according to the Giffords Law Center.

The bill also closes a loophole in Connecticut law that allowed individuals convicted of certain violent misdemeanors in other states to receive pistol permits here, even though a comparable conviction in Connecticut would disqualify them. This change ensures consistent treatment of applicants regardless of where the conviction occurred.

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $835,948 IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $835,948 IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the state’s announcement that the latest round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program grants, dispersing $30 million in grants to 46 small towns, includes $835,948 in grants supporting Old Saybrook and Salem, supporting infrastructure repairs and town resources for years to come.

“Our towns’ local improvement projects play a vital role in our communities, and to have such strong support for Old Saybrook and Salem will help move forward valuable new resources that residents can utilize,” said Sen. Marx. “Local recreation will benefit in both communities. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for recognizing our region.”

The grant funding will support the following:

  • -Old Saybrook will receive $667,948, matched by $222,649 in town funds, for the renovation of the Ferry Road soccer field.
  • -Salem will receive $168,000, matched by $34,000 from the town, for upgrades to the Salem Center Community Building.

Durham Delegation Welcomes $1M for Shady Lane Project

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Durham Delegation Welcomes $1M for Shady Lane Project

DURHAM, CT – On Wednesday, State Senators Christine Cohen and Paul Cicarella, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, State Representative John-Michael Parker, and First Selectman Brendan Rea welcomed $1 million in state funding for Shady Lane reconstruction.

Governor Ned Lamont announced this week that he’s releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut that will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other capital improvement projects.

Durham has been awarded a $1 million grant which will be matched by $270,000 from the town.

This significant funding makes critical improvements to transportation infrastructure and also enhances public safety by ensuring Shady Lane is workable for first responders,” said Sen. Cohen. “I was proud to work with First Selectman Rea and the CT DOT to drive forward solutions to concerns around this intersection and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for ensuring the state is a strong partner to our municipalities in funding improvements like this one. These dollars reduce the town’s financial liability and offer a cost-effective solution in improving safety and navigability.”

“Like my colleagues in Durham’s legislative delegation, I’m appreciative of the Governor’s decision to set aside STEAP funds to help address problems with Shady Lane,” said Rep. Candelora. “This grant award, and others like it announced today, exemplifies the benefit of partnership between the state and municipalities, the latter of which can find it difficult to cover the entire cost of large infrastructure problems alone.”

“With this generous funding from STEAP, we can make significant progress on the Shady Lane reconstruction process and ensure our community has safe and up-to-date infrastructure,” Rep. Parker said. “The STEAP grants are an amazing opportunity that provides support for the small towns in Connecticut that would otherwise get overlooked. Thank you to Governor Lamont for giving our community the backing we need for these important infrastructure projects.”

“Thank you to the state’s bond commission and governor for releasing this funding to the Town of Durham to improve Shady Lane. This is an important passage through the town, and it’s so important that we maintain Durham’s infrastructure. I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our residents’ needs are met.” said Sen. Cicarella.

“The Town of Durham is thrilled with the $1 million STEAP award for the Shady Lane reconstruction project,” said First Selectman Rea. “Shady Lane is currently an unimproved Town Road that houses one residence. Three additional houses are anticipated to be constructed on Shady as a result of a recent subdivision approval. The current road does not provide adequate width for access and two way travel of emergency services vehicles, school buses or normal Durham Highway Department snow plow equipment. This STEAP award will allow the town to move forward with significant road improvements that will benefit the community by providing adequate and safe access for drivers.”

The grants are being provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.