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

Posted on May 30, 2025 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 May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 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

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Devin James

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.

SENATOR ANWAR CELEBRATES FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION CREATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE STUDYING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR MATERNAL HEALTH

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR CELEBRATES FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION CREATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE STUDYING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR MATERNAL HEALTH

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), the Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, celebrated the Senate’s final passage of legislation that, once made law, will create an advisory study seeking to improve maternal health outcomes. The study will have dual focuses of improving perinatal mental health care services and reviewing making Connecticut hospitals more friendly to doulas, who perform non-medical support services during pregnancy and after birth.

The bill in question, House Bill 7214, “An Act Concerning Maternal Health,” passed the Senate by a unanimous 36-0 vote. It previously passed the House by a 138-3 tally, and with its final passage today now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.

“We can always do more to review our current systems and find room for improvement, and too many pregnancies are marred by mental health issues and other crises that negatively impact families,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m looking forward to the results of this study and working to improve the overall health of our state. I’m excited to see this bill become law.”

House Bill 7214 requires the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to study and make recommendations regarding improving perinatal mental health care services in Connecticut and making Connecticut hospitals more doula-friendly for pregnant patients. The study will review more than a dozen factors including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, treatments, reducing/removing racial and ethnic disparities in treatment of such disorders and other factors involving mental health care.

It will also review current doula policies in hospitals, as well as challenges to their increased utilization, study of doula-friendly policies, doulas’ impact on maternal health rates.

The advisory committee will be built of individuals including persons with experience with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including individuals, caregivers or advocates, as well as a care organization representative, a registered nurse, a pediatrician, obstetrician, psychologist, psychiatrist and social worker, a doula, a midwife, a lactation consultant and more. Their findings would be due to the legislature in early 2026, with a final report due no later than 2027.

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Value-Based Nursing Home Reimbursement Model

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Value-Based Nursing Home Reimbursement Model

Senator Jan Hochadel, co-chair of the legislature’s Aging Committee, led passage Wednesday of a bill to establish a value-based Medicaid reimbursement model that rewards quality care and incentivizes nursing homes to provide the best possible care.

The bill, S.B. 1333, passed the Senate unanimously, sending the proposal to the House for consideration during the final week of this year’s legislative session.

The proposal expands a 2022 pilot program at the Department of Social Services, designed to incentivize quality care based on metrics like staffing levels, patient health outcomes, and resident satisfaction surveys. The bill’s goal is to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and to enhance the quality of life for Connecticut seniors.

“We all want the best care and living conditions for our aging loved ones, and some Connecticut nursing homes are already setting a high standard,” Senator Hochadel said. “With S.B. 1333, we’re moving toward a system that incentivizes those results. This legislation rewards the facilities that produce the best patient outcomes, earn high marks from residents and their families, and maintaining safe staffing levels. This policy will raise the bar at long-term care facilities across Connecticut, helping to ensure that every senior can age comfortably wherever they reside.”

Beginning next October, S.B. 1333 will provide grants to nursing homes that demonstrate high-quality outcomes for residents, and incentivizing facilities without high ratings to improve. The proposal relies on bond funding to support its grant payments to nursing homes.

Other provisions of the bill will require that insurers seeking to raise their long-term care policy premium rates first hold a public hearing in cases where that rate increase exceeds 10%. The bill also requires insurers to give policyholders at least two weeks notice ahead of the hearing.

Another section studies the feasibility of expanding a separate pilot program that provides subsidies for assisted living facilities, and examines options to make it easier for older adults to choose where they receive long-term care services.

Senator Lopes Welcomes $1M for Berlin Peck Library

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Lopes Welcomes $1M for Berlin Peck Library

Today, state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), welcomed $1 million in state funding for the Berlin Peck Library.

Governor Ned Lamont announced today 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.

Berlin has been awarded a $1 million grant for a reroofing and mechanical replacement project that will be matched by $240,000 by the town.

“I’m proud to welcome this $1 million in state funding for the Berlin Peck Library, which serves as a vital resource for residents of all ages,” said Senator Rick Lopes. “Investing in our library is essential because it provides free access to information, technology, and educational resources that empower residents, support lifelong learning, and strengthen the fabric of our community.”

Farmington Delegation Welcomes $1M for Tunxis Mead

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Farmington Delegation Welcomes $1M for Tunxis Mead

FARMINGTON, CT – Today, State Senators Derek Slap and Rick Lopes and State Representative Mike Demicco welcomed $1 million in state funds for improvements to the Tunxis Mead park facilities.

Farmington has been awarded a $1 million grant which will be matched by $502,000 from the town.

“This grant is a great example of leveraging state and town dollars to build out critical local infrastructure that betters the lives of our residents,” said Sen. Slap. “Tunxis Mead is a fantastic resource that allows people of all ages to get outside and stay active. This funding will make some important updates to the complex and I’m grateful to town leadership for their vision and to Governor Lamont for continuing to be a strong partner to municipalities across the state.”

“The $1 million in state funding, combined with the town’s commitment, will play a crucial role in advancing the Tunxis Mead Improvement Plan. This investment isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about building a safer, more connected, and vibrant community where families can thrive and businesses can grow. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will bring to our town,” said Sen. Lopes.

“Tunxis Mead is Farmington’s crown jewel for individual residents and families to enjoy outdoor and passive recreation,” Rep. Demicco said. “The $1 million STEAP grant and $500,000 matching town funds will go a long way to enhancing the park’s infrastructure, including the installation of new LED lights, safety netting and poles for the baseball and softball fields and resurfacing the basketball courts. I’m thrilled the town received this grant for residents and visitors to continue to use the park for years to come.”

SENATOR KUSHNER CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR KUSHNER CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS

Senator Kushner (left) with staff and Senate leadership in front of the vote tally board announcing the passage of Senate Bill 8 on purely partisan lines.

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), who is Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, today celebrated Senate passage of Senate Bill 8, ” AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO WORKERS’ RIGHTS,” which seeks to provide unemployment compensation to unionized workers who have been out on strike for more than 14 days.

“Today we took a monumental step forward for middle-class families in Connecticut by seeking to provide them with a modicum of financial support if they’re out on strike for more than two weeks. This is a rare occurrence in Connecticut, but it’s important that when it happens that we’re there for the people who still have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Connecticut now has the opportunity to prove it shares the same values as the people of New York and New Jersey — who have already had this law in place for years — if Governor Lamont signs this bill into law. It’s not a difficult bill, nor a difficult concept, to embrace.”

Senator Hartley Celebrates Waterbury Promise Day at the State Capitol

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Hartley Celebrates Waterbury Promise Day at the State Capitol

Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) honored the Waterbury Promise Scholars in the Senate Chamber recognizing their academic achievements, perseverance, and the transformative impact of the Waterbury Promise program on higher education access and success for local students.

“Waterbury Promise is more than a scholarship—it’s a bold investment in the potential of our young people,” said Sen. Hartley. “By surrounding students with the support they need to succeed in college and beyond, we are not only opening doors for individual achievement but also building a stronger, more inclusive future for Waterbury and for Connecticut. Today, we celebrate the scholars whose drive and determination inspire us all and reaffirm our commitment to expanding opportunity for every student in our community.”

While the program is centered on a generous last-dollar scholarship, its success hinges on providing a full continuum of support services to help high-achieving and traditionally underserved Waterbury students get to college, thrive there, persist through graduation and be career ready to create a robust and diverse talent pipeline for the local, regional and state economies.

This transformative college access and success program continues to grow exponentially and register powerful results including:

-Providing academic, financial, social-emotional and career readiness supports to more than 600 scholars across 20 Connecticut colleges and universities to ensure college and career success;

-Exceeding $1.1 million in critical last-dollar scholarship disbursements to increase college affordability and reduce student debt burden;

-Fulfilling dozens of emergency funding requests for books, laptops, transportation, food and more from scholars facing financial hardship;

-Realizing a 90% college persistence rate and an 89% program retention rate;

-Celebrating its very first graduate from a four-year institution in 2025—Kimberly Cosgrove just earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UConn in three years’ time!;

-Honoring Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 graduates from CT State Naugatuck Valley and continuing to support their educational journeys in Connecticut as scholars transfer to pursue their bachelor’s degrees; and

-Significantly expanding career readiness programming and industry partnerships across key sectors (manufacturing, healthcare, finance and banking, law and more) to fuel CT’s next generation workforce

2025-2026 will be another milestone year for Waterbury Promise. The program will serve 4 cohorts in college concurrently (and well over 800 students) beginning this summer. Cohort 2025 is on track to be the largest one yet.

These supports are critical, given that 68% of Waterbury Promise Scholars are first generation college students, 78% are students of color, many come from low to moderate income households and some are even pursuing higher education without any parental support.

The 2025 scholars include:

-Kimberly Cosgrove

-Jaelyn Perreault

-Smith Bernard

-Sofia Giusti

-Harold Vilchez

-Rebecca Dasilva

-Maverick and Brandon Werneck

Waterbury Delegation Condemns Mall Shooting, Commends Swift Law Enforcement Response

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Waterbury Delegation Condemns Mall Shooting, Commends Swift Law Enforcement Response

Today, the Waterbury Delegation, State Senator Joan Hartley, State Representatives Larry Butler, Ron Napoli Jr., Michael DiGiovancarlo, Geraldo Reyes Jr., and Bill Pizzuto released the following statement in the aftermath of Tuesday’s shooting at the Brass Mill Center.

“This was a tragic, unnecessary, and horrific act of violence. The result of an altercation between individuals who knew each other. It is not who We in Waterbury are.

“We commend the swift and coordinated response from the Waterbury Police Department, who were on the scene within three minutes, along with support from the Connecticut State Police. Coincidentally, the Brass Mill Center has been a site for regular law enforcement drills, and the preparedness of all responding agencies was evident in their seamless and professional handling of the situation.

“We also want to recognize the mall personnel, the Waterbury Fire Department and EMS personnel that responded to the scene, and medical teams at our Waterbury hospitals, who provided an immediate and effective response in assisting the victims.

“The delegation condemns this senseless and appalling act of violence in the strongest possible terms. Waterbury is a resilient community. We will continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents.”