Author: Devin James

Looney and Duff Welcome Pratt & Whitney Vote on New Labor Contract, Ending Three-Week Strike

Posted on by Devin James

Looney and Duff Welcome Pratt & Whitney Vote on New Labor Contract, Ending Three-Week Strike

HARTFORD – Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement today regarding the end of a Pratt & Whitney labor union strike that began over three weeks ago on May 5:

“We applaud the 3,100 members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 700 for their courage and resilience in striking to successfully secure more wage, job, and retirement security in their new four-year contract with Pratt & Whitney. Striking is never an easy decision to make, and it is often less an easy decision to endure. But union membership – which was once the hallmark of America’s middle class – continues to prove its value in securing fair wages and working conditions for the quarter-million unionized workers in Connecticut, which has one of the highest union memberships in the country. Senate Democrats will always stand on the side of the middle-class working men and women in Connecticut in demanding fair wages, working conditions, health care and retirements for those who work and sacrifice for the betterment of our state and our nation.”

Senator Honig Votes to Expand Deportable Crimes

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Honig Votes to Expand Deportable Crimes

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, voted Tuesday to pass common sense updates to Connecticut’s Trust Act including provisions to expand the list of convictions that allow state law enforcement officials to honor federal immigration detainers.

The bill, H.B. 7259, passed the Senate on a 25-11 vote, sending the legislation to Gov. Ned Lamont for consideration.

The legislation adds more than a dozen serious offenses including sexual assault, child exploitation, and other violent crimes, to the list of convictions for which cooperation with federal immigration authorities is permitted. Current law allows coordination only in cases involving Class A or B felonies, individuals included in the federal Terrorist Screening Database, or in cases involving a judicial arrest warrant.

“While Connecticut’s law enforcement agencies should not be spending their time and resources enforcing federal laws, common sense tells us we should not be extending immigration protections to people convicted of crimes like sexual assault and felony child abuse,” Senator Honig said. “This legislation strikes a balance between defending civil liberties and ensuring we’re not protecting bad actors, who should be off our streets regardless of their immigration status.”

The bill also strengthens enforcement of the Trust Act by creating a new legal avenue for people to seek relief if their rights are violated by local officials like police or school security officers. Under the bill, impacted residents can seek relief through avenues like court injunctions but can not seek monetary damages.

The legislation also expands the list of covered state actors to include state’s attorneys and members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, ensuring broader compliance and accountability under the law.

Senator Honig Leads Final Passage of the HERO Act to Support CT Veterans

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Honig Leads Final Passage of the HERO Act to Support CT Veterans

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, led the state Senate early Friday in giving final passage to the HERO Act, a comprehensive bill that designates November as Veterans’ Month and includes a package of provisions intended to celebrate Connecticut’s military veterans.

The Senate approved the bill on a unanimous vote, sending the legislation to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature.

“In Connecticut, we recognize the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and military servicemembers, and this bill ensures they receive the respect and appreciation they deserve,” Senator Honig, co-chair of the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, said. “The HERO Act takes steps to ease the burdens our veterans face by improving access to dental care, waiving fees, and setting aside time each year to acknowledge their contributions. While it’s hard for any law to truly repay our vets, I’m proud of this effort to honor their service.”

In addition to designating November as Veterans’ Month, the bill makes a number of changes designed to address the concerns and comments of veterans and their families.

Provisions of the legislation include: creating new commemorative license plates honoring women veterans and recognizing the Borinqueneers, waiving fees for Purple Heart licenses plates, and making drivers license renewal free for vets at veteran stand down events.

The bill also accelerates nursing home placement for veterans with service-connected disabilities, tasks the Department of Veteran Affairs with finding ways to improve dental services for former servicemembers, and improves the school transition of military-connected students when a servicemember is relocated on orders.

Senator McCrory Leads Passage of Legislation to Expand Pathways to Teacher Certification

Posted on by Devin James

Senator McCrory Leads Passage of Legislation to Expand Pathways to Teacher Certification

Senator Doug McCrory, Senate chair of the Education Committee, led passage early Friday of legislation intended to provide aspiring educators additional pathways for earning subject area endorsements for teaching certifications beyond assessment tests required under current law.

S.B. 1513 passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and will now head to the House for consideration ahead of the legislative session’s June 4 adjournment date.

The bill tasks the state Educator Preparation and Certification Board with developing and adopting new minimum content knowledge requirements to provide aspiring teachers with alternative ways to demonstrate their expertise.

“There’s more to teaching mastery than the ability to master standardized tests, and our continued reliance on this narrow requirement reduces the number and variety of people who can teach,” Senator McCrory, D-Hartford, said. “We’ve been arguing for years that we need better methods of assessing student progress and, given our shortage of educators, it’s time we practice what we preach. This bill is an important step toward providing more pathways to Connecticut classrooms.”

Currently, an aspiring teacher must pass a standardized test in order to earn a subject area endorsement. Under S.B.1513, the board may consider alternative methods for prospective teachers to prove their proficiency. These may include assessment interviews by school boards or additional years of student teaching experience.

SENATOR MARX, PUBLIC HEALTH VICE CHAIR, HELPS ADVANCE BILL PROTECTING, ADVANCING CONNECTICUT PUBLIC HEALTH AMID FEDERAL UNCERTAINTY

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MARX, PUBLIC HEALTH VICE CHAIR, HELPS ADVANCE BILL PROTECTING, ADVANCING CONNECTICUT PUBLIC HEALTH AMID FEDERAL UNCERTAINTY

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), the Senate Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, joined the State Senate’s advancement of flagship legislation aiming to ensure Connecticut public health can continue to operate on current standards, pending potential changes federal officials may implement in the future.

The bill addresses a number of pressing concerns including fluoride levels in public drinking water supporting dental health, emergency room treatment and care standards amid post-Roe pressures, recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration under the Trump administration, and private funding to support reproductive health care or gender-affirming health care services.

“In Connecticut, we have some of the best health care in the world. Let’s not let the federal government change that,” said Sen. Marx. “Turmoil and rumblings from Washington imply there may be big changes to current health standards in coming months and years. This bill helps make sure Connecticut keeps currently effective ones in place and makes sure the state can respond in the event of ill-advised recommendations or upcoming legal decisions.”

Senate Bill 7, “An Act Concerning Protections For Access To Health Care And The Equitable Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State,” seeks to make a number of changes to public health policies in the state to ensure current standards of care and current policy decisions remain active. This shift comes amid concerns that new leadership in the federal government may make significant changes to widely accepted health standards.

Amid concerns that the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act may not provide legally mandated care in all required situations – specifically when hospitals do not provide reproductive health care needed to stabilize patient health – the bill would require emergency departments to provide such care when a patient’s life or health is at serious risk. The bill adds provisions to ensure emergency departments cannot discriminate against patients in providing care.

Additionally, should federal EMTALA standards be revoked or inapplicable, the Department of Public Health would adopt regulations to implement EMTALA provisions for hospitals. Such regulations could be put in place rapidly should there be “imminent peril” to public health or safety.

The bill takes further steps to standardize current federal policy with concerns it may be changed in the near future. These include preserving a fluoride level of 0.7 mg/l in water systems serving 20,000 or more people as federal bodies cast doubt on fluoride in drinking water, preserving dental health in Connecticut while administering fluoride in low levels that are currently federally supported.

Additional aspects of the legislation involve the Department of Public Health commissioner establishing an advisory committee of public health school deans and experts in primary care, infectious disease and pediatrics who are professors at medical schools. This committee would review recommendations by the CDC and FDA to review whether they are in line with common medical standards. The bill further would establish a public health urgent communication account in the event of a public health emergency, as well as a financial safeguard account to address potential shortfalls in public health funding.

Another piece of the bill supports the creation of a safe harbor account that would collect private contributions supporting health care providers providing reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as well as nonprofits supporting reproductive health services and LGBTQ+ youth and families to support similar care.

It also seeks to create a pilot program to introduce overdose prevention centers through private donations; four such centers across the state would offer individuals with substance use disorder a safe location, with staff overseeing use, preventing overdoses and connecting those seeking aid with treatment and mental health support programs.

The bill’s additional provisions include:

-Declaring opioid use disorder a public health crisis and establish a working group to combat its prevalence

-Requiring physicians to inform patients with epilepsy on sudden unexpected death in patients

-Requiring automatic external defibrillators to be installed in nursing homes

-Support for pancreatic cancer screenings

-Make the Department of Corrections ombudsman responsible for evaluating health care services for inmates in correctional institutions

-Developing an online hospital financial assistance portal for patients and family members, serving as a tool to help people identify and apply for hospital financial assistance

-Implementing recommendations from a working group on staff safety issues affecting home health care and home health agencies

The bill passed the Senate by a 25-10 tally. With today’s passage, the bill next heads to the House for further consideration.

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF PILOT PROGRAM SUPPORTING OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF PILOT PROGRAM SUPPORTING OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), the Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, led the passage of Senate Bill 7, legislation that will support Connecticut introducing a pilot program supporting overdose prevention centers.

“I’m grateful that the rate of overdoses in Connecticut declined in recent years, but our state is still averaging more than two people – friends, parents, children, siblings, each one of them a real person with a life and identity – die each day to overdoses,” said Sen. Anwar. “We need more resources and opportunities for them to seek and receive the help they need. I have traveled to see overdose prevention centers and I have studied their outcomes. To put it simply, they work, and our communities will benefit from this pilot. I’m grateful to see this proposal advance and am excited to see it become law.”

These locations support individuals with substance use disorder with intent to reduce overdose deaths and connect individuals struggling with resources that can help them. Sen. Anwar has championed the concept for several years, seeking to ensure the pilot can develop four centers in different municipalities across the state in 2026 should the legislation pass.

Each of the four centers would employ licensed health care providers with experience treating substance use disorder, who would monitor individuals using substances including providing medical treatment should an individual there experience an overdose. Center staff would also offer materials allowing individuals to test the safety of substances and provide referrals to them connecting them to substance use disorder treatment or other mental health treatments.

The legislation also seeks to create an advisory committee to make recommendations on public health and safety as well as center operations.

These centers will be funded using private donations.
When the legislation was introduced and considered in the Public Health Committee earlier this year, families of individuals who have died from overdoses, individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and families of struggling individuals supported the legislation at the State Capitol.

The Drug Policy Alliance reported that, as nearly 100,000 individuals per year still die of overdoses in the Untied States, new intervention strategies remain important. The centers are proven to save lives and prevent overdoses, reducing the spread of infectious diseases and cutting down on the stigma of substance use. They additionally reduce litter, public drug use, and reduce municipal funds spent on overdose safety response; a study found a single Overdose Prevention Center in Rhode Island could save its community $1.1 million each year.

Overdose prevention centers operating in New York City have reversed more than 1,500 overdoses, the DPA added, with 100% of visitors seeking treatment aid being connected to appropriate providers.

The bill passed by a 25-10 tally. With today’s passage in the Senate, the bill next heads to the House floor.

SENATE ADVANCES KEY BILL PROTECTING CONNECTICUT PUBLIC HEALTH FROM RISK OF FEDERAL CHANGES

Posted on by Devin James

SENATE ADVANCES KEY BILL PROTECTING CONNECTICUT PUBLIC HEALTH FROM RISK OF FEDERAL CHANGES

Today, the State Senate advanced flagship legislation aiming to ensure Connecticut public health can continue to operate on current standards, pending potential changes federal officials have and may implement in the future.

The bill addresses a number of concerns including fluoride levels in public drinking water, emergency room treatment and care standards, recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration under the Trump administration, and private funding sources to support reproductive health care or gender-affirming health care services.

“Amid concerns about the future of health policy direction coming from the federal government, this bill is designed to future-proof Connecticut’s public health decisions to keep them aligned with currently accepted standards of care,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. “Challenges to widely accepted emergency room treatment policies, preventative treatment for dental health, and provision of reproductive and gender-affirming care could upend our systems as we know them if not for proactive consideration. What we pass today can and will retain Connecticut’s strong history of providing excellent health care.”

“Challenges to decades-old medical policies that have saved lives and impacted public health require an aggressive response to preserve the safety of our residents,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “This bill preserves vital emergency room care standards that can mean the difference between life and death. Protecting dental health among children, it retains fluoride levels that have been long known to be safe. The bill declares substance use disorder a public health crisis and establishes a working group to combat its prevalence, and requires automatic external defibrillators to be installed in nursing homes. On top of all this, the bill takes steps to improve and ease access and safety of care, provide new tools for individuals to navigate care easier and create better health oversight standards for our state.”

Senate Bill 7, “An Act Concerning Protections For Access To Health Care And The Equitable Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State,” seeks to make a number of changes to public health policies in the state to ensure current standards of care and current policy decisions remain active. This shift comes amid concerns that new leadership in the federal government may make significant changes to widely accepted health standards.

Amid concerns that the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act may not provide legally mandated care in all required situations – specifically when hospitals do not provide reproductive health care needed to stabilize patient health – the bill would require emergency departments to provide such care when a patient’s life or health is at serious risk. The bill adds provisions to ensure emergency departments cannot discriminate against patients in providing care.

Additionally, should federal EMTALA standards be revoked or inapplicable, the Department of Public Health would adopt regulations to implement EMTALA provisions for hospitals. Such regulations could be put in place rapidly should there be “imminent peril” to public health or safety.

The bill takes further steps to standardize current federal policy with concerns it may be changed in the near future. These include preserving a fluoride level of 0.7 mg/l in water systems serving 20,000 or more people as federal bodies cast doubt on fluoride in drinking water, aiding dental health in Connecticut while administering fluoride in low levels that are currently federally supported.

Additional aspects of the legislation involve the Department of Public Health commissioner establishing an advisory committee of public health school deans and experts in primary care, infectious disease and pediatrics who are professors at medical schools. This committee would review recommendations by the CDC and FDA to review whether they are in line with common medical standards. The bill further would establish a public health urgent communication account in the event of a public health emergency, as well as a financial safeguard account to address potential shortfalls in public health funding.

Another piece of the bill supports the creation of a safe harbor account that would collect private contributions supporting health care providers providing reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services, as well as nonprofits supporting reproductive health services and LGBTQ+ youth and families to support similar care.

It also seeks to create a pilot program to introduce overdose prevention centers through private donations; four such centers across the state would offer individuals with substance use disorder a safe location, with staff overseeing use, preventing overdoses and connecting those seeking aid with treatment and mental health support programs.

The bill’s additional provisions include:

-Declaring opioid use disorder a public health crisis and establish a working group to combat its prevalence

-Requiring physicians to inform patients with epilepsy on sudden unexpected death in patients

-Requiring automatic external defibrillators to be installed in nursing homes

-Support for pancreatic cancer screenings

-Make the Department of Corrections ombudsman responsible for evaluating health care services for inmates in correctional institutions

-Developing an online hospital financial assistance portal for patients and family members, serving as a tool to help people identify and apply for hospital financial assistance

-Implementing recommendations from a working group on staff safety issues affecting home health care and home health agencies

The bill passed by a 25-10 tally. With today’s Senate passage, the bill next heads to the House for further consideration.

Sen. Slap Leads Passage of Bill to Expand College Access for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Slap Leads Passage of Bill to Expand College Access for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led bipartisan Senate passage of legislation that would explore expanding support to students within the Connecticut State University System with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

The bill passed with a unanimous vote and now heads to the House.

The legislation requires the Board of Regents to work together with the Departments of Developmental Services, Social Services and Education to develop a plan to provide inclusive educational programs for students in the IDD community. The plan must include:

-Specifications for admission that do not include grade point average, standardized test scores or graduation from high school

-Identification of certain academic programs or courses that a student with an IDD may enroll in

-Inclusive academic enrichment experiences, extracurricular activities, employment or socialization opportunities

-Provision of individualized supports and services for the unique academic, social, housing and life-skills needs

-Availability of information and training for staff, faculty and peers to support IDD students

-Identify funding needed to provide inclusive educational and social programs

“Right now, our students in the IDD community are being left behind in higher education,” said Sen. Slap. “The college experience is critical for young people, not only for the workforce development and the academics – but also for fostering independence, learning to stand on your own two feet, expanding your horizons and meeting new people. Expanding access to higher education for all Connecticut residents and ensuring every student has the support they need has been a top priority of mine and I am grateful to my constituents for bringing this issue to my attention.”

A number of constituent-advocates brought this legislation to Senator Slap, including Lisa Roland, Darlene Borre and Shannon Knall.

“While Connecticut has made strides in promoting inclusive K-12 education, the transition to college remains out of reach for many. This bill will help bridge that gap by requiring a thoughtful, structured plan to integrate students with IDD into our state universities, giving them access to academic, social, and career-building experiences,” said Darlene Borre in her testimony.

Shannon Knall wrote of her son Jack’s experience in her testimony, “Tunxis’s smaller classes has been a benefit for Jack, but there has been no coordinated program to help him access his legal accommodations. As a parent, I have helped Jack to ensure accommodations were in place. There is also no obvious support for social scenarios or inclusion. I believe Tunxis was a great fit for Jack academically, but his success required immense participation by me. I know he didn’t want that, and would love to access supports on campus on his own. He will be graduating with his Associates Degree in May. And while this is a huge accomplishment, Jack wants to continue to learn and to become a teacher.”

Senator Hochadel Leads Final Passage of Bill to Prevent Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Leads Final Passage of Bill to Prevent Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities

Senator Jan Hochadel, co-chair of the Aging Committee, led the state Senate Thursday in securing final passage of H.B. 6913, legislation to prohibit discrimination in Connecticut’s long-term care facilities.

The bill, which originated in the Aging Committee, was approved by the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 26 to 10, following similar support in the House earlier this month. The legislation now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature.

The proposal prohibits long-term care facilities and their staff from discriminating against residents based on a wide range of characteristics, including race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or medical status. It also requires facilities to post non-discrimination notices, provide regular cultural competency training for staff, and uphold residents’ privacy during personal care and medical treatment.

“This bill is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that Connecticut remains a place where seniors feel safe and respected as they age,” said Senator Hochadel, D-Meriden. “No one should fear being treated differently or unfairly based on who they are. This law will send a clear message that everyone in Connecticut deserves dignity and compassion in their later years.”

The bill also empowers the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to record discrimination complaints and gives the Department of Public Health the authority to take disciplinary action against facilities that fail to comply.

SEN. CABRERA LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF A STRONGER MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LAW

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. CABRERA LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF A STRONGER MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LAW

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today led Senate passage of a bill that strengthens Connecticut’s five-year-old mental health parity law by allowing the state Insurance Department to issue fines when insurers violate the law, and by expanding the list of health conditions that insurers must immediately cover with the most effective drugs, instead of relying on less-costly therapies first.

Senate Bill 10, “AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE AND PATIENT PROTECTION,” passed the Senate today on a bipartisan 31-5 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“If you have insurance, it shouldn’t be hard to find a therapist. If you need a drug, it should be the one your doctor prescribes – not the one your insurance company says it’s willing to pay for. That’s what we’re doing with this bill,” said Sen. Cabrera. “Mental health parity has been the law in this state for half a decade, but in many instances it’s a law in name only. This bill provides some much-needed bite in instances where insurers are skirting the law to the detriment of our citizens.”

Connecticut ranks 9th nationally for mental health access, but significant gaps remain:

-21% of adults—nearly 600,000 residents—experienced a mental illness in the past year.

-18% of adults with frequent mental distress couldn’t afford to see a doctor.

-Over 24,000 CT youth with major depression received no treatment at all.

Connecticut has had a mental health parity law on the books since 2000, but insurers continue to violate it with little consequence. Some insurers continue to underpay behavioral health providers compared to medical providers, they delay or deny treatment through stricter prior authorization and utilization review standards, or they maintain inadequate provider networks, forcing patents into costly out-of-network care.

Existing penalties, like a $1,000 fine for group plans, are far too weak to deter large insurers from cutting corners. Without real enforcement tools, an estimated half a million Connecticut residents are being denied the care they’re legally entitled to.

S.B. 10 fills the gaps that have made previous parity laws ineffective by establishing meaningful financial penalties for parity violations: the bill introduces a modern, scalable penalty structure of  $100 per product line per day, capped at $625,000 annually per insurer. The bill also gives the Insurance Department the ability to use outside experts for investigations.

S.B. 10 also improves the transparency of which insurers are adhering to the law – and which are not. The Insurance Department relies on insurer-submitted reports which are often incomplete and not independently verified. Some reports omit required sections or lack basic analysis. S.B. 10 allows the release of ‘parity compliance reports’ that don’t contain the overly broad redactions that currently shield insurers from scrutiny.

S.B. 10 also expands the ban on using so-called “step-therapy” – where an insurer tries various less-expensive options before committing to your doctor’s orders – for drugs treating multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.