Senate Passes Legislation to Study Connecticut’s Family Entertainment Landscape and Movie Time Transparency

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney led the Senate Wednesday in passage of a bill to study the benefits and impact of disclosing the actual start times of films shown in Connecticut’s movie theaters while making recommendations to increase the availability of family entertainment options throughout the state.

The Senate approved S.B. 797 on a 27-9 vote, sending the proposal to the House for consideration ahead of the legislative session’s June 4 adjournment date.

Senator Looney, D-New Haven, initially proposed S.B. 797 to require the disclosure of accurate movie start times in advertisements and listings in response to complaints from constituents, who objected that movies often begin far later than their listed start times. These delays sometimes led to additional babysitting costs or missed dinner reservations.

However, after hearing feedback from the operators of Connecticut movie theaters, whose numbers have significantly declined since the pandemic, Senate Democrats amended the bill to establish a working group to study the impact of the change and draft recommendations to increase the availability of entertainment options.

“Although moviegoers should have access to accurate information as a matter of consumer fairness, we believe we have accomplished the goal of the original bill by the public attention given to the issue,” Senator Looney said. “That’s why S.B. 797 creates a working group that will explore ways to increase transparency while also bolstering Connecticut’s entertainment landscape and increasing the economic viability of establishments like movie theaters.”

“We know Connecticut is ranked among the best states in the nation to raise a family, and part of maintaining that reputation is ensuring access to affordable, family-friendly entertainment,” said Senator James Maroney, Senate Chair of the General Law Committee. “We believe this working group can identify thoughtful solutions that respect the time and expectations of families while supporting local entertainment venues.”

S.B. 797 tasks the chairs of the legislature’s General Law Committee with leading the working group, which will be expected to provide recommendations by Jan. 1, 2026.

The group will consider the benefits and ramifications of disclosing the actual start time of motion pictures in addition to other means of providing greater transparency. Meanwhile, the working group will develop recommendations to increase family entertainment options through policies like financial incentives including tax credits or the establishment of entertainment districts to ensure that such venues remain economically viable.

SENATE VOTES TO ENSURE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CANNOT DISCRIMINATE WHILE PROVIDING SERVICES

Today, the State Senate voted to ensure health care providers cannot knowingly discriminate against patients due to protected statuses, strengthening the state’s standards against improper treatment.

“Today, we take a simple but very important step to codify the prevention of discrimination in Connecticut medical practices,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “In taking this action, we can better secure that all people in our state are confident and secure in seeking health care, improving public health.”

“When studies have shown Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive aggressive care in health care settings in Connecticut, it’s clear that discrimination still exists in our communities,” said State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “No matter who you are, our health systems should be ready to provide you with needed care, but they cannot do that if you do not trust them. Today, we work to better secure a better result for all.”

Senate Bill 1380, “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination By Health Care Providers In The Provision Of Health Care Services In The State,” takes these additional steps to specifically prohibit discrimination for health care providers, with race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual, mental, learning or physical disabilities, veteran status or status as a victim of domestic violence.

The bill specifically does not require the delivery of futile health care and services conflicting with professional judgment or ethical considerations, affect a professional standard of care or interfere with public health planning.

The Center for Children’s Advocacy testified that Connecticut lacks statutory language explicitly preventing discrimination and this bill takes a strong step forward in directly enshrining that right.

The Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association gave strong support to the bill, noting that discriminatory behavior prevents people from seeking medical services and treatment, breeds mistrust in health systems and ultimately can lead to loss of life that could be prevented with timely non-discriminatory care.

“By passing this legislation, Connecticut can take a vital step toward ensuring all people have fair and impartial access to quality health care services,” the CTLA added.

The Connecticut Hospital Association testified that this legislation protects people from discrimination and noted appreciation that the law is not intended to override sound medical practices or needed public health planning.

The bill previously passed the Judiciary Committee by a 41-0 tally in April. It next goes to the House for further consideration.

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION LIMITING HANDCUFFING OF CHILDREN

Today, the State Senate advanced legislation that would prevent children under the age of 14 from being unnecessarily restrained with handcuffs, preventing excessive or undue force from being used against youth.

“An introduction to the criminal justice system involving handcuffs and police custody sets a child up for long-term failure, inducing trauma and perpetuation of a terrible cycle,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “There’s a cruelty in the unnecessary restraint and physical coercion of a young child, and our action today will help remove excess violence from our systems.”

“There are few, if any, legitimate reasons for handcuffing a young child,” said State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The criminal justice system functions best when its resources are used appropriately, and this bill helps preserve that dynamic in support of community trust and better standards.”

Senate Bill 1542, “An Act Concerning The Use Of Handcuffs On Young Children,” prohibits the use of handcuffs to restrain children under 14 starting with initial contact with a police officer. The bill makes exceptions in specific situations, including if restraint is necessary for public safety or necessary because the child is using or is threatening to use physical force on a police officer.

Handcuff use can also be ordered by a court under currently existing policy on using mechanical restraints in juvenile courts. Only a judge can order in-court restraints to be used, while officers filling forms in transporting juveniles to court can complete a form to see their use under specific factors, including charges of a class A felony or a juvenile threatening or attempting escape.

The bill received significant support from organizations including Stop Solitary CT, the National Youth Justice Network and Connecticut Voices For Children.

Connecticut Voices For Children noted that the policy change represents a positive shift in how Connecticut responds to children in crisis, noting that in 2023, 15% of all juvenile arrests involved more than 800 children under the age of 14, despite the criminal justice system not being designed to meet the developmental needs of children. Early involvement in the legal system correlates to greater odds of arrest in the future, it noted, and Black children are disproportionately subjected to restraint compared to others.

The National Youth Justice Network also mentioned those trends, noting that early contact with the legal system creates a pipeline that perpetuates delinquency.

The bill previously passed the Judicial Committee by a vote of 33-6. It heads to the House for further consideration.