State Senator Martha Marx Joins Passage of Bill Allowing Pharmacists To Administer Additional Vaccines
Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) joined the Senate’s passage of a bill allowing pharmacists to administer additional vaccines, tests and drugs and make changes to consumer access to medications. It would make changes initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to remain effective in perpetuity, expanding public access to medical resources in the process. Sen. Marx is Senate Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee.
Senate Bill 1102, ‘An Act Concerning Pharmacies And Pharmacists,’ passed the Senate with unanimous 35-0 support and now heads to the House of Representatives.
“Pharmacists statewide have played a valuable and vital role to support public health, especially in their administration of hundreds of thousands of vaccines in recent years,” said Sen. Marx. “Giving them the legal authority to administer vaccines, tests for viral illnesses and epi-pens in the event of allergic reactions indefinitely will drastically benefit public health in Connecticut by making important and potentially life-saving medical services accessible at any community pharmacy. I’m very encouraged by the advancement of this legislation.”
Senate Bill 1102 will enact the following:
Establish a licensing process for institutional pharmacies located in health care facilities, such as hospitals, to compound sterile pharmaceuticals and sell them at retail; Allow pharmacists to order and administer tests for COVID-19, HIV, and influenza; Allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense HIV-related preventative healthcare if a patient tests negative after a pharmacist administered HIV test; Expands the vaccine types that pharmacists can administer; Allow pharmacists to administer an epinephrine cartridge injector to someone experiencing anaphylaxis; Allow pharmacies to operate mobile pharmacies in temporary locations with the Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) approval; Require pharmacies to maintain a plan to manage unscheduled closings and specifies actions that can and must be taken during these closures ; Require the DCP to adopt regulations on prescription pickup lockers at pharmacies.
Senate Bill 1102 will also allow pharmacists to vaccinate individuals over the age of 12 and mandates insurance coverage for medication administration.
According to the National Community Pharmacy Association, over 90% of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, more than any other segment of the pharmacy industry. Independent community pharmacies are often located in underserved rural and urban areas. Pharmacists are trained in providing services outside of dispensing medications like medication therapy management, managing chronic disease and performing health and wellness testing. This legislation permits pharmacists to perform tests to initiate treatment of illnesses. Allowing pharmacists to perform these services allows them to minimize the long-term costs that can compound when a disease is not recognized and treated in time.
Between 2019-2022, Connecticut pharmacists and pharmacy technicians administered over 11,000 childhood vaccines to children. During that time, over 257 thousand COVID and influenza shots were administered to the childhood population by pharmacists, under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act during the pandemic. This bill makes permanent the ability of pharmacists to test for COVID-19 and adds testing for other conditions.
SENATOR ANWAR JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO PROTECT AGAINST SHORTAGE OF KEY DIABETES DRUGS
SENATOR ANWAR JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO PROTECT AGAINST SHORTAGE OF KEY DIABETES DRUGS
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s approval of legislation that will protect Connecticut against shortages of key diabetes drugs.
As shortages of important drugs have been seen in Connecticut and other states in recent years due to supply chain issues and production interruptions, this legislation will take important steps to ensure diabetics will be able to retain access to needed, life-saving drugs. In particular, the drugs this bill covers, dulaglutide and semaglutide, are currently included on the Food and Drug Administration’s Drug Shortages list after clinical trials showed non-diabetic patients could see weight loss benefits when taking them. Sen. Anwar, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, co-sponsored the bill.
“A number of drugs have been difficult to come by in recent years, which has left individuals with different conditions struggling to ensure they have a supply of their medications,” said Sen. Anwar. “This bill takes proactive steps to ensure that patients with Type II diabetes will not see their health put at risk by shortages of drugs including dulaglutide and semaglutide. It will ensure our state is prepared in the event of future emergencies that could otherwise threaten individuals’ health.”
Senate Bill 80, “An Act Concerning The Shortage of Certain Drugs Prescribed To Treat Type II Diabetes,” requires the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection to ensure the state retains sufficient supply of these drugs for treatment of type II diabetes. The bill specifies that regulations may prohibit pharmacists from dispensing the drugs off-label when they are in short supply in the state.
Before the bill’s unanimous 34-0 passage by the Senate today, it passed the General Law Committee by a 23-0 vote in March. It now heads to the House for further consideration.
SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO HELP ENFORCE WORKPLACE WAGE AND SAFETY LAWS
SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO HELP ENFORCE WORKPLACE WAGE AND SAFETY LAWS
HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today led the state Senate in the successful passage of a bill to strengthen penalties against contractors who refuse to pay their employees the prevailing wage on building projects, or who don’t maintain worker’s compensation insurance in case one of their workers is injured on the job.
Senate Bill 1035, “An Act Concerning Stop Work Orders,” passed the Senate on a bipartisan 28-7 vote and now heads to the use of Representatives for consideration.
“It’s important that we protect workers on construction sites,” Sen. Kushner said. “We have state laws in effect for a reason, and these laws need to be enforced. By increasing the penalties for violations, we’re sending a message to employers that they should think twice before breaking the law.”
Senate Bill 1035 broadens the state Department of Labor commissioner’s authority to issue stop work orders to include instances where a contractor or a subcontractor knowingly or willfully pays an employee less than the prevailing wage that’s required on a public works project. The bill also increases the civil penalty for violating a stop work order from $1,000 a day to $5,000 for each day that an order is violated.
The bill also increases the fine for hindering an investigation into these complaints – or complaints about a non-payment of wages or the failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage – from a $150-$250 fine to a fine of at least $1,000.
From January 2022 to January 2023, there were 33 stop-work orders issued in Connecticut, all of which the private-sector contractors adhered to.
In 2021, Connecticut recorded 23 workplace fatalities, down six deaths from 2020. But in 2021, Connecticut had one of the highest workplace fatality rates per 100,000 workers of any New England state: Rhode Island had 5, Vermont 10, Maine 19, New Hampshire 21, Connecticut 23, Massachusetts 97, and New York 247.
Sen. Matt Lesser Applauds Confirmation of Paul R. Doyle Esq. of Wethersfield as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court
Sen. Matt Lesser Applauds Confirmation of Paul R. Doyle Esq. of Wethersfield as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court
HARTFORD, CT – Today state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) voted to confirm Former state Senator, Paul R. Doyle Esq. of Wethersfield as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court.
“My predecessor, Attorney Doyle is well qualified and has the temperament that is reflective of a successful and accomplished jurist and I wholeheartedly endorse his appointment to the Superior Court,” said Sen. Lesser. “Throughout his service as an elected official and his career as a lawyer, he has maintained a reputation as a kind, thoughtful and fair advocate for his community. I believe in his ability to apply the law predictably, competently, with compassion and justice in his new role.”
Attorney Paul Doyle served as a State Senator representing the 9th State Senate district from 2007-2016, and before that served as a State Representative from 1995-2007. Attorney Doyle earned a J.D. from the University of Connecticut Law School and has been in the private practice of law in the Greater Hartford area since 1990.
State Senator James Maroney Leads Passage of Bill That Creates Kiosks To Recycle Electronics
State Senator James Maroney Leads Passage of Bill That Creates Kiosks To Recycle Electronics
Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Senate Chair of the General Law Committee, lead State Senate passage of a bill that will establish an expansion of automatic kiosks for people to recycle their unwanted electronic devices.
Senate Bill 974, ‘An Act Concerning Pharmacies And Pharmacists,’ passed the Senate with a unanimous vote and now heads to the House of Representatives.
“Allowing for automated kiosks to recycle cell phones throughout the state will help remove them from our waste stream. This is better for the environment and also gives consumers the opportunity to make some money. It is a win win.” said Senator Maroney.
Under Senate Bill 974, the interactive kiosks will be required to be located in secure retail spaces that allow people to recycle their used personal electronic devices. In order to recycle a used electronic device, such as a mobile phone, the kiosk will ask for identification. A person must provide a current government-issued photo identification card. Each time an electronic device is recycled, the kiosk will give the person cash or electronic payment for the deice. The kiosk will keep data from each transaction for three years.
Also under SB 974, there will be a holding period. Kiosks will not be able to recycle, sell, or dispose of a device for at least 15 days. During the 15-day holding period, law enforcement may ask the kiosk operator to give an electronic device to the law enforcement agency or officer for inspection.
Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Bill Protecting Future Rights Of Residents In Connecticut Nursing Homes
Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Bill Protecting Future Rights Of Residents In Connecticut Nursing Homes
Today, state Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden), Senate Chair of the Aging Committee, led state Senate passage of two bills that will increase communication efforts in nursing homes between patient, families, and caretakers.
Senate Bill 930, ‘An Act Requiring Notice Of A Proposed Involuntary Transfer Or Discharge Of A Nursing Facility Resident To The State Ombudsman,” will give a voice to those who reside in long-term care facilities.
“I have seen first-hand the amount of distress having a loved one in a nursing home can place upon a a family,” said Senator Hochadel. “As Chair of the Aging Committee, I am proud to be an advocate and fight for legislation that will improve the quality of life for our residents in long term care facilities. Everybody deserves for their voice to be heard especially when it directly impacts their quality of care.”
SB 930 will require nursing homes to notify the long-term care ombudsman of a resident’s involuntarily transfer or discharge on the same day the nursing home notifies the resident. The ombudsman must prescribe how to provide the notification. Under the bill, nursing homes must also notify the ombudsman on the same date if the transfer or discharge is involuntary. If a nursing home fails to do so, the involuntary transfer or discharge is invalidated and cannot go forward.
The Ombudsman’s office is the agency that helps families navigate the long-term care system. They look out for the rights of residents that they represent. They must be informed of these important decisions. With notification to the State Ombudsperson on the same day notice is given to the residents, it will protect the rights of nursing home residents and ensure they have access to resources to advocate for themselves during the transfer or discharge process. This will help streamline the process and allow accountability.
SB 930 will also require managed residential communities that provide assisted living services to encourage and support the establishment of family councils. The councils are self-determined and advocate for residents’ needs and interests and facilitate open communication between the parties. A resident’s family member cannot participate in the council without the resident’s consent unless the resident is in a dementia special care center.
Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents, and supporting facility efforts to make care and life in the facility the best it can be. Family Councils not only work to support resident life but become a second family to the members who have similar shared experiences. Family councils can provide vital data, accounts of experiences, and knowledge of daily operations occurring in a facility.
Residents of long-term facilities should have the opportunity to advocate for themselves. They should be invited to participate in conversations about their own health, safety, and futures. They deserve the opportunity to discuss how policy proposals will impact their daily lives and to share their ideas for how policies can best meet their needs.
With support from the CT Statewide Family Council, this bill will offer a necessary policy change. While the right to a family council is afforded to all residents of long-term care facilities, there is a big gap when it comes to managed residential communities providing assisted living services. Recognizing family members as care partners in both long-term care and assisted living provides a vital connection for the resident, family members and facilities.
State Senator Saud Anwar Joins Senate Passage of Bill Requiring Crisis Intervention Training, Collaboration Between Police And Social Workers
State Senator Saud Anwar Joins Senate Passage of Bill Requiring Crisis Intervention Training, Collaboration Between Police And Social Workers
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s passage of a bill that will require police officer training on strategies including crisis intervention and develop recommendations on how police officers and social workers may collaborate.
Senate Bill 972, “An Act Concerning Crisis Intervention Training For Police Officers And Collaboration Between Police Officers And Social Workers,” now heads to the House of Representatives.
“Our police officers work to protect and serve our communities, but every call they receive is vastly different,” said Sen. Anwar. “Individuals experiencing mental health issues may require special concern and consideration when they interact with police. Crisis intervention training can provide safer and meaningful advances in sensitive situations and social workers can provide additional insight and improve the results of a given call. I look forward to seeing this bill become law; I know it will have positive benefits for our state.”
(p>Currently, each police training program given by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST), the State Police, or a police department must include POST-developed curricula for police officers on interacting with either people who have mental or physical disabilities or are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. This bill will require POST to add crisis intervention strategies to training for police officers to use when interacting with people with mental illness in crisis.
Crisis Intervention Training will help reduce the risk of serious injuries during an interaction between officers and a person with mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the lack of mental health crisis services across the U.S. has resulted in law enforcement officers serving as first responders to most crises. A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is an innovative, community-based approach to improve the outcomes of these encounters. CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services and individuals with mental illness and their families.
SB 972 will also work to build relationships between police officers and social workers. A list of recommendations on how police officers can collaborate with social workers will be determined. Police are often the first responders to individuals in distress and sometimes they are the only responders.
The most comprehensive police social work practice is found in Illinois and Wisconsin. Police social workers are employed within more than 35 police departments and provide a variety of services in response to domestic violence, elder abuse and mental health.
The Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers submitted written testimony explaining the avenues social workers take when assisting those in crisis. The president wrote, “Social workers have extensive training in working with diverse populations, are problem solvers, experts in de-escalation. Through a “person-in-environment” approach, they can assist individuals and families to resolve societal problems. Social workers are aware of community resources and know how to access them. Social workers are advocates for clients in a way that creates trust and supportive relationships.”
Police officers are experts in addressing issues of law enforcement, social workers are experts in resolving social problems that bring individuals into encounters with the police.
State Senator MD Rahman Joins Senate Passage of Bill Requiring Crisis Intervention Training, Aiding Collaboration Between Police And Social Workers
State Senator MD Rahman Joins Senate Passage of Bill Requiring Crisis Intervention Training, Aiding Collaboration Between Police And Social Workers
Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester) joined the Senate’s passage of a bill that will require police officer training on strategies including crisis intervention and develop recommendations on how police officers and social workers can collaborate.
Senate Bill 972, “An Act Concerning Crisis Intervention Training For Police Officers And Collaboration Between Police Officers And Social Workers,” now heads to the House of Representatives.
“Police officers have to respond to a variety of calls in their daily duty, but some of them, like interactions with people who are experiencing mental health crisis, may be especially challenging,” said Sen. Rahman. “By adding crisis intervention strategies to police training and aiding collaboration between police and social workers, we can likely achieve better results for everyone involved in these calls and ensure those in crisis receive the care and attention they need.”
Currently, each police training program given by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST), the State Police, or a police department must include POST-developed curricula for police officers on interacting with either people who have mental or physical disabilities or are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. This bill will require POST to add crisis intervention strategies to training for police officers to use when interacting with people with mental illness in crisis.
Crisis Intervention Training will help reduce the risk of serious injuries during an interaction between officers and a person with mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the lack of mental health crisis services across the U.S. has resulted in law enforcement officers serving as first responders to most crises. A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is an innovative, community-based approach to improve the outcomes of these encounters. CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services and individuals with mental illness and their families.
SB 972 will also work to build relationships between police officers and social workers. A list of recommendations on how police officers can collaborate with social workers will be determined. Police are often the first responders to individuals in distress and sometimes they are the only responders.
The most comprehensive police social work practice is found in Illinois and Wisconsin. Police social workers are employed within more than 35 police departments and provide a variety of services in response to domestic violence, elder abuse and mental health.
The Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers submitted written testimony explaining the avenues social workers take when assisting those in crisis. The president wrote, “Social workers have extensive training in working with diverse populations, are problem solvers, experts in de-escalation. Through a “person-in-environment” approach, they can assist individuals and families to resolve societal problems. Social workers are aware of community resources and know how to access them. Social workers are advocates for clients in a way that creates trust and supportive relationships.”
Police officers are experts in addressing issues of law enforcement, social workers are experts in resolving social problems that bring individuals into encounters with the police.
Senate President Looney Statement on Consensus Revenue
Senate President Looney Statement on Consensus Revenue
Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) released the following statement regarding consensus revenue:
“Today’s consensus revenue figures confirms Connecticut’s economy remains strong and consumer confidence continues to be in great shape. This additional revenue, along with other funding sources, should be used to support a number of critical areas of the state budget. The time to invest is now.”
Senator Miller Receives Alpha Nu’s Citizen of the Year Award
Senator Miller Receives Alpha Nu’s Citizen of the Year Award
State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford) has accepted the 2022 Alpha Nu’s Citizen of the Year award. The Alpha Nu Chapter of the Omega PSI PHI Fraternity Inc. in the Stamford-Norwalk District, chose Senator Miller during International Achievement Week which promotes the study of African American Life and History.
“I am honored to be recognized by Alpha Nu which does so much good in our community,” said Senator Miller. “I feel it is my duty to proactively amplify the voices of women in our state, especially for women of color. There is much we have accomplished but we know there is still a lot of work left to do.”
National Achievement Week began at the 1920 Grand Conclave in Nashville. Brother Carter G. Woodson inspired the overall idea. In 1927, at Brother Woodson’s urging, the Fraternity made National Negro Achievement Week an annual observance. In 1976, this commemoration evolved into Black History Month. The Achievement Week Program recognizes those individuals at the local and national levels who have made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life for African Americans.
On March 8, 2021, Senator Miller became the first woman to represent the 27th district, which includes sections of Stamford and Darien. Senator Miller also became the first person of color to represent the district.
She is only the fourth Black woman to serve in the state Senate and is currently one of two Black female legislators including state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport/Monroe/Trumbull), serving in the upper chamber.
Senator Miller has since supported legislation that focuses on bringing more transparency into the workplace with equal pay between men and women, pushed to eliminated workplace discrimination against women, advocated for residents in long-term care facilities, and has helped bridge the opportunity gap between students by offering a program that will provide science-based literacy interventions.
Before joining the Senate, Miller proudly served Stamford’s 145th district as a member of the state House of Representatives since 2009. She was elected to a sixth term in November 2020 before being tapped to fill the seat in the Senate formerly held by Carlo Leone through a special election she won convincingly.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911. Chartered in 1965, Alpha Nu Chapter is the home of Omega Men who follow the Fraternity’s cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. Alpha Nu set models for other chapters within the first district to measure up to and to follow. Many scholarships were given to high school and college students The chapter became a partner with the George Washington Carver Center in Norwalk with the goals being to help uplift the community.