Senate Passes the Connecticut Clean Air Act
Senators Cohen and Haskell lead vote to reduce emissions and protect clean air for next generation
Today, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 4, also known as the Connecticut Clean Air Act. This is an ambitious and detailed effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and push Connecticut toward a greener and healthier future. This legislation focuses on the transportation sector, the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and asthma-causing pollutants. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, joined State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Senate Chair of the Environment Committee, in leading debate on the Senate floor Tuesday. The bill passed 24-11.
“I think it was Wendell Barry who wrote ‘the planet is what we all have in common.’ It’s true — we are in this together, for better or for worse,” said Sen. Haskell. “We saw a stark partisan divide today, and I suppose that’s the nature of this building. But I think it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as Republican air or Democratic air. There’s only dirty air that makes us sick and clean air that keeps us alive. As the climate crisis worsens, as asthma rates increase, as smog leads to more emergency room visits, as children start and end their day coughing up diesel exhaust on a school bus, it silly that partisanship continues to divide us. In the future, we won’t be asked who we voted for but instead whether or not we voted to avert the public health crisis, the environmental crisis, the economic crisis of climate change. Today I’m so proud that Senator Cohen and I had the chance to fight for the next generation.”
“I’m incredibly proud of this bill,” Sen. Cohen said. “I’m also grateful for the hard work and collaboration with the Transportation Committee and my friend and colleague, Senator Will Haskell. Together we have worked diligently with other committees, agencies, advocates and even adversaries to land on a thoughtful and crucial piece of legislation that will move Connecticut forward to a place of better health, more sustainable transportation options and cleaner air.”
“Recent studies have shown that Connecticut is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to our air quality,” Sen. Cohen continued. “We have not been meeting our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, and we have failed to comply with national standards for ozone. Now, with this bill we have the opportunity to leverage federal funds, to mitigate climate change, to help our businesses electrify their truck fleets, and to improve the air quality and health outcomes for all Connecticut residents.”
Senate Bill 4 updates Connecticut’s efforts to go green in ways including:
- Emphasizing the state’s efforts to shift to electric vehicles by regulating that by 2026, at least 50% of cars and light trucks purchased by the state will be alternative-fueled, hybrid electric or plug-in electric vehicles, with that rate rising to 100% by 2030.
- Ending the purchase or lease of any diesel-fueled transit bus, shifting to electric buses for public transportation, in the state beginning in 2024.
- Installing electric vehicle charging stations across the state, with existing standards for installation being simplified, installation emphasizing access and use across the state and future state facilities including schools being constructed with electric charging stations in mind.
- Overhauling the CHEAPR electric vehicle rebate systems, with changes made including increases to available rebate amounts, increases to the cap on vehicle prices eligible for rebates, increases to low-income electric vehicle rebates and expansion of rebate eligibility to include business fleets and electric bicycles. Rebates and vouchers will be prioritized to residents of environmental justice communities, residents with household incomes at or below 300% of federal poverty levels and residents participating in state and federal assistance programs.
- Municipalities, businesses, nonprofit organizations or tribal entities can receive electric vehicle rebates through CHEAPR to purchase electric vehicles or replace current fleets with electric-powered ones.
- CHEAPR will provide rebates for purchases of electric bicycles valued at up to $3,000 not less than $500.
- The state will invest in a matching grant program supporting municipalities modernizing traffic signal equipment and operations to ensure that equipment matches modern traffic flow and demand, seeking to significantly reduce emissions caused by traffic and idling.
- The state will create regulations and methodologies to ensure transportation projects increasing greenhouse gases offset such emissions by undertaking greenhouse gas mitigation transportation projects including, but not limited to, improving public transit, constructing bikeways, pedestrian walkways and more.
- The legislation recognizes the historic federal infrastructure legislation and includes state bond funds to leverage these federal dollars for our local communities to transition hundreds of diesel school buses to electric buses.
- The state will adopt medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards adopted by California, seeking to heavily reduce emissions from vehicles responsible for some of the state’s highest rates of greenhouse gases. In doing so it will create a voucher program to transition to cleaner electric vehicles and plan transportation projects to offset emissions.
- While Connecticut has a marked goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 45% in 2030 compared to similar rates in 2001, the state has seen its emissions rise in relation to that goal, as Connecticut drivers travel more miles per day now than increased vehicle efficiency can reduce emissions. Further, the state has a goal of 137,500 electric vehicles on the road by 2025, a pace it is running significantly behind.
These efforts to reduce emissions and emphasize greener modes of transportation will play a significant role in aiding Connecticut’s efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From 2017 to 2018, vehicle emissions in Connecticut grew by 2.7%, with the state’s results about 3% higher than its 2020 emissions goal. Transportation emissions are valued at more than double the combined emissions of the electricity and residential sectors and have risen since 1990 despite a 16% improvement in per-mile emission in that period. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said meeting emission goals will require strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle miles traveled, strongly supporting the efforts of the Clean Air Act.
The rising frequency and intensity of severe weather in Connecticut may be early indicators of serious effects in the state without adjustments – rising seas on the coasts, higher temperatures especially inland, heavier rainfall, more frequent droughts and more destructive hurricanes all have the potential to harm the state without significant action like that taken in Senate Bill 4.
Just as important: the state saw 21 days with unhealthy levels of ozone in 2021, the highest in New England, with five of its eight counties receiving “F” grades on ozone levels from the American Lung Association. These conditions can cause or aggravate serious lung conditions including asthma and emphysema, with long-term exposure possibly causing long-term health problems and reproductive and developmental harm. With these conditions worse in cities, residents in those cities – who in many cases do not contribute vehicle emissions in their communities – suffer disproportionately compared to the rest of the state. Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford all ranked among the worst urban areas in the United States through racial disparities in exposure to pollutants.
Chadwick Schroeder, sustainability manager for the City of Bridgeport, testified that Bridgeport, one of the state’s most diverse cities, sees significant inequality with even the town’s census tracks based on income correlating to higher rates of asthma and heart disease. “Residents in the City of Bridgeport do not only bear a significant environmental burden compared to neighboring municipalities, but also have significantly lower levels of wealth, educational attainment and higher levels of disease,” Schroeder said – and stronger action needs to be taken to ensure residents bearing the largest burden can access and use resources dedicated toward them, he continued, such as actions taken in SB4.
The Connecticut Business and Industry Administration, in public testimony, gave support to a number of measures of the legislation, including the ease of installing charging stations due to reduced financial burden for small businesses; expansion of CHEAPR to benefit vehicle adoption, especially for business fleets; the Clean Air Act fee’s use to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions; and emphasis on rural business entities allowing installation statewide.
Senate Passes the Connecticut Clean Air Act
Senate Passes the Connecticut Clean Air Act
Senator Anwar votes to reduce emissions, expand use of, access to electric vehicles
Today, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 4, also known as the Connecticut Clean Air Act, in an overarching and detailed effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and push Connecticut toward a greener and healthier future. As the transportation sector and industry represent Connecticut’s single-largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, this legislation will support cleaner air, reduced pollution and bolster the state’s response to climate change. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate in voting to approve.
“With increasing rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses across our state and the health and well-being of individuals being impacted from fine particulate matters, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide and other emissions from medium and heavy-sized vehicles, I’m so glad we have passed Senate Bill 4,” said Sen. Anwar. “When 6% of vehicles are causing 50% of the pollution in our environment, we have an opportunity to create policies protecting the current and future generations from preventable respiratory illnesses.”
Senate Bill 4 updates Connecticut’s efforts to go green in ways including:
- Emphasizing the state’s efforts to shift to electric vehicles by regulating that by 2026, at least 50% of cars and light trucks purchased by the state will be alternative-fueled, hybrid electric or plug-in electric vehicles, with that rate rising to 100% by 2030.
- Ending the purchase or lease of any diesel-fueled transit bus, shifting to electric buses for public transportation, in the state beginning in 2024.
- Installing electric vehicle charging stations across the state, with existing standards for installation being simplified, installation emphasizing access and use across the state and future state facilities including schools being constructed with electric charging stations in mind.
- Overhauling the CHEAPR electric vehicle rebate systems, with changes made including increases to available rebate amounts, increases to the cap on vehicle prices eligible for rebates, increases to low-income electric vehicle rebates and expansion of rebate eligibility to include business fleets and electric bicycles. Rebates and vouchers will be prioritized to residents of environmental justice communities, residents with household incomes at or below 300% of federal poverty levels and residents participating in state and federal assistance programs.
- Municipalities, businesses, nonprofit organizations or tribal entities can receive electric vehicle rebates through CHEAPR to purchase electric vehicles or replace current fleets with electric-powered ones.
- CHEAPR will provide rebates for purchases of electric bicycles valued at up to $3,000 not less than $500.
- The state will create regulations and methodologies to ensure transportation projects increasing greenhouse gases offset such emissions by undertaking greenhouse gas mitigation transportation projects including, but not limited to, improving public transit, constructing bikeways, pedestrian walkways and more.
- The legislation recognizes the historic federal infrastructure legislation and includes state bond funds to leverage these federal dollars for our local communities to transition hundreds of diesel school buses to electric buses.
- The state will adopt medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards adopted by California, seeking to heavily reduce emissions from vehicles responsible for some of the state’s highest rates of greenhouse gases. In doing so it will create a voucher program to transition to cleaner electric vehicles and plan transportation projects to offset emissions.
While Connecticut has a marked goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 45% in 2030 compared to similar rates in 2001, the state has seen its emissions rise in relation to that goal, as Connecticut drivers travel more miles per day now than increased vehicle efficiency can reduce emissions. Further, the state has a goal of 137,500 electric vehicles on the road by 2025, a pace it is running significantly behind.
These efforts to reduce emissions and emphasize greener modes of transportation will play a significant role in aiding Connecticut’s efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From 2017 to 2018, vehicle emissions in Connecticut grew by 2.7%, with the state’s results about 3% higher than its 2020 emissions goal. Transportation emissions are valued at more than double the combined emissions of the electricity and residential sectors and have risen since 1990 despite a 16% improvement in per-mile emission in that period. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said meeting emission goals will require strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle miles traveled, strongly supporting the efforts of the Clean Air Act.
The rising frequency and intensity of severe weather in Connecticut may be early indicators of serious effects in the state without adjustments – rising seas on the coasts, higher temperatures especially inland, heavier rainfall, more frequent droughts and more destructive hurricanes all have the potential to harm the state without significant action like that taken in Senate Bill 4.
Just as important: the state saw 21 days with unhealthy levels of ozone in 2021, the highest in New England, with five of its eight counties receiving “F” grades on ozone levels from the American Lung Association. These conditions can cause or aggravate serious lung conditions including asthma and emphysema, with long-term exposure possibly causing long-term health problems and reproductive and developmental harm. With these conditions worse in cities, residents in those cities – who in many cases do not contribute vehicle emissions in their communities – suffer disproportionately compared to the rest of the state. Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford all ranked among the worst urban areas in the United States through racial disparities in exposure to pollutants.
Chadwick Schroeder, sustainability manager for the City of Bridgeport, testified that Bridgeport, one of the state’s most diverse cities, sees significant inequality with even the town’s census tracks based on income correlating to higher rates of asthma and heart disease. “Residents in the City of Bridgeport do not only bear a significant environmental burden compared to neighboring municipalities, but also have significantly lower levels of wealth, educational attainment and higher levels of disease,” Schroeder said – and stronger action needs to be taken to ensure residents bearing the largest burden can access and use resources dedicated toward them, he continued, such as actions taken in SB4.
The Connecticut Business and Industry Administration, in public testimony, gave support to a number of measures of the legislation, including the ease of installing charging stations due to reduced financial burden for small businesses; expansion of CHEAPR to benefit vehicle adoption, especially for business fleets; the Clean Air Act fee’s use to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions; and emphasis on rural business entities allowing installation statewide.
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Today, state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), took part in passing one of the Senate Democrats’ lead priorities this legislative session, Senate Bill 2, An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children. This piece of legislation is designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national.
This bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
“Passing legislation that increases access to mental health services for our students addresses inequalities that were brought to the forefront from the pandemic,” said Sen. Moore. “Normalizing mental health care and expanding access to it ensures that each child, no matter what background or school they attend in the state, are provided services they need. Helping children with their mental health can lead to a more positive outlook of life in school and at home.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services; this effort matches one in House Bill 5001 supporting the public from a non-equity-based perspective.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- Children in care of the Department of Children and Families receiving Social Security and Disability Insurance payments will retain access to the money, which previously was recouped by the state for the cost of their care.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- Family child care centers, as long as there is an assistant present, will be able to care for nine children per center in all seasons, expanding a rule currently in place during summer.
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- Parents of children who fall ill or are injured under the care of a child care center will receive a written report and the Office of Early Childhood will be able to access video footage of the incident, if available, from the center.
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances.
- Psychologists will receive Medicaid payments for services provided by social workers and family therapists if the professionals are supervised by psychologists.
- Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists in other states will be allowed to access licenses in Connecticut if they work with Birth to Three, expanding care availability.
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state.
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries.
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States experienced mental health disorders. That rate has only increased in recent years; in 2021, the Connecticut Mirror reported that as many as 47 children per day experiencing mental health crises waited in the emergency department of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, which experts said was a significant escalation from prior years; at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the rate of children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled from March to May 2021, and the rate of hours of care provided to children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled as the pandemic progressed.
Mental Health America found that it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness with early intervention, with the time between prenatal development and early childhood being crucial for brain development. Investing in prevention, early intervention and providing access to appropriate services have direct ties to reducing the impact and severity of mental health issues in the population, it said. Doing so also reduces the propensity of mental health issues to arise and associated societal problems, including suicides, school dropouts, homelessness and increased populations in the juvenile justice system.
In other words, the crisis we see today is partially the result of inefficient investment in necessary resources yesterday – and by acting now, we can preserve a better tomorrow for the children of Connecticut.
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), took part in passing one of the Senate Democrats’ lead priorities this legislative session, Senate Bill 2, An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children. This piece of legislation is designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national.
This bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
“Over the last few years we have seen how remarkably resilient our children can be but there is no doubt the strain of the pandemic will have a long term impact on our children,” said Sen. Maroney. “I am proud to support this legislation that will work to increase access to Mental Health care. Expanding access to mental health care to children, will improve school day attendance and participation, reduce school dropout rates, foster developmental relationships that decrease risky behaviors and provide working parents with increased stability.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services; this effort matches one in House Bill 5001 supporting the public from a non-equity-based perspective.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- Children in care of the Department of Children and Families receiving Social Security and Disability Insurance payments will retain access to the money, which previously was recouped by the state for the cost of their care.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- Family child care centers, as long as there is an assistant present, will be able to care for nine children per center in all seasons, expanding a rule currently in place during summer.
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- Parents of children who fall ill or are injured under the care of a child care center will receive a written report and the Office of Early Childhood will be able to access video footage of the incident, if available, from the center.
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances.
- Psychologists will receive Medicaid payments for services provided by social workers and family therapists if the professionals are supervised by psychologists.
- Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists in other states will be allowed to access licenses in Connecticut if they work with Birth to Three, expanding care availability.
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state.
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries.
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States experienced mental health disorders. That rate has only increased in recent years; in 2021, the Connecticut Mirror reported that as many as 47 children per day experiencing mental health crises waited in the emergency department of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, which experts said was a significant escalation from prior years; at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the rate of children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled from March to May 2021, and the rate of hours of care provided to children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled as the pandemic progressed.
Mental Health America found that it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness with early intervention, with the time between prenatal development and early childhood being crucial for brain development. Investing in prevention, early intervention and providing access to appropriate services have direct ties to reducing the impact and severity of mental health issues in the population, it said. Doing so also reduces the propensity of mental health issues to arise and associated societal problems, including suicides, school dropouts, homelessness and increased populations in the juvenile justice system.
In other words, the crisis we see today is partially the result of inefficient investment in necessary resources yesterday – and by acting now, we can preserve a better tomorrow for the children of Connecticut.
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Today, state Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford), took part in passing one of the Senate Democrats’ lead priorities this legislative session, Senate Bill 2, An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children. This piece of legislation is designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national.
This bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
“The everlasting effect of a nationwide pandemic is real and must be dealt with,” said Sen. Miller. “Increasing access and normalizing mental health care for our children is imperative. With funding for school based health centers, it will help provide even better care to more students, ensuring no one slips through the cracks.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services; this effort matches one in House Bill 5001 supporting the public from a non-equity-based perspective.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- Children in care of the Department of Children and Families receiving Social Security and Disability Insurance payments will retain access to the money, which previously was recouped by the state for the cost of their care.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- Family child care centers, as long as there is an assistant present, will be able to care for nine children per center in all seasons, expanding a rule currently in place during summer.
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- Parents of children who fall ill or are injured under the care of a child care center will receive a written report and the Office of Early Childhood will be able to access video footage of the incident, if available, from the center.
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances.
- Psychologists will receive Medicaid payments for services provided by social workers and family therapists if the professionals are supervised by psychologists.
- Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists in other states will be allowed to access licenses in Connecticut if they work with Birth to Three, expanding care availability.
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state.
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries.
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States experienced mental health disorders. That rate has only increased in recent years; in 2021, the Connecticut Mirror reported that as many as 47 children per day experiencing mental health crises waited in the emergency department of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, which experts said was a significant escalation from prior years; at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the rate of children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled from March to May 2021, and the rate of hours of care provided to children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled as the pandemic progressed.
Mental Health America found that it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness with early intervention, with the time between prenatal development and early childhood being crucial for brain development. Investing in prevention, early intervention and providing access to appropriate services have direct ties to reducing the impact and severity of mental health issues in the population, it said. Doing so also reduces the propensity of mental health issues to arise and associated societal problems, including suicides, school dropouts, homelessness and increased populations in the juvenile justice system.
In other words, the crisis we see today is partially the result of inefficient investment in necessary resources yesterday – and by acting now, we can preserve a better tomorrow for the children of Connecticut.
Sen. Cabrera Votes to Take Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Sen. Cabrera Votes to Take Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
HARTFORD, CT — Today, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) voted for the passage of Senate Bill 2, an overarching piece of legislation designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national. The bill passed the state Senate and heads to the state House of Representatives. Sen. Cabrera said this bill will have a major impact on the lives of young people across the state.
“We know many young people have struggled with mental health challenges and the pandemic has only made things tougher,” said Sen. Cabrera. “This is timely legislation that addresses the ways in which we can support those struggling and prevent further mental health issues with our youth. I am proud to support this bill and feel it is more than appropriate that this piece of legislation was a main priority of the Senate Democratic caucus this year.”
One of Senate Democrats’ lead priorities this legislative session, this bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
This legislation’s preventative programs dovetail with House Bill 5001, which is designed to address current issues impacting children’s mental health and access to mental health services. The two bills coexist in addressing current issues and addressing those issues’ root causes.
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services; this effort matches one in House Bill 5001 supporting the public from a non-equity-based perspective.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- Children in care of the Department of Children and Families receiving Social Security and Disability Insurance payments will retain access to the money, which previously was recouped by the state for the cost of their care.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- Family child care centers, as long as there is an assistant present, will be able to care for nine children per center in all seasons, expanding a rule currently in place during summer.
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- Parents of children who fall ill or are injured under the care of a child care center will receive a written report and the Office of Early Childhood will be able to access video footage of the incident, if available, from the center.
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances.
- Psychologists will receive Medicaid payments for services provided by social workers and family therapists if the professionals are supervised by psychologists.
- Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists in other states will be allowed to access licenses in Connecticut if they work with Birth to Three, expanding care availability.
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state.
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries.
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States experienced mental health disorders. That rate has only increased in recent years; in 2021, the Connecticut Mirror reported that as many as 47 children per day experiencing mental health crises waited in the emergency department of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, which experts said was a significant escalation from prior years; at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the rate of children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled from March to May 2021, and the rate of hours of care provided to children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled as the pandemic progressed.
Mental Health America found that it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness with early intervention, with the time between prenatal development and early childhood being crucial for brain development. Investing in prevention, early intervention and providing access to appropriate services have direct ties to reducing the impact and severity of mental health issues in the population, it said. Doing so also reduces the propensity of mental health issues to arise and associated societal problems, including suicides, school dropouts, homelessness and increased populations in the juvenile justice system.
In other words, the crisis we see today is partially the result of inefficient investment in necessary resources yesterday – and by acting now, we can preserve a better tomorrow for the children of Connecticut.
The bill previously passed the Children’s Committee by a vote of 11-2 and the Appropriations Committee by a 48-0 unanimous tally.
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Senate Takes Preventative Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Sen. Needleman supports legislation implementing and strengthening programs intended to prevent children’s mental health issues
Today, the Connecticut State Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 2, an overarching piece of legislation designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), joined an overwhelming amount of support for the bill, which passed by a 33-1 vote.
One of Senate Democrats’ lead priorities this legislative session, this bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
“We need to do all we can to address the children’s mental health crisis, not just right now but for the future,” said Sen. Needleman. “This legislation supports programs and efforts to not only address current mental health needs but protect against conditions that can contribute to mental health issues in the future. By taking proactive measures now, we can work to reduce the impacts on children’s mental health in the future.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances.
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state.
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries.
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding.
The bill previously passed the Children’s Committee by a vote of 11-2 and the Appropriations Committee by a 48-0 unanimous tally. The bill now moves to the House.
Sen. Hartley Votes to Take Preventive Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Sen. Hartley Votes to Take Preventive Action to Protect Children’s Mental Health
Today, State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury, Naugatuck and Middlebury) voted in support of Senate Bill 2, an overarching piece of legislation designed to benefit children’s mental health amid a growing children’s mental health crisis both local and national.
This bill takes significant steps forward in supporting, expanding and creating preventative programs to reduce conditions conducive to children developing mental health disorders. With more children experiencing mental health disorders, this legislation seeks to target root causes of mental health issues, supporting children in their early development and formative years to better prepare them for success in their lives.
“The safety and wellness of children, our state’s future leaders and innovators, is of the upmost priority,” said Sen. Hartley. “COVID-19 has exacerbated a youth mental health crisis that existed prior to the pandemic and has only risen the need for support services. I’m grateful to see the strong backing of this legislation, which will enhance access to preventive care and early intervention resources.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” would make numerous changes to current state policies and programs. Among the most important:
- Mobile crisis centers will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week everywhere in the state.
- The legislation will create an equity-based mental health fund aiding members of the public disconnected from mental health services; this effort matches one in House Bill 5001 supporting the public from a non-equity-based perspective.
- In the event federal authorities do not take action, steps will be taken to enshrine telehealth services including allowances for professionals residing out of state.
- Children in care of the Department of Children and Families receiving Social Security and Disability Insurance payments will retain access to the money, which previously was recouped by the state for the cost of their care.
- The bill creates a mental health plan for student-athletes; studies show these students are increasingly likely to suffer mental health issues.
- A study on the effects of social media and mobile phone use on children will provide legislators with information on those platforms’ effects on children’s mental health.
- Family child care centers, as long as there is an assistant present, will be able to care for nine children per center in all seasons, expanding a rule currently in place during summer
- A Department of Public Health grant program will allow pediatrician offices to hire social workers with the grant funding half of the social workers’ salary.
- Parents of children who fall ill or are injured under the care of a child care center will receive a written report and the Office of Early Childhood will be able to access video footage of the incident, if available, from the center
- New safe storage guidelines will be adopted for prescription drugs and cannabis to prevent undue access to these substances
- Psychologists will receive Medicaid payments for services provided by social workers and family therapists if the professionals are supervised by psychologists
- Speech language pathologists and occupational therapists in other states will be allowed to access licenses in Connecticut if they work with Birth to Three, expanding care availability
- The Department of Public Health will manage a program recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, specifically behavioral health experts and professionals; a working group will further examine enhancing physician recruitment in the state
- The state will join PSYPACT, which allows psychology services to take place across state boundaries
- Youth Service Bureaus will receive an additional $2 million in funding
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States experienced mental health disorders. That rate has only increased in recent years; in 2021, the Connecticut Mirror reported that as many as 47 children per day experiencing mental health crises waited in the emergency department of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, which experts said was a significant escalation from prior years; at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, the rate of children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled from March to May 2021, and the rate of hours of care provided to children experiencing mental health crises more than doubled as the pandemic progressed.
Mental Health America found that it is possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness with early intervention, with the time between prenatal development and early childhood being crucial for brain development. Investing in prevention, early intervention and providing access to appropriate services have direct ties to reducing the impact and severity of mental health issues in the population, it said. Doing so also reduces the propensity of mental health issues to arise and associated societal problems, including suicides, school dropouts, homelessness and increased populations in the juvenile justice system.
Hartford Business Journal: Senate approves bill that would study expanding R&D tax credit to small businesses
Hartford Business Journal: Senate approves bill that would study expanding R&D tax credit to small businesses
The state Senate has passed a bill that requires multiple state agencies to study the impact of expanding research and development tax credits to small businesses.
The bill, Senate Bill 351, would direct the state Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the state Department of Revenue Services, to study the possibility of extending R&D tax credits to pass-through entities including LLCs, sole proprietorships, and S-corporations.
The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. The legislative session ends May 4.
According to state Sen. Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), co-chair of the Commerce Committee, the bill received support from groups such as ManufactureCT, Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s Bioscience Growth Council and Greater New Haven & Quinnipiac Chambers of Commerce.
Those groups testified that extending the tax credits would help support the growth of small manufacturers in the state that might not have the capital or workforce to invest in R&D initiatives.
Connecticut’s R&D tax credits range from 1% to 6% of a company’s total R&D investment in a given year. Companies can claim those credits against their state income tax liability, or if the value of the credits exceeds their tax liability, they can carry the credits forward into future tax years, while smaller companies can sell them back to the state at 65% of their value.
Sen. Osten Leads Senate in Approving Pay Raises for State Employees, Joining National Trend of Rewarding Workers in a Historically Tight Labor Market
Sen. Osten Leads Senate in Approving Pay Raises for State Employees, Joining National Trend of Rewarding Workers in a Historically Tight Labor Market
HARTFORD – About 46,000 state employees – the lowest number of state employees per-capita since the 1950’s – will receive wage increases of 2.5% a year through 2024, and many will receive similar so-called “step” increases based on their seniority and job performance, under a labor contract given final approval today by the state Senate.
Certain eligible state employees will also receive additional payments ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 in an effort to get them to remain in state service at a time when Connecticut is facing massive numbers of retiring state employees.
The contract also saves taxpayers $16 million annually through the creation of a new, voluntary prescription drug discount program.
Today’s Senate vote, led by state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague), comes as national news reports say workers are “in the driver’s seat ” in today’s economy.
“You can’t walk down a Main Street in Connecticut today without seeing signs in store windows looking to hire employees and paying good wages,” Sen. Osten said. “Private- sector companies are raising wages. Connecticut cities and towns are giving out raises and benefits to their municipal labor unions. Republican governors across America are handing out union raises. Meanwhile, Connecticut state employees are making 5% less than their private-sector counterparts. This is a fair contract, this is a much-needed contract, and it’s a contract I was happy to approve.”