By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
(June 8, 2021) We’re in the last week of the 2021 legislative session, and I’m working tirelessly with my colleagues to pass legislation that will support Connecticut residents. We passed several pieces of legislation including to support the recovery of small businesses, protect ratepayers, and reduce bottle litter.
First, I had the privilege of leading approval of House Bill 6526 in the Senate. This bill will further regulate third-party electric suppliers, which have been notorious for overcharging elderly residents, low-income individuals, and other customers who are hoping to get a better rate on their electricity but end up paying more money. I’m proud this bill supporting the ratepayers of Connecticut received a unanimous vote. It now goes to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Latest from the Senate
Small Business PPE Relief
The Senate passed legislation establishing a sales and use tax exemption for small businesses for personal protective equipment used or worn to prevent COVID-19 transmission or infection. The exemption will be in place from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2023. It is intended to provide relief to small businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees who faced great challenges during the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giving Long-Term Care Residents A Stronger Voice
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many issues in long-term care facilities, including that residents and their families did not have strong enough advocacy to make their voices heard. Under legislation passed, long-term care facilities will develop “family councils,” comprised of family members of residents bringing concerns to management about living conditions and care in the facilities. Family councils will be required to express concerns over policy or proposals impacting loved ones living in long-term care facilities; family members will be encouraged to submit testimony on proposals impacting facilities. Further, any statewide task force studying issues at facilities will include representatives for residents including resident families, giving them a chance to speak concerns and address issues.
Establishment of Program Fighting Opioid Addiction and Abuse
The General Assembly passed legislation that will establish a pilot program in up to five state communities serving individuals with opioid use disorder. In those communities, ranging from urban to suburban and rural, communities will be required to form teams of at least two peer navigators tasked with addressing the health care and social needs of individuals with opioid use disorder.
They will also regularly train on non-coercive and non-stigmatizing means of engaging with individuals struggling with addiction. To prevent future addiction, the legislation further requires the Department of Public Health commissioner to establish guidelines for using evidence-based, nonpharmaceutical therapies to treat chronic pain, such as chiropractic treatment and physical therapy, and educate and outreach to the public to raise awareness of opioid use disorder.
Bottle Bill
Beginning in 2024, the Connecticut Bottle Bill will be updated, with bottle deposit amounts raised from 5 to 10 cents, an expansion of drink bottles requiring a deposit including hard seltzer and hard cider as well as drinks including juice, sports and energy drinks, tea and coffee, and a new 5-cent surcharge on “nip” liquor bottles. This is intended to increase recycling and fight widespread litter across the state, an important update to state regulations that have been until recently not been updated for decades.
Legalization of Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis
The Senate voted to allow legal cannabis use and sales in Connecticut. This legislation was designed to ensure Connecticut remains competitive with other states that have already legalized cannabis while it also takes steps to develop a new business and job sector in Connecticut. Key parts of the bill support the erasure of some cannabis convictions and provides paths for municipalities to retain tax revenue from sales in their town or city. This would make Connecticut the 19th state to legalize cannabis, following fellow East Coast states including Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.
