Montville Legislators Have Been Busy

Montville legislators already have sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills in their respective chambers in the General Assembly session that began Jan. 3.

Two bills were introduced with many sponsors, including several who represent Montville.

One is House Bill No. 5115, which would allow the Adjutant General to make posthumous awards of ribbons and medals to all veterans who served in time of war.

This bill was introduced by Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, 30th Dist., and cosigned by Rep. Tom Reynolds, Dist. 42; and Rep. Kevin Ryan, 139th and many others. It has been referred to the Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Another with many sponsors is Senate Bill No. 5340, which was introduced by Rep. Stephen Dargan, 115th Dist, would rename the State Police Forensic Science Laboratory in Meriden in honor of Dr. Henry C. Lee, for his work in the field of forensic science. Also sponsoring this bill were Rep. Elizabeth B. Ritter, 38th Dist., Ryan, Reynolds, Sen. Edith Prague, 19th Dist., and many more. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security.

 Prague, in particular, seems to have come out of the gate running.

She has introduced:

Senate Bill No. 5, which would allow teachers to retire with normal retirement benefits at any age, as long as they had 30 years of credited service. This bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations: Prague is co-chairman.

Senate Bill No. 24, would make sure that people on Medicare receive “proper medical care and treatment during the course of a hospital stay that exceeds 24 hours.” This bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health.

Senate Bill No. 26, would require apprentice crane operators to be enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program. This bill would also add penalties for violating crane-operator licensing provisions. This bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security.

Senate Bill No. 30, which would exempt from personal income tax the sale of securities to pay nursing expenses. This bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Aging, which Prague chairs.

Senate Bill No. 31, which would “require the immediate operation of gateway tolls.” In an interview before the start of the legislative session, Prague offered the idea of tolls as one way the state could raise revenue.

Senate Bill No. 32, which would keep the pension benefits of an insured person from being included in a disability-income protection coverage offset.

Prague cosponsored a number of other bills, including

Senate Bill No. 3, which would “enhance the background check requirements for employees of homemaker-companion agencies and home health agencies.”  Rep. Joseph C. Serra, 33rd Dist., and Rep. Lawrence G. Miller, 122nd Dist., introduced this bill with Prague. It was referred to the Joint Committee on Aging, which Prague chairs.

Senate Bill No. 8, which was introduced by Sen. Martin M. Loo, and Prague, would increase access to postsecondary education for the children of immigrants living in Connecticut. This bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement.

Senate Bill No. 15, which would “provide transparency and accountability in the rate approval process for premium increases for long-term care insurance policies.” The bill was introduced by Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, 17th Dist., and Prague, and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate.

Senate Bill No. 22, which would increase the maximum term of imprisonment for manslaughter with a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or druge. The bill would require a minimum 10-year prison term. This bill has been referred to the joint committee on judiciary. Sen. John W. Fonfara, 1st Dist., was co-sponsor of this bill with Prague.

Senate Bill No. 23, which was introduced by Prague, and Rep. DebraLee Hovey, 112th District. This bill would retroactively award workers’ comp payment increases to anyone whose payments were offset as a result of receiving Social Security between 1993 and 2006. It has been referred to the joint committee on labor and public employed.

Senate Bill No. 33, which would require a public hearing when an insurer requests a health insurance premium increase of more than 10 per cent.  Prague and Sen. Joseph J. Crisco introduced this bill together.

Other Montville legislators also have been active in introducing and cosponsoring bills. They include:

House Bill No. 5048, introduced by Reynolds, Ryan and Rep. Diana Urban of Stonington, would ensure that the Office of Health Care Access maintain oversight when a hospital tries to terminate inpatient or outpatient services. The Office of Health Care Access would need to say it was OK for the hospital to stop treatment. The bill would require the office to hold a public hearing on the request before taking action. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health.

House Bill No. 5344, which was introduced by Reynolds and Prague, would extend veterans' benefits to members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs.