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Dear Neighbor,
 
I want to share with you some updates and information I hope you find useful that is affecting our district and state. I hope you have a great rest of the week!  
 
Connecticut’s Strengthened Abortion Protections Become Law
Today, July 1, Connecticut’s new protections on abortion rights and access will become law. The legislation, passed in the 2022 legislative session and signed into law in May, limits the governor’s discretion in extraditing individuals accused of performing acts in Connecticut resulting in crimes in another state but not in Connecticut. This will serve to protect individuals under other states’ effective “bounty” laws, which do not only include abortion but LGBT rights in some states including Texas.
 
Additionally, the bill allows persons sued in other states for providing or receiving reproductive health services legal in Connecticut to recover costs incurred defending original action and bringing action. This includes but is not limited to pregnancy, contraception or pregnancy termination. The bill further limits the assistance Connecticut courts, public agencies and certain health care providers may provide in out-of-state judicial actions related to reproductive health care services legal in the state, prohibiting summons for criminal cases, subpoenas for civil actions or proceedings, supporting an investigation imposing civil or criminal liability with information or resources, and health care providers from disclosing protected information without written consent from a patient or their legal representative.
 
The bill further allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives and physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions and medication abortions in accordance with respective licensing statutes.
 
Under the bill, the decision to terminate a pregnancy before the viability of a fetus must be made solely by the patient in consultation with the medical professional providing a service. Abortions continue to be illegal after the viability of a fetus except when needed to preserve the pregnant patient’s life or health.
 
This legislation takes on profound significance on a state and national basis after the Supreme Court ruled on June 24 to overturn Roe v Wade, legal precedent allowing for the protection of an individual’s ability to choose to have an abortion.
 
Consumer Data Privacy Bill Signed Into Law
Governor Lamont has signed a significant data privacy bill into law, fulfilling one of Senate Democrats’ priorities from this year’s legislative session. The new law allows consumers better ability to protect their personal data collected when they interact with companies online. The law requires companies to publicly share a privacy policy telling them how user data is collected and used. Consumers will be given the option to opt out of selling or sharing their data, and companies must also get consent from users under the age of 16 to collect their data. Companies cannot discriminate against consumers choosing to exercise these rights; the law also requires companies to reduce the amount of data they collect, and it will only be used for certain purposes, reducing data breaches and identity theft. Connecticut follows California, Colorado, Utah and Virginia in supporting this kind of legislation.
 
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 6 months to 5 Years
COVID-19 vaccinations for children between the ages of six months and five years have been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with young ones eligible to receive their first doses of the vaccine as soon as today. This opens up 17 million young children under the age of 5 in the United States to be eligible to take COVID-19 vaccines, including approximately 180,000 children across Connecticut. If you are a parent of a young child, please discuss the children’s COVID-19 vaccine with your pediatrician or family doctor, as many doses will be administered in doctor’s offices; some local health departments have also scheduled regional vaccination clinics for children in addition to other age groups eligible for vaccination and booster shots. Select CVS pharmacy locations, in addition to other pharmacies, will also administer shots. Common side effects for children’s vaccinations included pain at the injection site, headaches, fever, chills and fatigue, though no serious side effects were reported. There are two options for parents to choose from; the Moderna children’s vaccine is a two-dose primary series with a dose ¼ the size of an adult dose, while the Pfizer children’s vaccine is administered as a three-dose primary series with a dose 1/10 the size of an adult vaccination.
 
Minimum Wage Increasing to $14 This Week

Today, July 1, the state’s minimum wage will increase by one dollar per hour to $14. This is the fourth of a five-step gradual progression of the minimum wage approved by Senate Democrats and signed into law in 2019. At a time when costs are rising, this bill means more than 300,000 Connecticut residents will earn an additional dollar per hour, allowing them to invest that money into our economy and better meet today’s needs. On June 1, 2023, the minimum wage will rise to $15 per hour; after that, on January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will become indexed to the employment cost index and grow based on economic indicators.

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Temple Beth Hillel Holding Shabbat Under The Stars
Temple Beth Hillel will hold Shabbat Under The Stars services with song and prayer on Fridays, July 8 and 22 and August 12 and 26. Services will start at 6:45 p.m. All patrons are asked to bring chairs, sunscreen and water bottles. Temple Beth Hillel is located at 20 Baker Lane, South Windsor. 
 
East Hartford Approves Food Truck Ordinance
As of June 21, food trucks licensed by the East Hartford Department of Health can operate on streets within the town’s business districts, allowing organizers to schedule food trucks during events held at town parks and buildings and businesses to contract with food trucks for events on their properties. The town passed an ordinance to ensure this can move forward. Food trucks will be able to operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with approval. More information is available here.
 
East Hartford Farmers’ Market Friday July 8
The East Hartford Farmers’ Market will open for the season Friday, July 8, offering fresh fruits and vegetables Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Raymond Memorial Library at 840 Main Street through October 28. The farmers’ market offers Connecticut-grown fresh fruits and vegetables with benefits for both farmers and residents. Local organizations will also be on hand for health and educational services and the library will run outdoor programs on select Fridays.
 
Greater Together Community Fund
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has established a $100,000 Greater Together Community Fund for East Hartford, supporting the local community, encouraging civic engagement and meeting community needs. To apply for funding for an organization helping the community, please learn more here.
 
East Windsor Grand List Taxes
East Windsor’s 2021 grand list taxes will be mailed June 30 with payments considered on time up and until August 1 at 4:30 p.m. While they have a listed June 30, 2022 payment date, there is a one-month grace period for residents to pay on-time without issue.
  
Whole Foods Groundbreaking
Last week, South Windsor leaders participated in the official groundbreaking for a future Whole Foods grocery store to be built in South Windsor’s Evergreen Walk shopping complex. This is the latest business to move to this area, which has been changing in recent months. This Whole Foods comes after the recent building of a Costco warehouse store and the planned development of a Shake Shack restaurant in the area.
 
Cruisin’ East Hartford July 16
Cruisin’ East Hartford, a regional car show, will return this Saturday, July 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sunset Ridge Middle School at 450 Forbes Street. Show car entrance fees will be $10, with classics, street rods, customs, antiques, old and new muscle scars welcomed. Pre-registration is not required; the rain date will be Sunday, July 17 if needed.
 
East Windsor Park Summer 2022 Swimming Hours
The East Windsor Park Waterfront and Splashpad are open for swimming this summer. The waterfront will be open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends and holidays from noon to 6:45 p.m. The splashpad will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours are subject to change based on staffing.
 

Contact My Office
If you have a direct question about legislation or an issue you’re seeking help with, please reach out to my office. My staff and I are dedicated to representing you and assisting you with any issues you may be experiencing. Please contact me at 860-240-0347 or by email at anwar@senatedems.ct.gov

All the best, 

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Senator Saud Anwar

Connecticut Senate Democrats
300 Capitol Ave Rm 3700
Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106-1553

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