Carpino: New Legislation in 2014

By State Representative Christie Carpino

Last month the 2014 Legislative Session adjourned, marking an end to three months of legislative hearings, debate and voting on a myriad of bills. I thought it’d be helpful to highlight some of the more important pieces of legislation that were considered this year.

Victims of sexual assault and stalking on college campuses will now receive clear and concise information on their rights and options for reporting such crimes. I’m proud to say that I cosponsored this legislation with a group of bipartisan of women in both the House and Senate. Schools will establish an advisory panel to create educational program for students, faculty and staff, and they must develop relationships with community providers that specialize in either domestic or sexual violence.

Discharged veterans will now have the opportunity to apply military service as credit toward certain licenses and exams in order to enter the civilian workforce. The bill also eliminates fees in order to assist veterans in securing civilian employment once they return home to Connecticut.

I was a leader in opposing a controversial proposal to reduce the size of drug free zones around schools, daycare centers and public housing which would harm our children. I’m happy to report it did not pass.

Some of the other pieces of legislation I supported this session included:

• Giving property owners greater input concerning utility company tree trimming.
• Banning unsolicited commercial text messages to consumers.
• Creating new standards to protect student athletes from concussions.
• Expanding opportunities for early childhood education.
• Making it a criminal penalty for any person who fakes military service or honors to fraudulently obtain money, goods or services.

A concept I co-authored and championed since 2011, became law this session which provides additional on-the-job training opportunities for our high school and college students. The law will connect local employers to teens throughout Connecticut, in an effort to cultivate real life job skills. The jobs provision focuses on career development and apprenticeship opportunities for teens.

I supported a new law (P.A. 14-16) to require gas stations to clearly indicate on gas pumps whether debit cards are treated as cash or credit cards for gas purchases. They also need to post a sign on or near each self-serve pump clearly visible to handicapped drivers on how to contact the dealer or cashier for assistance.

To review a copy of the annual Major Public Acts report, which summarizes the most significant and far-reaching legislation passed this year, visit: http://www.cga.ct.gov/olr/Documents/year/MA/2014MA-20140513_Major%20Acts%20for%202014.pdf