Buckbee Hails Legislation Improving Quality of Life
Measures Expand Public Safety and Social Services Reporting
Hartford – With the close of the 2017 Legislative Session looming, State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-67) recently supported several legislative initiatives.
Buckbee stated, “Obviously the budget is the big issue here in Hartford, and we are going into a special session to deal with that specifically. However, we, as a legislative body, have done good work with little resources. I have co-sponsored many bills that will immediately improve quality of life and increase public safety.”
Buckbee co-sponsored H.B. 7052: An Act Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse. The bill requires better patient education before taking opioids, and limits the amount of overall prescriptions to limit excess drug availability in the community.
Additionally, he co-sponsored H.B. 7047: An Act Concerning Municipal Fire Apparatus Safety and Testing. The bill focuses on requiring all municipalities in Connecticut to update and inspect their fire apparatus at a higher standard. According to Buckbee, the bill will keep first responders safe and allow them to better serve each of Connecticut’s communities, including New Milford.
“Public safety is a core function of government. Both of these bills go a long way in keeping all Connecticut residents safe. With experience as a first responder, I can tell you first-hand that both of these initiatives will have an immediate impact,” explained Buckbee.
S.B. 246: An Act Concerning a State-Wide Waiting List for Residential Placement for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, was also a bill Buckbee has sign his name to. The bill will establish a more transparent waiting list for those who have applied for services through DDS, enhancing the delivery of services to those who need them most.
“The safety net represents the most vulnerable population in our state. It is imperative that the services are delivered to the right people for the right reasons. If you have applied for services through DDS, the state has a responsibility to process that request to the best of its ability,” Buckbee concluded.
The General Assembly will adjourn the 2017 Legislative Session on Wednesday, June 7th. However, the legislature is expected to return after the close of the session to address the ongoing state budget deficit.
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