OPINION: A measure that truly makes an impact on our state

Also published in the Record Journal – June 16, 2021.

Summer is just around the corner. Temperatures are warming, masks are coming off, and almost everyone I know or talk to is planning to make up for the disruptions of last year by spending as much time as possible with close family and friends. I’m looking forward to trips to the beach, family cookouts and, following a sometimes tumultuous legislative session, a few quiet days around the house reading a book or two.

As you can imagine, a legislature that is made up of 151 State Representatives and 36 Senators doesn’t always agree, and sometimes the debate can be difficult. However, there are times when most of the entire Assembly comes together to support a measure that truly makes a positive impact on our state.

A few weeks ago, the House unanimously passed one such measure – SB 608 “AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN WHEN BUYING ICE CREAM FROM A FROZEN DESSERT TRUCK” – a child safety bill known unofficially as “Tristan’s Law” in honor of ten-year-old Tristan Barhorst, a child from Wallingford who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle after buying ice cream from a truck parked on the opposite side of the road in June of 2020. The Senate had passed the bill unanimously a few weeks earlier.

In response to that horrific tragedy, and similar incidents including one in 2019 that left a Hamden child with permanent injuries, Senator Paul Ciccarella and I introduced legislation to provide protections for anyone purchasing treats from a frozen dessert truck. We worked together, looking at what other states and towns had done in this regard, and drafted many versions of the bill.  We garnered strong bipartisan support from both the House and Senate and, on June 2 when Governor Lamont signed it into law the initiative had garnered 56 cosponsors, including some others from Cheshire and Wallingford: Representatives Vincent Candelora, Mary Mushinsky, and Lezlye Zupkus, along with Senator Mary Abrams. Here is the link to the webpage for the bill:   https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2021&bill_num=608

Basically, this new law requires ice cream trucks to have operating, flashing signal lights, a convex mirror to allow the driver to see the sides of the truck more clearly, and a front crossing arm. Motorists that come upon the vehicle will have to stop, and then proceed with caution as they pass. These reasonable modifications will provide greater protection for vulnerable road users, especially children. There are also grandfathering provisions that permit those already operating ice cream trucks without the safety equipment, to continue to do so for a limited time period, so long as they do not vend in such a way that forces children to cross the roadway to get to the truck. Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required to post information about the equipment requirements and operating rules on its website, and provide the information to permit applicants.

Public safety legislation that modifies traffic law is some of the most important we consider at the Capitol, and can be a source of difficult debate and disagreement among legislators. Sometimes, however, there is less disagreement and instead more collaboration with legislators brainstorming ways to promote this important information to their constituents and statewide.

It was an honor to work with Senator Ciccarella to introduce this legislation on behalf of Tristan and his parents, Christi Carrano and Tyler Barhorst, whose strength and support have been nothing short of inspirational.

A very happy, healthy AND SAFE summer to all!