HARTFORD — The Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus today announced highlights of its 2019-2020 legislative agenda, including provisions that would strengthen Connecticut’s criminal justice system, uphold individual voting rights, and allow individual workers to determine their contributions to union activities, among other proposed legislation.

In response to the repeated and detrimental loosening of the state’s criminal justice laws, the caucus proposed legislation to reinstate the death penalty to hold violent offenders accountable if they choose to commit heinous crimes towards the people of our state.  The legislation’s focus on capital felony cases would not otherwise impact state law regarding prosecution or imprisonment for lower level crimes and would allow the imposition of the death penalty in certain specific and violent cases.

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LEDYARD – After undergoing a complete renovation, the McDonald’s restaurant in Gales Ferry has become one of the chain’s most modern locations in the State of Connecticut. State Representative Mike France (R-42) and State Senator Cathy Osten (D-19) attended the grand opening celebration earlier this week.

“This is my home McDonald’s, I live just a couple blocks up the road,” said Rep. France. “In fact, my oldest daughter got her first job here. McDonald’s has always lead the way as a great opportunity for first jobs and scholarship programs that help people grow in their career. The new technology and table service included in this remodel shows the future of where McDonald’s is going, and that there are ways to make fast food different and a more enjoyable experience.”

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Also Receives Committee Leadership Assignment

HARTFORD — State Representative Mike France (R-42) joined legislative colleagues today, Opening Day of the 2019 Legislative Session, to be sworn in to his third term at the State Capitol. He will serve for two more years as the State Representative for the 42^nd General Assembly District of Ledyard, Preston and Montville.

“I sincerely appreciate the support of my constituents and it is truly an honor to serve another term as your voice at the State Capitol,” said Rep. France. “As the legislative session proceeds, I encourage you to contact me with questions or concerns about state government, especially how it affects you, your family or your community, as well as ideas for new legislation. I look forward to advocating for the changes that best serve you, the residents of Ledyard, Preston and Montville.”

Rep. France with his wife, Heather, their daughter, Brittney, and friend Jennifer.

To follow Rep. France’s proposed and supported legislation, visit his website (www.RepFrance.com) and click on the “Legislation” tab, or sign up for his email updates. To follow committee meetings and House debates as they unfold live on Connecticut’s public affairs television network, CT-N, tune your TV to Channel 95 in Ledyard, Channel 97 in Preston, or Channel 23 in Montville; or stream the proceedings online at www.ctn.state.ct.us.

This “long” session allows for bills on a variety of issues to be introduced, debated and voted on in committees and both legislative chambers. Most importantly, the General Assembly will be facing significant budget challenges during the 2019 Legislative Session. House and Senate Republican budget priorities for the 2019 Session continue to include implementing long-term structural changes to restore sustainability and predictability to the budget, as well as the “Prioritize Progress” transportation plan to fund and protect the Special Transportation Fund without tolls or tax increases.

Rep. France also received his legislative committee assignments for this term. He has been appointed as Ranking Member of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, which has cognizance on all matters relating to state government organization, structures and procedures, leasing, construction, maintenance, purchase and sale of state property and facilities, state and federal relations, interstate compacts, compacts between the state and Indian tribes, constitutional amendments, and all matters relating to elections and election laws. As Ranking Member of this Committee, Rep. France will lead his caucus members on these issues.

In addition, he will again serve on the Appropriations and the Planning & Development committees. The Appropriations Committee holds jurisdiction over all appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, including state employees’ salaries, benefits and retirement, teachers’ retirement and veterans’ pensions, and collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards for all state employees.

The Planning & Development Committee deals with matters relating to local governments, housing, urban renewal; fire, sewer and metropolitan districts; home rule, planning and zoning, regional planning and development activities, the State Plan of Conservation and Development, and economic development programs impacting local governments.

Rep. France can be reached at Mike.France@housegop.ct.gov or 800-842-1423. Constituents can also reach him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepFrance.

The 2019 Regular Legislative Session will adjourn at midnight on June 5th.

New legislation effective dates are typically January 1st, July 1st, and October 1st throughout the calendar year. As 2018 comes to an end, we prepare for a number of new laws to take effect starting tomorrow, January 1, 2019.

These new laws may have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some noteworthy new laws below and encourage you to take a look at the full list. Please contact me with any questions or clarifications regarding the implementation of these new laws.

AN ACT CONCERNING DUAL ARRESTS AND THE TRAINING REQUIRED OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WITH RESPECT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This new law, PA 18-5, will reduce the number of dual arrests that occur in domestic violence cases and enhance domestic violence training offered to state and local law enforcement agencies. For a summary, click here.

AN ACT CONCERNING MAMMOGRAMS, BREAST ULTRASOUNDS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF BREASTS

This new law, PA 18-159, redefines mammogram, and eliminates copayments and deductibles for certain breast ultrasounds. For a summary, click here.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING PREGNANCY AS A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS

This new law, PA 18-43, permits certain pregnant individuals to enroll in a health insurance policy or plan not later than thirty days after the individual’s pregnancy has been certified by a licensed health care provider. For a full summary, click here.

Please pass this information along to those who may benefit from knowing what to expect in the New Year in the State of Connecticut.

HARTFORD — State Representative Mike France (R-42) invites his constituents to join him for a town-hall style meeting at the Ledyard Town Hall Annex on December 11^th for a Pre-Session discussion of legislative priorities and other issues of interest. On December 15^th, he will be holding a second Pre-Session discussion at the Preston Public Library. Rep. France will be available to answer your questions concerning what’s happening up in Hartford, new laws that went into effect this fall, and proposed legislation for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session.

LEDYARD

WHEN: Tuesday, December 11^th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Ledyard Town Hall Annex, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

PRESTON

WHEN: Saturday, December 15^th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Preston Public Library, 389 Route 2

“Some of the best ideas for legislation come from the people I serve,” said Rep. France. “Please meet with me to discuss any potential bills or concerns for this upcoming legislative session so I can continue to serve your best interests in Hartford.”

These events are free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend but would still like to connect with Rep. France, please do not hesitate to contact him at Mike.France@housegop.ct.gov or (800) 842-1423. If either meeting needs to be cancelled or postponed, a notice will be posted on Rep. France’s website at www.RepFrance.com and his Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RepFrance.

HARTFORD — State Representative Mike France (R-42) will be at the Preston Transfer Station on Saturday, December 8^th to make himself available to constituents to answer your questions concerning what’s happening up in Hartford, new laws that went into effect this fall, and proposed legislation for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session.

WHEN: Saturday, December 8^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Preston Transfer Station, 108 Ross Road, Preston, CT

“Some of the best ideas for legislation come from the people I serve,” said Rep. France. “Please meet with me to discuss any potential bills or concerns for this upcoming legislative session so I can continue to serve your best interests in Hartford.”

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend but would still like to connect with Rep. France, please do not hesitate to contact him at Mike.France@housegop.ct.gov or (800) 842-1423. You can also follow his legislative activity on at www.RepFrance.com or www.Facebook.com/RepFrance.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is continuing their tree and vegetation removal work in Southeastern Connecticut along I-95 Northbound. The next location will be at the Exit 82A off-ramp in Waterford on Tuesday, November 27th. The rain date will be Wednesday, November 28th.

This exit ramp for the Frontage Road in New London will be closed on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please expect traffic delays. Crash attenuator vehicles and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists around the work zone.

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

NORWICH – Last weekend, local lawmakers and members of the Legislative caucus on Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) State Representatives Mike France (R-42) and Kathleen McCarty (R-38) served on the “Decisions and Debates: A Legislative Forum on Disability Issues” panel hosted by the Norwich Commission on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) at the Otis Library.

This forum was held as a part of Disability Awareness Week, a series of educational and cultural events that focus on independence, civil rights and self-determination for I/DD individuals.

Reps. France and McCarty joined State Senators Paul Formica and Cathy Osten at this event to discuss the compliance of local services with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as available access to healthcare, housing, public transportation and educational and employment opportunities. The legislators also touched on key disability-related legislation from this past session and addressed topics likely to come up in 2019. The discussions were moderated by Elanah Sherman, NCPD Chairwoman, and Melissa Marshall, Coordinator of the Connecticut Cross-Disability Lifespan Alliance.

“We need to bring regional efforts together to collaboratively ensure mobility and appropriate services for the disabled,” said Rep. France, who voted in favor of Special Act 18-3, which established a task force to study best practices to provide transportation for disabled persons, senior citizens and veterans. “I believe some important first steps include determining how to effectively differentiate a learning disability from a mental illness, expanding ADA-compliant access to state buildings, enabling opportunities to participate in the legal process by providing ADA-compliant jury boxes, determining possible alternative solutions to the Southbury Training Facility, and exploring the option of offering private insurance coverage with sufficient duration of coverage.”

“It is so crucial that we keep advocating for the needs of our I/DD community,” said Rep. McCarty, who co-sponsored Special Act 18-3 and who is a long-time supporter of Camp Harkness, which provides programs to I/DD individuals. “I have held several similar forums in my district to speak with my constituents and local organization leaders. As we continue to find gaps in our services it is important that state spending be prioritized so that funding for critical services such as employment, transportation, and housing that support the ID/D Community, can be protected within available resources.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is beginning a tree and vegetation removal project on I-395 Southbound in Montville and Route 693 (Montville Connector) Northbound & Southbound in Montville and Waterford on Tuesday, October 9th.

Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until Friday, October 26th. Please expect lane closures on I-395 Southbound from the Moxley Road underpass to the Junction of State Route 693 in Montville. Lane closures on the Connector will occur between Route 32 and the end of the Connector in Waterford/Montville.

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

A number of new laws passed during the 2018 Legislative Session take effect today, October 1st. These laws may have an impact on you, your business, or our community. To see a full list, please click here.

I am pleased to have supported the following Public Acts in becoming law:

Veterans

Public Act 18-47 expands eligibility for certain veterans benefits to certain individuals who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or who have had an experience of military sexual trauma.

Public Act 18-102 eliminates qualifying income limits for veterans in order to improve eligibility for certain municipal option tax exemptions.

Business

Public Act 18-79 exempts from the property tax a business’s tangible personal property that is more than 10 years old and had an original value of not more than $250.

Public Safety

Public Act 18-90 prevents credit agencies from charging fees for security freezes and doubles (from one year to two) the amount of time businesses have to provide free credit monitoring if an account is hacked.

Public Act 18-135 criminalizes the act of masking the identity of a caller initiating robo calls.

Public Health

Special Act 18-15 provides consumers with access to information regarding the safety of sports helmets on the State Department of Education’s website.

Public Act 18-4 establishes various requirements regarding the treatment of women – specifically pregnant inmates. In general, it requires the Department of Correction (DOC) to establish support services, such as a lactation policy, for incarcerated women, provide inmates with feminine hygiene products free of cost (upon request), reinstate its training program on mental health issues for custodial staff and use a gender-responsive approach to risk assessment.

Public Act 18-149 protects patients from unexpected costs and fees at outpatient clinics, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency departments.

Energy & Environment

Public Act 18-7 enables the transfer of funds from the Passport to the Parks account and requires special event fees at state parks to be based on the number of attendees and cover state costs related to such events.

Public Act 18-73 provides for the offering of proof that farm products that are sold to school districts as “Connecticut-grown” are actually grown in the state.

Public Act 18-101 raises awareness and provides funding for efforts to fight aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms that threaten the state’s lakes and ponds by establishing a “Save Our Lakes” license plate.