My Editorial: “My Bill Proposals and How they Affect You”

During this extended legislative session where we are tasked with developing a new state budget agreement, I have the unique opportunity to propose my own legislation reflecting the needs and concerns of our communities. This year, I have submitted and cosigned bills that address social media use, female healthcare and rights, financial support for first responders and those with disabilities, and a comprehensive plan to lower your electric bill.

In my first bill (HB 5474), I am proud to be collaborating with two local students from Amity High School who are committed to keeping our youth safe online. Michael Audie and Daniel Mowerman have identified both a mental health and parenting crisis due to excess social media use, prompting them to crack down on addictive algorithms and propose parental consent requirements for teens under sixteen.

Next, I have submitted three bills that concern female healthcare, specifically fertility fraud, preventing female genital mutilation (HB 6596), and newborn screening for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (HB 5710). Last year, I was proud to speak alongside a constituent who was a victim of fertility fraud, which can be caused by physician misconduct during the artificial insemination process. That’s why I have proposed HB 5475, which protects patients from being misled or mistreated by physicians during fertility treatments.

Other constituent concerns I am addressing this session involve our first responders concerning the development of materials to promote awareness and acceptance of persons with cognitive impairments or disabilities. In the bill, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles will develop and make available color-specific materials and establish a certified training program for first responders on best practices when interacting with a person with cognitive impairments or disabilities. Through this legislation, we can inform our first responders of residents who may require special attention and care.

Finally, although our electric bills have been weighing us down, I am proud to have joined House and Senate Republicans in unveiling our trustworthy plan to lower the cost of energy in Connecticut. First and foremost, this multi-faceted plan will remove the public benefits charge from your bill into the state budget, putting it up to legislative review every year. Next, we plan to cap the amount we spend on energy to reflect the wholesale price and also explore ways to increase the supply of natural gas and nuclear power in our state. Lastly, our plan will split the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) from the Public Utilities Regulatory Agency (PURA) so that residents are no longer bound by unnecessary energy incentives, like the Electric Vehicle Mandate, that increase the cost of our bill.

Like all proposed bills, however, their success relies on your participation in the legislative process. Whether it’s submitting testimony in a public hearing or contacting my colleagues in the General Assembly, your voice can be the deciding factor in the future of better solutions for our state.

As we continue in the 2025 Legislative Session, please remember to share your voice by submitting my legislative survey at www.RepKennedy.com/survey2025 and never hesitate to reach out to me at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 860-240-8700 with your questions, ideas, and concerns.