June 20, 2017

2017 Major Public Acts Report

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The Office of Legislative Research has released a summary of the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly in the 2017 regular session.

Here are a couple of bills that I supported this session that will become law.

Animal Shelters

I was proud to introduce this piece of legislation with my sister, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and State Reps. J.P. Sredzinski and Brenda Kupchick. Under this new law, anyone who wants to operate or maintain an animal shelter in Connecticut must register with the agriculture commissioner and comply with regulations on sanitation, disease, humane treatment of cats and dogs, and public safety protection (PA 17-167, effective October 1, 2017).

Prescription Opioid Drug Abuse

Like many other states, Connecticut is facing an increase in the number of emergency room visits and drug overdose deaths involving opioid analgesics (e.g., prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl). A new law includes several measures to address this issue, such as (1) generally reducing, from a seven- day to a five-day supply, the maximum amount of opioid drugs a minor may be prescribed; (2) allowing a prescribing practitioner to issue a standing order (i.e., non-patient specific prescription) to a licensed pharmacist for an opioid antagonist; and (3) requiring certain health insurers to cover specified medically necessary, inpatient detoxification services for an insured diagnosed with a substance use disorder (PA 17-131, various effective dates).

Casino and Additional Off-Track- Betting (OTB) Facilities Authorized

Connecticut may soon have a third casino. This legislation authorizes the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes through a limited liability company jointly and exclusively owned by the tribes (i.e., MMCT Venture) to build and operate an East Windsor casino. The casino authorization is contingent on, among other things, the governor amending the current tribal agreements (e.g., compact and memoranda of understanding (MOUs)) and receiving approval from the legislature and the federal interior secretary.

Mileage Tax Study Ban

A new law prohibits the Department of Transportation from spending any state money on a study of, or other activity concerning, a mileage-based user fee system without legislative approval. A mileage-based user fee system is one in which motorists pay a fee for each mile they drive (sSB 76, as amended by Senate “A”, effective upon passage).

Click here to read the full 2017 Major Public Acts Report.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or (860) 240-8700.