Rep. Lanoue Sets Ambitious Agenda for 2020 Session
Expanding the CRISIS Initiative Becomes House Republican Caucus Proposal
HARTFORD – State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45) says he is optimistic about the new session, which began, February 5th, 2020.
Among his legislative priorities, Rep. Lanoue hopes to expand the CRISIS initiative into Troop D – an idea he first introduced in 2019. This is a collaborative effort between law enforcement (both state and local), mental health professionals, and community partners to connect people battling addiction with treatment options. The concept would establish procedures for referring patients and handling cases relating to heroin and opioid abuse. The concept has gained support from several members of the legislature and has become a House Republican caucus proposal for the 2020 session.
The representative has also asked the Judiciary Committee to draft legislation prohibiting local governments from enacting their own firearm regulations. He says this is a problem because it adds layers of red tape for law-abiding gun owners and creates a logistical nightmare for local and state law enforcement. He has also asked the Judiciary and Children Committees to revive his 2019 proposal to require camps to conduct background checks on all prospective employees before an offer may be extended.
“These bills will address pressing public health and safety issues that affect thousands across Connecticut,” Rep. Lanoue said. “I am very pleased that expanding the CRISIS initiative has become a caucus proposal that is likely to receive bipartisan support. Expanding CRISIS will allow this proven system to help a region of the state that has suffered disproportionately from addiction. Taking meaningful action on the opioid crisis, protecting children from sexual offenders, and defending our constitutional rights seems like a meaningful use of our time this session. I hope these initiatives receive the support they need and deserve.”
In addition, Rep. Lanoue has hopes to (1) ease regulations on farmers and other agricultural businesses, (2) create a more equitable formula to determine payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) for municipalities where over 50 percent of the town’s land is state-owned, (3) address invasive species issues in CT lakes, ponds, and rivers, and (4) increase the penalties for individuals attempting to escape from law enforcement, especially in cases of high-speed chases, from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony.
The 2020 regular session will adjourn at midnight on May 6th, 2020.