New Laws Now in Effect!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I wanted you to know that several new laws took effect on July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I highlighted some of them below.

An expanded list of those that took effect, along with summaries, can be accessed here.

An Act Concerning Coerced Debt (Public Act: 24-77)

• More than likely one of the most important bills passed this session to protect victims of domestic violence, this new law permits a victim of financial abuse to contact their credit card company for an investigation and possible discharge of the debt, making the victim whole. Coerced debt is defined as “debt” incurred in the name of a victim as a result of any duress, intimidation, threat of force, force, or undue influence.

Fallen Officer Fund (Public Act: 24-27)

• This law establishes a fund to provide crucial financial support to families of fallen police officers. It provides a $100,000 payment to the surviving family, and ensures that if they were covered by the health insurance of the fallen officer they will continue to have access to coverage for up to five years.

Expanding the Military Relief Fund (Public Act: 24-57)

• This new law expands grant opportunities to servicemembers and their families to help pay for essential goods due to hardship that is directly linked to the servicemember’s service.

Accessibility to Health Services for those with Disabilities (Public Act: 24-113)

• This new law expands accessibility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to medical diagnostic equipment, improving their overall experience in receiving their healthcare services.

Improving Wheelchair Repair Operations (Public Act: 24-58)

• This new law requires that individuals seeking a wheelchair repair will be provided with timely service from wheelchair repair dealers, ensuring they have access to mobility within 10 days or less of the initial request to repair a wheelchair.