Report by Paula Antolini
June 24, 2017 8:39AM EDT
Rep. Will Duff: 2017 Major Public Acts
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.
Hate Crimes
I was proud to support a bill to strengthen hate crimes laws by making the commission of a hate crime a felony and increasing potential penalties upon a conviction. The bill sends a strong message that Connecticut will not tolerate hate crimes. With the latest rise in anti-Semitism and bomb threats against the Jewish community in Connecticut and throughout the country, we need to make sure these threats are punished to the fullest extent of the law. (PA 17-111, 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).
Affordable Housing
I enthusiastically supported reforms to the Connecticut’s affordable housing system which gives towns more incentives toward achieving a moratorium on affordable housing, preventing predatory developers from bypassing local zoning boards. (PA 17-170, effective upon passage)
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 (SB 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 William.Duff@housegop.ct.gov or call 1.800.842.1423.
State Rep. Will Duff
800-842-1423 (Toll Free)
860-240-8700 (Local)
860-240-0207 (Fax)
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