The number seven is universally considered a “lucky number,” and it certainly had special meaning for Newtown resident and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) in 2019.

The local lawmaker recently told a group of constituents at a post-session information session that every year he has been serving in the General Assembly, he has made more friends among Democratic colleagues. That relationship-building contributed to Rep Bolinsky seeing seven of his proposed bills pass this session, up from the five he was able to shepherd through in 2018.

This new benchmark for Rep Bolinsky was all the more important, as he explained, “This year the legislature set a record with 6,000 bills [proposed],” Rep Bolinsky told the gathering. “Five thousand of them just died, only about 600 made it to house and senate votes, and far fewer ever made it to the governor’s desk.”

The local lawmaker recently issued a notice highlighting those seven pieces of new legislation. They include:

Public Act 19-16 — An Act Combating Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

This new law contains several provisions on sexual assault, workplace sexual harassment, and related issues. For example, the act (1) eliminates or extends the criminal statute of limitations for various sexual assault crimes, (2) extends the time for alleged victims under age 21 to file a civil lawsuit related to sexual abuse or related conduct, (3) expands requirements for employers on training employees about sexual harassment laws, and (4) gives claimants more time to file a complaint alleging employment discrimination, including sexual harassment.

Public Act 19-52 — An Act Concerning School Security

The legislature passed a new law requiring DESPP to (1) update the state’s school security and safety plan standards, (2) simplify certain school security reporting requirements and school security infrastructure grant applications, and (3) develop criteria to identify qualified school security consultants and limit the existing consultant registry to such individuals only. It also adds related duties for the State Department of Education and the School Safety Infrastructure Council (PA 19-52, most provisions effective upon passage).

Public Act 19-191 — An Act Addressing Opioid Use

This session, the legislature continued to address issues associated with opioid abuse. It passed a new law that, among other things, requires:

1. Any practitioner who prescribes a patient more than a 12-week supply of an opioid drug to establish a treatment agreement or discuss a care plan for chronic opioid drug use;

2. Higher education institutions to develop and implement a policy on the availability and use of opioid antagonists (e.g., Narcan) by students and employees;

3. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services-operated or -approved treatment programs to educate patients with opioid use disorder and their relatives and significant others on opioid antagonists and how to administer them; and

4. Hospitals to administer a mental health screening or assessment, if medically appropriate, to patients treated for a nonfatal opioid drug overdose.

Special Act 19-8 — An Act Establishing a Task Force to Analyze Implementation of Laws Governing Dyslexia Instruction and Training

The task force shall examine and make recommendations on whether (1) institutions of higher education in the state are complying with the state licensure requirements related to dyslexia services, and (2) the current teacher in-service training and professional development models are appropriate to meet the needs of dyslexic students.

Not later than January 1, 2021, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the appropriate joint standing committees of the General Assembly.

Special Act 19-12 — An Act Establishing a Task Force to Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

Establishes a task force to study how to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The task force shall study and make recommendations concerning matters including, but not limited to, (1) expanding existing employment assistance programs for persons with disabilities, and (2) establishing financial incentives for businesses to employ more persons with disabilities.

Public Act 19-49 — An Act Concerning Transitional Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

To ensure that persons with autism spectrum disorder receive services from the Department of Developmental Services and are eligible for Medicaid coverage despite family earnings.

The planning and placement team shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400, et seq., as amended from time to time, develop and update annually a statement of transition service needs for each child requiring special education. Commencing not later than the date on which the first individual education program takes effect for a child who is at least fourteen years of age and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, such program shall include (A) appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills; and (B) the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist a child in reaching those goals. The individual education program shall be updated annually thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as requiring the Department of Rehabilitation Services to lower the age of transitional services for a child with disabilities from sixteen to fourteen years of age.

Public Act 19-115 — An Act Concerning Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Training and Best Practices

To require certain healthcare professionals who provide primary care or emergency treatment for adults to receive training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and to establish a working group to develop recommendations on improving the care of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients.

Starting January 1, 2020, the bill retains this continuing education requirement for APRNs but allows physicians to instead complete at least two contact hours of training or education in the following:

1. Diagnosing and treating cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, delirium, related cognitive impairments, and geriatric depression; or

2. Diagnosing and treating any mental health conditions, instead of only those common to veterans and their family members.

It also allows, but does not require, APRNs to complete on the same schedule, at least two contact hours of training or education on diagnosing and treating cognitive and mental conditions, including those listed above.

By law, physicians and APRNs must generally complete 50 contact hours of continuing education every two years, starting with their second license renewal.

Additionally, the bill requires the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, and Seniors (CWCS) to establish a nine-member working group on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The working group must report its findings and recommendations by January 30, 2020, to the Aging Committee and terminates on the date it submits its report, or December 1, 2020, whichever is later.

Anyone with specific questions about these bills is invited to contact Rep Bolinsky via e-mail by [naviga:u]CLICKING HERE[/naviga:u], or by calling toll free 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700.