State Representative Joe Gresko, (D)
121st Connecticut House District
Dear Neighbor,
As we prepare to ring in the new year and welcome the start of 2023, a number of laws passed will take effect when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st!
These laws mark the tireless work put in by my colleagues and me throughout the 2021 and 2022 Legislative Sessions to address your concerns and make necessary changes in Hartford.
Here are a few of the laws taking effect January 1st:
Addressing the Kid’s Mental Health Crisis:
Comprehensive legislation to address the immediate, intermediate, and long-term needs of the children’s mental and behavioral health system in Connecticut by:
Enhancing the Behavioral Health Workforce
Supporting School-Based Mental Health Services
Expanding Mental Health Treatment Facilities Across the State
Supporting Existing Services
Increasing Access Through Insurance Coverage
The provisions were included in PA 22-47 – Passed in 2022
The Bottle Bill:
Will expand the types of bottles and cans accepted in the 5-cent return program to now include:
Teas
Hard Seltzers
Ciders
Energy Drinks
Coffee
This provision was included in PA 21-58 – Passed in 2021 – which makes tiered adjustments to the state’s bottle redemption program through January 2024
Banning a Harmful Pesticide:
Will prohibit Connecticut golf courses from using the pesticide Chlorpyrifos to control foliage and soil-borne insect pests.
Implements a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for any found in violation.
These provisions were included in PA 22-142 – Passed in 2022
Lead Poisoning Safety:
Will take a tiered approach strengthening Connecticut’s lead poisoning testing standards to align with federal standards and will lower the threshold for youth testing levels that trigger parental notification or home inspection
The Governor’s Office reported that in 2020, over 1,000 Connecticut Children tested at high enough lead levels to trigger the federal standard for a home inspection. These provisions were included in PA 22-49 – Passed in 2022 – and will incrementally lower the qualifying testing levels through January 2025.
Breast & Ovarian Cancer Screening Coverage:
Certain commercial health insurance policies will be required to cover:
Mammograms
Ultrasounds
MRIs for breast screenings
Breast biopsies
Certain prophylactic mastectomies
Breast reconstruction surgery
BRCA 1 and 2 testing
Ovarian cancer screenings
These provisions were included in PA 22-90 – Passed in 2022 – which expanded required insurance coverage from previous legislative efforts
These are just a few of the laws and provisions going into effect when we celebrate the new year.
Laws Taking Effect January 1
As you look over the new laws taking effect in 2023, I want to remind you that there is always an opportunity to have your voice heard, especially with the upcoming General Session convening on January 4th. Please make sure to stay active in the legislative processes and let me know what you would like to see in both our community and throughout Connecticut.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me at the Capitol at 800-842-0363 or email me at Joseph.Gresko@cga.ct.gov.
