The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Legislator’s proposed bills to have hearings
TORRINGTON — State Rep. Michelle Cook, DTorrington, has introduced several bills that are slated for public hearing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Thursday.
Her bills concern several public safety and insurance issues and will go in front of the Public Safety and Security Committee and the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. Both public hearings begin at 11 a.m.
“These bills seek to improve safety and security for all Connecticut’s residents,” said Cook. “The state does a good job now, but the state can do more, and must do more. We need to hold our institutions accountable, and make sure the needs of our residents are met no matter the circumstance.”
One bill up for public hearing would establish emergency communications protocol for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It would require that law enforcement agencies send text message alerts, visual lighting signals, video messaging, and auditory alarms during times of emergency, and require emergency responders to receive basic training in American Sign Language. This would enhance the efficiency of critical information transmitted in emergency situations, and would ensure it reaches more people.
The next bill, which will go before the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, seeks to amend the Connecticut General Statutes so that a health carrier provides prescription drug coverage cannot remove a medically-necessary prescription drug from its list of covered drugs, or move a drug to a higher cost-sharing tier.
This legislation continues momentum from the 2018 session that Cook co-sponsored to protect patients’ rights and increase access to affordable prescription medications.
Cook is also working alongside area legislators on legislation to establish new minimum staffing levels for certified nurse’s assistants in nursing homes.
This bill has been discussed in the Public Health Committee, but has not been scheduled for public hearing.