The Connecticut General Assembly recently passed new laws to support the next generation of Connecticut residents:
Gun Safety
In an effort to keep guns out of the wrong hands, two new laws will require the safe storage of firearms. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently concluded that safe storage laws reduce the chance of unintentional injury and suicide for children and teenagers by 73 percent.
Under “Ethan’s Law,” homeowners with children under the age of 18 in the home will be required to keep firearms in locked safes and out of the reach of children and teenagers. Firearms are the second-most common cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 18. 63% of those deaths are homicides; 31% are suicides, and 5.1% are accidents. Connecticut chose to act.
A second bill will require firearm owners to keep pistols and handguns locked and secured when left in a vehicle, cutting down on gun theft.
The General Assembly also took action against “ghost guns,” which are unregistered guns that can be obtained without any background check.
Student Debt Tax Credit
Student loan debt is impacting an increasing number of college graduates, and dragging down both their financial futures and our economy. It’s preventing them from buying their first homes, starting small businesses and setting down roots in Connecticut. The Connecticut General Assembly created a policy that will provide a tax credit for employers who make payments on their employees’ loan debt. This will simultaneously create a more business-friendly tax environment and make Connecticut more affordable for recent graduates. Full-time workers who live and work in Connecticut for at least five years are eligible – their employers can contribute up to $5,250 per year for a period of up to five years. This will help reduce the $17 billion in student loan debt owed by Connecticut residents as of 2017.
Tobacco 21
19 of every 20 smokers report that they became hooked on tobacco products before they turned 21. Teen vaping in high schools has been declared an “epidemic” by the Surgeon General. In response Connecticut took action. They increased the age of access to tobacco products from 18 to 21. This simple but effective step will work to cut down the 20% (1 of every 5) of high school students who used vaping products in 2018.
For more information contact me at 203-544-9945 or beth@eedwardslaw.com.
Received from Senator Will Haskell
Connecticut Senate Democrats
Legislative Office Building, Room 2200
Hartford, CT 06106-1553
860-240-0068 or Toll-free 1-800-842-1420
