STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Robyn Porter
Serving the 94th Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4006
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Robyn.Porter@cga.ct.gov
Addressing the Achievement Gap
This year, we worked to help Connecticut close the achievement gap and improve education for all students. We added money to expand early childhood literacy programs. In addition:
- More teachers will be certified in shortage areas,
- More minority teachers will be recruited, and
- Educators will be given new strategies to build better relationships with students of different cultures.
We also created a pilot program, to be tested in New Haven, to identify best practices for English Language Learners (ELL) instruction.
Reducing Required Testing in Schools
Standardized testing has come under a lot of scrutiny. One concern is that
there are simply too many tests. Juniors in high school are currently
required to take the SBAC exam at a time when many of them are taking the SAT or ACT college admission tests. New legislation allows schools to waive SBAC testing for any student taking these college admissions tests.
Security Freezes on Children’s Credit Reports
Child identity theft is an increasing problem. I co-sponsored a bill so parents will now be able to freeze their child’s credit, protecting them from potential financial harm. When a child’s credit is frozen, it is impossible to take out lines of credit in their name. Once a child is no longer a minor, their credit will be automatically unfrozen.
Improving Community Policing
This session, I fought for a law to ensure fair treatment by the police for all people. One of the key provisions of the new law, An Act Concerning Excessive Use of Force, is that police will now receive training in:
1) The proper use of physical force
2) Body cameras
3) Cultural competency and sensitivity
4) Bias-free policing
In addition, police departments will be required to adopt guidelines to recruit more police officers of color. The new law also requires that an independent prosecutor investigate allegations that an officer used physical force that likely caused serious physical injury or death. The law also provides more grant money for municipal police departments to purchase body cameras. Finally, we have strengthened protections for onlookers recording an officer performing his or her duties.
Car Tax Relief
Car owners in both New Haven and Hamden will see a cut in their motor vehicle tax as the legislature capped the car tax mill rate statewide at 32 mills beginning July 2016 and 29.36 mills in July 2017. No car tax will surpass these mill rates under this plan that will provide much-needed car tax relief to car owners.
A Second Chance Society
I supported the “Second Chance Society” law that will reduce jail time for nonviolent drug offenders. Penalties for possession of small amounts of illegal drugs will be reduced from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor. A drug-dependent offender may complete a substance abuse treatment program on a second offense. During probation, the offender must perform community service. The pardon review process for nonviolent crimes will also be streamlined and now offenders must receive a “pardon eligibility notice.” These provisions will give ex-offenders a better chance to get back into the workforce and be contributing members of society.
Regulating Variable Electric Rates
Electricity retailers can no longer enter into new variable rate contracts or automatically renew those contracts with existing customers. This law will offer consumers protection from electricity retailers who offered low introductory rates only to see a rapid increase upon completion of the initial contract.
Fair Treatment for Juveniles
To ensure that the criminal justice system treats children fairly, criminal courts will now consider evidence showing the difference between juvenile and adult brain development when sentencing for certain felonies committed by those under the age of 18. Juveniles serving sentences of over 10 years will also have a parole hearing after serving a portion of their sentence. We also increased the age when juveniles are automatically transferred to adult court from age 14 to age 15.
Protecting the Elderly
This year, we passed laws to protect our seniors from potential abuse. In situations where abuse is suspected, the Department of Social Services can now petition a probate court to gain access to that person’s home to make an assessment. We also passed laws that will keep nursing home and residential care home residents safer by requiring the Department of Social Services to notify a resident’s designee of suspected abuse or neglect within 24 hours.
Patient-Designated Caregivers
Some patients end up returning to the hospital soon after discharge because they had not been instructed properly on their follow-up care or were unable to follow instructions. A new law called the CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act, requires the hospital to document a caregiver (who has been chosen by the patient) in the patient’s discharge plan. The hospital must attempt to notify the caregiver of the patient’s discharge, and to instruct the caregiver on any post-discharge tasks with which the patient will need assistance.