A similar effort to overhaul Connecticut’s sexual assault and harassment laws failed to clear the General Assembly last year.
Jenna Carlesso
Jenna is a reporter on The Connecticut Mirror’s investigative desk. Her reporting on gaps in Connecticut’s elder care system prompted sweeping changes in nursing home and home care policy. Jenna has also covered lapses in long-term care facilities, investigated the impact of cyberattacks on hospitals, and uncovered the questionable dealings of health ministry groups that masquerade as insurance. Her reporting sparked reforms in health care and government oversight, helped erase medical debt for Connecticut residents, and led to the indictments of developers in a major state project. Her work has been recognized by the National Press Foundation and the Association of Health Care Journalists. Before joining CT Mirror, she was a reporter at The Hartford Courant, where she covered government in the capital city with a focus on corruption, theft of taxpayer funds, and ethical violations.
Cities and towns could face $24M hit from minimum wage hike
State analysts also warned that the wage hike could add nearly $7 million in expenses to child care providers who participate in the state’s Care4Kids program.
Bill that would make prison phone calls free advances
Members of the Judiciary Committee denounced the state’s method of profiting off prison phone calls. Connecticut hauled in $7.7 million from the calls last year.
Three key appointments, including public health chief, clear legislative committee
Three critical gubernatorial appointments appeared to easily clear the legislature’s joint committee on executive and legislative nominations Tuesday.
Judiciary Committee green lights marijuana legislation
A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana and erase the criminal records of people who have committed low-level drug offenses cleared a key committee on Monday.
Blacks dying from fentanyl at same rate as whites for first time
Experts aren’t sure what is driving up death rate for blacks, but point to spread of fentanyl in inner cities and the state’s declining prison population as possible reasons.
Bill allowing doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication dies in committee
Strongly held religious beliefs and concerns from people with disabilities prevented the bill from advancing to the House.
Bill banning deceptive practices at faith-based pregnancy centers advances
The legislature’s Public Health Committee green-lighted a measure Friday that would ban deceptive practices by the state’s so-called crisis pregnancy centers.
How a repeal of the Affordable Care Act could affect Connecticut
Lawmakers in Connecticut called the possibility of an ACA repeal “stunningly irresponsible” on Thursday.
As DOJ asks court to invalidate the ACA, Connecticut joins legal fight to defend it
The future of the Affordable Care Act will be decided by a conservative-leaning appeals court.
Recreational marijuana bill clears first major hurdle
Lawmakers said legalizing pot is a necessary step in efforts to upend decades of inequality in arrests and convictions against minority communities.
Lamont promotes paid leave, minimum wage to skeptical business leaders
The governor defended the legislation, along with his push for electronic tolls and the need for more investment in transportation.
Public option health insurance bills clear committee
The legislation would extend state health benefits to small businesses, nonprofits and individuals.
Undocumented families, advocates press for expansion of state-funded health care
Children like Emily Batista, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy from Brazil, would have access to state-funded health insurance under the proposal.
Family members plead for passage of aid-in-dying bill
A public hearing on legislation that would give terminally ill patients access to medication to end their lives is expected to draw both supporters and opponents today.

