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Keep youths out of the justice system, or hold them accountable? Judiciary committee advances bills that do both
Connecticut’s motor vehicle theft rate dropped by a larger percentage than the national average between 2010 and 2019. Source: DESPP
The Judiciary Committee advanced two bills on Thursday that offer strikingly different approaches to addressing the needs of young people who commit crimes: one aimed at keeping youths out of the justice system by improving educational programs and diversionary programs, the other intended to hold young people accountable for stealing cars and punish adults who get youths to commit a crime.
Citing constituents’ concerns, members of the legislature’s Bipartisan Commission on Intellectual Disabilities and the Impact of COVID-19 have urged Gov. Ned Lamont to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sens. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, are among the six members of the commission, which was created under the Joint Rules of the Senate at the start of the legislative session.
“We believe that this vulnerable population should have been prioritized to receive the vaccine as soon as possible or as originally planned under Phase 1B due to elevated health concerns and not based on the new age-based plan that was announced recently,” the commission wrote in a March 3 letter to Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
If you’re an undocumted immigrant your ability to purchase health insurance even if you wanted to is limited, but advocates are looking to change that.
“This is a difficult and complex issue as we’re all aware. I’m going to be a no on it,” Rep. William A. Petit Jr. (R-Plainville) said.
Petit, who no longer practices medicine, said he can’t support this because physicians would be involved with prescribing a lethal dose of medication which goes against their oath. Under the bill an individual would have to consume the medication themselves.
Some members voted against the bill because they didn’t necessarily believe the process put forth in the legislation was appropriate.
“If we pass this bill as is, I think it’s a grave mistake because there are too many questions and too many loopholes and it’s too loose,” Sen. Heather Somers (R-Groton) said.
“I look at the hair of those around me and just accept it as is. It doesn’t speak to their ability, their competency, their performance or their knowledge. It is simply their hair,” Exum said.
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller said she’s sad that they have to put into a law that a person shouldn’t be discriminated against because of their hair.
“When I graduated from college I realized that I had to straighten my hair because I looked too ethnic if I didn’t straighten my hair and I realized that I would not get hired,” Miller said.