Connecticut
New Connecticut bill aims to enshrine minors’ access to reproductive health
The bill would codify the right of minors to receive contraceptive and pregnancy-related care without parental permission.
Fareed Salmon
Staff Reporter
Rachel Mak,
A proposed bill in the Connecticut state legislature seeks to address disparities in access to contraceptive care for minors.
Currently, state law allows minors to receive emergency medical treatment, HIV testing, mental health services, abortions and STI testing without parental consent. Minors can often access these services at school-based health centers. It is technically assumed that minors can access contraceptive care without parental permission. However, House Bill 7213 would codify this provision into law.
“Young people should not have to face the risk of unwanted pregnancies, HIV or untreated STIs simply because they’re afraid to speak to their parents to access contraceptive care,” said Melanie Wilde-Lane, executive director of the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers. “If a teenager knows they may have an STI but fears telling their parents about their sexual activity, it can lead to a situation where the condition goes untreated — putting their health and even their life at risk.”
Various healthcare providers last month highlighted their support of the bill. Wilde-Lane believes that the government has been prioritizing intervention over prevention. The association views contraceptive care as an effective means to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions in the first place.
Planned Parenthood prioritizes this bill due to the changing federal landscape. Its leaders believe that Connecticut has an obligation to protect access to contraceptives in a time when the federal government is infringing on those rights.
“Although young people in Connecticut for decades have been able to obtain contraceptive care, one of the things that we are concerned about are the potential changes at the federal level,” Gretchen Raffa, chief policy and advocacy officer at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said. “[These federal actions] could directly threaten access for minors to confidentiality or to consent to contraceptive care on their own.”
According to Wilde-Lane, at school-based health centers, access to contraceptive care is not that simple. When a student comes in to request products like condoms, they would be put on a schedule. Next, they would talk with the therapist on call to explore why the minor would want to ask for or need the product. They would ask questions such as “Have you talked to your parents?” and “Is there a partner involved?” Therapists would also try to explain to students about the various physical, mental and emotional side effects of intimate behavior.
Most students are not able to access contraceptive care on the first visit. Most are sent home with a little homework as they explore the questions and make sure they still want contraceptive care. If kids below the age of 13 request any form of contraceptive care, the Department of Child and Family Services is contacted.
If the proposed bill is passed, students would not only be able to access contraceptive care at a school-based health center, but also at other medical facilities across the state, such as clinics and hospitals, all without requiring parental consent or notification. Their privacy would be fully protected, including safeguards against disclosure through billing or medical records.
“Healthcare professionals who work with young people, especially children, often consider their full history during assessments,” Bonnie Roswig, senior staff attorney at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, said in the committee hearing on the bill. “These spaces allow for early detection of potential issues, ensuring that children who are at risk can be identified, reported and protected.”
According to Wilde-Lane, this bill is not meant to hinder relationships between parents and children.
The bill is intended to allow minors to receive contraceptive care without parental involvement, particularly in situations where the parents might harm the child if they knew about the treatment. Even though parents might desire to talk with their children about contraceptive care and sexual health, many parents aren’t or don’t know how to.
Wilde-Lane notes that having this kind of support system that can provide them with initial counseling can even encourage children to talk with their parents about sexual health earlier rather than later. Therapists can also help familiarize children with telling their parents about their situation.
Though minors can access contraceptive care at some medical facilities currently, there are several barriers.
Cost is a major issue, as many contraceptives are expensive without insurance or parental help. Additionally, fear of parental discovery and limited clinic access can discourage minors from seeking care, making it harder for them to obtain the contraception they need. This bill will allow minors to bypass the barriers and access the care if deemed necessary.
According to Roswig, this bill does not force doctors to provide care they’re uncomfortable with.
“If a doctor isn’t comfortable prescribing something, they’re not ethically obligated to do so. That ultimately falls under the professional and ethical responsibilities of physicians,” she said.
Wilde-Lane believes that it is very likely that the bill will become law, and it has already been passed in the House. She hopes that this bill is a step toward meaningful change, providing much-needed protections and support for communities.
Planned Parenthood is located at 345 Whitney Ave.
Connecticut
Lamont Seeks $168M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid
CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont has submitted a plan to Connecticut legislative leaders to withdraw nearly $168 million from a newly created Emergency State Response Reserve to offset recent federal funding delays and reductions affecting health and human services programs.
The proposal, totaling $167.9 million, marks the first time Lamont has sought to access the reserve, which was established in November under Special Act 25-1. The fund contains $500 million in state surplus dollars and was created in anticipation of potential federal funding reductions.
According to the administration, the proposed expenditures would help reduce health insurance costs for more than 150,000 residents, provide food assistance to more than 35,000 people and help keep approximately 3,500 individuals housed.
The plan includes funding to bolster food banks and pantries affected by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, replace expiring enhanced health insurance subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act, and provide interim support for homelessness prevention programs facing federal grant delays. It also would cover lost federal reimbursements for services provided by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and expand capacity at the state’s 2-1-1 information and referral system.
“We should be supporting programs that increase access to food, healthcare, and homelessness prevention and response,” Lamont said in a statement. “Here in Connecticut we will stand behind them and do what we can to ensure that this most basic assistance remains available.”
Office of Policy and Management Interim Secretary Joshua Wojcik said the funding would help close gaps created by federal actions while supporting vulnerable residents.
“This is a responsible use of taxpayer resources to support our most vulnerable residents,” Wojcik said, adding that the administration continues to assess additional needs.
Under the proposal, $24.6 million would go to community food banks and pantries through June 2027, while $64.1 million would replace expiring enhanced premium tax credits for residents enrolled in Covered Connecticut. Another $50.8 million would address the loss of enhanced federal health insurance subsidies for certain income groups.
Additional allocations include $6.9 million for expiring homelessness grants and supportive housing vouchers, $10.4 million to replace lost federal funding for Planned Parenthood services and Title X programs, $4.7 million to expand 2-1-1 call center capacity and community outreach, and $1.5 million for administrative costs at the Department of Social Services.
As required by law, bipartisan legislative leaders have 24 hours after receiving the plan to review it and, if they choose, disapprove the proposed expenditures before funds are transferred.
If approved, $332 million would remain in the Emergency State Response Reserve. The governor is authorized to make withdrawals from the fund through Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the next regular legislative session.
Connecticut
Billionaire Ray Dalio joins push to fund Trump Accounts, pledging $75 million to Connecticut kids
The U.S. Treasury asked major philanthropic donors to contribute to new investment accounts for children Wednesday as part of what Secretary Scott Bessent called a “50 State Challenge” to raise funds for the Trump Accounts program.
“The president is calling on our nation’s business leaders and philanthropic organizations to help us make America great again by securing the financial future of America’s children,” Bessent said in an address.
The billionaire hedge fund founder Ray Dalio, along with his wife Barbara, announced they would commit $250 to 300,000 children under 10 in Connecticut who live in ZIP codes where the median income is less than $150,000. Dalio founded the investment firm Bridgewater Associates and lives in Connecticut.
“I have been fortunate to live the American Dream. At an early age I was exposed to the stock market, and it changed my life,” Ray Dalio said in a statement, adding that he sees the accounts as putting children on a path toward financial independence.
The Dalios’ $75 million commitment follows the $6.25 billion pledge from billionaires Michael and Susan Dell earlier in December. The Dells promised to invest $250 in the accounts of 25 million children 10 and under who live in ZIP codes across the country that also have that median income.
The new investment accounts were created as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation, passed over the summer. Under the new law, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will deposit $1,000 into the investment accounts of children born during Trump’s second term.
The Treasury has not yet launched the new accounts.
“Starting on July 4th, our nation’s 250th anniversary, parents, family members, employers and friends will be able to contribute up to $5,000 to each Trump Account each year,” Bessent said Wednesday.
Brad Gerstner, a venture capitalist, who championed the accounts, said the Treasury will create an account for every child in the U.S. who has a Social Security number but private companies will eventually administer the accounts. Parents or guardians will have to claim the accounts on behalf of their children. For children born before Trump came to office and who don’t qualify for the funds from the Dells and the Dalios, their families can open and fund their own Trump Account if they choose.
Money in the accounts must be invested in an index fund that tracks the overall stock market. When the children turn 18, they can withdraw the funds to put toward their education, to buy a home or to start a business.
Bessent said employers, family members and philanthropists can put funds into the accounts and that the administration hopes states will also eventually set up programs to invest in the accounts. Companies including Visa and BlackRock have also pledged to contribute in some way to the accounts of their employees’ children.
___
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
Detroit man to stand trial in ex-wife’s murder
Body cam footage released in South San Francisco police shooting
Change In Eagles’ Red-Zone Philosophy Opens Opportunities For Dallas Goedert
Democrat Eileen Higgins sworn in as Miami’s first female mayor after 30 years of GOP control
Person of interest in Brown University shooting identified, sources say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Texas Republicans launch ‘Sharia Free America Caucus’ aimed at defending ‘Western civilization’
UK police arrest four people for pro-Palestine ‘Intifada’ calls
BBC Verify Live: Fact-checking Trump’s unusual new White House presidential plaques
Border Patrol chief, progressive mayor caught on camera in tense street showdown: ‘Excellent day in Evanston’
European Parliament asks for EU funds to finance abortions abroad
-
Iowa4 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Washington1 week agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine2 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland4 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota4 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class