Two Mental Health Bills On The Agenda In Hartford

While the public is sequestered to the first floor of the Legislative Office Building, and hearings are now on Zoom for who knows how long due to the government’s COVID policies. Connecticut legislators have been free to legislate over citizen’s lives behind closed doors. According to House Speaker, Representative Matt Ritter, they can get a lot done this way!

When the people are limited to Zoom hearings, with rule changes, and technical problems, there is no due process, there is no meaningful way for the citizens to be truly heard. The people must not be regulated to a screen. We have lived with viruses, and risks in general all our lives. These things will never go away. We cannot allow the government to conduct themselves in this manner. We are in a very dangerous place.

This is NO way to govern a free and soverign society. Citizens have a right to eye to eye meetings and hearings when it comes to law making.

The Public Health Committee and the Committee on Children will hold a joint hearing on Zoom on Friday, February, 25 at 9:00 A.M. to consider two mental health bills. Proposed bill, S.B. No. 2 and H.B. No. 5001,

AN ACT EXPANDING PRESCHOOL AND MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

To address pandemic impact on childhood depression, anxiety and developmental delays through the expansion of support services.

The bill allocates funding for Care4Kids, a program in the Department of Children and Families specifically designed for mental health.

AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH.

To improve the availability and provision of mental health, behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services to children.

Essentially this bill will create mental health clinics in public schools. To asses the needs of children an army of social workers will be hired and trained in Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices.

The Connecticut General Asembly:

Public Health and Children Committees JOINT PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA Friday, February 25, 2022
9:00 AM in Zoom and YouTube Live

On-line Testimony Registration Form. Registration will close on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM. Speaker order of approved registrants will be posted on the Public Health Committee website on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6:00 PM, under Public Hearing Testimony.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VxtMWvOGTlq11Vo4NDcjnw?fbclid=IwAR2YYWX2eSRLhhQfMPwKaktVS_D5c0Dg0jCqeftN7bbkhsKUL4xS7ntH1L0

Agenda
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2022/PHdata/pha/pdf/2022pha00225-R000900PH-pha.pdf

To view hearing live

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVar8mwBZBydf7-nD_beT3Q/live