Legislative Testimony

Testimony on SB 1176: An Act Concerning Telehealth

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter, the largest social work organization in Connecticut, we support SB 1176.

Read More

Testimony on SB 972, An Act Concerning the Cost of Telecom Services in Correctional Facilities

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut chapter, representing over 2,300 members, we are in strong support of S.B. 972. This bill would eliminate the cost of communications between incarcerated CT residents and their families and communities, and help in building stronger, safer communities for us all.

Read More

Testimony on HB 6187: AAC the Restructuring of Certain Taxes and Equity and SB 82: AAC the Reformation of Certain Taxes and Tax Equity

HB 6187 An Act Concerning the Restructuring of Certain Taxes and Equity

SB 821 An Act Concerning the Reformation of Certain Taxes and Tax Equity

Good afternoon Senator Fonfara, Representative Scanlon, Senator Martin, Representative Cheeseman, and the distinguished members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.  My name is Stephen Monroe Tomczak, and I am a longtime resident of Wallingford. I serve on the legislative action network of the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter and am a leader in my chapter of the American Association of University Professors at Southern Connecticut State University where I teach social welfare policy and community organization in our social work department.  Both NASW/CT and CSU-AAUP are members of the Recovery for All coalition. I am testifying on behalf of NASW/CT.

Read More

Testimony on Committee Bill 6635: An Act Concerning Temporary Family Assistance

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing over 2,300 members statewide, we thank the Human Services Committee for raising 6635 and offer this testimony in strong support of Committee Bill 6635. NASW/CT has a long history of supporting positive TANF reforms aimed at providing improvements in the economic circumstances of TANF households.

Read More

TESTIMONY SUPPORTING HB-6112: AN ACT REQUIRING A SURVEY OF COURT-INVOLVED YOUTHS.

Dear Honorable Chairpersons Linehan and Anwar, Ranking Members Martin and Dauphinais, Vice Chairs Welander and Bradley, and all other Members of the Committee of Children of the Connecticut General Assembly:

Read More

SB 459: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMMISSION FOR CORRECTIONAL OVERSIGHT, THE USE OF ISOLATED CONFINEMENT, SECLUSION, RESTRAINTS, STRIP SEARCHES, SOCIAL CONTACTS FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS, TRANSPARENCY FOR CONDITIONS OF INCARCERATION AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINING.

The National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter supports Bill 459. NASW/CT opposes the punitive and inhumane practice of solitary confinement, and support the measures taken in 459 to alleviate some of the most damaging aspects of such confinement.

Read More

Testimony on HB 5322: An Act Concerning the Creation of a Human Services Permit and a Requirement That School Social Workers Conduct Home Visits During the School Year

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing nearly 2,400 members we strongly oppose HB 5322. This bill allows the State Department of Education to create a permit program for certain baccalaureate degreed individuals to perform mental health functions in public schools and mandates home visits by school social workers

Read More

Testimony on Raised Bill 6837: An Act Concerning the License Renewal Fee and Schedule for Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Master Social Workers and the Examination Requirement for Licensure of Master Social Workers

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter the state’s largest social work organization, we urge support for bill 6837.

Read More

Testimony on Raised Bill 1095: An Act Concerning School Resource Officers

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter (NASW/CT) and the CT Alliance of School Social Workers (CASSW), we offer the following comments on bill 1095.

Read More

Testimony on SB 1: An Act Concerning Childhood Mental & Physical Health Services in Schools

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing nearly 2,400 members, we strongly support SB 1 except for Section 3, which we oppose.

Read More

Testimony on H.B. 5005: An Act Adjusting the State Budget for the Biennium Ending

The National Association of Social Workers, CT supports the Governor’s proposed budget increase of $125,152 in the Department of Public Health’s budget for school-based health clinics. We also ask that the Appropriations Committee further increase the funding to the degree feasible. SBHC’s are a proven effective service system that provides physical, mental and in some clinics dental care to children who would otherwise go without health care services. Programs that are working as intended and include preventative measures that save the state dollars should be funded to the maximum possible amount available.

Read More

TESTIMONY SUPPORTING SB-194: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A RIGHT TO HOUSING.

Dear Honorable Chairpersons Lopes and McGee, Vice Chair Anwar and Smith, Ranking Members Cicarella and Polletta, all other Members of the Joint Committee on Housing of the Connecticut General Assembly:

Read More

TESTIMONY SUPPORTING SB-86: AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR HOUSING RESOURCES FOR THE HOMELESS AND TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS.

Dear Honorable Chairpersons Lopes and McGee, Vice Chair Anwar and Smith, Ranking Members Cicarella and Polletta, all other Members of the Joint Committee on Housing of the Connecticut General Assembly:

Read More

Testimony on SB 2: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS OF CHILDREN

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing over 2,300 members we thank the Children’s Committee for raising SB 2. NASW/CT is strongly in favor of this bill.

Read More

Testimony on S.B. 1: An Act Equalizing Comprehensive Access to Mental, Behavioral, and Physical Health in Response to the Pandemic

NASW/CT representing over 2,300 members offers the following comments and recommendations on selected sections of S.B. 1.  

Read More

TESTIMONY SUPPORTING SB 875: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS FOR THOSE RELEASED FROM THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

Dear Honorable Chairpersons McGee and Lopes, Ranking Members Polletta and Cicarella, Vice Chairs Smith and Anwar, and all other Members of the Connecticut General Assembly Committee on Housing:

Read More

Testimony on H.B. 6355: An Act Concerning Risk Protection Orders Or Warrants

The National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter (NASW/CT), representing over 2,300 members, supports H.B. 6355: An Act Concerning Risk Protection Orders Or Warrants with the expansion of eligible people who can notify the court and 180 day intervals.

Read More

Testimony on H.B. 5395: AN ACT CONCERNING AN EXPEDITED LICENSURE PROCESS FOR CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

The National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing nearly 2,400 members supports H.B. 5395 provisions for reciprocity and psychology compact. The provisions in this bill are long overdue and much needed to encourage ease of practice with consumers in Connecticut.

Read More

TESTIMONY REGARDING HB-6662: AN ACT DECLARING RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON RACIAL EQUITY IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dear Honorable Chairpersons Osten and Walker, Ranking Members Miner and France, Vice Chairs Hartley, Dathan, and Nolan, and all other distinguished Members of the Appropriations Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly:

Read More

Testimony on SB 842: AAC Health Insurance and Health Care in Connecticut

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter representing over 2,300 members, NASW/CT is in support of SB 842.

Read More