Senate Republicans back proposals to enhance child welfare, seeke equity in health care costs

Feb. 15--Senate Republicans on Friday expressed support for a variety of bills that they say will enhance the health and well-being of state residents.

Those bills include Senate Bill 452, which would establish a oversight council with the authority to investigate the state Department of Children and Families.

The caucus is also backing Senate Bill 618, one of several legislative proposals to set a minimum age for the purchase of e-cigarettes and vaping products. The bill would raise the age for such purchases from 18 to 21.

"Connecticut must do more to protect its children, from restricting access to dangerous drugs to strengthening oversight of the state Department of Children and Families," Senate Republican leader Len Fasano said. "One of the most important responsibilities of government is to make sure all our children can grow up in safe and healthy environments. To that end, we are also proposing the state do more to help youthful offenders get the treatment and support they need to deter criminal behavior and make communities safer."

Fasano and other members of his caucus are also supporting Senate Bill 378, which would ban health care providers from charging an insurance carrier a different rate for a medical procedure than they would charge an individual who is paying out of pocket for the same medical procedure.

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