[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325204,"mediaKeyId","2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052","parentId",2334284,"title","Committee approves bill requiring family childcare homes to disclose firearms to parents; opponents cite stigma and fairness concerns","audioSeconds",256,"startMs",4177000,"endMs",4433000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052&start=4177&end=4433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052/thumbnail_4177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325204/Connecticut/Committee-approves-bill-requiring-family-childcare-homes-to-disclose-firearms-to-parents-opponents-cite-stigma-and-fairness-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325204-e872104c703f36879535989534afdb74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982270&Signature=i1FifVCKdDATW77uRpO5uFO8d0LZ6VDhJSzwLdzlC6LtyuB4ObTXc7WNtWJhbEEjI-qaN4xhqWgYtaE2ijtzayFg9whb4oqaahgAvzalArMXn~xtOIaeEfDEBnVim~v3fgiSKtn3PD0XXHvdWDc2BPIzKXhDDsaaqOpp9N4dWssQpL7QOCDmouOcoPhhRRdMwK84ckSu-7mcRyIDXgQRVVaJQyQZ~JtTMrkTs2XVW3tdDxPuqAEIlUiAx13xiHWLuJ~XRqDS35-PFK2RwlgU1TO5t9LUxtSHUImGQwHhUPGpq~Ry~~RzwcnAMibo9SyC6fqB-oFLq~LgS7bal86ECQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Committee on Children","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Children’s Committee voted Feb. 18, 2025 to send HB 6180, an act concerning notice of firearms by operators of family childcare homes, forward with a joint favorable recommendation.

What the bill would do: The proposal requires operators of licensed family childcare homes to disclose annually and upon new enrollment the number and type of firearms stored in the home. The bill requires a parent or guardian to acknowledge receipt of that notice by signature and authorizes the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to deny or revoke a license if the operator fails to comply with the notice requirement.

Committee debate: Representative Dauphine opposed the measure, saying it singled out childcare providers and amounted to an “assault on our daycare providers” who already must comply with storage and licensing rules. Representative Fazuto, who described himself as a licensed firearms owner, noted existing stringent licensing and storage requirements and urged consistency: “We don’t ask other groups that oversee children…to declare whether they carry firearms,” he said, and warned the disclosure could plant concerns among prospective parents.

Supporters argued the notice provides transparency for parents choosing a childcare provider. The motion carried on a roll call. Recorded yes votes included Representative Paris, Senator Marr, Representative Whitelander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner and Representative Martinez; recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Lanou, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative McGee and Representative Pezzuto.

Ending: Committee members said OEC would enforce compliance and that the parent-acknowledgement requirement is part of the bill’s implementation language. Several lawmakers said they would like to review section 2 and licensing language before the bill moves further.

Quote (direct): Representative Dauphine: “This bill…is an assault on our daycare providers that do have firearms. The fact that they have to pass…laws, the scrutiny of what is required…and the fact that we are asking them to advertise this is just not right.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Children Meeting 2/18","oneSentenceSummary","The Children's Committee voted to advance HB 6180, which would require family childcare home operators to disclose the number and type of firearms stored in the home and obtain parent acknowledgement. Opponents warned it singles out childcare providers and could stigmatize them.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325207,"Committee advances bill to provide school meals to all students, amid debate over cost and cafeteria waste",804,2888000,3692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052&start=2888&end=3692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6325207/Connecticut/Committee-advances-bill-to-provide-school-meals-to-all-students-amid-debate-over-cost-and-cafeteria-waste","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325207-f37c96fbaa16b4a6d1f50f9c0954c1e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982270&Signature=KYf5PkvLoUrVtPugEFwfXhQ5-x2IboXVMyfzChlwnFo6po6KcAnDDYdodQ6tw2YcmTD9egfiwutRCmuIizyrVPb4YX4Qyl6eY~c3m-b54CoEfCpXPNFHgwz0lVOluyxgKLZfcvjixP3-lkGa5rJh~PZiGx42-Pqa556~RgqQxjkUOF7Je0D3okwa-gyhs6fqZ0MngGcJW5uPPzWPXWVinfz~VBaKX5fYra5hJpYdO2MeG4DCBk8kD~Jv8zIaiF4ylNoRNmLYMuzTrqgWSUuBl0fDH2kEAv7xsfxJjFHEmlYwhtbiXzjLo1MdHcnbxzgHgLROQg2s8OW-4m3uNOthuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Children’s Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 voted to send SB 1217, an act providing school meals to all students, to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.

Why it matters: The bill would require boards of education to provide school meals to all students and would direct the State Board of Education to make grants to districts to help cover costs; sponsors argued universal meals reduce stigma, improve learning readiness and reduce unpaid lunch debts.

Committee debate: Opponents, including Representative Dauphine and Senator Martin, argued the measure expands coverage beyond targeted need and imposes a substantial fiscal burden on the state. Representatives and senators asked about food waste and whether universal provision increases cafeteria waste when children decline meals. Supporters said broader buying power and procurement strategies could reduce waste and improve meal quality; several members cited existing successful local programs.

Roll-call excerpts showed recorded yes votes from Representative Perez, Senator Maher, Representative Wheatlander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner, Representative Lanou and Representative Martinez. Recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative McGee and Representative Pezzuto.

Ending: The measure was referred to Appropriations for budgetary review. Committee members asked for more information about prior program participation and outcomes; sponsors said prior ARPA funds supported approximately 2,000 children in the prior funding period but that an Appropriations review is appropriate for determining sustainable funding.

Quote (direct): Representative Martinez: “The last thing a child needs to worry about is hunger pains, and they cannot focus or learn when they are hungry. So, for me, this is a children's committee issue.”","The Children’s Committee voted to refer SB 1217, a proposal to require school districts to provide meals to all students and authorize State Board grants to districts, to the Appropriations Committee. Supporters cited reduced stigma and learning readiness; opponents raised fiscal and waste concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325212,"Committee forwards DEEP swim-instruction bill after debate over funding and capacity",1055,1737000,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052&start=1737&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052/thumbnail_1737000.jpg","/articles/6325212/Connecticut/Committee-forwards-DEEP-swim-instruction-bill-after-debate-over-funding-and-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325212-010ec501752f7ec50e18f649630d7f56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982270&Signature=ZxUqGkwCHtcpLVLMPKp0qXElSpAFlJsdVowsoCafxzCaYQBZZwEf8IQn~eLsfEuNmc685ifaAZz2gvCl9sS1XIQzVdkYv91a2nLAfSBLEXjPFG7HhTGQk3PYtyHShsVIj6-twTCjIUuqxoJ-RoAZ7rheSDYrmQnjeLL9WEUwL9Nk-fWZs3QTpkBJqtDnAn8-R7Tir3uMBubbFitiWqpP2G4T8TwiBOcgZGTWbs6CR1EzJjp19TSu8tBVcDCElgCpHqaarYS8SI1UXyBDBBZOmrPUi~L5bhQp3YY5C5TjGyAILXxQ3z-CGQacjOUZnoTrF-ht5XL~Z3~rHootFalPtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Children’s Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 voted to send SB 1218, an act concerning water safety and swim instruction, to the floor with a joint favorable recommendation.

Why it matters: The bill would require the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to establish a program providing free swimming lessons to youth under 17 who live in qualified census tracts or are eligible for SNAP or WIC; DEEP may contract with nonprofits for delivery. Sponsors said the program previously had larger one-time federal funding and that current language contemplates a smaller allocation and private grants.

Committee debate focused on cost and DEEP’s capacity. Representative Dauphine said she was concerned about taxpayer burden and limited reach and said she would vote no. Representative Lanou and Senator Martin raised questions about whether DEEP should administer instruction directly and about competing priorities, such as staffing for water patrols and forest-fire prevention. Sponsors replied that the program is typically run by nonprofits (YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs) and that DEEP would administer funds and contracts rather than teach lessons directly.

Representative Perez noted the program previously received ARPA funds and that the present proposal seeks $250,000 for the program; Senator Marr said a prior allocation of $1.5 million served about 2,000 children (the sponsor explained that count represented one program year and that a two-year biennium figure would be roughly double). Senator Martin pressed on per-child costs, noting the earlier figure equated to about $750 per child if counting 2,000 served.

The motion passed on roll call. Recorded yes votes included Representative Perez, Senator Maher, Representative Wheatlander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner and Representative Martinez; recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Lanou, Representative Mastro Francesco and Representative Pezzuto.

Ending: Sponsors said DEEP may accept grants and donations and would likely contract with community providers. Committee members directed consideration of funding sources and possible reporting back; DEEP would be responsible for program administration if appropriations or grants are provided.

Quote (direct): Representative Dauphine: “I do believe this would only help a certain group of children, and it wouldn't be privy to the entire state... I'll be a no on that today.”","The Children's Committee voted to send SB 1218, a bill to fund swim instruction for youth in qualified census tracts or receiving SNAP/WIC, to the floor. Lawmakers debated whether the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has capacity and where the money would come from.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325217,"Children’s Committee advances multiple bills, including school meals and swim instruction; several bills referred to appropriations and education",369,1259000,1628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052&start=1259&end=1628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334284-31b785cc85e0b9e534f591bc58ffd052/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6325217/Connecticut/Childrens-Committee-advances-multiple-bills-including-school-meals-and-swim-instruction-several-bills-referred-to-appropriations-and-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325217-0c0d6e581a9df53d6958d5150032462d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982270&Signature=QAnCcVjg1IV2Fo4eB060faV--ysEUQH1e1ctrByRJXmjiV-XJfxJVGpDALsBmA3yDYulINBid10pcfTER23sx2SYW7BS73~zM5XMp07y0z-I1vRpePEfLTkiuq0yr6i-UhvX~zdP6hIRQcvOxXEcewnfMko44svks9KdE45TNX55IvJlDLoqyYddmWb26UQ0U1wkJmSMUB3CQ-Pvuq~506GrdjBPbSxUkcckaYP-ng1C5YbpQcy48RFVCDRaTSHHNa03KuLOdJ67959JHQBVBWC-ArSC8EiKm1Q211p7-xvQb0DdC4OsWwgz~LXtgimvtkZwJKxq-qKy-Yiir1jpKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Children’s Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly voted on a slate of bills during its Feb. 18, 2025 meeting, forwarding several proposals to other committees and approving draft language for others.

Why it matters: The committee advanced measures that would affect public-school meal programs, state-supported swim-instruction programs for low-income youth, and multiple early-childhood initiatives. Some proposals will require further budget decisions or outside appropriations to be implemented.

Key outcomes (motions and roll-call votes recorded during the hearing):

- SB 1218, “An act concerning water safety and swim instruction” — Joint favorable to the floor. Motion carried on roll call. Recorded yes votes (excerpted): Representative Perez, Senator Maher, Representative Wheatlander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner, Representative Martinez; recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Lanou, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative Pezzuto. (See vote record below.)

- SB 1217, “An act providing school meals to all students” — Joint favorable, change of reference to Appropriations. Recorded yes votes included Representative Perez, Senator Maher, Representative Wheatlander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner, Representative Lanou, Representative Martinez; recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative McGee, Representative Pezzuto.

- HB 6180, “An act concerning notice of firearms by operators of family child care homes” — Joint favorable to the floor. Recorded yes votes included Representative Paris, Senator Marr, Representative Whitelander, Senator Cohen, Representative Belton, Senator Kushner, Representative Martinez; recorded no votes included Representative Dauphine, Senator Martin, Representative Lanou, Representative Mastro Francesco, Representative McGee, Representative Pezzuto.

- HB 6899, “An act concerning early educator pay equity” — Joint favorable, change of reference to Education. Vote carried on roll call.

- HB 6840, HB 6900, HB 6903 and several technical or pilot measures related to early childhood services and perinatal screening — Joint favorable or referred as noted (see detailed list at end).

- HB 5474, “An act concerning the use of social media platforms by individuals 16 years of age and under” — Motion to draft approved by roll call; Representative Dauphine stated she would vote no on the drafting motion and explained concerns about parental choice.

- HB 6186, “An act concerning medical records pertaining to prenatal care and mandated reporters” — Motion to draft approved; Representative Dauphine asked clarifying questions about how mandated reporters might access medical records and signaled she would like clearer definitions in the bill’s final language.

Votes at a glance (summary with recorded roll-call excerpts):
- HB 5474 — Motion to draft approved (roll-call excerpts in provenance). Representative Dauphine: “So I will be a no on this bill.”
- HB 6186 — Motion to draft approved; Rep. Dauphine: “I tend to go yes on this bill… it gives the person the opportunity to protect their records.”
- SB 1218 — Joint favorable to the floor; recorded yes votes and no votes as listed above.
- SB 1217 — Joint favorable, change of reference to Appropriations; recorded yes and no votes as listed above.
- SB 1213 — Joint favorable to the floor (technical corrections bill).
- HB 6185 — Joint favorable to the floor (energy-drink working-group/signage bill); recorded roll-call included both yes and no votes; Rep. Dauphine voted no.
- HB 6180 — Joint favorable to the floor (family childcare firearms notice), recorded roll-call included both yes and no votes as listed above.
- HB 6840 — Joint favorable to the floor (OEC study of childcare availability for infants/toddlers; targeted to low-income families).
- HB 6900 — Joint favorable to the floor (task force on child-development and perinatal depression screening tools/data sharing systems); Rep. Dauphine voted no, citing privacy concerns.
- HB 6903 — Joint favorable, change of reference to Public Health (pilot distributing childcare information to prenatal patients); hospitals would bear printing cost.
- HB 6899 — Joint favorable, change of reference to Education (early educator pay equity).

What’s next: Several bills were sent to appropriations or other committees for budgetary review (notably SB 1217). The committee held votes open for one hour after recess as part of its procedure.

Vote-record excerpts and provenance for each motion are available in the meeting transcript (topicintro/topfinish spans captured below).","The Children’s Committee debated and voted on multiple bills Feb. 18, 2025. Lawmakers sent swim-instruction and free school-meal proposals forward, moved several early-childhood measures for further review, and approved drafting of two bills on social media and prenatal medical records.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves bill requiring family childcare homes to disclose firearms to parents; opponents cite stigma and fairness concerns

Committee advances bill to provide school meals to all students, amid debate over cost and cafeteria waste

Committee forwards DEEP swim-instruction bill after debate over funding and capacity

Children’s Committee advances multiple bills, including school meals and swim instruction; several bills referred to appropriations and education