[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6637534,"mediaKeyId","2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43","parentId",2580390,"title","Public Health Committee debates bill fixing fluoride level, adopting 2024 FDA food code as state standard","audioSeconds",720,"startMs",490000,"endMs",1210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43&start=490&end=1210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43/thumbnail_490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637534/Connecticut/Public-Health-Committee-debates-bill-fixing-fluoride-level-adopting-2024-FDA-food-code-as-state-standard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637534-d48256c876bbe91f13901c340744593a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148766&Signature=Qi90amOGXJgn4wP4GGHkIvfCHAIz40lSj~uOfp78eCIyrzBSYH-XqPoxgvPAim7-CWt5G39wL~UfyqfygpUkGvidaGOss3bnl~D5JDrTa1k79HBXFT1dNpjJJIV0f--ZCdq440tnJYhruuBgk5B9KR720-sOvfWVLus08unj9mRdZKs7q0AteyUnsSQ0RHgzK4sIcW9PNlMqz59wAD6XFNDScx1kDQIg4DpA72LR6-lOwcpblGIAh0pyKl9E703e5Uy93aYJs-ChhW9EShrTfCjj4KSKo9P82BPOz-iXoy37K2mor5z3YlIZ9fPz019~yl700HTwnsrFU-VNACBhMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut State Legislature - Public Health","date","2025-03-12T19:58:00.44Z","article","The Public Health Committee on [date not specified] considered Senate Bill 1326, a bill that would set the state's water fluoridation level at 0.7 milligrams per liter and adopt the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) food code in place on Dec. 31, 2024 as the state's model food code.

The bill would apply the fluoridation standard to water companies serving populations of 20,000 or more and would allow the state's commissioner of public health to adopt any published FDA food-code supplement while formal rulemaking is in progress.

Committee co-chair (Madam Cochair) opened discussion by noting the bill's two elements: the fluoridation standard and the model food-code adoption. \"This bill sets the fluoridation level at 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is the current level recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services,\" the co-chair said during the meeting, adding that the food-code provision would prevent automatic changes tied to future federal updates.

Senator Ammar, who moved the bill, framed the measure as an effort to codify an evidence-based, long-standing state practice amid uncertainty at the federal level. \"Given some of the discussions at the federal level and the uncertainty if there would be changes to this, we felt that it was prudent to stick with what we know,\" Ammar said, adding that dentists had testified in support of keeping the current level.

Representative Claire DiStitria asked why the committee would place the FDA code into statute rather than continue to rely on federal recommendations and asked why codification was necessary. In response the co-chair and Senator Ammar said their intent was to preserve the existing level and the model food-code baseline in state law if federal practice changed.

Representative Redington Hughes asked about the share of the state population already served by fluoridated systems; a committee member estimated \"somewhere around two thirds\" and said the speaker would verify the number.

Procedural action: Senator Ammar moved the bill and Senator Marks seconded. The clerk began a roll call and recorded individual votes. The committee announced that votes would be held open \"likely until 03:00\" and requested members who wished to change their ballots return before that deadline; the transcript does not show a final, closed tally in committee.

Why it matters: Fluoridation and food-code adoption affect public oral health and food-safety policy across water and food-service systems. The bill would lock the state to a widely used fluoridation level and set a fixed date for the state's model food code unless the commissioner elects a published FDA supplement.

What remains unresolved: The committee did not provide a final, closed roll-call tally on the record during this session; the clerk recorded preliminary votes and the chair announced votes would remain open until 3 p.m.

Next steps: The measure was moved out of committee for further action with votes left open; the committee said it would confirm final vote counts after the open-vote period.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Health Committee Meeting in Room 1D and Via ZOOM","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Health Committee on [date not specified] considered Senate Bill 1326, which would set community water fluoridation at 0.7 milligrams per liter for larger systems and adopt the FDA food code as the state's model as of Dec. 31, 2024.","taxTitle","Public Health, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15635,"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},6637529,"Committee debates licensure for lactation consultants; supporters cite training and access, opponents warn of confusion",1744,1008000,2752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43&start=1008&end=2752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43/thumbnail_1008000.jpg","/articles/6637529/Connecticut/Committee-debates-licensure-for-lactation-consultants-supporters-cite-training-and-access-opponents-warn-of-confusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637529-cdc04cd5d3bb5dd55b2bd7af569a6572/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148766&Signature=VHChLrizetgaK7OYJf3EdDWcv1bQ8ra4Ty4kuxUnX8wB3~1q7J7uvZWU5FywUJsiPJFMJ19UISN86TFGxe~NUaPPYQDU1zkOJV1KjPElGL~3ajsXU5wF7cR9mkJhhPGq1MM~h-wzNL2vX844Bl1wiXrww252opJ-zxvw8OtdHEV6~6GapKI~qsDvZmwAfcj1JKcwIEulht8jDAWQ~mCvvzaW3ETKPSB8Nad-QilSFN0modBdqIJ7b0bJSMG0kaffyfrZuwGYRQiuseyOk-m-H9lfOXSkxgpr~wl3T2Lh00IewSVbEzHnaFFp4A~1Hi6C5kCJrGYQqCD1VrQsk5uEQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Health Committee debated Senate Bill 1373, a measure to license lactation consultants who hold certification from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and to reserve the title \"lactation consultant\" to IBLCE-certified clinicians (often called IBCLCs).

Under the bill, only practitioners certified by the IBLCE may use the title \"lactation consultant\" or \"IBCLC.\" The legislation would allow other counselors, peer educators, doulas, midwives and WIC staff to continue providing education and support but would prohibit use of the protected title unless the IBLCE certification requirement is met. The bill grants the Department of Public Health licensure and enforcement authority and contains an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Representative Claire DiStitria asked whether a current CLC (certified lactation counselor) would be able to continue calling herself a CLC. \"So if this bill passes and becomes law, if I'm a current CLC, certified lactation consultant, will I no longer be able to call myself a certified lactation consultant?\" DiStitria asked. The chair clarified that the proposal would not prohibit practice by non-IBCLCs but would reserve the specific title for IBCLCs.

Representative D'Amico and Representative Dauphine spoke against the bill on the record, saying the measure \"creates more confusion than it clarifies,\" citing written testimony from practicing lactation professionals who raised concerns about public confusion and possible unintended effects on access. Representative D'Amico read from submitted testimony that licensing IBCLCs could create \"unnecessary burdens for the most skilled providers while allowing those with lesser credentials to practice\" and questioned whether licensing would actually secure Medicaid reimbursement.

Senator Ammar and other supporters said the IBCLC is a different clinical level requiring formal training and extensive supervised clinical hours. \"For IBCLC, it's 1,000 hours of training, including clinical training that may take up to a year,\" Senator Ammar said, contrasting that with CLC training described in testimony as roughly 45 hours. Ammar said CMS (the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) has indicated that licensure is a necessary step for providers to become eligible for reimbursement and that licensure could be part of a multi-step path toward payment parity and improved access for low-income patients.

Representative Kitt and Representative Gilchrist said the measure is intended to increase access to IBCLC care for low-income patients who currently lack coverage, noting that licensure does not itself guarantee Medicaid reimbursement.

Opponents, including Senator Summers and Representative Dauphine, said many CLCs have long provided care in communities and that licensing the IBCLC title could reduce the apparent workforce available in underserved areas. Several legislators asked for further work on statutory language before the bill moves to the House floor; the chair said the committee would continue conversations with stakeholders.

Procedural action: Representative Belton moved the bill and Senator Anwar seconded. The clerk began a roll call and read recorded votes. As with other items, the chair announced votes would be held open until 3 p.m.; the transcript records named yes/no votes by the clerk but does not close the open-vote period on the committee floor in the portion of the record provided.

Why it matters: The bill would reshape professional titles and licensure for providers who support breastfeeding. Proponents emphasize clinical training and a path to reimbursement; opponents say title restriction may confuse the public and reduce access in underserved communities if CLCs are effectively devalued.

Pending items: Committee members requested further discussion of statutory language and said staff would continue to confer with proponents and opponents before a final floor action.

","The Public Health Committee debated Senate Bill 1373, which would create a licensure category for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and reserve the title \"lactation consultant\" to IBLCE-certified clinicians.",{"_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},6637523,"Public Health Committee places four measures on consent calendar, including home-health safety and neuromodulation pilot for veterans",1499,3152000,4651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43&start=3152&end=4651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580390-27758788d0a6452ac7ee60d5d0b3ec43/thumbnail_3152000.jpg","/articles/6637523/Connecticut/Public-Health-Committee-places-four-measures-on-consent-calendar-including-home-health-safety-and-neuromodulation-pilot-for-veterans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637523-03b25fa94efee24e8cfc159ad7820584/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148766&Signature=VHjgHNqcKe6kPf0dforUzPj54j~RGRSaNn018cJrHQTCY3ApCFZ64KzcHq46eubjx0U3AhMsKsFqZ4uRNoU-Aaf-pj9NzfYxruDDlFtwzjx3kJJ07Tn-ZxFDNpdNH3xIy8LsFFFmzW3241lSP0rCUttWBy6eamGMTO5FAXQ6s2wBNGYerQyRK2G-LyAGIrfp2ZgfdTQp~cJvhW5jo8HPLZ6UbtLBgUkZwPdKfu~wGSXEteB6I8sBBqQUuYK5t9rT~-hByZq9j6ZKK46wG4kG9BprFbokzIdTBNxKx3ue9HVSJyHs3W2~i3y1dWhaNNvztGH~Nbzz3zH0fd2Vdwbq9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Health Committee added four bills to its consent calendar after discussion: Senate Bill 1451 on home-health worker safety, House Bill 6977 regarding Department of Public Health drinking-water responsibilities, House Bill 7080 to fund a neuromodulation pilot for veterans at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and House Bill 7156 updating developmental-services statutes.

Senate Bill 1451 updates earlier home-care safety provisions and requires regular assessments, reporting of threats or abuse, and intake-information sharing among providers; it extends reporting requirements to threats from anyone, not only clients. Representative Martinez praised the bill and asked that future monthly trainings be more accessible via remote options for home-care nurses.

House Bill 6977 requires the Department of Public Health to adopt regulations related to on-site sewage disposal systems (the portions transferred from the former agency) and authorizes the commissioner to issue policies and procedures while regulations proceed. The Rivers Alliance raised concerns about the scope of interim policy authority in written testimony; the chair said DPH regulations are currently in public comment and the policy authority is intended to avoid gaps while rulemaking proceeds.

House Bill 7080 would provide one-time funding to establish a neuromodulation center at the University of Connecticut Health Center to treat veterans with certain neurological conditions and to carry out a pilot study. Representative Jenga urged action, saying \"22 a day is not acceptable\" in reference to veteran suicide and arguing the pilot could improve functional outcomes for veterans. Committee members discussed whether procedures are FDA-cleared and how post-operative rehabilitation and insurance coverage would be handled; supporters said the health center would collaborate with a private hospital for rehab services and that the $2 million pilot would cover treatment for a small cohort of veterans plus research costs.

House Bill 7156 makes multiple changes to Department of Developmental Services law, including clarifying when non-nurses may administer auto-injectors for allergic reactions or insulin with training; allowing petitions for limited guardianship authority for financial matters up to $10,000; expanding the department's abuse-and-neglect registry to certain license revocations; and updating statutory program names. Committee staff and stakeholders negotiated clarifying language that morning on medical-record release for mortality reviews and guardianship procedures.

Procedural action: Members moved and seconded the consent calendar additions. The chair read the consent calendar items and the clerk called a roll; recorded votes on the consent calendar were read on the record. The committee announced votes would be held open until 3 p.m. for any member who wished to change their vote.

Why it matters: The consent items range from worker-safety and regulatory housekeeping to a $2 million pilot for clinical neuromodulation research aimed at veterans; several measures affect care delivery, reporting, and agency oversight.

Next steps: Items placed on the consent calendar will move with the committee's recommendations; the committee left votes open until the announced 3 p.m. deadline.","The committee added four items to its consent calendar: Senate Bill 1451 (home health worker safety updates), House Bill 6977 (drinking water regulatory changes), House Bill 7080 (one-time funding request for neuromodulation treatments for veterans at UConn Health), and House Bill 7156 (revisions to developmental services statutes). Several items","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Health Committee debates bill fixing fluoride level, adopting 2024 FDA food code as state standard

Committee debates licensure for lactation consultants; supporters cite training and access, opponents warn of confusion

Public Health Committee places four measures on consent calendar, including home-health safety and neuromodulation pilot for veterans