New Laws Cover Medical Marijuana, Massage Parlors, Anti-Blight

Starting today Oct. 1 the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Medical Marijuana Program will begin registering qualified patients and primary caregivers to receive Temporary Registration Certificates enabling cardholders to possess a one-month supply of marijuana for medical purposes representing up to 2.5 ounces. The medical marijuana law is among a number of new laws that go into effect today. State Rep. Auden Grogins shares others below in a news release:

Hartford – Rep. Auden Grogins (D-Bridgeport) announces important new laws that take effect October 1st, bringing critical protections for Bridgeport residents’ quality of life, seniors’ rights and children.

Rep. Grogins stated, “I am excited to share the details about these new laws, all of which will truly make a difference in the lives of Bridgeport residents. For instance, illegal massage parlors have a long history of providing sexually oriented services under the guise of legitimate storefronts. This will no longer be tolerated with new regulations that make it a crime to hire unlicensed massage therapists. These changes will go a long way in making a better Bridgeport for our community.”

QUALITY OF LIFE LAWS

Public Act No. 12-64: Cracking Down on Illegal Massage Parlors–This new law requires state regulation of illegal massage establishments and also strengthens our existing criminal laws by making it illegal to knowingly hire anyone who is not a licensed massage therapist. Currently, it is a Class A Misdemeanor to provide massage therapy services without a valid license from the Department of Public Health.

Public Act No. 12-146: Blight–This law increases applicable fines for violations of municipal blight ordinances. Absentee landlords and property owners will be held responsible for cleaning up their properties or face hefty fines and eventual foreclosure if they willingly violate this law.

SENIORS

The following new laws will strengthen care, seniors’ rights and improve their quality of care:

Public Act No. 12-137: The Grandparent’s Bill of Rights–The new law strengthens the rights of grandparents seeking visitation by putting extra weight on evidence showing that a parent-like relationship exists and that a denial of visitation could cause harm to the child.

Public Act 12-140: Hospice Care–This new law improves access to quality end-of-life care. By adjusting the state’s regulations to make them consistent with federal hospice standards, the law will encourage hospices to offer residential services in areas of the state where they are not currently available, including Fairfield County.

Public Act 12-1: Preserving Medicare Eligibility–The Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which helps with co-pays and deductibles, had the program’s income eligibility requirements adjusted to account for recent Social Security cost of living increases. This change in law took effect earlier this year.

The legislature also approved the following laws that positively impact local families, children and animal rights:

Public Act -12-13: An Act Concerning Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening for Newborn Infants–The new law requires all health care institutions caring for newborn infants to test them for critical congenital heart disease unless, as allowed by existing law, their parents object on religious grounds. The testing must be done as soon as medically appropriate.

Public Act 12-20: An Act Concerning the Placement of Animals Seized in Animal Cruelty Cases–Enables the Department of Agriculture to readily place rehabilitated animals that were once neglected or cruelly treated, with safe and caring new owners.

Public Act 12-112: An Act Concerning The Reporting Of A Missing Child (Caylee’s Law)–Also, going effect this October is the law made famous by the 2008 disappearance of Caylee Anthony in Florida. Caylee’s Law makes it a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000, or both, to knowingly fail to report the disappearance of a child under age 12. The duty to report applies to any parent, guardian, or person who has custody or control of, or is supervising, the child who either does not know the child’s location or has not have contact with him or her for 24 hours.

Public Act 12-141: An Act Concerning Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor–There is now a new Class C Felony Law for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The crime consists of knowingly purchasing space to advertise for a commercial sex act that includes a depiction of a minor. The act specifies that neither 1) lack of knowledge of the depicted person’s age nor 2) reliance on a non-governmental representation are defense. Class C felonies are punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.