“On behalf of the teachers, clerical staff and custodians we represent in Newtown, I want to thank the legislature for taking up this important bill,” said Melodie Peters, president of AFT Connecticut. “I especially want to thank the legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle. They’re efforts to move this legislation forward is a credit to their ability to work together to do what’s right for these workers.”
Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey, Senate President Pro Tempore Don Williams, House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, House Minority Leader Larry Cafero and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney introduced Bill 6599.
Bill 6599 An Act Establishing The Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Program and Fund, Clarifying the Calculation of Survivor Benefits, and Authorizing a Waiver of the State-Wide Mastery Examination Requirement for Certain Newtown Students was introduced in the house by State Representative Steve Dargan. The bill was introduced in the Senate by State Senators Joan Hartley, Cathy Osten and Andrea Stillman.
“This bill recognizes the ongoing suffering of the teachers and other workers affected by this terrible tragedy and will help greatly as they continue to heal,” said Peters.
Workers who have a mental or emotional impairment that causes partial or total disability preventing such affected person from performing his or her volunteer or employment duties, or requiring medical and surgical aid or hospital and nursing service, including, but not limited to, medical rehabilitation services, mental health therapy services and prescription drugs can seek financial assistance from the Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Program and Fund.
