State News Archives - Page 32 of 113

State News

FTC AMENDMENTS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM DECEPTIVE AUTO-RENEWALS

Jun 26, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 26 state attorneys general submitted comments in support of Federal Trade Commission amendments to the Negative Option Rule protecting consumers from deceptive auto-renewal programs. Negative options are marketing methods for companies to enroll consumers in subscriptions, continuity plans and programs, automatic renewals, and other reoccurring actions. These plans and programs do not require consent for each attached reoccurring charge; rather, in some cases, a consumer’s silence is consent. Amendments to the existing Negative Option Rule would provide more protection to consumers, clarifying terms at enrollment, offering easy and immediate cancellation options, and reminders of upcoming charges. “My office has numerous complaints from consumers unwittingly lured into expensive subscriptions that…

State News

BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON TICKETMASTER & SEATGEEK’S EFFORTS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AROUND HIDDEN TICKET & JUNK FEES

Jun 23, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, and SeatGeek announced they will begin showing consumers the full price of tickets and fees up front: “Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but no substitute for legislation to provide consumers with transparency and prevent companies from imposing ridiculous junk fees. Rather than a voluntary patchwork varying by company, Americans deserve a basic disclosure standard so they can be fully aware of the prices and fees they’re being charged. The days of padding corporate profits by nickel and diming consumers are numbered. We need the Junk Fee Prevention Act to address the price gouging and…

State News

BLUMENTHAL & BLACKBURN DEMAND META ANSWER FOR INSTAGRAM’S FAILURES TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PREDATORS & EXPLOITATION

Jun 22, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

“Meta’s own failures have made Instagram a safe haven for child abuse,” the senators wrote following The Wall Street Journal’s reporting on the platform’s hosting of a “vast pedophile network” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Following reporting by The Wall Street Journal about Instagram hosting and connecting a vast network of pedophiles and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), authors of the Kids Online Safety Act, demanded Meta answer for its failures to protect children on its platforms and efforts to stop and report the heinous crimes. The investigation by the Wall Street Journal, Stanford University’s Internet Observatory, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Recue Lab found hundreds of accounts on the platform were…

State News

Legislation would give victims of gun violence their day in court & hold manufacturers accountable for negligence

Jun 21, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

BLUMENTHAL, SCHIFF, & MURPHY INTRODUCE BILL TO REPEAL THE GUN INDUSTRY’S LEGAL LIABILITY SHIELD [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) led 78 Members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Jason Crow (D-CO), in reintroducing the bicameral Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, legislation to ensure that victims of gun violence have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety. The bill would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), passed by Congress in 2005, which gives the gun industry a unique and unjustifiable legal…

State News

STRONGER FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DATA PRIVACY

Jun 21, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 24 states supporting stronger protections for patients’ reproductive health information. The Biden Administration is considering adding amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, the federal law that governs the disclosure of protected health information (PHI). If implemented, the changes would make it illegal to share a patient’s PHI if the PHI is being sought for certain criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and proceedings against a patient in connection with a legal abortion or other reproductive care. This is especially important as the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade spurred many anti-abortion states to enforce draconian restrictions that could lead to criminal or civil penalties…

State News

2023 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE WITH A $370,000 INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND LITERACY EFFORTS

Jun 20, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, and Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander today launched a re-envisioned 2023 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge that places a stronger focus on increasing summer reading activities and improved literacy outcomes for all students. The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is a statewide competition for schools based on student population and grade level. Since 1996, this premier program has encouraged students to read books over the summer months when they are out of school. The summer reading program also supports community initiatives run by local public libraries and recognizes “Outstanding Public Library-School Partnerships.” This modernization of the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge will be supported by an investment of $370,000 in…

State News

ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, HIGHLIGHT PROGRAMS THAT HELP SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN CONNECTICUT

Jun 16, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) — Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz today joined state agency and community leaders to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlight the programs and systems in place to support older adults living in Connecticut. During Thursday’s press conference at Windham Senior Center, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz was joined by Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter, Long Term Care Ombudsman Mairead Painter, Department of Banking Director of Government Relations and Consumer Affairs Matt Smith, State Representative Susan Johnson, Windham Mayor Tom DeVivo, and AARP Connecticut Director Nora Duncan. “Our state agencies and advocates work hard every day to build strong support in order to protect our seniors and prevent elder abuse in Connecticut. Combating elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation is always of top priority,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “World Elder…

State News

CTDOT Highway Safety Patrol Continues this Summer

Jun 12, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

It is the start of the busy summer travel season and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is reminding the public the CTDOT Safety Patrol sponsored by GEICO continues to provide roadside assistance at no cost on weekdays across Connecticut. Each year, the Safety Patrol responds to nearly 15,000 service calls in Connecticut. During the summer, services rendered by the Safety Patrol increase by more than 25%. “With additional travelers heading across Connecticut this summer season and with more active construction and work zones on the roadways, we need motorists to slow down and pay attention behind the wheel. We want drivers to keep themselves and others safe, but in case someone has any vehicle trouble, they can count on…

State News

LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS

Jun 11, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) on Wednesday introduced legislation to extend and expand the Maple Research and Market Promotion Program, which supports the U.S. maple syrup industry through research and education, natural resource sustainability, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple-sap products. The Market Access, Promotion and Landowner Education Support for Your Regionally Underserved Producers (MAPLE SYRUP) Act would extend and increase authorized funding to $30 million for the federal maple support program, and it renames it the Maple Research and Market Promotion Program. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) co-sponsored the legislation. “There’s nothing better than real New England maple syrup.…

State News

LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTICUT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Jun 9, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Legislation Backed by Attorney General Tong Modernizes Anti-Robocall Statutes, Addresses Abuse in Ticket Sales, Ends Anti-Consumer Cable Company Billing Practice, Enhances Location-Sharing Privacy Protections (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today praised passage in both the state House and Senate of a series of reforms backed by the Office of the Attorney General to strengthen Connecticut consumer protections. The bill includes measures to modernize Connecticut’s anti-robocall statutes, to address abuses in the ticket sale market, to end anti-consumer cable company billing practices, and to enhance privacy protections related to location-sharing data. The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature. Attorney General Tong thanked Sen. James Maroney, Rep. Mike D’Agostino, Rep. David Rutigliano and Sen. Paul Cicarella…

FTC AMENDMENTS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM DECEPTIVE AUTO-RENEWALS

BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON TICKETMASTER & SEATGEEK’S EFFORTS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AROUND HIDDEN TICKET & JUNK FEES

BLUMENTHAL & BLACKBURN DEMAND META ANSWER FOR INSTAGRAM’S FAILURES TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PREDATORS & EXPLOITATION

Legislation would give victims of gun violence their day in court & hold manufacturers accountable for negligence

STRONGER FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DATA PRIVACY

2023 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE WITH A $370,000 INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND LITERACY EFFORTS

ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, HIGHLIGHT PROGRAMS THAT HELP SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN CONNECTICUT

CTDOT Highway Safety Patrol Continues this Summer

LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS

LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTICUT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

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