After a late special session in Hartford, the Connecticut Cradle to Career Coalition’s Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee has expanded and began its work for the short 2026 legislative session. With youth and adult community representatives from Norwalk and members from Norwalk ACTS partner organizations, the subcommittee is meeting in December to discuss and draft legislative priorities for the 2026 statewide policy agenda. They will finalize legislative priorities by the second week of January for submission to Coalition leadership. If you’re interested in learning more about the subcommittee or joining our advocacy efforts, please email ctc2c.policy@gmail.com.
Heads-up on an expected advocacy priority: An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement.. This proposal would recognize students who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and authentic engagement by adding a civics seal to their diploma and transcript. The legislation passed the House in 2025 but did not receive a final vote before adjournment. Given its alignment with our youth leadership and civic engagement work, the Coalition anticipates supporting renewed action on this bill in the upcoming session.
During the November Special Session, lawmakers advanced a targeted set of bills strengthening health equity, expanding housing access, addressing shortfalls from federal funding cuts, and supporting key components of children’s behavioral health and family economic stability. HB-8004, in particular, aligns closely with the Coalition’s priorities: it builds on our testimony to improve children’s behavioral health services, supports economic mobility through a standard self-employment expense deduction, and ensures safer, more accessible civic systems by codifying protections against courthouse immigration arrests without a judicial warrant.
Together, these measures reflect meaningful progress toward strengthening the social, educational, and economic foundations that Connecticut families need to thrive.