Senator Tony Hwang Opposes Unfunded Mandates in Senate Bill 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025

Senator Tony Hwang Opposes Unfunded Mandates in Senate Bill 6, Defends Municipal Summer Camps and Child Safety
(Watch Senator Hwang Senate Floor Debate Here)

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield/Newtown) strongly opposed Sections 5 and 6 of Senate Bill 6, citing the devastating impact these new unfunded mandates would have on municipal summer camps across Connecticut, including Fairfield and Newtown—two towns that testified in opposition.

“These sections are a textbook example of the arrogance of top-down governance and a failure to respect the vital role of local input,” said Senator Hwang. “They impose sweeping, one-size-fits-all mandates without providing the resources to comply – putting the survival of community summer camps at serious risk.”

The bill aims to respond to the tragic and inexcusable sexual assault case at a Town of Bethany camp by removing the long-standing licensing exemption for municipal camps, instead requiring them to meet rigid state facility and staffing standards. Senator Hwang acknowledged the gravity of the Bethany incident and fully supports strict accountability for perpetrators. However, he emphasized that laws alone do not prevent bad actors with criminal intent, and punishing municipalities with unaffordable mandates does not equate to better child protection.

In response, Hwang supported Amendment LCO 8294, a common-sense alternative that would have removed Sections 5 and 6 and instead created a grant program to help towns afford expanded background checks and child safety measures – up to $5,000 per municipality.

“This amendment was a responsible compromise. It aimed to protect children while respecting the fiscal realities of our towns,” Hwang said. “Instead of supporting it, the majority party chose to advance legislation that could result in the closure of local camps – eliminating critical, affordable childcare options for working and middle-class families.”

Despite bipartisan concern, the amendment was rejected and the bill advanced unchanged.

Senator Hwang reaffirmed his commitment to fighting back against unfunded state mandates that undermine local governments and hurt Connecticut families.

“Child safety is paramount – but so is respecting our towns. Local leaders know their communities best. We must support them – not bury them in red tape.”