Home care workers now have new protections when visiting patients, including the option of a companion.

A new law passed in response to a death last year also gives them access to information that will inform them whether a patient poses a safety risk.

“Tomorrow is a big day for health care in Connecticut,” John Brady, vice president of AFT Connecticut, said Monday.

It is one of several new laws that will come into force on October 1st.

The new protections come nearly a year after health care worker Joyce Grayson was killed while visiting patients in Willimantic.

Michael Reese, a convicted rapist, was charged with murder and attempted sexual assault back in April.

Home health care workers can now access information that informs them whether a patient poses a safety risk, including based on convictions or complaints from other caregivers.

These employees can also request an accompanying person.

“We would never deny care, but you have to do it in a safe way so you can see the next patient,” Brady said.

Other new laws also include the protection of minors on the Internet. Anyone under 13 must have parental permission to create a social media account.

Individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 must consent to the sharing of their personal information.

“There are a number of protections, but again, we can build on those protections, but I'm very, very proud of the law that we have,” said Senator Bob Duff (D – Majority Leader). “It’s the strictest in the country.”

Duff said the law is a continuation of lawmakers' efforts to protect children online. He added that he expects lawmakers will make another attempt to enact regulations on artificial intelligence, including deep-fake pornography, in the coming session.

Another law requires police departments to create new guidelines for body-worn cameras, particularly when an officer can stop recording.

Existing law requires police to record interactions, and the new law requires that a stop be made only if an officer believes the recording will interfere with an investigation. The officer must also speak to supervisors before taking a break.

“If there is a pause, of course that raises the question: What happened,” said Sen. Martin Looney (D – President Pro Tem.).

He added that records can help determine whether an officer has committed misconduct or is the subject of an unfounded complaint.

Several laws relate to animals, including a ban on dog racing. No one organized dog racing in Connecticut, but Duff said it just made it clear that the activity was banned.

Another law designates the lollipop as the state candy and the Siberian Husky as the state dog.

People can now also face penalties if they kill or injure a police dog in the line of duty.

The law is Broko's bill named after a state police dog that died while pursuing a suspect in December. Broko was the first state police dog killed by gunfire in the line of duty.

“Our canine officers are trained, work extremely hard and are considered members of our local police department or our state police,” said Senator Heater Somers (R – Groton).

The list of new laws can be found here.