Connecticut Fitness Alliance Update

Prepared by Linda Kowalski, the Kowalski Group

The 2022 Legislative Session will convene next February, but state agencies and legislative committees are already deciding their agendas.

Automatic Renewals

I believe it is possible that the Department of Consumer Protection will again propose an opt-in rule for automatic renewals. This was deleted from last year’s DCP bill (H.B. No. 6100). It is also likely they, or consumer advocates, might propose the more onerous language that originally was in the bill to require notices to be sent to consumers as the expiration date nears. We will need to be prepared, again, to fight it. That means testifying at the public hearing, and discussing the issue with the co-chairs and Ranking members of the General Law committee and administration officials, and lobbying it in the House and Senate.

Automated External Defibrillators

As you know, we succeeded in getting “non-use” immunity on automated external defibrillators for health clubs last session. The broader bill will require health clubs to have an AED, and staff trained in its use during business hours, by October 1, 2022. I am told that the trial attorneys are very upset at the non-use provision in Public Act 21-26 and may try to repeal or water it down next session.

We will need to be ready to fight any such initiative.

Background Checks for Trainers & Instructors

We monitored House Bill 6511 that would require criminal background checks of individuals who apply to be a coach, athletic trainer or instructor in youth athletic leagues. We wanted to make sure health clubs were not ensnared in the new rules. If the bill is reintroduced, we will need to monitor it once again.

GYMS Act

We contacted Connecticut’s federal legislators on several occasions to support H.R. 890 and S. 1613, the GYMS Act, which provides a pool of $30 billion to reimburse health clubs for the losses that they incurred while shut down during the early months of the pandemic. We held several Zoom sessions with local Connecticut Fitness Alliance members who discussed the issue with their legislator and their staff to make this point. Of note, U.S. Rep. John Larson, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal co-sponsored the bill.

Employee Retention Tax Credit

We have also been in contact with congressional offices about the need to restore the Employee Retention Tax Credit, that was repealed in the recently-passed Infrastructure Act.

We will keep you updated as the 2022 Legislative Session approaches.