Legislative Updates

April 5, 2022

We are at the phase in the legislative process where we are working in committees to advance bills to the floor of the House or Senate. For a full list of bills that I have introduced or co-sponsored this session, click here. 

 
An Act Concerning Sexual Assault and the Absence of Consent
Our state law hasn’t kept pace with our cultural understanding of sexual assault. CT law is still largely based on force and resistance. This week, we took a big step toward changing that! HB 5472 An Act Concerning Sexual Assault and the Absence of Consent defines "consent" for purposes of sexual assault statutes and clarifies that sexual intercourse without consent is a crime. This bill advanced out of the Judiciary Committee and will go to the House floor for a vote. 
 
Abortion Legislation
With all of the devastating anti-abortion policies being pushed across the country, Connecticut took a vote to expand access! The Public Health Committee voted to modernize CT’s abortion statute to allow advance practitioners to perform both medication and procedural abortion. HB 5261, An Act Increasing Access to Reproductive Healthcare will now go to the House floor for the vote.

HB 5414, An Act Concerning Protections for Persons Receiving and Providing Reproductive Health Care Services in the State was passed out of the Judiciary Committee this week. This bill protects those who seek, obtain, provide, or assist others in obtaining legal reproductive healthcare in CT from other states' extreme, overreaching abortion bans. 
 
 
Planned Parenthood Visit
This week, I was proud to join Governor Lamont and Representative Blumenthal for a tour of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England’s Hartford Office. Here in Connecticut, we stand firm in our commitment to both increase and protect access to abortion.
 
Funding for Conard and Hall High School Tennis Courts
Great news! The State Bond Commission voted to release $3 million in state funding to the Town of West Hartford to replace 24 tennis courts at Conard and Hall High School. I am so excited to see this project get underway so students and members of the West Hartford community can enjoy this recreational space for years to come. 
 
Women's History Month
As Women's History Month comes to and end, we're reflecting on the many women who inspire us every day to serve our communities and fight for women all over Connecticut. Click below for a video message from the women of Connecticut House Democrats!