2011 Connecticut Code
Title 46a Human Rights
Chapter 812 Commission on the Status of Women
Sec. 46a-4. Duties generally. Annual report. Staff. Recommendations and advocacy.

      Sec. 46a-4. Duties generally. Annual report. Staff. Recommendations and advocacy. (a) The commission shall:

      (1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for women of the state: (A) That all women of the state are healthy; (B) that all women of the state are safe; (C) that all women of the state achieve educational success; (D) that all women of the state are economically self-sufficient; and (E) that all women of the state are free from discrimination. The commission shall meet regularly to review matters pertaining to the achievement of the desired results described in subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive, of this subdivision and, not later than January first, annually, shall submit a status report concerning such desired results to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of appropriations. The commission shall develop (i) appropriate population-level indicators of the state's progress in achieving such desired results and (ii) strategies that are intended to improve progress on such indicators through a process that is inclusive of all relevant partners, including, but not limited to, state and local government agencies, the faith community, the business sector, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and philanthropic organizations;

      (2) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection;

      (3) Review and comment on any proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect women of the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly;

      (4) Advise the General Assembly and Governor concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect women of the state;

      (5) Gather and maintain current information regarding women of the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition and contributions of such women. Such information shall be included in the annual report described in subsection (b) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other interested parties upon request;

      (6) Maintain a liaison between the women of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly;

      (7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of critical issues for women of the state; and

      (8) Promote consideration of qualified women for all levels of leadership positions.

      (b) Not later than January first, annually, in accordance with section 11-4a, the commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly that: (1) Identifies the quality of life desired results described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, (2) displays current trend data for the indicators related to each such desired result area, (3) identifies barriers to progress on such indicators, (4) identifies strategies developed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, and (5) describes performance measures for the commission, including measures of research, education and outreach, and partnership development.

      (c) In carrying out its responsibility to make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on the need for legislation, policies, programs or services to improve the quality of life for the women of the state, the commission shall have the assistance of staff, as described in subsection (b) of section 46a-1. Any such recommendations shall be provided solely with the approval of a majority of the members of the commission. A majority of the members of the commission shall be required to approve any specific advocacy before the General Assembly or any state agency.

      (P.A. 73-559, S. 4, 9; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 148.)

      History: (Revisor's note: In 1995 a reference to "February fifteen" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "February fifteenth" for consistency with statutory usage); Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to delete former duties of commission and add Subdiv. (1) re focusing on quality of life results, meeting regularly concerning achievement of desired results, submitting annual status report concerning desired results, developing appropriate population-level indicators of state's progress in achieving desired results and strategies to improve progress on indicators, Subdiv. (2) re making recommendations for new programs to achieve desired results, Subdiv. (3) re reviewing and commenting on proposed legislation, Subdiv. (4) re advising General Assembly and Governor re administration of certain programs, Subdiv. (5) re gathering and maintaining certain population specific information, Subdiv. (6) re maintaining liaison between women and government agencies, Subdiv. (7) re conducting educational and outreach activities, and Subdiv. (8) re promoting consideration of women for all levels of leadership positions, added Subsec. (b) re content of annual report to General Assembly, and added Subsec. (c) re assistance of staff and making of recommendations to and advocacy before General Assembly, effective October 5, 2009 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a), the word "and" following Subdiv. (6) was repositioned editorially by the Revisors following Subdiv. (7) for clarity).