The 2012 Legislative Session
The 2012 Connecticut legislative session will begin on Wednesday, February 8 and run through May 9. During this short session, CONNSACS will be working to advance the interests of victims/survivors and sexual assault crisis services programs at the Capitol.
What is legislative advocacy?
Legislative advocacy is the process of trying to influence the creation, modification, and passage of bills that will become laws. In the rape crisis movement, legislative advocacy efforts have resulted in changes to the law such as: making spousal rape a crime, creating the sex offender registry, extending the statute of limitation for child sexual abuse, and requiring hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims.
What are some of the legislative issues that CONNSACS is working on in 2012?
CONNSACS is planning to support legislation that will:
- Ensure that Connecticut's nine sexual assault crisis services programs receive the funding that they need to provide victims/survivors with the free and confidential services that they need.
- Improve protections for individuals with disabilities who are sexually assaulted.
- Update and improve Connecticut's stalking statutes.
- Improve how colleges and universities prevent and respond to sexual violence on college campuses.
- Secure continued funding for the Gail Burns-Smith Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners Program and streamline the process by which multidisciplinary teams are reimbursed for the services they provide to child victims of sexual abuse.
Check back soon for more information about these legislative priorities. We will update this section of the website throughout the legislative session.
How can I be involved in legislative advocacy?
You can participate in the legislative process by contacting their elected officials and talking about why a particular bill is important for victims/survivors of sexual violence. Anyone can call their elected officials, send them a letter or email, or write testimony for a public hearing. Before the legislative session gets underway, take a minute to learn which legislators represent your town. You can use this online tool to identify your legislators.
What is a public hearing? How can I participate?
A public hearing is an opportunity for members of the public to speak directly to legislators about a particular piece of legislation. Legislative committees (subject-specific groups of legislators that initially view and vote on legislation before it goes on to the full house and senate) set dates for public hearings and invite the public to either submit written testimony or to come to the Legislative Office Building to present their testimony in person. Written testimony is usually one or two pages long, and oral testimony should be limited to three minutes in length. When public hearings are announced, CONNSACS will post that information on our website. A guide for how to write testimony is available here, and a nice video about how to present testimony in person is available online.
How important is it for me to be involved in legislative advocacy?
It's very important! Advocates and survivors have unique perspectives and insights into sexual violence, and legislators can learn a lot from what you have to say. If legislators don't hear from many people on a particular issue, they may assume that it isn't important. YOU can make a huge difference in the legislative process. Learn More:
How a Bill Becomes a Law in Connecticut2011-2012 Connecticut Legislative Guide
Citizen's Guide to the Connecticut General Assembly
If you are interested in learning more about our public policy initiatives or becoming involved in our legislative advocacy, please contact Anna Doroghazi, Director of Public Policy and Communication: anna@connsacs.org or (860) 282-9881.
Contact your Senator or Representative
