The Connecticut House of Representatives voted to advance a bill that would allow public agencies to enter into executive session to discuss the location of shelters for victims of sexual assault.
HB 6883‘s original language required public agencies to enter executive session when discussing shelters. The language drew concern from Freedom of Information advocates. A bipartisan strike all amendment brought on the House floor changed the language to allow public agencies an option to enter executive session when shelters are being discussed.
The original bill added attorneys employed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) and the U.S. attorney’s Connecticut district office from being disclosed through the Freedom of Information Act. It also stipulated that any portion of a meeting of a public agency that discussed a shelter or transitional housing for victims of sexual assault must enter an executive session.
That portion of the bill expands existing law that prohibits public agencies from releasing information about the location of shelters for victims of domestic violence. HB 6883 also added shelters for victims of sexual assault to that prohibition.
When the Committee on Government Oversight (GOC) voted to advance the bill, they stripped the section adding attorneys from the list of public employees whose residential addresses cannot be disclosed through FOIA.
During the House’s May 13 session, Rep. Lucy Dathan, D-Norwalk, introduced a strike all amendment that changed the language to allow public agencies to enter executive session when discussing the location of shelters rather than requiring them to do so.
Dathan said the Freedom of Information Commission has approved the changes to the bill.
Rep. Bob Godfey, D-Danbury, said the bill would protect victims of sexual assault, but mostly women, from being stalked and was glad the FOIC had signed off on the bill.
The amendment, as well as the bill, drew bipartisan support. Rep Devin Carney, R-Old Saybrook, noted it was the first bill from the new GOC that the chamber had heard and said it was a “fantastic bill” with which to begin.
The amendment was passed by a voice vote and HB 6883 as amended passed the chamber unanimously. It will now be placed on the Senate calendar for further action.
Transparency Note: Katherine Revello is a member of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information’s board of directors. CCFOI submitted testimony on these bills.
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