The Connecticut Senate voted unanimously to move a bill that would allow public agencies to enter into executive session to discuss the location of shelters for victims of sexual assault to final passage on June 2.
The bill expands on existing law, which 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.
In addition, the bill stipulates that towns may enter into executive session during public meetings when they are discussing the location of shelters. HB 6883’s original language required towns to enter into executive session when they discussed business affecting the location of shelters, which drew criticism from freedom of information advocates. The language was changed to allow rather than require towns to enter executive session by a strike all amendment passed by the House of Representatives when it took up the bill on May 13.
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, but that was stripped by the Government Oversight Committee
Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull, called the bill “one of the most important bills we can pass this session” during introductory remarks prior to the Senate’s vote.
The bill drew bipartisan support, including comments from Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, and Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield. Sampson said the bill had his “full support” and stated the GOC had “put together a bill” that addressed concerns about FOIA. Kissel also called the bill “excellent” in his remarks.
The bill received unanimous support from both chambers. It now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for signature.
Transparency Note: Katherine Revello is a member of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information’s board of directors. CCFOI submitted testimony on HB 6883.
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