(a) There is established a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Health and Human Services Network to make recommendations to the state legislative, executive and judicial branches of government concerning the delivery of health and human services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in the state.
(b) The network shall work to build a safer and healthier environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer persons by (1) conducting a needs analysis, within available appropriations, (2) collecting additional data on the health and human services needs of such persons as necessary, (3) informing state policy through reports submitted at least biennially, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, human services, appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, other legislative committees as necessary, the Governor and the Chief Court Administrator, and (4) building organizational member capacity, leadership and advocacy across the geographic and social spectrum of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
(c) The network shall include, but need not be limited to, the following members, or their designees:
(1) The president of Connecticut Latinas/os Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO);
(2) The executive director of the Safe Harbor Project;
(3) The executive director of the New Haven Pride Center;
(4) The executive director of True Colors, Inc.;
(5) The executive director of the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk;
(6) The executive director of AIDS Connecticut;
(7) The executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN);
(8) The executive director of the Rainbow Center at The University of Connecticut;
(9) The executive director of the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective;
(10) The executive director of the Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition;
(11) The president of OutCT in New London;
(12) The executive director of the Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team;
(13) The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity;
(14) A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer physician, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(15) An LGBT Veteran Care coordinator assigned to a health care facility in the state administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(16) A member of the LGBT Aging Advocacy coalition, appointed by the Governor; and
(17) The president of Connecticut Community Care.
(d) Members shall serve at the will of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, who may each appoint additional members and set term limits for each member. Appointments to the network shall be made not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. Members shall choose chairpersons. Any vacancy shall be filled by the speaker of the House of Representatives, acting in consultation with the president pro tempore of the Senate.
(e) The administrative staff of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the network.
(P.A. 19-117, S. 207.)
History: P.A. 19-117 effective July 1, 2019.