Legislation

The ACLU of Connecticut takes an active role in every session of the state legislature to support bills that advance civil liberties and oppose those that do not. We have testified before the legislature hundreds of times and have taken leading roles in the struggles to repeal the death penalty, fight racial profiling, challenge police practices, advocate for decarceation and an end to discrimination against people living with a criminal record, protect and expand LGBTQIA+ rights, and prevent encroachment on the right to free speech.

In 2021, the Connecticut General Assembly's legislative session is virtual, making it more important than ever for people to take action with us online.

Visit out action page to get involved. Sign up for our action alerts, to make sure you get emails around when it's time to act on important legislation. Build your effectiveness as an advocate by checking out our videos on how to give effective public testimony and how to build relationships with legislators. 

Stay updated on our legislative work with the 2025 Legislative Tracker.

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Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 184 and H.B. 5262
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 184 and H.B. 5262

S.B. 184, AAC Extending Through November 8, 2022, Several Changes Regarding Election Administration as a Result of COVID-19 and Concerning Eligibility to Vote By Absentee Ballot and H.B. 5262, Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes

Voting Rights
Position: Support

The ACLU-CT asks this Committee to expand absentee voting during times of general illness, through the November 2022 election and beyond, and keep in place essential emergency provisions allowing voters to...

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Mar 9, 2022
H.B. 5248
Smart Justice leaders stand in front of the CT capitol. The sun is breaking through a cloud. One person stands with arms upstretched above their head, behind the people not prisons banner
Mar 9, 2022
H.B. 5248

H.B. 5248, An Act Concerning the Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions on Occupational Licenses

Smart Justice

House Bill 5248 is the opportunity for Connecticut to require job licensure boards to make a determination based on a person, not a background check result. We will all benefit if we stop blocking people’s...

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Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 217
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 217

S.B. 217, An Act Establishing a Unit Within the Division of State Police to Investigate Crimes and Criminal Acts Committed by Extremist Groups

Racial Justice
Position: Oppose

We're committed to policy solutions that protect marginalized communities from violence. We cannot, though, support efforts that increase violence by increasing existing overpolicing of marginalized...

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Mar 9, 2022
H.B. 5208
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
Mar 9, 2022
H.B. 5208

H.B. 5208, An Act Concerning Housing Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Persons

Criminal Legal System
Position: Needs amendments

All people in Connecticut, regardless of whether they have a criminal record, should have the right to safe and stable housing.

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Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 168
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
ACLU of Connecticut ACLU-CT Legislative Testimony
Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 168

S.B. 168, An Act Establishing a Right to Housing

Racial Justice
Position: Support

Codifying a fundamental right to housing is a pivotal measure to codify equity, justice, and fairness for people living in our state.

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Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 170
Mar 9, 2022
S.B. 170

S.B. 170, An Act Requiring Housing Authorities to Provide Voter Registration Applications to Prospective Tenants

Voting Rights
Position: Support

Because the right to vote is a fundamental part of America’s democracy, registering to vote should be a simple task.

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