CT Legislative Buzz

To say it's been an active week in the Connecticut state legislature is an understatement. In many ways, it's been a proud and encouraging past couple of days for the social work profession.

Thanks to everyone who has demonstrated commitment to advocating for transgender anti-discrimination, in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant students, and mandatory sick day legislation throughout the legislative session. As always, the work isn't over.

Here's a quick update and recap:

The Connecticut DREAM Act- after 9 hours of senate debate (and after being raised in 2005 & vetoed by Gov. Rell in 2007) passed on Tuesday evening, allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at Connecticut colleges and universities. For a more comprehensive explanation of the bill and its passage, check out Senate Gives Final Passage to CT DREAM Act at CT News Junkie. Truly a major accomplishment for Connecticut.

Mandatory Sick Days: On Wednesday, the state senate passed a statewide mandate (the first in the nation) requiring Connecticut service companies with 50+ employees to provide paid sick days. The bill is now headed to the House. Recommended reading on the issue and debate: Paid Sick Leave Passed by 18 to 17; Supporters Say It Is Great Day; Opponents Disgusted published in the Hartford Courant.

An Act Concerning Discrimination: This bill was passed in the CT House on May 19th and is scheduled to be debated in the Senate today; if approved, the legislation will prohibit discrimination based on sexual identity or expression in employment, housing and granting of credit, in addition to other laws under jurisdiction of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Read more at Connecticut House Passes Transgender Rights Bill.

A reminder from the National Association of Social Workers:

The NASW Code of Ethics promotes the value of social justice with the expectation that social workers are ethically obligated to pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers' social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity (NASW Code of Ethics).