(a) The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall:
(1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state: That all such persons are (A) healthy, safe and achieve educational success; (B) free from poverty; and (C) free from discrimination;
(2) With the advice of the executive committee of the commission, make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. Such recommendations shall, when applicable, include, but need not be limited to: (A) Systems innovations, model policies and practices which embed two-generational practice in program, policy and systems change on the state and local levels, in accordance with section 17b-112l; (B) strategies for reducing family poverty, promoting parent leadership and family civics; (C) the promotion of youth leadership opportunities that keep youth engaged in the community; and (D) strategies and programs that address equitable access, impede bias, and narrow the opportunity gap for women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state. Such recommendations may include other state and national best practices, and recommendations on federal funding maximization;
(3) With the advice of the executive committee of the commission, review and comment, as necessary, on any specific proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly;
(4) With the advice of the executive committee of the commission, advise the General Assembly concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state;
(5) Gather and maintain, as necessary, current information regarding women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition, and contributions of such groups. Such information, as appropriate and pertinent to the desired results delineated in subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall be included in the annual report submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other interested parties upon request;
(6) Maintain liaisons between women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly; and
(7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of and address critical issues for women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state.
(b) Not later than January first, annually, the executive director of the commission shall submit a status report, organized by subcommission, concerning its efforts in promoting the desired results listed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. On and after January 1, 2022, such report shall include the status of amendments to the joint rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the preparation of racial and ethnic impact statements pursuant to section 2-24b.
(c) The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity may: (1) Request, and shall receive, from any state agency such information and assistance as the commission may require; (2) use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of the commission; (3) utilize voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered and needed; (4) recommend policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the state relative to women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state; (5) accept any gift, donation or bequest for the purpose of performing the duties of the commission; (6) hold public hearings; (7) establish task forces or standing committees, as necessary, to perform the duties of the commission; (8) adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as it may deem necessary to carry out the duties of the commission; and (9) inform leaders of business, education, state and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the problems faced by women, children and their families, seniors and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state.
(d) The executive director of the commission may enter into any agreement with a state agency for the purpose of maximizing the receipt of federal funds by such state agency, provided such state agency shall utilize any federal funds received as a result of such agreement to perform those statutory duties of such agency that relate to the commission's duties. The commission may accept that portion of federal funds received by any such state agency as a result of any such agreement which federal law otherwise permits to be received by the commission.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 128; P.A. 19-117, S. 106; P.A. 21-35, S. 8.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 19-117 replaced “Commission on Equity and Opportunity” with “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”, added references to women, children and their families and seniors, amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re advice of executive committee in Subdivs. (2), (3) and (4), and add reference to Sec. 17b-112l in Subdiv. (2)(A), amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to executive director, replace “policy division” with “subcommission”, and replace “and any progress made in achieving” with “in promoting”, and amended Subsec. (c) to replace “advisory committees” with “standing committees” in Subdiv. (7), and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019 (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 19-117, “Commission on Equity and Opportunity” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity” in Subsec. (c)); P.A. 21-35 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re status of amendments to joint rules re racial and ethnic impact statements, effective June 14, 2021.