Connecticut HB 6599 Passes House!

HB 6599 passed the Connecticut House on a 77-62 vote after five hours of debate.   The trans rights bill has (ahem) public accommodations language in it and will protect Connecticut's trans community from discrimination in employment, education, housing, public accommodations and credit.

In an attempt to minimize some legislators concerns, the bill was amended with language that allows a court to seek evidence of person's gender identity issues, such as medical history, to determine if they've been discriminated against.

HB 6599 defines gender identity or expression as a person's gender-related identity, appearance of behavior, even if that identity is different from what's traditionally associated with the person's physiology or sex at birth.

HB 6599 now moves on to the Connecticut Senate, where it has a 22-14 Democratic edge and the governor's mansion is also occupied by Democratic governor Dan Malloy.

Governor Malloy has stated he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.