HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Senate Chair of the Government Oversight Committee, led final passage of legislation that expands and strengthens confidentiality protections for the locations of transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Current law does not prohibit public agencies from disclosing any information indicating the location of a survivor of domestic violence’s transitional housing or shelter, regardless of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). HB 6883 explicitly prohibits such a disclosure, and expands the protections to include survivors of sexual assault.
The bill also explicitly allows, regardless of FOIA’s requirements, portions of public agency meetings to be held in a private executive session if they would reveal the location of a shelter or transitional housing for domestic violence or sexual assault survivors.
“Having worked previously for a domestic violence legal service organization, I can tell you that for those who are able to leave an abusive relationship or press charges against their attacker, it takes incredible courage,” said Sen. Gadkar Wilcox. “Unfortunately, the subsequent weeks, months or even years after leaving your abuser are the most dangerous times for survivors. Keeping their locations confidential is a critical aspect of protecting survivors and keeping them safe, and I am proud to see this bill through to final passage.”
The legislation passed the House unanimously and passed the Senate 35-0. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for signing.
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