The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1506, introduces a new procedure for the preparation of racial and ethnic impact statements (REIS) for certain bills and amendments in the Connecticut General Assembly. Starting with the 2027 legislative session, any member of the General Assembly can request an REIS, which must be prepared by the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health. The request for an REIS for bills must be made within ten days after the committee's reporting deadline, while requests for amendments must be made at least fifteen days before the end of the session. The bill also mandates that these statements be made available electronically on the General Assembly's website.

Additionally, the bill modifies the existing law by repealing the previous provisions that allowed the Government Administration and Elections Committee to recommend procedures for REIS preparation. Instead, it empowers the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health to develop these procedures and communicate them to key legislative leaders for inclusion in the Joint Rules. The bill also allows the commission to request records and information from public and quasi-public agencies, which must comply within five days, with provisions for extensions if necessary. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the legislative process by ensuring that the racial and ethnic implications of proposed legislation are considered and documented.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 2-24b
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 2-24b
File No. 744: 2-24b