Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5654
AN ACT CONCERNING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE UPDATING OF STATE
FORMS, APPLICATIONS AND METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION TO INCLUDE
Title: A NONBINARY GENDER OPTION.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/19/2021
File No.: 495
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Government Administration and Elections Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Agencies will be tasked with assessing the ability to update their forms, applications and
identification methods to incorporate a nonbinary sex or gender option. This bill mandates
that all state agencies submit their assessment results by January 1, 2022 to their committee
of cognizance.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Department of Administrative Services (DAS): DAS expressed support for this bill. In their
testimony, DAS sought to address some of the logistical challenges that might occur in terms
of fulfilling the provisions of the bill. For example, with CORE-CT, the states human
resources, payroll and financial system, there could be challenges in terms of health
insurance requirements, which might differ depending on whether someone is a male or
female. DAS also made note of implications that the bill could have with JobAps, which is the
states online employment center. While adding a nonbinary option would be fairly easy to
implement, DAS believes that it could have an impact on agencies that use gender
information to help fulfil their affirmative action plans.
Melissa McCaw, Secretary, Office of Policy and Management (OPM): The Office of Policy
and Management expressed support for the incorporation of a non binary gender option on
state forms, applications and methods of identification. In their testimony, OPM raised a
series of logistical concerns that agencies may encounter in their efforts to try and
accommodate this adjustment. OPMs testimony highlighted some of the executive agencies
that already have included or are working to include a nonbinary gender marker on their
forms and licenses. Another concern that OPM addressed is the fact that several state
agencies overlap with federal programs and databases, and therefore would not have the
jurisdiction to alter federal forms and their methods of data collection. These agencies include
the Department on Aging and Disabilities, the Department of Developmental Services , the
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Labor and the
Department of Social Services.
Rep. Jeff Currey, 11th District: Rep. Currey acknowledged the existing language of
Connecticut law, which can be isolating to people of nonconforming gender identity. Rep.
Currey thaked the Office of Policy & Management for their willingness to work on this issue
and move legislation forward. In passing this bill, Connecticut can dismantle the system
discrimination that nonbinary people face when completing state forms.
Rep. David Michel, 146th District: Rep. Michel emphasized the omnipresence of hate,
injustice, violence and dismissiveness in our society today. In the spirit of the ongoing social
justice movements, Rep. Michel calls on the legislature to promote a more equitable system
for nonbinary people to acknolwedge their identity on state forms and applications.
Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO): CHRO
expressed strong support for the bill. Citing Connecticuts decision to extend
antidiscrimination protections to cover gender identity, CHRO believes that this is the next
step towards protecting the dignity of vulnerable groups, including the transgender and
nonbinary communities.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Kathleen Callahan, MSW, Community Programming and Development Lead, The
Connecticut Womens Consortium: Ms. Callahan cited a map created by the Movement
Advance Project that shows all the states that allow gender markers beyond male and
female The Connecticut Women's Consortium contends that expanding gender markers on
identity documents would help transgender people access public resources and reduce the
risk of discrimination and/or harassment.
Center for Childrens Advocacy: In the testimony submitted to the committee, the Center
for Childrens Advocacy stated that accurate identification documents are necessary in terms
of ensuring the well-being of children. In particular, amending identity documents might help
transgender and nonbinary youth with gender affirmation. By affirming their gender on forms,
studies have shown that mental health risks for youth are significantly reduced. In addition,
the Center for Childrens Advocacy cited the fact that many other states have provided an X
gender marker option on identity documents. Passing this bill would help further
Connecticuts commitment to inclusion.
Maggie Goodwin, Board Member, NOW CT: On behalf of NOW CT, Ms. Goodwin urged
the committed to vote in favor of the bill. Recognizing that sex and gender are not the same,
gender is non binary and an individuals gender identity is critical to ones self-worth, NOW
CT believes it is the right time to include a non-binary gender option on all forms.
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Connecticut Womens Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF): CWEALF expressed the
need for nonbinary individuals to accurately identify on state forms, applications and methods
of identification. CWEALF cited research which found that accurate identification of ones
identity on government documents has a direct correlation with improved mental health and a
reduction in suicidal thoughts.
Kelly McConney Moore, Interim Senior Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union
of Connecticut (ACLU-CT): The ACLU-CT expressed strong support for the passage of this
bill. ACLU-CT contends that unnecessary barriers imposed by the government on nonbinary
people violates the right to privacy and personal identity. Highlighting the importance of
identity documents throughout a person's life, the ACLU-CT believes that this bill would
eliminate any potential discrimination and harassment that nonbinary people might face if
they are forced to use identity documents that dont accurately represent their gender.
Luther Weeks, Secular Connecticut: Secular Connecticut applauds the bills incorporation
of a nonbinary gender option. However, Secular Connecticut would like to see the scope of
the bill expanded to ensure that all oaths administered in Connecticut are not religious in
nature.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 3-31-21
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Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 14-44c