General Law Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6217
AN ACT INCREASING TRANSPARENCY FOR CHARITABLE
Title: ORGANIZATIONS.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.: 133
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:
General Law Committee
Co-sponsors:
Rep. Tim Ackert, 8th Dist.
Rep. David Rutigliano, 123rd Dist
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will require that charitable organizations put their registration number on written
solicitations so that it can be seen. It would also require that upon request the organization
give the percentage of what they are collecting goes directly to the purpose of the charity it is
funding. This will make transparency more available to those contributing to charitable
organizations.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Jeff Shaw, Sr. Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, CT Community Nonprofit Alliance
(The Alliance)
This bill is opposed due to the overly burdensome requirements. The Alliance is a statewide
advocacy organization representing non-profits. There are numerous reporting and
compliance requirements for nonprofits. If someone wants the charitable registration number
of a nonprofit, they can call the organization and ask for it, as it would be available. In
addition, most nonprofits, while not required by law, produce Annual Reports, featuring
organizational highlights, an overview of services, program outcomes, community impact,
leadership structure, and statement of financial position and results. To ensure trust in
nonprofits, The Alliance does support reasonable and non-burdensome regulations and
policies.
Kathleen Flaherty, Executive Director, CT Legal Rights Project, Inc.
The CT Legal Rights Project opposes this bill. Upon request the CLRP will supply its
registration number; but adding it to advertisements will not add anything to transparency.
People can find out information about CLRP from the website where the annual reports and
form 990 is available. As executive director of The CLRP for 5+ years no one has ever asked
for registration number.
Reported by: Bonnie Gray, Asst. Clerk Date: 03/10/2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-6217


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
GL Joint Favorable:
File No. 133: