HB 6599 - An Act Concerning Discrimination

• Adds "gender identity or expression" as a protected class in Connecticut's anti-discrimination laws, effective October 1, 2011, covering employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit transactions.

• Defines "gender identity or expression" as a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not different from that traditionally associated with their physiology or assigned sex at birth, which can be demonstrated through medical history, care or treatment, consistent assertion, or other evidence that it is sincerely held and part of core identity.

• Extends discrimination protections based on gender identity or expression to multiple areas including state contracts, urban homesteading, higher education, libraries, utilities (electric and telecommunications), and apprenticeship programs.

• Establishes a religious exemption allowing religious corporations, entities, associations, educational institutions, and societies to maintain employment and conduct standards related to faith, discipline, internal organization, and ecclesiastical rules without application of gender identity or expression anti-discrimination provisions.

• Amends numerous state statutes across employment, housing, public services, and insurance sectors to incorporate gender identity or expression protections alongside existing protected characteristics like race, color, religion, and sex.