CT HB06555

Establishes a Commission on Homelessness within the Legislative Branch to review housing policies and advise the General Assembly on strategies to prevent and reduce homelessness, coordinate services, provide support including healthcare and employment training, and increase affordable housing availability.

Commission consists of seven members: one appointed by the House Speaker with homelessness policy expertise, one by the Senate President Pro Tempore with fair housing expertise, one by the House Majority Leader representing a homeless service provider, one by the Senate Majority Leader representing a low-income housing advocacy organization, one by the House Minority Leader representing a landlord association, one by the Senate Minority Leader representing a faith-based organization serving homeless individuals and families, and the Commissioner of Housing or designee.

Members serve three-year terms beginning within 60 days of the bill's effective date and can be General Assembly members; vacancies are filled by the respective appointing authority; members who miss three consecutive meetings or 50% of annual meetings are deemed to have resigned.

Commission must meet quarterly with a majority constituting a quorum; members serve without compensation but receive expense reimbursement; must submit annual reports beginning July 1, 2024 to the joint standing committee on housing.

First meeting must be held no later than October 1, 2023; Joint Committee on Legislative Management handles all staffing and personnel matters; commission can obtain state agency assistance, accept donations, establish bylaws, and enter contractual agreements within appropriated funds.