CT SB00414

Establishes a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division within each of Connecticut's 22+ state departments, effective October 1, 2024, led by a full-time salaried director appointed by the department head with Governor approval

Requires each department to create and publish an annual equity action plan by October 1, 2026, identifying DEI goals, barriers faced by underserved communities, and progress on prior year initiatives

Mandates departments collect demographic data on job applicants and use diverse hiring panels (varying by race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation) for at least one interview per candidate

Requires minimum 4 hours of annual DEI training for all supervisory and nonsupervisory employees starting July 1, 2025, covering implicit bias, cultural sensitivity, anti-racism, and disability awareness

Department heads must consult with DEI directors before implementing any new policy or regulation to ensure no adverse impact on underserved communities including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ persons, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas