In Brittell v. Department of Correction, the plaintiff, a correction officer, alleged that the Department of Correction failed to remedy a hostile work environment caused by sexual harassment and rumors about her gender identity.
Connecticut ‘s statute on prenatal testing for HIV and syphilis requires prenatal care providers to order blood tests for both HIV and syphilis during the first trimester of pregnancy and again at the time of delivery. The purpose is to identify infections early, reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission, and ensure timely medical intervention for both the mother and the newborn. By mandating testing at two stages, the law enhances the likelihood of detection even if exposure occurs later in pregnancy.
Section 4a-60 mandates that all public contracts awarded by the state of Connecticut, its agencies, municipalities, or quasi-public entities contain nondiscrimination and affirmative action clauses. Contractors are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic violence.
§ 4a-60a requires that all contracts entered into by Connecticut state agencies, municipalities, and quasi-public agencies include an express provision prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Contractors, subcontractors, and their agents must agree not to discriminate in hiring, promotion, compensation, or other terms and conditions of employment. In addition to prohibiting discrimination, the statute obligates contractors to take affirmative steps to ensure equal opportunity.
Section 53a-190 defines bigamy as knowingly marrying or purporting to marry another person while already legally married, or knowingly cohabiting as spouses with someone who is married to another. The offense applies whether the subsequent marriage is performed within or outside the state of Connecticut if the parties then live together in the state as spouses. The statute provides several affirmative defenses to prevent conviction where the conduct results from mistake or circumstances beyond the actor’s control.
Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-192a defines the crime of trafficking in persons and prohibits the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in sexual conduct, labor, or services in the state of Connecticut. The statute criminalizes recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining another person for the purpose of exploitation.
Section 53a-82 makes it unlawful for any person eighteen years of age or older to engage, agree to engage, or offer to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. The offense applies whether the act is completed or merely solicited, emphasizing that the exchange of sexual conduct for money itself constitutes the violation. A first offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Connecticut General Statutes Section 54-102b requires that when a defendant is convicted of an offense involving a sexual act, the court must order the offender to undergo testing for HIV and AIDS upon the victim’s request. Testing is to be conducted promptly, and results are provided to both the offender and the victim. The statute is intended to ensure that victims receive timely and accurate health information following sexual offenses, enabling early medical evaluation, preventive treatment, and counseling when needed.
Connecticut General Statutes § 54-86g provides special procedures to protect children under the age of twelve who are testifying in prosecutions for assault, sexual assault, or child abuse. At the request of either party, and with judicial approval, the child’s testimony may be taken in a separate room rather than in open court. The testimony must occur under the supervision of a judge and be televised or recorded for presentation to the jury. The statute authorizes several accommodations to reduce the child’s stress and risk of re-traumatization.
Connecticut’s Penal Code defines a comprehensive hierarchy of sexual offenses under §§ 53a-70 through 53a-81, reflecting distinctions based on the nature of the act, use of force, age of the victim, and aggravating circumstances. Section 53a-70 establishes sexual assault in the first degree, the most serious general sexual offense, applying when
