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HB 7236

AN ACT CONCERNING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar and 15 co-sponsors

Strengthens protections and remedies for human trafficking and sexual assault victims across criminal/civil laws, boosting rights in employment, housing, and public services.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
#children #complaint #contractors #councils #crimevictims #deprivationofcivilrights #discriminationinemployment #discriminatorypublicaccommodationspractices #employees #employers #felonies #hoodormask #deprivationofcivilrightsbypersonwearing #housingdiscrimination #landlordandtenant #misdemeanors #racialdiscrimination #sexdiscrimination #sexualassault #stateagencies #traffickinginpersons #violations
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Bill Summary · HB 7236

Summary — HB 7236: "An Act Concerning Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault Victims"

Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR (Public Act 25‑139)
Introduced: March 18, 2025
Final actions: Passed both chambers; signed by Governor July 8, 2025; transmitted to Secretary of the State June 25, 2025.

Main purpose

HB 7236 (now Public Act 25‑139) is intended to strengthen legal protections, remedies and procedural responses for victims of human trafficking and sexual assault. The bill’s title and legislative subject tags indicate it addresses both criminal and civil law aspects, and aims to reduce discrimination and deprivation of civil rights experienced by these victims in multiple contexts (employment, housing, public accommodations, and interactions with state agencies and contractors).

Key topics and provisions (scope indicated by bill title and subject tags)

The enacted law appears to cover several interrelated areas (the precise statutory language should be consulted in the Public Act for exact requirements and amendments):

  • Criminal law and sentencing

    • Revisions related to trafficking in persons and sexual assault offenses; potential changes to felony/misdemeanor classifications, penalties, or processes for charging.

  • Civil rights and anti‑discrimination

    • Prohibitions or clarifications against discrimination (race, sex, other protected classes) and discriminatory public‑accommodations practices affecting victims.
    • Protections against deprivation of civil rights by individuals (including increased liability where masking/hoods are involved is indicated by subject tags).

  • Employment and contractors

    • Provisions affecting employers, employees and contractors — likely prohibiting adverse employment actions against victims, clarifying complaint or remedy processes, and possibly imposing obligations on state contractors.

  • Housing and landlord–tenant matters

    • Measures addressing housing discrimination against victims and remedies in landlord–tenant disputes.

  • Administrative and procedural measures

    • Directions to state agencies, councils or contractors to adopt policies, complaint procedures, or training related to trafficking/sexual assault victims.
    • Possible creation or modification of complaint, referral or victim‑service mechanisms.

  • Victim protections and services

    • Likely enhancements to confidentiality, access to services, and protections for child victims (subject tag: children).

Who is affected

  • Victims of human trafficking and sexual assault (including children)
  • Employers, employees, contractors, landlords and tenants
  • State agencies and councils required to implement policies
  • Courts and law enforcement (through criminal and civil procedural changes)

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Referred to Judiciary Committee (3/18/2025); public hearing held 3/24/2025.
  • Reported out of Legislative Commissioners’ Office and given favorable report; House and Senate passed the bill in May–June 2025.
  • Enacted as Public Act 25‑139 and signed by Governor on July 8, 2025.

Next steps / Where to read the law

For the exact statutory changes, operative language, and implementation details, consult:
- Public Act 25‑139 (2025) on the Connecticut General Assembly or Secretary of the State website, or the official slip law published after enactment.

If you would like, I can retrieve and summarize the enacted statutory text (Public Act 25‑139) and list the specific sections amended and exact legal changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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