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SB 399 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISPOSITION OF CASES BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

This bill amends Connecticut's human rights laws to allow health clubs and gyms to maintain separate exercise areas based on sex, while also updating procedures for handling complaints before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The legislation explicitly permits businesses to designate different exercise spaces for men and women, and it clarifies that existing rules against sex discrimination do not apply to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, or workout areas. Additionally, the bill introduces a new early legal intervention process that allows parties in discrimination complaints to request a quicker legal review from commission staff after mediation, potentially leading to faster resolution or dismissal of cases. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to public accommodations such as gyms, health clubs, and similar facilities.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 3, 2026 Last action Apr 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → JUD Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill streamlines the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities by removing an outdated provision regarding separate exercise areas in gyms and clarifying the rules for reopening closed cases. It also introduces a new mechanism allowing the commission to file civil lawsuits directly in Superior Court instead of holding administrative hearings, which could speed up resolving discrimination cases when the public interest is at stake.
Scope change
The bill removes a specific exemption that previously allowed separate exercise areas in health clubs and gyms based on sex, thereby broadening the scope of non-discrimination protections to include these facilities. It also modifies the scope of case disposition procedures by adding a pathway for the commission to bypass administrative hearings in favor of direct court action.
SCOPE

Deleted a provision that exempted health clubs and gyms from the rule against sex-based discrimination for separate exercise areas.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new process allowing the commission's executive director to assign legal counsel to file civil lawsuits in Superior Court, replacing administrative hearings, when the executive director determines it serves the public interest and parties agree.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the old title and introductory text with a new title focusing solely on case disposition and updated the bill number to reflect its status as a substitute bill.

Updated the rules for reopening closed complaints, clarifying the standards (such as new evidence or legal errors) and the conditions under which a complainant can request a case be reopened.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2026

How they voted

31–5
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 29, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
6 Yea 5 Nay
54% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.