HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Childcare, transportation and employment-related discrimination are some of the barriers the Governor's Council on Women and Girls is tackling with its 2021 legislative agenda.
The council has developed a series of legislative proposals to help create more opportunities for women to succeed in the workplace.
"Women's participation in the workforce is at a 30-year low," Governor Ned Lamont said when announcing the legislative agenda Tuesday. This is due, in part, to many women leaving their jobs amid the pandemic for various reasons, he said.
Among the six legislative proposals that the council supports is a bill that tackles the childcare barrier many families and mothers faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, childcare continues to block many mothers, particularly low-income mothers, from running for office.
To make it easier for women to run for elected office, and in turn increase female participation in government, Lamont and Bysiewicz propose a bill that would allow candidates participating in the Citizens Election Program to use program funds for childcare expenses.
"We also have a bill that would promote gender and racial diversity on state boards and commissions by codifying our administration's new online portal that makes it easier for Connecticut residents without experience in state government to learn about and apply for positions by directing them to the appointing authorities," Bysiewicz said.
Along those same lines, another bill aims to help families return to the workforce while financially supporting their families. The proposal would clarify, enforce and expand housing and zoning protections for licensed group and family childcare homes in order to provide affordable in-home options.
In an effort to combat transportation issues, the council is proposing the implementation of a bulk ride transit program, so as to provide affordable transportation options.
Bysiewicz said the program would open up the U-Pass program to training institutions, higher education institutions, private occupational schools, employers, local or state agencies and public or non-profit social service providers in the state.
To promote diversity and equity in the Connecticut workforce, the council is encouraging the passage of a bill that would prohibit employers from asking the age, date of birth or graduation dates of job applicants.
"This is especially important for women who are more likely to be discriminated against based on their age," Bysiewicz said.
The council also supports two legislative proposals that support military spouses moving to Connecticut by establishing a system that recognizes licenses from other states, making them eligible to apply for a license from the Connecticut Department of Public Health or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
"We must do everything we can to ensure that our young girls, women and families have access to the resources needed to unlock their full potential," Bysiewicz said.