Workplace Bullying Institute Legislative Campaign

For Connecticut State residents only
May 6, 2009 Update

The CONNECTICUT anti-bullying Healthy Workplace Bill

The 12th state to introduce anti-bullying legislation in the U.S. since 2003
House Bill HB 6188 for 2009

A Public Hearing was held on Feb. 10 in the Labor Comm
On 2/26/09, committee vote was 11-0 to pass
Bill was amended and sent to Government Administration and Elections
HB 6188 was amended as Substitute HB 6188 and passed GAE 10-5 on 3/30/09
The bill was placed on the House Calendar on 4/15/09


What you can do ...

  • Thank the sponsors of HB 6188 by phone/e-mail/letter.

  • Read and understand the text of the bill amended (Substitute) HB 6188 and agency Fiscal Notes attached. The 2009 bill is not the WBI Healthy Workplace Bill as introduced in prior years. It simply calls directs the Commissioner of Administrative Services to establish policies and procedures for preventing, reporting, evaluating and investigating complaints of abusive conduct occurring in the workplace between state employees by Jan. 2010.

  • Committee which held the public hearing for HB 6188 Also read the testimony by state agencies AGAINST the bill.

  • Track the bill's progress at the state website, enter 6188 at top of page.

  • Register to help the Connecticut WBI-LC State Coordinator get this bill passed into law. Get connected!

  • Connecticut residents, visit the CT BullyBusters discussion group

  • Resistance in 2009 to the bullying bill by the CBIA (the business lobby) will be strong. Read a press account. Tell your Rep to not be blackmailed by businesses. He or she represents YOU!

  • Even without economic crisis, CBIA resisted the HWB in 2007 - a broken record ...

  • Listen to the 3/17/08 CT Public Radio show on Workplace Bullying featuring Sen. Prague and discussion of future state legislation

  • Read the 2008 newspaper account of the moving testimony

  • Familiarize yourself with the Connecticut General Assembly website You can track the bill's progress by entering the number (when known) in the bill search box on the main page of the website.

  • Prepare to testify at the committee public hearing when notified by us.


    The Healthy Workplace Bill's history in Connecticut ...

    The first CT State version of the Healthy Workplace Bill SB 371 was introduced in the General Assembly by Sen. Thomas Colapietro in 2007. It was heard in the Labor and Public Employees Committee chaired by Sen. Edith Prague. It passed the committee and died in a referred committee. In 2008, Sen. Prague introduced and held a public hearing in that same committee for her bill SB 60 co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin Ryan and Roberta Willis. The bill was withdrawn. HB 6188 in 2009 is the third attempt in CT to introduce and pass the bill.