Connecticut law codifies Endometriosis Working Group; commission to manage appointments and reporting

Jillian Gilchrist, chair of the Endometriosis Working Group and a state representative, opened the June meeting by announcing that legislation has formally codified the working group into state statute and that the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity will administer the transition. "We were successful at passing legislation to codify the working group into state law," she said.

Under the statute, the working group is charged with evaluating and making recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, research, education and public awareness for endometriosis in the state. The law directs the group to study prevalence and impact, barriers to timely and accurate diagnosis, access to evidence-based medical and surgical treatment, insurance coverage and reimbursement practices, workplace impacts (including leave and employment protections), gaps in public and provider education, and opportunities to improve data collection and patient outcomes.

Rosemary Lopez, women's policy analyst at the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity, summarized the commission's role: it is a nonpartisan legislative agency that will provide administrative staff and support for the working group. The statute names specific appointing authorities and categories of members: appointments are to be made by the House speaker, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and the minority leaders of each chamber. Required appointees include legislators, practicing physicians with endometriosis expertise, representatives of federally qualified health centers, patient advocates and researchers affiliated with in-state institutions, among others.

The law sets staggered terms so not all members rotate off at once (some initial members serve two years and others three), requires the working group to meet at least quarterly with opportunities for public comment, and directs the group to report to the governor and the joint standing committees with cognizance of human services and public health by Jan. 1, 2027 and annually thereafter. Administrative details in the statute require that vacancies be filled by the appointing authority within 30 calendar days and that members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

Participants asked how to be considered for appointment. Brienne, clerk to the Human Services Committee, said attendees should email her to indicate interest and the qualifying category they represent; speakers encouraged participants to also share nominee names with appointing authorities. Gilchrist said she will remain involved through the transition to assist the new administrative structure.

Next steps: Brienne will circulate statutory language to attendees and collect names and qualifying categories for submission to appointing authorities; the group expects to pause in July and aim for a transition meeting in August or September as appointments are finalized.