Connecticut endometriosis working group codified into state law; commission to administer and appoint members

The Connecticut Endometriosis Working Group, which has met since 2022, has been codified into state statute and will now be administered by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, Chair Jillian Gilchrist said at the group’s June meeting. "We were successful at passing legislation to codify the working group into state law," Gilchrist said.

Why it matters: The statutory language establishes specific membership categories, meeting frequency and reporting duties that shift some decisions from the current volunteer membership to formally appointed members and legislative staff. Under the statute, the working group is charged with evaluating diagnosis, treatment, research, education, public awareness and data collection related to endometriosis in Connecticut.

What the law requires: Gilchrist read the statute summary during the meeting: appointing authorities (the House speaker, Senate president pro tempore and minority leaders in each chamber) will each select four members, including legislators, physicians (some with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists affiliation), federally qualified health center representatives, researchers, hospital administrators, manufacturers and patient advocates. Terms are staggered (some initial two‑year and three‑year appointments, then two‑year terms thereafter). The commission will provide administrative staff support; members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses. The statute requires the first working‑group report to the governor and relevant legislative committees by Jan. 1, 2027, and annual reporting thereafter.

Appointments and participation: Meeting attendees were instructed to notify the Human Services Committee clerk, Brianne, and to reach out to appointing authorities to express interest in official appointment. Gilchrist and commission staff said the law contemplates appointed voting members for formal recommendations and reports but that the broader participant list will continue to be invited to meetings and encouraged to contribute. Representative Kathy Kennedy urged attendees to pursue appointment and offered to help by contacting legislative leaders.

What’s next: Commission staff said they aim to schedule a transition meeting this summer (August–September) after appointments are made so the new, appointed membership can select a chair and vice chair and begin meeting not less than quarterly. The group will take July off and reconvene in August, with commission staff circulating the statute language and membership categories to the email distribution list so members can confirm how they qualify for appointment.

Sources and context: The account is based on the group’s June meeting, in which the chair read statute language specifying the group’s duties, membership categories and reporting timetable. The statute text as read at the meeting includes the Jan. 1, 2027 reporting deadline and the requirement that the commission schedule the first appointed meeting not later than 60 days after the statute’s effective date.