Adding Body Size to Connecticut’s Civil Rights Law

January 2024

Connecticut has a strong human rights law but has remained silent while other New England states and cities have introduced and/or passed legislation to prohibit weight discrimination. In Connecticut, 35% of adults are overweight and 30% of adults have obesity, highlighting the high number of people in Connecticut who are vulnerable to mistreatment because of their body size. To protect Connecticut citizens from weight discrimination in employment, housing, and access to public accommodations, Connecticut should pass legislation adding body size to its list of protected categories. This law would make body size discrimination unlawful in Connecticut, leading to lower rates of bias and unfair treatment, improving access to services, and increasing safety and quality of life for Connecticut citizens.

Rudd Code: 362401