Good morning Senator Anwar, Representative McCarthy Vahey, and distinguished members of the Public Health Committee:
My name is Erin E. Stewart and I served as Mayor of the City of New Britain for twelve years, from 2013 to 2025. I respectfully submit this testimony in strong opposition to HB 5044 and SB 450.
Throughout my time in public office, I have consistently believed that medical decisions should remain between individuals, families, and their healthcare providers—not imposed through sweeping mandates by government agencies. HB 5044, in particular, would grant expanded authority to the state’s Public Health Commissioner to mandate vaccines for schoolchildren. In my view, that represents an unnecessary and troubling shift of decision-making power away from parents.
Parents are best positioned to make informed healthcare decisions for their children in consultation with medical professionals who understand their individual circumstances. Policies that concentrate this authority in the hands of unelected bureaucrats risk undermining both parental rights and public trust in our institutions.
I also believe the state made a mistake in 2021 when it eliminated the religious exemption from Connecticut’s school vaccine requirements. Respecting sincerely held religious beliefs has long been part of balancing public health with individual liberty, and I would support restoring that exemption so families with genuine religious objections are once again accommodated under state law.
As Mayor of New Britain, I governed during some of the most challenging public health moments in recent history. During my twelve years in office, I did not impose vaccine mandates on city employees. Instead, I believed it was important to respect personal choice while encouraging residents to consult with their doctors and make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Government plays an important role in promoting public health through education, access to care, and transparent communication. However, expanding state authority to compel medical interventions—particularly for children—moves beyond encouragement and into coercion. Connecticut has always valued both public health and personal liberty. We can protect both without granting the state sweeping new powers over private medical decisions.
For these reasons, I strongly urge the committee to reject HB 5044 and SB 450.
Erin E. Stewart