The Connecticut Senate passed the Vulnerable User bill (SB 336) on Thursday night. The bill would levy a fine of up to $1,000 for careless drivers who injure or kill a vulnerable user (includes pedestrians, cyclists, animal riders, highway workers and others) provided that the vulnerable user was using the road with care. The bill passed the Senate 33-0, with three members absent.

The Vulnerable User bill has been making the rounds in the Connecticut General Assembly for the last five years. In 2013, it passed the Senate unanimously, but despite having broad support from members of both parties, the bill was never voted on in the House of Representatives.

Since its passage in the Senate on Thursday, the bill has been placed on the House Consent Calendar, which means the bill could be passed on a simple motion, without any debate. However, “any member may move for removal of a bill from the consent calendar and, when so removed, the bill is considered on the regular calendar,” so livable streets advocates in Connecticut must make sure their representatives stand firm in support of this important bill.