State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, has been appointed to serve on Gov. Ned Lamont’s newly created Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, announced.

Chaired by Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, the council will provide a coordinated state response to issues that impact the lives of women and girls, their families, and the state. It will be part of the Office of the Governor, and Melissa McCaw, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, will serve as vice chairwoman.

“Senator Heather Somers will be an integral member of the governor’s council, working closely with our lieutenant governor and OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw to develop policies that promote equality, remove barriers, and ensure women have access to opportunity across our state,” Fasano said in a statement. “As a leader on the state’s Public Health Committee, Sen. Somers will bring an expertise in health care issues to the council. As a female business owner, she will also bring an important perspective on economic issues, job creation, and educational and leadership opportunities.”

The Governor’s Council on Women and Girls was one of the recommendations made by the Lamont-Bysiewicz Transition Policy Committee on Women’s Issues. It will collaborate closely with civil society and the private sector, as well as the General Assembly’s Commission on Women, Children and Seniors.

The council will be comprised of the heads of each state agency, the constitutional officers and a representative from each of the four legislative caucuses.

Somers has been named the legislature's assistant Republican leader, and will serve as the ranking member of the Public Health Committee. She also will serve on the Appropriations, Commerce and Planning and Development committees. Her district, the 18th, includes Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington and Voluntown.