[1] Hartley was born in Waterbury and graduated from Elms College and received a M.A.
[3] Hartley is generally considered one of the most conservative members of the Democratic caucus.
She voted against redefining marriage as the legal union of two persons, guaranteeing equal protection under the law for same-sex couples.
[4] In 2011, Hartley and Paul Doyle were the only two Democrats to vote against transgender rights legislation.
[6] In 2008, Hartley was one of three Democrats who supported Rell's proposal for a Three Strikes Law against career violent criminals.