Joan V. Hartley is an American politician. A Democrat, she has been a state senator from Connecticut since 2001. A resident of Middlebury, she represents all of Waterbury, the northern part of Naugatuck and the northeastern part Middlebury. Hartley was born in Waterbury and graduated from Elms College and received a M.A. from Trinity College. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Hartley served as a Connecticut state representative representing the 73rd District from 1984 to 2000. In December 2008, Hartley was removed as the Chairwoman of the Higher Education Committee.