HB 5476 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE USE OF CONFIDENTIAL CRISIS HOTLINES AT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

This bill establishes a Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator within the Office of Policy and Management to oversee state efforts to prevent human trafficking. The coordinator will work with various state agencies and law enforcement to develop prevention strategies, create a confidential database for reporting trafficking incidents, and maintain a directory of victim service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the coordinator to develop training programs for state agencies, healthcare facilities, and other organizations on identifying and responding to trafficking cases. A Trafficking in Persons Council will also be updated to include the new coordinator and representatives from multiple state departments to coordinate statewide response activities.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → GOS Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to create a new Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator role with expanded authority to accept federal and private funding. The Trafficking in Persons Council was updated to include a municipal police chief, a judge, and the Commissioner of Education, while the Secretary of the State's role was adjusted to include a designee. These changes aim to broaden the coalition of stakeholders involved in prevention efforts and ensure the coordinator has the necessary resources to operate effectively.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded by adding new members to the oversight council and establishing a new coordinator position with specific funding capabilities.

FISCAL

The new Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator is explicitly authorized to receive money, revenue, or services from the federal government, corporations, associations, or individuals.

REQUIREMENT

The Secretary of the State must now appoint a designee to serve on the council, whereas the previous version did not require this.

The Commissioner of Education was added as a new member to the Trafficking in Persons Council.

The council member list was renumbered to accommodate the new members, shifting the original 18th member to the 19th position.

ELIGIBILITY

Two new members were added to the Trafficking in Persons Council: a municipal police chief appointed by the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and a Superior Court judge appointed by the Chief Court Administrator.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 27, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (36-0)

senate

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Oversight

lower

52 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District