SB 509 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING ADDRESS VERIFICATION REFORMS FOR REGISTRANTS.

This bill reformers address verification requirements for individuals required to register under Connecticut sex offender laws, including those convicted of sexually violent offenses. It reduces penalties for failing to report changes in name, address, or status from a class D felony to a C misdemeanor, and allows charges to be dismissed if the person corrects the violation within 20 business days of arraignment and has no prior convictions. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense for those unable to comply due to uncontrollable circumstances and requires the state to mail address verification forms within five business days upon request. These changes aim to make the registration process more manageable while maintaining oversight of registrants.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill JUD Joint Favorable Substitute · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was renamed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' to reflect its current status in the legislative process. The most significant substantive change is the replacement of the word 'dismiss' with 'enter a nolle prosequi' in the sections describing how charges are handled when a defendant complies with the law within a specific timeframe. This change alters the legal mechanism for dismissing charges, shifting from an automatic dismissal to a formal prosecutorial decision to drop the case.
ENFORCEMENT

The method for handling charges was changed from 'dismiss' to 'enter a nolle prosequi' for defendants who comply with the law within twenty business days of arraignment, altering the procedural outcome from an automatic dismissal to a formal decision by the prosecutor to not pursue the case.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'Raised Bill No. 509' to 'Substitute Bill No. 509' to accurately reflect its current stage in the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2026 · House May 5, 2026

How they voted

351
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 28, 2026
D Democratic25
24 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 4, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
upper
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
upper
26 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors