Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5308: AN ACT CONCERNING POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING.

HB 5308 allows individuals convicted of crimes and currently incarcerated or under supervision (probation/parole) to petition courts for DNA testing of evidence held by law enforcement, the Division of Criminal Justice, or courts. The bill requires petitioners to prove the testing could show they didn’t commit the crime, the evidence still exists and wasn’t previously tested, and the request isn’t for delay. Courts must order testing if these conditions are met, and the state covers costs for indigent petitioners while ensuring they have legal representation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and makes denials of such petitions final for appeal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables post-conviction DNA testing to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and correcting errors in sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 343: AN ACT CONCERNING FEES CHARGED FOR CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS.

SB 343 sets new fees for criminal history record checks in Connecticut, primarily affecting individuals applying for pardons and certain professionals. It establishes specific charges (e.g., $36 for a name search, $75 for a criminal history check) while requiring the state to waive the $75 criminal history check fee for pardon applicants until July 1, 2029, and allowing fee waivers after that date for applicants demonstrating financial need. The bill also prohibits third-party contractors from charging convenience fees for pardon-related checks during these waiver periods. Volunteer fire departments, ambulance services, and government agencies are exempt from these fees. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill waives $75 fee for pardon applicants until 2029, reducing barriers to criminal record clearance and supporting reintegration efforts in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

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passed · Connecticut · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5225: AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN LICENSEES AND REGISTRANTS FROM SELLING, DISPENSING, TRANSFERRING OR DELIVERING ANY DRUG OR DEVICE TO EXECUTE A COURT-IMPOSED SENTENCE OF DEATH.

HB 5225 prohibits pharmacies, drug distributors, and manufacturers from selling, dispensing, transferring, or delivering drugs or devices intended for lethal injection executions. It directly affects licensed healthcare entities (like hospitals, pharmacies, and medical suppliers) that might otherwise provide these items to correctional facilities. The law specifically bans such transactions unless the correctional facility has no knowledge the drugs will be used for execution. Exemptions cover routine pharmacy operations (e.g., emergency stock for nursing homes) but exclude any supply for execution purposes. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits execution drug supply, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to limit capital punishment methods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 374: AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF THE CRISIS INITIATIVE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SB 374 requires the Division of State Police (within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) to expand the CRISIS Initiative pilot program statewide by January 1, 2027, working with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The program, officially named "Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support and Initiating Services," aims to provide crisis response services. This expansion will move the program from a limited pilot to full statewide implementation, directly affecting state law enforcement and mental health agencies. The bill mandates this structural change without specifying new services or funding details.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands mental health crisis response program to divert non-violent incidents from law enforcement, reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health crisis response services statewide through dedicated program implementation, directly advancing mental health care access and infrastructure per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Connecticut · House May 26, 2026

HB 5291: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS STATUTES RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HB 5291 requires municipal fire departments to notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESP) within 10 business days of appointing a new or interim fire chief, providing specific contact details like name, address, and phone numbers on a form prescribed by DESP. The bill also updates evidence rules for chemical tests in DUI and related criminal cases, mandating that test results be admissible only if the defendant had a chance to contact a lawyer before testing, results were delivered within 24 hours, approved equipment was used, and a second test was performed within 10 minutes. These changes directly affect fire departments that must report appointments and law enforcement/courts handling such prosecutions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates DUI evidence rules to require defendant's opportunity to contact lawyer before testing, protecting defendant rights and ensuring due process in criminal cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Public Safety

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 23, 2026

HJ 3: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO MARK STUART WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) confirms a $16,500 compensation award to Mark Stuart for wrongful incarceration by the state. It directly affects Mark Stuart, who was awarded this amount by the Claims Commissioner to compensate for his wrongful imprisonment. The resolution formally approves the Claims Commissioner's decision (file #24394) to pay the funds from the General Fund's adjudicated claims account. This is a procedural confirmation of an existing award, not a new policy or law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeConfirms compensation for wrongful incarceration, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SJ 6: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO LUIS GALARZA WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJ 6) confirms a $5.94 million compensation award to Luis Galarza for wrongful imprisonment by the state. The resolution formally approves a prior decision by the Claims Commissioner (file #27243), directing payment from the General Fund's adjudicated claims account. It directly affects Luis Galarza, who was wrongfully incarcerated, and serves to finalize the state's obligation to compensate him. The bill does not create new law but ratifies an existing administrative award.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeConfirms $5.94M compensation for wrongful incarceration, upholding accountability and civil rights in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Connecticut · House May 26, 2026

HB 5313: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLAN FOR THE USE OF UNIFORM STATE-WIDE CASE IDENTIFICATION CODES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.

HB 5313 requires the Chief Court Administrator to develop a plan by January 1, 2027, creating uniform state-wide case identification codes for domestic violence cases across three state systems: the Judicial Branch, Division of Criminal Justice, and Department of Emergency Services. The codes must consistently track all domestic violence cases (defined as family violence between household members under state law) in electronic case files, improving statewide data collection for reporting and policy analysis while maintaining confidentiality. This plan must be reported to legislative committees by February 1, 2027. The bill directly affects how state agencies track and manage domestic violence case data, aiming to standardize identification without changing legal definitions or services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates uniform data tracking for domestic violence cases, improving system-wide reporting and data quality for criminal justice analysis.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 89: AN ACT UPDATING PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION STANDARDS.

SB 89 requires all state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers) to adopt and follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards effective January 1, 2024, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and staff. Key provisions include a strict zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse, mandatory staff and contractor training, enhanced protections for vulnerable detainees, standardized reporting protocols for incidents, and access to medical/mental health services for victims. Facilities must annually certify compliance to the state, and the Corrections Commissioner must report yearly on training, incident data, and investigation outcomes starting January 2027. The bill mandates specific mechanisms like cross-gender search limits, risk screening, and victim support services to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces federal PREA standards to prevent sexual abuse in prisons, enhancing inmate protections and facility oversight per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires medical access for rape victims in prisons, strengthening healthcare access and protections for incarcerated individuals under federal standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice Mental Health

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 347: AN ACT INCREASING THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT FOR FELONY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FRAUD.

SB 347 increases the felony threshold for unemployment fraud from $500 to $2,000. Individuals who fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits totaling more than $2,000 will now face a class D felony charge, while amounts up to $2,000 will result in a class A misdemeanor. This change, effective October 1, 2026, directly affects people committing unemployment benefit fraud by altering the severity of penalties based on the amount fraudulently obtained. The bill modifies Section 31-273(f) of the general statutes to reflect this higher threshold.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises felony threshold for unemployment fraud from $500 to $2,000, reducing felony charges for lower amounts and aligning with criminal justice reform to avoid harsh penalties for minor offenses.85% confidence

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