Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 5306: AN ACT CONCERNING SENTENCE REDUCTION OR RELIEF FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

HB 5306 allows courts to reduce sentences for individuals convicted of felonies who were survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, provided the abuse was a contributing factor to their offense. Defendants must submit documented proof (such as court records, protective orders, or counselor affidavits) demonstrating their survivor status and the abuse's role in the crime. Courts must then determine if the abuse was a contributing factor before applying sentence reductions. This applies to all felony convictions where the abuse contributed to the offense, without requiring it to be the sole cause, and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows sentence reduction for abuse survivors, addressing root causes and aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect victims' rights in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5360: AN ACT CONCERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TENANT SCREENING.

This bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications based solely on credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined by state law. Landlords may charge a capped fee (up to $50 plus annual inflation adjustment) for tenant screening reports but must provide applicants with a copy of the report or instructions to obtain it, along with a receipt. To qualify for the protection, applicants can submit a counselor letter, police report, or valid court order related to domestic violence. Violating this rule requires landlords to reimburse applicants for fees paid and cover attorney costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects domestic violence victims from housing discrimination, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim safety and access to housing.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits rental denial based on credit history for domestic violence victims, strengthening tenant protections and preventing housing discrimination per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 278: AN ACT CONCERNING MILITARY PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO ADDRESS MILITARY INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.

SB 278 amends Connecticut's protective order laws to better address interpersonal violence involving military personnel. It requires applicants to disclose if the respondent (the person against whom the order is sought) holds a firearm permit or possesses firearms, which helps courts assess immediate risks. If firearms are involved, courts must schedule a hearing within seven days for emergency orders (instead of 14 days) and must consider a report including military protective orders, criminal history, and risk assessments. This applies directly to Connecticut residents seeking protection from military members, ensuring their safety concerns are addressed with timely, evidence-based court decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends protective order laws to enhance victim safety and court response in military-related violence cases, aligning with criminal justice reform principles by improving accountability and risk assessment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 292: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF "CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL".

SB 292 amends Connecticut law to clarify and expand the definition of "child sexual abuse material" for legal enforcement. It defines this material as any visual depiction (including digital content) showing a person under 16 years old, or someone appearing under 16, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Key provisions specify that "sexually explicit conduct" includes acts like intercourse, masturbation, sadomasochistic abuse, and lascivious exhibition of genitals. This definition directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and individuals or platforms distributing such content, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal definition of child sexual abuse material to strengthen enforcement against online exploitation, aiding criminal justice system in prosecution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 53: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GARDEN AT YORK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.

SB 53 authorizes the state to issue up to $50,000 in bonds to fund a garden at York Correctional Institution. The garden will grow fresh produce specifically for inmate consumption, managed by the Department of Correction. This bill directly affects inmates at York Correctional Institution by providing them with access to homegrown food. The funding mechanism uses state bonds under existing statutes, with no new tax increases or policy changes beyond this specific project.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds garden for inmate nutrition at correctional facility, supporting rehabilitation efforts through improved inmate welfare.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 29: AN ACT ELIMINATING CERTAIN FUNDING FOR PEOPLESBANK ARENA AND THE CITY OF HARTFORD AND INCREASING FUNDING FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

SB 29 redirects specific state funds currently allocated for PeoplesBank Arena renovations and Hartford's Municipal Accountability Review Board to instead fund school resource officers in all Connecticut municipalities. The bill requires that money previously designated for these two purposes be diverted to local schools for safety personnel. This policy change directly affects every town and city in the state by providing new resources for school safety programs. The legislation does not create new taxes but reallocates existing funding streams to prioritize school safety.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing state funds from arena/city review to school resource officers, advancing school safety funding without new taxes or budget increases.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects funds to school resource officers (law enforcement), directly funding personnel in schools under criminal justice topic's law enforcement focus.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects existing state funds from arena/Hartford to school resource officers, increasing school safety funding across all Connecticut municipalities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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signed · Connecticut · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 90: AN ACT REVISING AND CONSOLIDATING THE HATE CRIMES STATUTES.

SB 90 revises Connecticut's hate crime laws by expanding protected categories and clarifying offenses. It adds "gender identity or expression" and "protective hairstyles" to the list of protected social categories, while updating definitions of disability, religion, and sex. The bill maintains three offense levels: causing physical injury (class C felony, $3,000+ fine), causing physical contact (class D felony, $1,000+ fine), and damaging property (similar penalties), all with mandatory minimum fines. These changes directly affect anyone committing bias-motivated crimes against individuals or groups based on expanded protected categories like gender identity or hairstyle.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hate crime protections to include gender identity/expression and protective hairstyles, strengthening civil rights safeguards within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 249: AN ACT CONCERNING PENSION REVOCATION OR REDUCTION FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STATE OR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES CONVICTED OF CRIMES RELATED TO STATE OR MUNICIPAL OFFICE.

SB 249 would require the Attorney General to seek court orders to revoke or reduce pensions for public officials or state/municipal employees convicted of specific crimes related to their positions, such as embezzlement, theft, bribery, or fraud using their official authority. It directly affects individuals who hold public office or work for state/municipal entities and are later convicted of these crimes. The law establishes that courts must presume pension revocation for public officials and reduction for employees, but these presumptions can be overturned if the court considers factors like crime severity, financial harm caused, breach of public trust, or the role in a fraud scheme. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to convictions occurring after October 1, 2008.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates pension revocation for public officials convicted of crimes like embezzlement or bribery, enforcing accountability for misuse of public office within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 290: AN ACT CLARIFYING THE MEANINGS OF "SEXUAL INTERCOURSE" AND "SEXUAL CONTACT".

SB 290 clarifies the legal definitions of "sexual intercourse" and "sexual contact" in the state's sexual assault laws. It specifies that prosecutions under sections 53a-70 to 53a-73a may be based on either a single act or multiple acts occurring as a continuous pattern of behavior. This change directly affects prosecutors, defendants, and courts handling sexual assault cases by providing a clear standard for what constitutes a single course of conduct. The bill does not alter criminal penalties but ensures consistent application of these definitions to all cases occurring before, on, or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies legal definitions for sexual assault prosecutions, providing clear standards for courts to ensure consistent application of law, strengthening procedural fairness in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5310: AN ACT CONCERNING AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR A CRIMINAL VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER OR A STANDING RESTRAINING ORDER.

HB 5310 adds a new defense for individuals accused of violating protective or restraining orders. It allows defendants to argue that the person protected by the order (not the defendant) initiated or encouraged the contact that led to the alleged violation. This defense applies to all covered orders, including those related to domestic violence or harassment, but does not apply if the defendant’s actions already constitute a separate crime. The bill does not change the underlying criminal penalties for violations but modifies the legal defense available during prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands defendant rights by creating a new defense for protective order violations, aligning with criminal justice reform that protects civil rights in legal proceedings.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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