Criminal Justice (Courts) in Connecticut

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 502: AN ACT CONCERNING DISCRETIONARY TRANSFER FROM JUVENILE COURT TO ADULT COURT.

This bill modifies how certain juvenile cases are handled by establishing automatic transfer rules from juvenile court to adult criminal court for specific serious offenses. It directly affects children aged 15 and older charged with capital felonies, class A or B felonies, and certain other violent crimes, requiring them to be tried in adult Superior Court unless exceptions apply. The law creates two transfer pathways: automatic transfers for the most serious charges and discretionary hearings for other offenses where a prosecutor must request a transfer and a judge must determine it serves the best interests of the child and the public. The bill also allows cases transferred to adult court to be returned to juvenile court before a verdict or guilty plea if good cause is shown, and sets specific timeframes for hearings, particularly requiring faster hearings for serious firearm offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 443: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF SURVIVOR'S BENEFITS AND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF CORRECTION OFFICERS, COURT SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION INVESTIGATORS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION INVESTIGATORS AND OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATORS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

This bill establishes a new fund to provide a one-time $100,000 death benefit to the surviving families of correction officers and investigators from specific state agencies who are killed in the line of duty. The fund is financed through available appropriations and interest earnings, with payments distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible survivors including spouses, dependent children, and other family members listed on beneficiary forms. The bill also defines key terms such as "killed in the line of duty" and "dependent child," and requires the Comptroller to submit annual reports on fund expenditures and balances to relevant legislative committees. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing tax provision related to income derived from the death benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Courts

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 259: AN ACT CONCERNING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

SB 259 prohibits performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minors under 18, defining it as a class D felony except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals during childbirth or for health reasons. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing victims to sue perpetrators for damages in superior court, removes parental immunity in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to 30 years after the victim turns 18. It also mandates child-friendly testimony procedures in FGM-related cases, including closed-circuit testimony and accommodations to reduce trauma. The law directly affects minors under 18, medical providers, and parents or guardians who could face criminal or civil liability. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Connecticut · House May 26, 2026

HB 5311: AN ACT CONCERNING THE NONISSUANCE OF A STANDING CRIMINAL PROTECTIVE ORDER IN THE CASE OF A FAMILY VIOLENCE CRIME.

HB 5311 requires courts to state their specific reasons on the record when they decline to issue a standing criminal protective order in family violence cases. This applies to defendants convicted of or found not guilty by reason of mental disease for specific family violence crimes, as defined by law (including offenses under sections 53a-70b, 53a-192a, and others listed in the bill). The bill, effective October 1, 2026, mandates this transparency to ensure judges provide clear justification for not issuing these protective orders, which are designed to safeguard victims from repeat harm. It does not change when orders may be issued but focuses solely on documenting court decisions when they are withheld.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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 Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing Tenant Rights

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5423: AN ACT CONCERNING JUVENILE JUSTICE INITIATIVES.

HB 5423 requires the executive director of the Court Support Services Division to submit a report by July 1, 2026, to judicial and appropriations committees on the previous year's usage of court support services and recommendations for expanding these services. The bill does not create new programs or change existing laws but mandates this annual report to inform future decisions about juvenile justice support resources. It directly affects the Judicial Branch's Court Support Services Division and the relevant legislative committees. This procedural bill focuses solely on requiring transparency and planning, not on implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

All criminal justice bills