SB 89 — AN ACT UPDATING PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION STANDARDS.

(2)26-10 the4 number of reports7 ofSubstitute sexualSenate assaultBill andNo. the types of sexual assault reported;

89 Rape Elimination Act, 34 USC 30301 et seq., in effect as of January 1, 2024;

(2) the number of reports of sexual assault against a person who is incarcerated or staff of the department and the types of sexual assault reported;

The Correction Ombuds appointed sSB89pursuant /to Filesection No.18-81jj shall be the head of said office.

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557 pursuant to section 18-81jj shall be the head of said office.

(D)Public ConductingAct announcedNo. or unannounced site visits of correctional facilities administered by the department, without restrictions on such visits, including during periods when a facility is locked down or experiencing a facility-wide emergency, provided the department may restrict access to a portion of a facility in an emergency situation for the duration of the emergency.

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89 (D) Conducting announced or unannounced site visits of correctional facilities administered by the department, without restrictions on such visits, including during periods when a facility is locked down or experiencing a facility-wide emergency, provided the department may restrict access to a portion of a facility in an emergency situation for the duration of the emergency.

sSB89(G) /Taking Fileall No.possible actions, including, but not limited to, conducting programs of public education, undertaking legislative advocacy and making proposals for systemic reform and formal legal action in order to secure and ensure the rights of persons in the custody of the commissioner.

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557 (G) Taking all possible actions, including, but not limited to, conducting programs of public education, undertaking legislative advocacy and making proposals for systemic reform and formal legal action in order to secure and ensure the rights of persons in the custody of the commissioner.

(H) Conducting surveys by sending or distributing during facility visits, confidential written and electronic communications or questionnaires to persons who are incarcerated or employees of the Department of Correction concerning conditions of confinement, working conditions or other subjects within the scope of the duties of the Office of the Correction Ombuds, without prior approval of the department.Public Act No.

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89 department.

sSB89Governor's /Action: File No.

557Approved 6May sSB897, File2026 Public Act No.

55726-10 This7 actof shall7 take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 18-81cc Sec.

2 July 1, 2026 18-81qq(a) JUD Joint Favorable Subst.

sSB89 / File No.

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557 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill, which (1) requires executive branch agencies that incarcerate or detain offenders to comply with federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards, (2) requires the Department of Correction to adopt regulations to implement PREA standards and submit a report to the general assembly, and (3) expands the existing responsibilities of the Office of the Correction Ombuds to include receiving and reviewing sexual assault reports and complaints, results in no fiscal impact to the state as the affected agencies have the capacity and resources to meet the requirements of the bill.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None sSB89 / File No.

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557 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 89 AN ACT UPDATING PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION STANDARDS.

SUMMARY This bill requires the state’s executive branch agencies and political subdivisions that incarcerate or detain adult or juvenile offenders to, within available appropriations, comply with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in effect as of January 1, 2024 (see BACKGROUND).

Current law requires them to, within available appropriations, adopt and comply with the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission’s recommended standards.

Current law specifies the commission’s prison rape elimination standards to prevent, detect, deter, and respond to sexual assault incidents, among other things.

Under the bill, these standards are substantially the same with two changes.

The bill (1) adds immediate and ongoing access to sexual assault crisis services as a new standard and (2) specifies that staff and facilities or agency heads must transmit a copy of any sexual assault report or complaint to the Office of the Correction Ombuds as part of their reporting duties under the current standards.

The bill also requires the Department of Correction (DOC) commissioner to adopt regulations to implement the PREA standards by January 1, 2027.

Starting by that date, the department must also annually report to the Judiciary Committee on (1) training provided to DOC staffon compliance with PREA, (2)thenumber andtypesof sexual assaults reported, and (3) the number of reports investigated and their outcomes.

It also expands the services provided by the Office of the Correction Ombuds to include receiving and reviewing sexual assault reports or sSB89 / File No.

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557 complaintsthat are(1)transmittedtotheoffice under thebill’sreporting standard above or (2) made directly to the office.

Lastly, it makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2026 BACKGROUND Federal PREA PREA established a zero-tolerance standard for all acts of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement facilities and created a set of national standards for the detection, prevention, and punishment of such acts in confinement facilities.

Among other things, the PREA standards cover inmate safety, staff training, and reporting procedures (34 USC § 30301, et seq.).

Related Bill sHB 5477, favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee, requires state agencies and political subdivisions to adopt and comply with the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission’s standards and revises the application of some of the standards.

COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 41 Nay 0 (03/23/2026) sSB89 / File No.

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