HB 7255 — AN ACT CONCERNING JUDICIAL BRANCH OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES AND THE DUTIES OF JUDICIAL BRANCH PERSONNEL.

(27) The Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, [to allow the division to determine] for the purpose of (A) determining the supervisionandtreatment needsofachildor youth or any other person, and provide appropriate supervision and treatment services to such child or youth [, provided such disclosure shall be limited to information that identifies the child or youth, or a member of such child's or youth's immediate family, as being or having been (A) sHB7255committed /to Filethecustody No.oftheCommissioner ofChildrenandFamilies as delinquent, (B) under the supervision of the Commissioner of ChildrenandFamilies, or(C)enrolledinthevoluntaryservicesprogram operated by the Department of Children and Families;

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951 committed to thecustody oftheCommissioner ofChildrenandFamilies as delinquent, (B) under the supervision of the Commissioner of ChildrenandFamilies, or(C)enrolledinthevoluntaryservicesprogram operated by the Department of Children and Families;

Solnit Children's Center and the administration of licensing requirements establishedPublic pursuantAct toNo. or set forth in sections 19a-134 and 19a-498;

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7255 established pursuant to or set forth in sections 19a-134 and 19a-498;

[(33)] (32) The Department of Administrative Services, for the purpose of determining whether an applicant for employment with the state, who would have contact with children in the course of such sHB7255employment, /appears Fileon No.the child abuse or neglect registry maintained pursuant to section 17a-101k;

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951 employment, appears on the child abuse or neglect registry maintained pursuant to section 17a-101k;

The department may withhold the disclosure of any records described in this subdivision if the commissionerPublic determinesAct thatNo. such disclosure may (i) result in harm to the safety or well-being of the child or youth who is the subject of such records, the family of such child or youth, or any individual who made a report of abuse or neglect pertaining to such child or youth, or (ii) interfere with a pending criminal investigation.

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7255 commissioner determines that such disclosure may (i) result in harm to the safety or well-being of the child or youth who is the subject of such records, the family of such child or youth, or any individual who made a report of abuse or neglect pertaining to such child or youth, or (ii) interfere with a pending criminal investigation.

[, and one of whom shall be a retired judge of the Superior Court appointed by the Chief Court Administrator.] With the exception of two public members, sHB7255the /members Fileappointed No.by the Governor shall be appointed from nominees of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Connecticut State Association of Chiefs of Police, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, The Connecticut State Rifle and Revolver Association, Inc., and Ye Connecticut Gun Guild, Inc., and each of said organizations shall be entitled to representation on the board.

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951 the members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed from nominees of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Connecticut State Association of Chiefs of Police, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, The Connecticut State Rifle and Revolver Association, Inc., and Ye Connecticut Gun Guild, Inc., and each of said organizations shall be entitled to representation on the board.

(f)(1)A personidentifiedinany recordfiledpursuant to sections42a- 9-501Public toAct 42a-9-526,No. inclusive, may petition the Tax and Administrative Appeals Session of the Superior Court to invalidate a record, when such record was falsely filed or amended.

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7255 9-501 to 42a-9-526, inclusive, may petition the Tax and Administrative Appeals Session of the Superior Court to invalidate a record, when such record was falsely filed or amended.

sHB7255(3) /In Filedetermining No.whether cause exists to doubt the validity of a record under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court may consider factors that include, but are not limited to, whether (A) the record is related to a valid existing commercial or financial transaction, or a potential commercial or financial transaction, or a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction;

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951 (3) In determining whether cause exists to doubt the validity of a record under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court may consider factors that include, but are not limited to, whether (A) the record is related to a valid existing commercial or financial transaction, or a potential commercial or financial transaction, or a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(4) If the court determines [after a hearing] that a record identified in a petitionfiledpursuant to subdivision (1)of thissubsectionisnot valid, the court shall render a judgment that such record is void in its entirety and shall direct the custodian of such record, when feasible, to note that suchPublic recordAct isNo. not valid.

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7255 such record is not valid.

The Chief Court Administrator may assign, reassign and modify the assignments of such family relations personnel as such administrator deems necessary to be in the best sHB7255interest /of Filethe No.disposition of family relations matters.

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951 interest of the disposition of family relations matters.

(d) Records of cases of juvenile matters involving delinquency proceedings shall be available to (1) Judicial Branch employees who, in theperformanceoftheirduties,requireaccesstosuchrecords,(2)judges and employees of the Probate Court who, in the performance of their duties, require accessto suchrecords,and(3) employeesandauthorized agents of municipal, state or federal agencies involved in (A) the delinquency proceedings, (B) the provision of services directly to the child, (C) the delivery of court diversionary programs, or (D) the evaluation of a proposed transfer of a firearm to a person under the age of twenty-one in this state or any other state, as required by Title II, Section 12001 of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Public LawAct 117-No. 159, as amended from time to time.

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7255 delinquency proceedings, (B) the provision of services directly to the child, (C) the delivery of court diversionary programs, or (D) the evaluation of a proposed transfer of a firearm to a person under the age of twenty-one in this state or any other state, as required by Title II, Section 12001 of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Public Law 117- 159, as amended from time to time.

Such records shall also be available to (I) the attorney representing the child, including the Division of Public sHB7255Defender /Services, Filein any proceeding in which such records are relevant, (II) the parents or guardian of the child, until such time as the subject of the record reaches the age of majority, (III) the subject of the record, upon submission of satisfactory proof of the subject's identity, pursuant to guidelines prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, provided the subject has reached the age of majority, (IV) law enforcement officials and prosecutorial officials conducting legitimate criminal investigations, as provided in subsection (o) of this section or orders to detain pursuant to section 46b-133, (V) a state or Public Act No.

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9517255 Defender Services, in any proceeding in which such records are relevant, (II) the parents or guardian of the child, until such time as the subject of the record reaches the age of majority, (III) the subject of the record, upon submission of satisfactory proof of the subject's identity, pursuant to guidelines prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, provided the subject has reached the age of majority, (IV) law enforcement officials and prosecutorial officials conducting legitimate criminal investigations, as provided in subsection (o) of this section or orders to detain pursuant to section 46b-133, (V) a state or federal agency providing services related to the collection of moneys due or funding to support the service needs of eligible juveniles, provided such disclosure shall be limited to that information necessary for the collection of and application for such moneys, (VI) members and employees of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and employees of the Department of Correction who, in the performance of their duties, require access to such records, provided the subject of the record has been charged with or has been convicted of a crime in the regular criminal docket of the Superior Court and such records are relevant to the performance of a risk and needs assessment of such person while such person is incarcerated, the determination of such person's suitability for release from [incarceration] the custody of the Department of Correction or for a pardon, or the determination of the supervisionandtreatmentneedsofsuchpersonwhileonparoleorother supervised release, and (VII) members and employees of the Judicial Review Council who, in the performance of their duties related to said council, require access to such records.

(f) Information concerning a child who is the subject of an order to sHB7255take /such Filechild into custody or other process that has been entered into a central computer system pursuant to subsection (i) of section 46b-133 may be disclosed to employees and authorized agents of the Judicial Branch, law enforcement agencies and the Department of Children and Families, provided the information is limited to a child who [has been committed pursuant to section 46b-129] is receiving services from the Public Act No.

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9517255 take such child into custody or other process that has been entered into a central computer system pursuant to subsection (i) of section 46b-133 may be disclosed to employees and authorized agents of the Judicial Branch, law enforcement agencies and the Department of Children and Families, provided the information is limited to a child who [has been committed pursuant to section 46b-129] is receiving services from the department, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Chief Court Administrator.

After hearing thereon, the court shall order the defendant to deposit with the court payments sHB7255for /the Filereasonable No.fair rental value of the use and occupancy of the premises during the pendency of such appeal accruing from the date of such order.

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951 for the reasonable fair rental value of the use and occupancy of the premises during the pendency of such appeal accruing from the date of such order.

If all or a portion of the defendant'sPublic rentAct isNo. being paid to the plaintiff by a housing authority, municipality, state agency or similar entity, this requirement shall be satisfied if the defendant deposits with the court an amount equal to the defendant's portion of the rent.

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7255 defendant's rent is being paid to the plaintiff by a housing authority, municipality, state agency or similar entity, this requirement shall be satisfied if the defendant deposits with the court an amount equal to the defendant's portion of the rent.

(2) Any judge of the Superior Court or any employee of the Judicial sHB7255[Department] /Branch Filewho is authorized by policies and procedures Public Act No.

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9517255 [Department] Branch who is authorized by policies and procedures adopted by the Chief Court Administrator pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall have access to such information.

[Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a senior judge fromPublic participatingAct in any alternative dispute resolution program sHB7255 / File No.

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9517255 from participating in any alternative dispute resolution program approved by STA-FED ADR, Inc.] Sec.

(b) Any senior judge of the Superior Court may be designated and assigned by the Chief Court Administrator to perform such judicial dutiesintheSuperiorCourt asassuchsenior suchsenior judge iswilling to undertake.

[(f)Public AAct seniorNo. judge may participate in an alternative dispute resolution program approved by STA-FED ADR, Inc.

in25-91 any20 year commencing July first provided such judge performed the duties of a63 sHB7255Substitute /House FileBill No.

9517255 sHB7255[(f) FileA No.senior judge may participate in an alternative dispute resolution program approved by STA-FED ADR, Inc.

951in any year commencing July first provided such judge performed the duties of a senior judge for at least seventy-five days during the preceding year, except that (1) for the year commencing July 1, 1993, a senior judge may participate in said alternative dispute resolution program without having performed the duties of a senior judge for seventy-five days during the preceding year and (2) a senior judge may participate in said alternative dispute resolution program from the date such judge assumes the status of a senior judge, through the completion of the year commencing July first following such date, without having satisfied the seventy-five-day requirement.] Sec.

A vote of three judgesoftheSupremeCourtshallberequiredtocertifyacaseforreview by the Supreme Court, except that if fewer than six judges of said court are available to consider a petition, a vote of two judges of said court shallPublic beAct requiredNo. to certify a case, under such other rules as the justices of said court shall establish.

The25-91 procedure21 on appeal from the Appellate Court to the Supreme Court shall, except as otherwise provided, be in accordance with the procedure provided by rule or law for the appeal of judgments63 renderedSubstitute byHouse theBill Superior Court, unless sHB7255 / File No.

9517255 sHB7255shall Filebe No.required to certify a case, under such other rules as the justices of said court shall establish.

951The procedure on appeal from the Appellate Court to the Supreme Court shall, except as otherwise provided, be in accordance with the procedure provided by rule or law for the appeal of judgments rendered by the Superior Court, unless modified by rule of the justices of the Supreme Court.

(5) The judicial district of Litchfield, consisting of the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Colebrook, Cornwall, Farmington, Goshen, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Simsbury, Thomaston,Public Torrington,Act Warren,No. Washington and Winchester;

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7255 Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington and Winchester;

(7) The judicial district of New Britain, consisting of the towns of sHB7255Berlin, /Bristol, File[Burlington,] No.New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, Southington and Wethersfield;

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951 Berlin, Bristol, [Burlington,] New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, Southington and Wethersfield;

and (13) The judicial district of Windham, consisting of the towns of Ashford,Public Brooklyn,Act Canterbury,No. Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Windham and Woodstock.

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7255 Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Windham and Woodstock.

sHB7255(1) /If Fileall No.of the parties reside outside this state, to the judicial district where (A) the injury occurred, (B) the transaction occurred, or (C) the property is located or lawfully attached.

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951 (1) If all of the parties reside outside this state, to the judicial district where (A) the injury occurred, (B) the transaction occurred, or (C) the property is located or lawfully attached.

(C) If either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of Bethany, Milford, West Haven or Woodbridge, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of NewPublic HavenAct orNo. the judicial district of Ansonia-Milford.

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7255 New Haven or the judicial district of Ansonia-Milford.

(F) If either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of sHB7255Watertown /or FileWoodbury, No.the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Waterbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

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951 Watertown or Woodbury, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Waterbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

(J)Public IfAct eitherNo. the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of New Milford, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Danbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

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7255 (J) If either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of New Milford, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Danbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

(1) If the land is located in the town of Manchester, East Windsor, sHB7255South /Windsor Fileor No.Enfield and either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of Manchester, East Windsor, South Windsor or Enfield, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of Tolland.

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951 South Windsor or Enfield and either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of Manchester, East Windsor, South Windsor or Enfield, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of Tolland.

(4) If the land is located in the town of Southbury and either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of Southbury, the action maybemadereturnableattheoptionoftheplaintifftoeitherthejudicialPublic districtAct ofNo. Ansonia-Milford or the judicial district of Waterbury.

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7255 maybemadereturnableattheoptionoftheplaintifftoeitherthejudicial district of Ansonia-Milford or the judicial district of Waterbury.

(7) If the land is located in the town of Avon [, Canton, Farmington] or Simsbury and either the plaintiff or the defendant resides in the town of Avon [, Canton, Farmington] or Simsbury, the action may be made sHB7255returnable /at Filethe No.option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of [New Britain] Litchfield.

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951 returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of [New Britain] Litchfield.

(c) In all actions by a domestic or foreign business organization, exceptPublic actionsAct madeNo. returnable under subsection (b), (d) or (g) of this section, civil process shall be made returnable as follows:

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7255 except actions made returnable under subsection (b), (d) or (g) of this section, civil process shall be made returnable as follows:

(iii) If the plaintiff has an office or place of business in the town of Bethany, Milford, West Haven or Woodbridge, the action may be made sHB7255returnable /at Filethe No.option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of New Haven or the judicial district of Ansonia-Milford.

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951 returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of New Haven or the judicial district of Ansonia-Milford.

(vi) If the plaintiff has an office or place of business in the town of WatertownPublic orAct Woodbury,No. the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Waterbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

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7255 Watertown or Woodbury, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Waterbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

(x)If theplaintiffhasanoffice or place ofbusinessinthetownofNew sHB7255Milford, /the Fileaction No.may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Danbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

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951 Milford, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Danbury or the judicial district of Litchfield.

(2) If the plaintiff is a domestic business organization and the defendant is a domestic or foreign business organization, to the judicial district where (A) the plaintiff has an office or place of business, (B) the injury occurred, (C) the transaction occurred, or (D) the property is locatedPublic orAct lawfullyNo. attached, except:

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7255 located or lawfully attached, except:

(v) If the plaintiff has an office or place of business in the town of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, sHB7255Westport /or FileWilton, No.the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Stamford-Norwalk or the judicial district of Bridgeport.

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951 Westport or Wilton, the action may be made returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Stamford-Norwalk or the judicial district of Bridgeport.

(vii) If the plaintiff has an office or place of business in the town of Avon [, Canton, Farmington] or Simsbury, the action may be made returnablePublic atAct theNo. option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of [New Britain] Litchfield.

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7255 returnable at the option of the plaintiff to either the judicial district of Hartford or the judicial district of [New Britain] Litchfield.

(3)If theplaintiffisa foreignbusinessorganizationandthedefendant sHB7255is /a Fileresident, No.to the judicial district where the defendant resides.

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951 is a resident, to the judicial district where the defendant resides.

(d) In all actions involving consumer transactions, civil process shall be made returnable to the judicial district where the consumer resides orPublic whereAct theNo. transaction occurred.

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7255 or where the transaction occurred.

(h) (1) In all actions involving housing matters, as defined in section sHB725547a-68, /civil Fileprocess No.shall be made returnable to the judicial district where the premises are located, except that actions described in subdivision (6) of section 47a-68 shall be heard in the geographical area where the premises are located unless otherwise provided in subsection (d) of section 51-348.

951Public sHB7255Act File No.

95125-91 47a-68,32 civil process shall be made returnable to the judicial district where the premises are located, except that actions described in subdivision (6) of section63 47a-68Substitute shallHouse beBill heardNo. in the geographical area where the premises are located unless otherwise provided in subsection (d) of section 51-348.

7255 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection concerning the judicial district to which civil process shall be made returnable:

(a) (1) Each judge of the Supreme Court, each judge of the Appellate Court, each judge of the Superior Court and each judge of the Court of Common Pleas who ceases or has ceased to hold office because of retirement other than under the provisions of section 51-49 and who is an elector and a resident of this state shall be a state referee for the remainder of such judge's term of office as a judge and shall be eligible sHB7255for /appointment Fileas No.a state referee during the remainder of such judge's life in the manner prescribed by law for the appointment of a judge of the court of which such judge is a member.

951The sHB7255Superior FileCourt may refer any civil, nonjury case or with the written consent of the parties or Public Act No.

95125-91 for33 appointment as a state referee during the remainder of such63 judge'sSubstitute lifeHouse inBill theNo. manner prescribed by law for the appointment of a judge of the court of which such judge is a member.

The7255 Superior Court may refer any civil, nonjury case or with the written consent of the parties or their attorneys, any civil jury case pending before the court in which the issues have been closed to a judge trial referee who shall have and exercise the powers of the Superior Court in respect to trial, judgment and appeal in the case, and any proceeding resulting from a demand for a trial de novo pursuant to subsection (e) of section 52-549z may be referred without the consent of the parties to a judge trial referee who has been specifically designated to hear such proceedings pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(2) Each judge of the Circuit Court who has ceased to hold office because of retirement other than under the provisions of section 51-49 and who is an elector and a resident of this state shall be a state referee for the remainder of such judge's term of office as a judge and shall be eligible for appointment as a state referee during the remainder of such judge's life in the manner prescribed by law for the appointment of a judge of the court of which such judge is a member, to whom the Superior Court may, with the written consent of the parties or their attorneys, refer any case pending in court in which the issues have been closed and which the judges of the Superior Court may establish by rule to be the kind of case which may be heard by such referees who have sHB7255been /appointed Filejudge No.trial referees pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

951The sHB7255judge Filetrial referee shall hear any such case so referred and Public Act No.

95125-91 been34 appointedof judge63 trialSubstitute refereesHouse pursuantBill toNo. subsection (b) of this section.

The7255 judge trial referee shall hear any such case so referred and report the facts to the court by which the case was referred.

(4) In addition to the judge trial referees who are appointed pursuant to subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection, the Chief Justice may appoint, from qualified members of the bar of the state, who are electors andresidentsofthisstate,asmanystaterefereesastheChiefJusticeandresidentsofthisstate,asmanystate refereesastheChiefJustice may from time to time deem advisable or necessary.

sHB7255Public /Act File No.

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9517255 (b) The Chief Justice may designate, from among the state referees, judge trial referees to whom criminal and civil cases and juvenile matters may be referred.

(f)Public EachAct judge trial referee shall receive, for acting as a referee or as a single auditor or committee of any court or for performing duties sHB7255 / File No.

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9517255 (f) Each judge trial referee shall receive, for acting as a referee or as a single auditor or committee of any court or for performing duties assigned by the Chief Court Administrator with the approval of the Chief Justice, for each day the judge trial referee is so engaged, in addition to the retirement salary:

(a) Upon the arrest of a person for a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) ofPublic subsectionAct (a)No. of section 53-21, section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a- 71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or any attempt thereof, or section 53a- 181c, 53a-181d, [or] 53a-181e [,] or 53a-181f, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section.

Upon25-91 the37 arrest of a63 personSubstitute forHouse sHB7255Bill / File No.

9517255 sHB7255of Filesubsection No.(a) of section 53-21, section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a- 71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or any attempt thereof, or section 53a- 181c, 53a-181d, [or] 53a-181e [,] or 53a-181f, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section.

951Upon the arrest of a person for a violation of section 53a-182b or 53a-183, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section if it finds that such violation caused the victim to reasonably fear for his or her physical safety.

A protective order issued under this section may include provisionsPublic necessaryAct toNo. protect any animal owned or kept by the victim including, but not limited to, an order enjoining the defendant from injuring or threatening to injure such animal.

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7255 provisions necessary to protect any animal owned or kept by the victim including, but not limited to, an order enjoining the defendant from injuring or threatening to injure such animal.

"In accordance with section 53a-223 of the Connecticut general statutes, any violation of this order constitutes sHB7255criminal /violation Fileof No.a protective order which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.

951Additionally, sHB7255in Fileaccordance No.with section 53a- of the Connecticut general statutes, entering or remaining in a building or any other premises in violation of this order constitutes criminal trespass in the first degree which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than two thousand dollars, or both.

951 criminal violation of a protective order which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.

Additionally, in accordance with section 53a- 107 of the Connecticut general statutes, entering or remaining in a building or any other premises in violation of this order constitutes criminal trespass in the first degree which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than two thousand dollars, or both.

[and] (3) all information provided to thePublic CourtAct SupportNo. Services Division concerning any person convicted of a crime and held in custody by the Department of Correction;

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7255 the Court Support Services Division concerning any person convicted of a crime and held in custody by the Department of Correction;

Subsection (b) of section 54-76l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from sHB7255passage): / File No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 passage):

Such records shall also be available to members and employees of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and employees of the Department of Correction who, in the performance oftheir duties, require access to such records, providedthe subject of the record has been adjudged a youthful offender and sentenced to a term of imprisonment or been convicted of a crime in the regularPublic criminalAct docketNo. of the Superior Court, and such records are relevant to the performance of a risk and needs assessment of such person while such person is incarcerated, the determination of such person's suitability for release from incarceration or for a pardon, or the determination of the supervision and treatment needs of such person while on parole or other supervised release.

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7255 regular criminal docket of the Superior Court, and such records are relevant to the performance of a risk and needs assessment of such person while such person is incarcerated, the determination of such person's suitability for release from incarceration or for a pardon, or the determination of the supervision and treatment needs of such person while on parole or other supervised release.

Such records shall also be available to members and employees of the Judicial Review Council who, in the sHB7255performance /of Filetheir No.duties, require access to such records.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 performance of their duties, require access to such records.

(2) To obtain from the office of the state's attorney, state police, local police departments or any law enforcement agency such investigation and data as will enable the Office of Victim Services to determine if in fact the applicant was a victim of a crime or attempted crime and the extent,Public ifAct any,No. to which the victim or claimant was responsible for his own injury, including, but not limited to, a request for information form promulgated by the Office of Victim Services;

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7255 extent, if any, to which the victim or claimant was responsible for his own injury, including, but not limited to, a request for information form promulgated by the Office of Victim Services;

sHB7255(5) /To Fileapply No.for, receive, allocate, disburse and account for grants of funds made available by the United States, by the state, foundations, corporationsandotherbusinesses,agenciesorindividualstoimplement a program for victim services which shall assist witnesses and victims of crimes as the Office of Victim Services deems appropriate within the resources available and to coordinate services to victims by state and community-based agencies, with priority given to victims of violent crimes, by (A) assigning such victim advocates as are necessary to provide assistance;

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951 (5) To apply for, receive, allocate, disburse and account for grants of funds made available by the United States, by the state, foundations, corporationsandotherbusinesses,agenciesorindividualstoimplement a program for victim services which shall assist witnesses and victims of crimes as the Office of Victim Services deems appropriate within the resources available and to coordinate services to victims by state and community-based agencies, with priority given to victims of violent crimes, by (A) assigning such victim advocates as are necessary to provide assistance;

(6) To provide each person who applies for compensation pursuant toPublic sectionAct 54-204,No. within ten days of the date of receipt of such application, with a written list of rights of victims of crime involving personal injury and the programs available in this state to assist such victims.

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7255 to section 54-204, within ten days of the date of receipt of such application, with a written list of rights of victims of crime involving personal injury and the programs available in this state to assist such victims.

(B) Subject to the provisions of section 54-91c, the victim shall have the right to present a statement of his or her losses, injuries and wishes to the prosecutor and the court prior to the acceptance by the court of a sHB7255plea /of Fileguilty No.or nolo contendere made pursuant to a plea agreement with the state;

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 plea of guilty or nolo contendere made pursuant to a plea agreement with the state;

(E) Subject to the provisions of section 54-36a, the victim shall have thePublic rightAct toNo. have any property the victim owns which was seized by police in connection with an arrest to be returned;

25-91 43 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 the right to have any property the victim owns which was seized by police in connection with an arrest to be returned;

sHB7255(I) /Subject Fileto No.the provisions of section 46b-15, the victim of assault by a spouse or former spouse, family or household member has the right torequestthearrestoftheoffender,requestaprotectiveorderandapply for a restraining order;

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (I) Subject to the provisions of section 46b-15, the victim of assault by a spouse or former spouse, family or household member has the right torequestthearrestoftheoffender,requestaprotectiveorderandapply for a restraining order;

(7) Within available appropriations, to maintain a victim's assistance center which shall (A) make available to victims information regarding victim'sPublic rightsAct andNo. available services, (B) maintain a victims' notification systempursuant to sections54-227to 54-230a,inclusive, and54-235, and (C) maintain a toll-free number for access to information regarding victims' rights and available services;

25-91 44 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 victim's rights and available services, (B) maintain a victims' notification systempursuant to sections54-227to 54-230a,inclusive, and54-235, and (C) maintain a toll-free number for access to information regarding victims' rights and available services;

The council shall meet at least four sHB7255times /a Fileyear. No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 times a year.

(11) To recommend policies and make recommendations to agencies and officers of the state and local subdivisions of government relative to victimsPublic ofAct crime;No.

25-91 45 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 victims of crime;

sHB7255(15) /To Fileprovide No.victims of crime and the general public with information detailing the process by which a victim may register to receive notices of hearings of the Board of Pardons and Paroles;

951and sHB7255(16) FileTo No.submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on or before January 15, 2000, andbiennially thereafter areport ofitsactivitiesunder sections 54- to 54-235, inclusive.

951 (15) To provide victims of crime and the general public with information detailing the process by which a victim may register to receive notices of hearings of the Board of Pardons and Paroles;

and (16) To submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on or before January 15, 2000, andbiennially thereafter areport ofitsactivitiesunder sections 54- 201 to 54-235, inclusive.

(a)Public UponAct receiptNo. of notice from [an inmate] a person who is incarcerated pursuant to section 54-227, the Office of Victim Services shall notify by first class mail or electronic mail, based on the election of the registrant, all persons who have requested to be notified pursuant to subsection (a) of section 54-228 and section 54-229 whenever such [inmate] person who is incarcerated makes application for release or sentence reduction or review.

25-91 46 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (a) Upon receipt of notice from [an inmate] a person who is incarcerated pursuant to section 54-227, the Office of Victim Services shall notify by first class mail or electronic mail, based on the election of the registrant, all persons who have requested to be notified pursuant to subsection (a) of section 54-228 and section 54-229 whenever such [inmate] person who is incarcerated makes application for release or sentence reduction or review.

Such notice shall be in writing and notify each person of the nature of the exemption sHB7255or /of Filethe No.restriction or removal of the restriction being applied for, the address and telephone number of the court to which the application or petition by the person was made, and the date and place of the hearing or session, if any, scheduled on the application or petition.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 or of the restriction or removal of the restriction being applied for, the address and telephone number of the court to which the application or petition by the person was made, and the date and place of the hearing or session, if any, scheduled on the application or petition.

(d) Upon receipt of notice from the Department of Correction pursuantPublic toAct sectionNo. 54-231, the Office of Victim Services shall notify by first class mail or electronic mail, based on the election of the registrant, all victims who have requested to be notified pursuant to section 54-228 whenever such [inmate] person who is incarcerated is scheduled to be released from a correctional institution.

25-91 47 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 pursuant to section 54-231, the Office of Victim Services shall notify by first class mail or electronic mail, based on the election of the registrant, all victims who have requested to be notified pursuant to section 54-228 whenever such [inmate] person who is incarcerated is scheduled to be released from a correctional institution.

sHB7255(A) /Allows Filea No.commissioner of the Superior Court and a remotely located individual to communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound;

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (A) Allows a commissioner of the Superior Court and a remotely located individual to communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound;

(2)Public "IdentityAct proofing"No. means a process or service by which a third person provides a commissioner of the Superior Court with a means to verify the identity of a remotely located individual by a review of personal information from public or private data sources.

25-91 48 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (2) "Identity proofing" means a process or service by which a third person provides a commissioner of the Superior Court with a means to verify the identity of a remotely located individual by a review of personal information from public or private data sources.

sHB7255(B) /The Fileindividual No.presents a government-issued identification document or record that has not expired and includes the individual's photograph, name and signature.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (B) The individual presents a government-issued identification document or record that has not expired and includes the individual's photograph, name and signature.

(C)Public NotAct lessNo. than two different types of identity proofing processes or services by which a third person provides a means to verify the identity of the individual through a review of public or private data sources;

25-91 49 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (C) Not less than two different types of identity proofing processes or services by which a third person provides a means to verify the identity of the individual through a review of public or private data sources;

(d) Once the record acknowledged pursuant to subsection (b) of this section is signed by the individual in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section, the individual shall mail or otherwise cause to be delivered the signed original copy of the record to the commissioner sHB7255of /the FileSuperior No.Court.

951(e) sHB7255The Filedate and time of an acknowledgment conducted pursuant to Public Act No.

95125-91 50 of the63 SuperiorSubstitute Court.House Bill No.

(e)7255 The date and time of an acknowledgment conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be the date and time when the commissioner of the Superior Court witnessed the signature being performed by means of communication technology.

sHB7255Public /Act File No.

95125-91 sHB725551 Fileof 63 Substitute House Bill No.

9517255 Sec.

(c)Public AllAct appointmentsNo. to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.

25-91 52 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.

sHB7255(d) /The Filespeaker No.of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force.

(3) "Coerced debt" means any debt incurred in the name of a debtor who is a victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection (b) of section 46b-1, when such debt was incurred in response to any duress, intimidation,Public threatAct ofNo. force, force or undue influence used to specifically coerce the debtor into incurring such debt;

25-91 53 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 intimidation, threat of force, force or undue influence used to specifically coerce the debtor into incurring such debt;

sHB7255(5) /"Credit Filerating No.agency" has the same meaning as provided in section 36a-695;

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (5) "Credit rating agency" has the same meaning as provided in section 36a-695;

and (11)Public "RequestsAct thatNo. the claimant waive such debt" means a request that a claimant waive, forgive, excuse, write off or not collect a debt or portion of a debt.

25-91 54 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (11) "Requests that the claimant waive such debt" means a request that a claimant waive, forgive, excuse, write off or not collect a debt or portion of a debt.

(a) A money judgment may be enforced against any property of the judgment debtor unless the property is exempt from application to the satisfaction of the judgment under section 52-352a, 52-352b, 52-352d or sHB725552-361a /or Fileany No.other provision ofthe general statutes or federallaw.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 52-361a or any other provision ofthe general statutes or federallaw.

(f) The period of probation [,] (1) unless terminated sooner as providedPublic inAct sectionNo. 53a-32, shall be not less than ten years or more than thirty-five years for conviction of a violation of section 53a-70b of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2019, or subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21 or section 53a-70, 53a- 70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-90a or subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53a-189a, or section 53a-196b, 53a-196c, 53a- 196d, 53a-196e or 53a-196f, and (2) shall be five years for a violation of section 53-247.

25-91 55 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 provided in section 53a-32, shall be not less than ten years or more than thirty-five years for conviction of a violation of section 53a-70b of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2019, or subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21 or section 53a-70, 53a- 70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-90a or subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53a-189a, or section 53a-196b, 53a-196c, 53a- 196d, 53a-196e or 53a-196f, and (2) shall be five years for a violation of section 53-247.

sHB7255(c) /Voyeurism Fileis No.(1) a class D felony for a first offense, except as providedinsubdivision(3)ofthissubsection,(2)aclassC felony for any subsequent offense, and (3) a class C felony for a first offense when (A) such person has been previously convicted of an offense enumerated in subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 53a-29, as amended by this act, or (B) the intended subject of the offense is a person under sixteen years of age.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 (c) Voyeurism is (1) a class D felony for a first offense, except as providedinsubdivision(3)ofthissubsection,(2)aclassC felony for any subsequent offense, and (3) a class C felony for a first offense when (A) such person has been previously convicted of an offense enumerated in subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 53a-29, as amended by this act, or (B) the intended subject of the offense is a person under sixteen years of age.

(2) the plaintiff shall file an affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff or any competent affiant setting forth a statement of facts sufficient to show that there is probable cause that a judgment in the amount of the prejudgment remedy sought, or in an amount greater than the amount of the prejudgment remedy sought, taking into account any known defenses,Public counterclaimsAct orNo. set-offs, will be rendered in the matter in favor of the plaintiff;

25-91 56 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 defenses, counterclaims or set-offs, will be rendered in the matter in favor of the plaintiff;

Process in civil actions returnable to the Supreme Court shall be returned to its clerk at least twenty days before the return day and, if sHB7255returnable /to Filethe No.Superior Court, except process in summary process actions, the commencement of any civil action containing the issuance of a prejudgment remedy when the defendant in a commercial transaction has waived notice and hearing as provided under chapter 903a and petitions for parentage and support, to the clerk of such court at least six days before the return day.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 returnable to the Superior Court, except process in summary process actions, the commencement of any civil action containing the issuance of a prejudgment remedy when the defendant in a commercial transaction has waived notice and hearing as provided under chapter 903a and petitions for parentage and support, to the clerk of such court at least six days before the return day.

(2)Public NotwithstandingAct any provision of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Administrative Services may (A) compile a list of architects, professional engineers and construction administrators for the limited purpose of providing consultant services for a particular program involving various projects for the construction of new buildings or renovations to existing buildings where such buildings are under the operation and control of either the Military Department, [or] the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or the Judicial Branch, and (B) enter into a contract with any architect, professional engineer or construction administrator on such list for such limited purpose, except that (i) the Adjutant General may perform the functions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision for any such building under the operation and control of the Military Department, and (ii) the Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee, may perform the functions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision for any such building sHB7255 / File No.

95125-91 sHB725557 Fileof 63 Substitute House Bill No.

9517255 (2) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Administrative Services may (A) compile a list of architects, professional engineers and construction administrators for the limited purpose of providing consultant services for a particular program involving various projects for the construction of new buildings or renovations to existing buildings where such buildings are under the operation and control of either the Military Department, [or] the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or the Judicial Branch, and (B) enter into a contract with any architect, professional engineer or construction administrator on such list for such limited purpose, except that (i) the Adjutant General may perform the functions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision for any such building under the operation and control of the Military Department, and (ii) the Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee, may perform the functions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision for any such building under the operation and control of the Judicial Branch when the cost of such consultant services is estimated to not exceed three hundred thousand dollars.

(c)Public InAct theNo. case of consultants selected under subsection (e) of section 4b-51, as amended by this act, except consultants selected under subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 4b-51, as amended by this act, the responses received shall be considered by the selection panel.

25-91 58 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 (c) In the case of consultants selected under subsection (e) of section 4b-51, as amended by this act, except consultants selected under subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 4b-51, as amended by this act, the responses received shall be considered by the selection panel.

(a) (1) Except in the case of a project, a priority higher education facility project, a project, as defined in subdivision (16) of section 10a- 109c, undertaken by The University of Connecticut, a community court project, a correctional facility project, a juvenile residential center sHB7255project, /a Fileproject No.undertaken by the Judicial Branch in which the cost of the consultant services is estimated not to exceed three hundred thousand dollars and the downtown Hartford higher education center project, the commissioner shall negotiate a contract for consultant services with the firm most qualified, in the commissioner's judgment, at compensation which the commissioner determines is both fair and reasonable tothestate.(2)In thecase ofaproject,thecommissioner shall negotiate a contract for such services with the most qualified firm from among the list of firms submitted by the panel at compensation which the commissioner determines in writing to be fair and reasonable to the state.

951If sHB7255the Filecommissioner is unable to conclude a contract with any of the firms recommended by the panel, the commissioner shall, after issuing written findings of fact documenting the reasons for such inability,negotiatewiththosefirmswhichthecommissionerdetermines Public Act No.

95125-91 project,59 a project undertaken by the Judicial Branch in which the cost of the63 consultantSubstitute servicesHouse isBill estimatedNo. not to exceed three hundred thousand dollars and the downtown Hartford higher education center project, the commissioner shall negotiate a contract for consultant services with the firm most qualified, in the commissioner's judgment, at compensation which the commissioner determines is both fair and reasonable tothestate.(2)In thecase ofaproject,thecommissioner shall negotiate a contract for such services with the most qualified firm from among the list of firms submitted by the panel at compensation which the commissioner determines in writing to be fair and reasonable to the state.

If7255 the commissioner is unable to conclude a contract with any of the firms recommended by the panel, the commissioner shall, after issuing written findings of fact documenting the reasons for such inability,negotiatewiththosefirmswhichthecommissionerdetermines to be most qualified, at fair and reasonable compensation, to render the particular consultant services under consideration.

sHB7255Sec. / File No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 Sec.

(2) Maintain adequate accounting and budgetary records for all appropriationsPublic byAct theNo. state for the maintenance of the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice, and all other appropriations assigned by the legislature or state budgetary control offices for administration by the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice;

25-91 60 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 appropriations by the state for the maintenance of the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice, and all other appropriations assigned by the legislature or state budgetary control offices for administration by the Judicial Department, except the Division of Criminal Justice;

(6) Examine the administrative methods and systems employed in the Judicial Department and its constituent courts and agencies, except the Division of Criminal Justice, and develop and implement programs for the improvement thereof and for securing uniform administration sHB7255and /procedures; File No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 and procedures;

(8) Collect and compile statistical and other data concerning the business transacted by the Judicial Department and its constituent courts and the expenditure of public moneys for the maintenance and operationPublic ofAct theNo. judicial system;

25-91 61 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 operation of the judicial system;

(15) Report periodically to the Chief Court Administrator concerning sHB7255all /matters Filewhich No.have been entrusted to such staff;

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 all matters which have been entrusted to such staff;

(17) Design, implement and maintain, as deemed feasible by the Chief Court Administrator, computerized automatic data processing systems for use in the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Superior CourtPublic orAct divisionsNo. of the Superior Court;

25-91 62 of 63 Substitute House Bill No.

7255 Court or divisions of the Superior Court;

ThisGovernor's actAction: shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

SectionApproved 1June January24, 1,2025 2026Public NewAct sectionNo. Sec.

225-91 from63 passageof 17a-28(g)63 Sec.

3 July 1, 2025 29-32b(a) Sec.

4 July 1, 2025 42a-9-518(f) from passage Sec.

5 46b-3(a) Sec.

6 July 1, 2025 46b-124(d) sHB7255 / File No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 Sec.

7 July 1, 2025 46b-124(f) Sec.

8 from passage 47a-26e Sec.

9 from passage 47a-35a Sec.

10 from passage 51-5c(b) Sec.

11 from passage 51-47(c) Sec.

12 from passage 51-50c Sec.

13 from passage 51-50k Sec.

14 July 1, 2025 51-197f Sec.

15 October 1, 2025 51-344 Sec.

16 October 1, 2025 51-345 Sec.

17 from passage 52-434 Sec.

18 October 1, 2025 54-1k Sec.

19 from passage 54-63d(f) from passage Sec.

20 54-76l(b) Sec.

21 October 1, 2025 54-203(b) Sec.

22 October 1, 2025 54-230 Sec.

23 from passage 51-85a Sec.

24 from passage New section Sec.

25 from passage 36a-649 Sec.

26 July 1, 2025 52-350f October 1, 2025 Sec.

27 53a-29(f) Sec.

28 October 1, 2025 53a-189a(c) Sec.

29 October 1, 2025 52-278f Sec.

30 October 1, 2025 52-46a Sec.

31 July 1, 2025 4b-51(e) Sec.

32 July 1, 2025 4b-57(c) Sec.

33 July 1, 2025 4b-58(a) July 1, 2025 Sec.

34 51-9 sHB7255 / File No.

951 sHB7255 File No.

951 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:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $ Judicial Dept.

GF - Potential up to up to Cost 164,393 316,785 State Comptroller - Fringe GF – Potential up to 94,177 up to Benefits1 Cost 136,104 Various State Agencies GF - Potential See Below See Below Cost Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

Municipalities Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $ Various Municipalities Potential See Below See Below Cost Explanation The bill makes various changes concerning Judicial Branch operations resulting in the following impacts.

Section 1 creates the Office of Information Privacy (OIP) within the Judicial Department which results in a potential cost of up to $164,393 in FY 26 and up to $316,785 in FY 27 to the Judicial Department for up to 3 new positions as well as associated other expenses and a potential cost of up to $94,177 in FY 26 and up to $136,104 in FY 27 to the Office 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 40.71% of payroll in FY 26.

2It is expected that the Judicial Department may require a Deputy Director, a Court Planner, and a Chief Judicial Marshal to fulfill the requirements of the bill.

The annual salaries for these positions are $119,425, $86,553, and $106,307 respectively.

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951 61 sHB7255 File No.

951 of the State Comptroller for associated fringe benefits.

The FY 26 estimate is adjusted for partial year implementation and includes a one- time equipment cost of $2,000 per position.

OIP is authorized, at the request of the eligible individual , to direct public entities to remove or to not publish specific personal information and to inform public entities when that personal information is no longer protected.

This section may also result in a potential cost to municipalities and to various state agencies beginning in FY 26 to the extent they require additional information to redact certain information.

House "A" eliminates or modifies costs identified in the underlying bill by 1) altering the language in section 1 to authorize rather than require OIP to perform certain duties, 2) striking section 24 and replacing with language that creates a taskforce on habeas corpus procedures, and 3) making various technical, clarifying, and procedural changes, resulting in the impact described above.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation, the discretion of the Judicial Department to perform certain duties, and the Office of Information Privacy caseload.

It is anticipated that at least 390 Judicial employees and their household members will be eligible for this service.

sHB7255 / File No.

951 62 sHB7255 File No.

951 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 7255 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT CONCERNING JUDICIAL BRANCH OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES AND THE DUTIES OF JUDICIAL BRANCH PERSONNEL.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

SUMMARY § 1 — OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRIVACY Establishes the OIP within the judicial branch and authorizes it to take steps, upon request, to direct apublic agencyto remove aprotectedperson’s (e.g., ajudge)personal information from the agency’s website or not publish it §§ 2, 6, 7, 10, 19 & 20 — DCF AND CSSD INFORMATION SHARING Allows CSSD and DCF to share information on juveniles who have been in both systems § 3 — BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS Reduces the membership of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners from nine to eight by removing the retired Superior Court judge appointee § 4 — UCC FALSE RECORDS Makes permissive the Superior Court’s hearing and reviewing of certain petitions to invalidate false records filed under the Uniform Commercial Code for secured transactions § 5 — DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES Makes a minor conforming change for consistency with other statutory references §§ 8 & 9 — APPEAL OF SUMMARY PROCESS JUDGEMENT Clarifies that the Superior Court orders the amount a tenant must pay the court for rent that accrues during the pendency of an appeal of a judgement and that it is not a bond §§ 11-13 & 17 — “STA-FED, ADR, INC.” Eliminates reference in certain statutes to the name of a nonprofit organization that used to oversee alternative dispute resolutions § 14 — MOTION TO FILE A LATE APPEAL Allows the state Supreme Court to review the Connecticut Appellate Court’s decision to deny a motion to file a late appeal §§ 15 & 16 — COURT VENUE AND SERVICE OF PROCESS For establishing venue and where civil process should be returnable, makes changes to the judicial districts of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Britain sHB7255 / File No.

951 63 sHB7255 File No.

951 § 18 — ELECTRONIC STALKING AND CRIMINAL PROTECTIVE ORDER Expands the criminal protective order protection to victims of electronic stalking by allowing a court to issue such an order against someone arrested for that crime §§ 21 & 22 — OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES Allows crime victims to make a statement to the prosecutor and the court on any plea agreement;

allows victim notifications to be sent electronically to those who request it and provide their email address to OVS;

maintains the use of U.S.

mail as an option § 23 — REMOTE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Adds the execution of an agreement as to the division of an estate to the list of records that cannot be remotely acknowledged § 24 — TASK FORCE TO REVIEW HABEAS CORPUS PROCEEDINGS Establishes a 13-member task force to review the habeas corpus procedures used by the federal government and other states;

requires it to report findings and recommendations to the Judiciary Committee by January 15, 2027 § 25 — COERCED DEBT LIABILITY Changes the lookback period for debt to be eligible to be waived as coerced debt, by requiring that the debt be less than 10 years old rather than more than 10 years old § 26 — MONEY JUDGMENT ENFORCEMENT Adds provisions for an action to enforce a money judgment by foreclosure of a real property lien §§ 27 & 28 — PROBATION PERIOD FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CONVICTION Establishes a five-year probation period for an offender convicted of animal cruelty §§ 29 & 30 — CIVIL PROCESS AND COMMERCIAL WAIVERS Addresses return of process for prejudgment remedy for certain commercial waivers §§ 31-33 — CONSULTANT SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR JUDICIAL BRANCH CAPITAL PROJECTS Allows the chief court administrator to contract for consultant services for certain capital projects if the estimated cost for the services is $300,000 or less § 34 —CHIEF COURT ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES Increases, from $1.25 million to $3million, the cap on construction contracts the chief court administrator may plan, execute, oversee, and supervise SUMMARY This bill makes various unrelated changes in laws on court procedures and operations.

It also makes minor, technical, and conforming changes.

sHB7255 / File No.

951 64 sHB7255 File No.

951 A section-by-section analysis appears below.

*House Amendment “A” (1) modifies the Office of Information Privacy(OIP)thattheunderlyingbillcreates,suchasauthorizing,rather than requiring, the office to take certain steps and clarifying that its provisions do not apply to certain Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records;

(2) modifies the court venues for certain towns for varying civil processes;

(3) establishes a 13-member task force to review habeas corpus procedures, instead of requiring the sentencing commission to do so as in the underlying bill;

and (4) adds the judicial branch consultant service contract-related provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage, unless stated otherwise below.

§ 1 — OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRIVACY Establishes the OIP within the judicial branch and authorizes it to take steps, upon request, to direct a public agency to remove a protected person’s (e.g., a judge) personal information from the agency’s website or not publish it OIP Established Purpose The bill establishes the Office of Information Privacy (OIP) within the judicial branch and authorizes it to direct a public agency, upon the request of a protected individual, to remove any specific personal information from the agency’s website, including a social media or social network, or not publish it.

Protected Individuals.

The bill categorizes the following persons as protected individuals:

1.

justices, judges, or senior judges;

2.

state referees;

3.

family support magistrates and family support referees;

and 4.

the spouse, children, or dependents who live in the same household as someone listed above.

Personal Information.

Under the bill, “personal information” is the sHB7255 / File No.

951 65 sHB7255 File No.

951 individual’s:

1.

home address or telephone number;

2.

mobile telephone number or personal email address;

3.

Social Security number or federal tax identification number;

4.

driver’s license number, license plate number, or unique vehicle identifier;

or 5.

birth or marital record or children’s names.

It does not include information that has been publicly displayed that the protected individual has not requested to be removed, or information that is related to and part of a news story, commentary, editorial, or other speech on a matter of public concern.

Public Agency.

For OIP’s authority under the bill, a “public agency” or “agency” is any:

1.

executive, administrative, or legislative office of the state or any of its political subdivisions, and any agency, department, institution, bureau, board, commission, authority, or official of the state or of any city, town, borough, municipal corporation, school district, regional district, or other district or other political subdivision of the state, including a committee of, or created by it, and any judicial office (e.g., the Division of Public Defender Services), official, or body or committee of it, but only for its or their administrative functions;

2.

person to the extent the person is deemed to be the functional equivalent of a public agency according to law;

or 3.

“implementing agency,” which includes one of the following agencies designated by a municipality under the Economic Development and Manufacturing Assistance Act:

(a) an economic development commission, redevelopment agency, sHB7255 / File No.

951 66 sHB7255 File No.

951 sewer authority or sewer commission, public works commission, water authority or water commission, port authority or port commission, harbor authority or harbor commission, or parking authority or parking commission;

(b) a nonprofit development corporation;

or (c) any other agency designated and authorized by a municipality to undertake a project and approved by the economic and community development commissioner.

OIP’s Powers and Duties The bill establishes OIP’s powers and duties and specifies the steps that the office must take in carrying out its duties as follows, based on whether the information has already been published or not.

Personal Information Published.

Under the bill, if the personal information has already been published, the office may take the steps outlined below:

1.

certify that an individual making the request is a protected individual;

2.

work with the protected individual to identify the specific personal information that they want removed, including the exact website address where the content appears, if available, and, if the personal information is a land record, the volume and page number where it is recorded and each succeeding page number within a document that contains personal information that needs to be redacted;

and 3.

after certifying that a requestor is a protected individual, (a) provide the public agency with the specific personal information to be removed, including the exact website address where the content appears, if available, and, if it is a land record, the record’s exact website address as it appears on the website, if available, and the volume and page number where it is recorded and each succeeding page number within a document that contains personal information that needs to be redacted, and (b) sHB7255 / File No.

951 67 sHB7255 File No.

951 direct that the personal information be removed as soon as practicable.

Personal Information Not Yet Published.

If the personal information has not yet been published, the office must do the following:

1.

certify the individual is a protected individual;

2.

work with the protected individual to identify the specific personal information that the individual does not want to be published, including the volume and page number and each succeeding page number within a document that contains personal information that needs to be redacted, if the personal information is recorded in a land record;

and 3.

after certifying that the requestor is a protected individual, provide the public agency with the specific personal information that the individual does not want to be published, including the volume and page number and each succeeding page number within a document that contains personal information that needs to be redacted, if the personal information is recorded in a land record.

Loss of Protected Status.

The office must inform the public agency whenever a previously certified protected individual no longer meets the definition of a protected individual and is no longer eligible to (1) have personal information removed from the agency’s website or (2) request that the agency not publish personal information.

Public Agency’s Response to Request Upon receiving OIP’s request, the public agency must promptly acknowledge receipt of the request by email and:

1.

take steps reasonably necessary to ensure that any specific personalinformationidentifiedby theprotectedindividualisnot published or sHB7255 / File No.

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951 2.

if the specific personal information is already published, remove it as quickly as practicable after receiving the request.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) The bill specifies that it does not require the removal or redaction of personal information in records that must be published under FOIA, such as agendas, minutes, videos, or transcripts of public meetings.

Civil Liability Protection The bill provides immunity from civil liability for public agency employees whose failure to remove a protected person’s personal information as requested causes damages or injuries.

The liability protection applies if the employee acted in good faith.

Good Faith.

Under the bill, an employee is deemed to have acted in goodfaithifheorshe(1)reasonablybelievedthattheiractionscomplied with applicable laws on protecting personal information and (2) did not engage in gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional wrongdoing.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2026 §§ 2, 6, 7, 10, 19 & 20 — DCF AND CSSD INFORMATION SHARING Allows CSSD and DCF to share information on juveniles who have been in both systems DCF’s Confidential Records (§ 2) By law, records maintained by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) must be confidential and not be disclosed, unless the department receives written consent from the person or as provided under certain laws.

The law makes exceptions that allow disclosure to certain entities for limited purposes (CGS § 17a-28(g)).

Under current law, the judicial branch’s Court Support Services Division (CSSD) has limited access to DCF’s information to (1) make certain determinations (e.g., whether the child or youth has been committed to DCF’s custody as a delinquent) and (2) share common case records to track juvenile offender recidivism.

sHB7255 / File No.

951 69 sHB7255 File No.

951 The bill instead allows DCF to disclose information on a child, youth, or any other person to CSSD so the division may determine supervision and treatment needs and track juvenile recidivism.

The bill removes the limitations on the purposes for which the information may be disclosed.

Confidential Records in Juvenile Matters (§ 6) By law, all records in juvenile matters, with certain exceptions (e.g., delinquency proceedings) are confidential and are generally not open to inspection or disclosure to any third party unless ordered by the Superior Court (CGS § 46b-124(b)).

The law allows the judicial branch to make records in delinquency proceedings available to certain people andgovernmententities,suchasDCFandtheDepartmentofCorrection (DOC).

DCF.

Under current law, if the child is under DCF’s oversight, CSSD may generally disclose information to DCF to identify that the child is, among other things, committed by a court into DCF’s custody due to being uncared for, abused, or neglected.

The bill instead allows disclosure to identify if the child is receiving services from DCF.

Under the bill and existing law, this disclosure of delinquency proceeding records is limited to when DCF is providing services to the child.

DOC.

Under current law, records of delinquency proceedings of a person who has been convicted of a crime in adult court may be disclosed to DOC and Board of Pardons and Paroles employees and members who need the records to do risk assessments to determine suitability for release from incarceration.

The bill expands this by allowing disclosure of records for subjects who have been charged with a crime, not only for those convicted.

Relatedly, it also allows disclosure of records for risk assessments to determine release from DOC custody, instead of incarceration.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2025 Custody Order Central Computer System (§ 7) sHB7255 / File No.

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951 Under current law, information on a child who is the subject of a custody order or other process entered into the judicial branch’s central computer system may be disclosed to DCF, if the information is limited to a child who was committed by a court into DCF’s custody because they were uncared for, abused, or neglected.

The bill instead allows this disclosure if the child is receiving services from DCF.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2025 Automated Registry of Protective Orders (§ 10) By law, information in the judicial branch’s automated registry of protective ordersisnot subject to disclosure,but thelawallowsthe chief court administrator to grant access to the information to the personnel of certain agencies, including the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The bill now allows the chief court administrator to also grant access to information on the protective order registry to DCF.

CSSD Information, Files, and Reports (§ 19) By law, CSSD must establish written procedures for the release of information from the division’s reports and files.

Current law allows access to (1) nonidentifying information by certain persons for research related to the administration of criminal justice, (2) all information provided to CSSD by probation officers for compiling presentence reports, and (3) all information provided to CSSD on convicted persons in DOC’s custody.

The bill additionally allows access to information on any person in DCF’s custody if the person’s conditions of release require cooperating with the department.

Youthful Offender Confidential Records and Information (§ 20) Generally, under the law, when a juvenile matter is transferred to adult criminal court, certain juvenile offenders may qualify for youthful offender status, which provides more confidentiality of his or her records (CGS § 54-76l).

sHB7255 / File No.

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951 Under current law, the records may be disclosed to DCF if the child is under the oversight of the department’s administrative unit and the disclosure is limited to information that identifies the child as residing in a justice facility or incarcerated.

The bill allows disclosure to DCF without these conditions.

§ 3 — BOARD OF FIREARMS PERMIT EXAMINERS Reduces the membership of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners from nine to eight by removing the retired Superior Court judge appointee The bill reduces the membership of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners from nine to eight.

It does so by removing the retired Superior Court judge, who is appointed by the chief court administrator under current law.