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PA 26-1 10-233m - Adds a new requirement that sets a January 1, 2027, deadline for posting and maintaining a school resource officer memorandum of understanding that addresses daily interactions with school resource officers and includes a graduated student discipline response model. Further requires each memorandum to be updated at least once every three years.
7-294v - Requires, not later than March 1, 2027, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) to develop a training curriculum for police officers regarding interactions with persons who have mental illness or mental or physical disabilities. Mandates the same with regard to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. Further requires, on and after July 1, 2027, each police basic or review training program to include such training.
PA 26-5 A person is guilty of performing female genital mutilation when such person knowingly circumcises, excises or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia majora or labia minora or clitoris of a person under eighteen years of age.” A violation is a class D felony.
NOTE: No violation if a surgical operation is performed for a medical purpose by a licensed health care professional. Procedures justified solely by custom or ritual do not qualify as medically necessary or justified.
PA 26-8 21a-240(29) - Replaces the term "Marijuana" with "Cannabis" and defines "Cannabis". Also makes corresponding terminology changes within the definition of (20)(A) "Drug paraphernalia".
NOTE: The term "marijuana" is replaced with "cannabis” throughout various sections within this PA, among other changes.
PA 26-11 Modifies language from a rate of “firearm” enhancement to a rate of “fire” enhancement. Also makes a corresponding terminology change to 53-206g(e)(2)(A).
PA 26-12 Not later than January 1, 2027, the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESSP), in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, to expand the pilot program known as the CRISIS initiative: Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support and Initiating Services. State-wide expansion shall include certain training for state police officers, coordination between state police officers and mental health professionals, and referrals to facilities for mental health services.
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§ 7-294d(a) - Tasks POSTC, on or before January 1, 2027, with establishing eligibility requirements for police officers to receive tuition waivers from the Connecticut State Community College or Connecticut State University System, as well as Connecticut Housing Finance Authority mortgage assistance. Eligibility must include, but need not be limited to, (A) certification as a police officer by POSTC, and (B) current employment with a law enforcement unit in the state for at least two years, but not more than five years, as specified by POSTC.
- Establishes a task force to study issues relating to the recruitment and retention of public safety personnel which will examine, in part, the feasibility and fiscal impact of the state providing tuition waivers and/or vouchers for police officers and/or their dependent children.
PA 26-14 Creates an additional civil cause of action against every person, including a federal or state officer or employee who, acting under governmental authority, violates a person's rights under the U.S. Constitution.
- It is the intent of the legislature that in construing the provisions of this section, the courts shall be guided by interpretations given by federal and state courts to 42 USC 1983. Except that under this section an injured person may bring a claim against a federal officer or employee.
- The Attorney General may investigate, intervene in or bring a civil or administrative action in the name of the state.
- Allows IG unrestricted right to access scene to collect evidence including deadly force by Federal Officer.
- Provides that investigative reports filed by the IG include any recommended future action to be taken by the law enforcement agency, rather than the IG’s office, as a result of the incident.
- 51-227e - Adds to (a) that the IG’s office shall: investigate the death of a person within the physical custody of a peace officer or law enforcement agency or the Commissioner of Correction. And expressly authorizes the IG to compel certain persons to appear and testify at an investigative deposition conducted by the IG, or designee.
- Creates a class D misdemeanor for a peace officer performing duties who wears any facial covering or personal disguise while interacting with the public.
- Exceptions for wearing: (1) medical grade covering to protect the officer’s health and safety (2) designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases, (3) designed to protect against exposure to smoke during a fire-involved situation, (4) necessary to perform duties during a water rescue operation, (5) related to protection against exposure to biological or chemical agents during an incident where such agents may be present, (6) protecting against freezing temperatures, provided that such facial covering is worn during an activity not requiring oral communication with the public or a person sought to be placed in custody, or (7) necessary to perform duties during an active undercover operation or assignment when authorized by supervising personnel or court order. (8) officer assigned to a bomb squad, motorcycle unit, or specialized weapons and tactics team is permitted to utilize gear necessary to protect such officer's face and head from physical harm while performing the duties associated with such assignment.
- Creates a class D misdemeanor for an officer making a planned arrest or interacting with the public if the officer is not clearly identified by a badge and name tag on the officer's uniform.
- Exceptions: (1) during an active undercover assignment authorized by supervising personnel, (2) sensitive investigations, (3) pursuant to a court order, or (4) weather-related events or traffic safety issues exist that prevent such officer from having a name tag or badge on such officer's outer garment, (5) Puts officer’s safety in jeopardy.
- Removes immunity protections for any peace officer who is found to have committed certain torts - assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process or malicious prosecution pursuant to state law or federal tort claims act while wearing a facial covering or personal disguise in a knowing and wilful violation of this section.
- Prohibits a peace officer from detaining, arresting, or otherwise taking an individual in a protected area, state facility, or municipal facility into custody on the basis of a civil offense, unless (1) such officer is acting in an official capacity, and (2) the individual is the subject of a judicial warrant. Allows any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section to bring a civil action for equitable relief or damages.
- 52-571j - Removes immunity protections for any peace officer who is found to have committed certain torts - assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process or malicious prosecution pursuant to state law or Federal Torts Claim Law - while interfering with any person taking a photographic, digital still, or video image of such peace officer or another peace officer acting in the performance of such peace officer's duties.
- 7-291c (Prohibition on hiring officers dismissed, retired or resigned Re: serious misconduct)- Replaces “police officer” with “peace officer” throughout.
- Prohibits use of ALPR data, except as follows: (A) Agencies: (i) weigh station operations; (ii) fleet and equipment management; (iii) secured area access control; (iv) traffic analytics; (v) parking enforcement and collecting fines; (vi) state facility security; or (vii) motor vehicle tax enforcement. (B) Law enforcement: (i) compare hotlist data or records/data contained in specified state and federal law enforcement databases; (ii) to query a specific license plate when an officer determines that the information may (I) be relevant and material to a specific active criminal investigation supported by reasonable suspicion, (II) assist with apprehending a person with an outstanding warrant, (III) assist with locating a missing or endangered person, or (IV) assist with recovering a stolen motor vehicle.
- ALPR data shall not be retained for more than 21 days, unless retained (i) pursuant to a warrant, court order, or court evidence preservation rules, (ii) to collect highway usage fees, (iii) as evidence in an active criminal investigation or prosecution (I) with supervisory law enforcement approval and documentation by the law enforcement agency (stating the purpose for such retention and case number) and (II) deleted when the investigation or case concludes, or for traffic analytics.
- APLR system or data may not be used to (1) monitor or investigate individuals based on specified characteristics or perceived criminal history (except where a prior conviction is an element of the offense under investigation); (2) to identify individuals engaged in First Amendment-protected activities; (3) immigration enforcement; (4) to investigate or prosecute individuals for seeking, receiving, or providing reproductive or gender-affirming health care that is lawful in CT; (5) collect ALPR data from fixed readers at or near specified reproductive or sexual health facilities or certain immigrant-serving organizations, except as authorized by law. Contains data sharing restrictions.
- Provides that any law enforcement officer who is found to have knowingly accessed, used, or disseminated ALPR data with malicious intent for an unauthorized purposes shall be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension, cancellation, or revocation of such officer’s certification by POSTC.
- Provides that if a law enforcement agency of this state suspects that an out-of-state or federal law enforcement agency may have used any shared ALPR data in violation of this section, it must notify POSTC. If POSTC determines that a violation occurred, it must direct all CT law enforcement agencies to stop sharing or providing access to such ALPR data with the offending agency.
PA 26-25 17a-101(b) mandated reporters now includes “any paid director, assistant director and staff member of a youth camp who is twenty-one years of age or older”. (Now 42)
PA 26-26 Requires the Commissioner of Children and Families to provide personal emergency communication devices (GPS) to DCF employees who regularly conduct visits to or evaluations of the homes of children under the supervision of the commissioner.
PA 26-32 53a-40e(a) - When the court does not issue a standing criminal protective order under this subsection, it must state on the record its reasons for not doing so.
PA 26-41 Modifies and adds definitions to firearm statutes.
Allows individuals to voluntarily deliver or surrender any firearm or ammunition in their possession to the Commissioner of the DESPP or a local police department for not less than 14 days. Individuals may request the return of such firearm or ammunition between the 15th day and 1 year after delivery or surrender. Within 5 days of receiving such request, the agency shall review the request and make such item(s) available for retrieval after determining the person is not otherwise disqualified from possessing such firearm or ammunition.
PA 26-42 Prohibits federal or state law enforcement from being within 250 feet of any “elections site”, unless deemed necessary and may not engage in any conduct that would constitute election interference. A violation is a class C felony and such person shall also be disfranchised.
Prohibits a person from wearing any mask or other covering that obscures the face, head or identity of such person within 250 feet of any elections site unless medically necessary or of religious significance. Refusal to remove is class D felony.
Provides that no person shall be required to present any form of identification within 250 feet of any elections site, unless otherwise required under state law. A violation is a class D felony. Exceptions apply.
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14-80 - Increases the fine for a mechanical equipment violation under this section to $300 for each offense.
- 14-296aa - “Except as otherwise provided no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a highway while (A) holding or supporting a mobile electronic device with any part of such person's body; (B) using a mobile electronic device, unless such device is being used in a hands-free mode; (C) reading, viewing or typing a text message or other nonvoice message or communication on a mobile electronic device; or (D) a video or moving image, except an affixed navigation system, or device to assist while backing or parking, to enhance the view of the roadway or assist in object detection.
PA 26-70 Requires each police basic, or review training program conducted or administered by POSTC or a municipal police department to include training on the trafficking of minor children and adults.
12-863 & 53a-127d – Concerns underage gaming and cheating respectively.
PA 26-92 52-146v - Grants civil liability protection to peer support team members for acts, errors, or omissions made while providing peer support services to first responders, except in cases of wanton, reckless, or malicious conduct. It also shields employers from liability for establishing or maintaining peer support programs. The immunity expressly includes decisions regarding the disclosure of confidential communications as authorized under this section.
PA 26-100 30-22c - Chief law enforcement officer of the town, or designee, may reject or terminate a scheduled event under this section if there are insufficient police resources to safely monitor the event or enforce the law, or if the event poses or becomes a danger to public safety. The decision is left to such chief’s, or designee’s, sole discretion.
PA 26-119 53a-119 - Adds to larceny “(19) Digital defrauding. (A) A person is guilty of digital defrauding when such person, with intent to cause financial injury to another person, creates and disseminates a visual representation or audio recording that such person knows or should have known is a digitally forged likeness.
Creates an affirmative defense if the defendant took reasonable action to place viewers or listeners of a digitally forged likeness on notice that such visual representation or audio recording is a digitally forged likeness.
PA 26-128 DESPP, in consultation with POSTC, to coordinate with an independent institution of higher education with a campus located in West Haven to establish a statewide, one-day training program for police officers in the state to increase retention and readiness. Such training shall include, but need not be limited to, expert instruction, scenario-based exercises, de-escalation skills and practical planning, and be available online. Police officers shall not be required to attend such training at such an institution in West Haven.
PA 26-130 53-142k - Extends within (b) the time period for organized retail theft from 180 days to 365 days. Now includes individuals who engage in such activity through an online platform, internet web site, or electronic device.
53a-119 - Adds to the definition of larceny “Fostering the sale of stolen property” and “Gift card crime”. (see Sec. 2)
PA 26-139 10-244a - Adds retired parole officers to those authorized to provide armed security services in public schools. Includes within the definition of “retired officer” that, to be eligible, such officer cannot be prohibited from being hired by a law enforcement unit pursuant to 7-291c.
NOTE: The above is merely an index to some public acts of interest to police. The full acts can be easily accessed on the internet.
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