All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 055092026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Sponsored By: Planning and Development Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) require the Secretary of the State to publish a manual concerning the duties of justices of the peace, (2) prohibit misconduct by justices of the peace, (3) specify that a newly created office of justice of the peace may be filled by appointment prior to the next regular election, (4) require a forty-eight hour waiting period before the issuance of a marriage license, and (5) establish a working group concerning justices of the peace.
planning and development
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
More protection against justice misconduct
Beginning January 1, 2027, Connecticut justices of the peace cannot act officially to deceive or defraud, or use their title to promote an offering. They cannot perform marriages they know, or should know, are unlawful or fraudulent under federal immigration law. Official misconduct also covers failures to follow legal duties and negligent, fraudulent, unlawful, or public-interest violations found by the Secretary of the State. The Secretary must investigate misconduct claims and issue findings, even after an appointment ends. After finding misconduct, the Secretary can warn, reprimand, suspend, or remove a justice despite conflicting local rules. People can seek damages for harm directly caused by official misconduct; the law sets no dollar amount.
State reviews justice selection and oversight
Effective upon passage, the law creates an 11-member working group chaired by the Secretary of the State or a designee. It includes justices, town clerks, town party chairs, and a justice professional organization representative. Appointments are due within 30 days, and the chair must schedule the first meeting within 60 days. The group reviews position counts, moving appointments between towns, selection, training, qualifications, applications, and background checks. It also reviews oversight, possible fines, false claims of justice status, human trafficking, forced marriage, and marriage fraud. Findings and recommendations are due to the legislature’s government administration and elections committee and the Secretary by January 1, 2027. The group ends when it submits its report.
Couples face a marriage license wait
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut registrars cannot issue marriage licenses until at least 48 hours after application. Both applicants must appear in person and apply. If they sign and swear to the license on different dates, the wait starts on the later date.
Justices must confirm reading their manual
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut justice of the peace appointees must certify that they received and read the duties manual. The Secretary of the State must publish the manual by July 1, 2027. Those appointed on or before that date must certify by August 1, 2027. Those appointed after July 1, 2027, must certify within 30 days of appointment.
New application rules for justice vacancies
Beginning October 1, 2026, town clerks must reopen applications for covered justice vacancies when no lottery exists or its remaining applicants cannot fill them. Written applications are due within 30 days after public notice. If applicants outnumber vacancies, a public lottery selects appointees and sets the order for future vacancies. Applicants are ineligible if they hold enrollment privileges in a town party that selected justices under the covered appointment rules. That restriction covers the period from three months before notice through appointment. If applications are fewer than authorized positions, clerks cannot appoint additional justices through this process.
Towns can fill new justice positions
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut towns can fill newly added justice of the peace positions before the next four-year appointment. The local ordinance or charter change must take effect at least 91 days before that appointment. Major parties receive equal nomination shares, with any indivisible remainder assigned by lot. A qualifying major party outside that allocation can nominate 20% of the positions, rounded down. Appointees serve until the next four-year appointment.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Planning and Development Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Craig C. Fishbein
Republican • House
Cristin McCarthy Vahey
Democratic • House
Eric C. Berthel
Republican • Senate
Heather S. Somers
Republican • Senate
Joseph H. Zullo
Republican • House
Stephen G. Harding
Republican • Senate
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
William Pizzuto
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/13/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 408
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/13/2026
House Roll Call Vote 48
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/13/2026
PD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/4/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/28/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/28/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-141
5/20/2026legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
5/6/2026legislatureSenate Passed
5/6/2026SenateSenate Calendar Number 360
4/10/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/10/2026SenateHouse Passed
4/8/2026HouseFile Number 259
3/30/2026legislatureHouse Calendar Number 215
3/30/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
3/30/2026HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/30/2026legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/30/26 12:00 PM
3/23/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/16/2026legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/13/2026legislaturePublic Hearing 03/11
3/6/2026legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
3/5/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-141
5/20/2026
File No. 259
3/30/2026
PD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/13/2026
Raised Bill
3/5/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 259
Fiscal Note For File Copy 259
House Roll Call Vote 48
PD Joint Fav. Rpt
PD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 408
Summary for Public Act No. 26-141
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