All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
To (1) establish the crime of female genital mutilation, (2) allow for testimony outside of the courtroom for victims twelve years of age or younger, (3) prohibit a witness who is a victim of female genital mutilation from being automatically adjudged incompetent due to age, (4) authorize a civil action by a victim, (5) abrogate immunity between a parent and child if the action is brought by the child against the parent, and (6) allow such actions within thirty years from the victim attaining the age of eighteen years.
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2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Beginning October 1, 2026, people harmed by a violation can sue the perpetrator in Superior Court where they live. Courts can award money for losses, punitive damages, or other appropriate relief; no award amount is guaranteed. Parent-child immunity cannot block these claims, including cases brought by a child or on a child's behalf against a parent. For personal-injury cases involving genital mutilation before age 18, the deadline is 30 years after the person turns 18. That deadline applies to covered cases filed on or after October 1, 2026, despite the otherwise applicable limitation period.
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut makes knowingly performing female genital mutilation on anyone under 18 a class D felony. This covers cutting, removing, or closing all or part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris. Exceptions cover operations needed for health or a medical purpose, performed by licensed physicians or other licensed professionals within their scope. A separate exception covers medical operations related to labor or birth while the person is in labor or has just given birth. Authorized providers include licensed physicians, nurse-midwives, their trainees, and other licensed health professionals acting within their scope. Custom or ritual does not establish a health need or medical purpose. Courts can let child witnesses age 12 or younger testify outside the courtroom in covered prosecutions, including genital mutilation cases. The judge is present, and testimony is televised by closed circuit or recorded for later viewing. Room attendance is limited, with controls on entering and leaving. Courts can exclude defendants upon clear and convincing evidence of intimidation or harm to reliable testimony, but defendants must see and hear testimony. Children can have a familiar adult nearby and use anatomically correct dolls; lawyers must question them from a table without intimidation. Children who testify this way do not have to testify again in court in that proceeding. Age alone cannot disqualify any witness. Child victims of genital mutilation, assault, sexual assault, or abuse can testify without a prior competency screening; the fact-finder judges credibility.
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Aimee Berger-Girvalo
Democratic • House
Amy Morrin Bello
Democratic • House
Aundre Bumgardner
Democratic • House
Craig C. Fishbein
Republican • House
Devin R. Carney
Republican • House
Dominique Johnson
Democratic • House
Donna Veach
Republican • House
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
Democratic • House
Gary A. Turco
Democratic • House
Heather S. Somers
Republican • Senate
Hector Arzeno
Democratic • House
Iris N Sanchez
Democratic • House
Jennifer Leeper
Democratic • House
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
Josh Elliott
Democratic • House
Julie Kushner
Democratic • Senate
Kate Farrar
Democratic • House
Kathy Kennedy
Republican • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Kurt Vail
Republican • House
Larry Pemberton
Democratic • House
Laurie Sweet
Democratic • House
Martha Marx
Democratic • Senate
Mary M. Mushinsky
Democratic • House
Michael D. Quinn
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Nicole Klarides-Ditria
Republican • House
Patricia Billie Miller
Democratic • Senate
Paul Cicarella
Republican • Senate
Sarah Keitt
Democratic • House
Steven J. Stafstrom
Democratic • House
Steven Winter
Democratic • House
Tammy Nuccio
Republican • House
Tina Courpas
Republican • House
Tony Hwang
Republican • Senate
All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 130
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
House Roll Call Vote 121
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Signed by the Governor
Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
Transmitted to the Secretary of State
Public Act 26-5
In Concurrence
House Passed
House Calendar Number 482
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
Senate Passed
File Number 586
Senate Calendar Number 379
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/13/26 12:00 PM
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Joint Favorable Substitute
Public Hearing 03/02
Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
Public Act No. 26-5
4/30/2026
File No. 586
4/13/2026
Raised Bill
2/19/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 586
Fiscal Note For File Copy 586
House Roll Call Vote 121
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 130
Summary for Public Act No. 26-5
SB 00247, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.
To implement the recommendations of the Auditors of Public Accounts submitted in their most recent annual report, including to require Governor or Attorney General approval for additional agreements with state employees over a certain amount, require agreements with foundations to provide when foundations will reimburse the expenses, salaries and benefits of state employees providing services for the foundation, remove the Comptroller from the Treasurer's audit, remove the State Contracting Standard Board's ability to request the auditors to conduct its audits, modify provisions concerning state agency contracts and agreements for auditing services, add a time frame for quasi-public agency annual reports to the auditors and provide that the annual comprehensive financial review of the Technical Services Revolving Fund is performed as part of the audit of the State Comptroller's annual comprehensive financial report.
SB 00220, AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENT LITERACY, ASPIRING EDUCATORS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AS PART OF THE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM AND THE PARAEDUCATOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM.
To establish and provide reading instruction and supports to all students in grades four to nine who are below proficient in reading.
SB 00191, AN ACT CONCERNING THE PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY PILOT PROGRAM.
To expand access to and extend the psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program.
SB 00137, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.
To implement the recommendations of the Office of Early Childhood.
HB 05563, AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROPOSALS, CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL FOR AIRPORTS, HELIPORTS, VERTIPORTS, RESTRICTED LANDING AREAS AND OTHER AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES, POLICE COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, SURVEILLANCE PRICING, EDUCATION COST SHARING AND WITHHOLDING OF TAXES FROM LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.
To (1) modify statutory provisions relating to the offenses of organized retail theft and accessory to organized retail theft, (2) establish fostering the sale of stolen property and gift card crime as forms of larceny, (3) modify statutory provisions relating to the civil liability of a person eighteen years of age or older or an emancipated minor who takes possession of certain goods, merchandise or produce without the consent of the owner and with a certain intention, or who alters the price indicia of such goods or merchandise, and (4) modify statutory provisions concerning to whom the Department of Public Health may release information concerning acknowledgment of parentage.
HB 05509, AN ACT CONCERNING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
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.