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ConnecticutSB 004752026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING JUDICIAL BRANCH OPERATIONS.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To make various changes to the general statutes (1) governing Judicial Branch operations, processes and procedures, and (2) affecting civil and criminal proceedings.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
19 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 8 mixed.
Children get juvenile court safeguards
Beginning July 1, 2026, children can face the regular criminal court docket only through specified legal exceptions. Beginning October 1, 2026, judges may order a risk and needs assessment when probable cause supports the allegations. An ordered assessment must happen within two weeks after arraignment to identify whether services could help. Children have a right to a lawyer during the assessment, which also carries statutory protections.
More relatives can help raise children
Beginning July 1, 2026, relatives by law join relatives by blood or marriage as options for foster placement and temporary custody. They may seek to join covered child welfare cases, subject to assessments, deadlines, and court approval. Courts may also choose suitable relatives by law as legal or permanent guardians. After joining the case, these relatives may oppose a permanency plan if licensed as foster parents or granted temporary custody. Relatives may attend covered child welfare hearings when the judge finds a legitimate interest; placement and admission are not guaranteed.
More emotional harm qualifies for compensation
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut broadens emotional harm covered by crime-victim compensation provisions. It includes mental or emotional impairment caused by another person’s intentional or knowing actions. Those actions must make a reasonable person fear for their safety. This expands qualifying harm but does not guarantee payment or set a payment amount.
Federal judges gain online privacy protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut’s online personal-information protections cover federal judges who live in the state. Covered judges include district, appeals, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges. Their spouses, children, and dependents are also covered if they live in the same household.
People can challenge falsely filed records
Beginning October 1, 2026, people named in filings under chapters 821–822 may petition the court over false filings or amendments. If the court finds cause to doubt validity, it may hold a hearing within 60 days after that finding. The court may invalidate the filing or grant other relief. It may decide from written papers without oral testimony if the lienor offers none.
Released people get account balances fee-free
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Correction must return remaining Inmate Trust Fund balances upon release. Payment can be cash, check, or a prepaid device, but a prepaid option must include a cash or check alternative. Neither the department nor the device issuer may charge the person a fee. If payment at release is impossible because the department lacked two weeks’ notice, it must request a mailing address. Once an address is provided, it must mail payment within two weeks after release.
Lake authorities receive their fine revenue
Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut must send qualifying lake authorities all money collected from fines they issued for chapter 268 violations. Court officials must certify the amount owed every three months. The law states no total amount and does not change the fine amounts.
Prosecutors get simpler transcript request rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, prosecutors must request sentencing transcripts for definite, nonsuspended prison sentences longer than two years. They no longer have to make the request on the record. The transcript requirement remains in place.
Judicial Branch can approve smaller repairs
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Judicial Branch can undertake covered repairs, alterations, additions, and capital projects costing up to $3 million without prior Administrative Services approval. The authority covers qualifying buildings under court administration or rented or occupied by the Judicial Branch. Probate courts, criminal prosecutors, and the Public Defender Services Commission are excluded unless they share facilities in state-maintained courts.
Marshal applicants face court suitability reviews
Beginning June 4, 2026, the Connecticut Judicial Branch must decide whether judicial marshal applicants are suitable for employment. Applicants still must undergo the required criminal-record background investigation and pay its processing fees. The law states no fee amount.
Judicial seal use needs official approval
Beginning July 1, 2026, making or using the Connecticut Judicial Branch seal requires direction and approval from court administrators. This covers copies, imprints, and imitations for authorized government or Judicial Branch business. The Chief Court Administrator may also approve copies for educational use.
Arbitrators face lawyer and objection rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, arbitrators in covered Connecticut proceedings must remain Connecticut lawyers in good standing unless all parties waive this in writing. A party has 14 days after appointment, or written notice of lost good standing, to object. Parties in cases pending July 1 may also object to continued service if no evidentiary hearing has begun.
Clearer steps and evidence for parents
In covered child welfare cases, courts must list steps for parents to help bring children home or keep them home under supervision. Parents remain subject to those court-ordered steps. The Department of Children and Families must identify the sources of information in its court papers and when it obtained them.
Court records get new sharing limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, court family relations staff must share defendants’ service progress when family violence and child welfare cases are both open. The child welfare agency may use it only for child protection, not other court cases unless another law allows. Authorized Court Support Services Division staff may share defendant records internally for listed release, sentencing, supervision, and service duties. The law also removes some listed disclosure permissions for bail and probation staff.
First responder peer support limits lawsuits
Beginning July 1, 2026, peer support team members receive protection from damages claims for covered work helping first responders. Team members remain liable for wanton, reckless, or malicious conduct. Employers are protected from damages arising from establishing or maintaining these programs. These protections limit when people can recover damages over covered peer support work.
Marriage ends couples’ existing support orders
Beginning October 1, 2026, an existing support order ends when the parties named in it marry each other. Both spouses then share legal responsibility for ongoing support. Ending the order does not end their support duties.
Unclaimed detainee property can be sold
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Chief Court Administrator must set procedures for selling or disposing of detainees’ unclaimed property. The Judicial Branch must first make reasonable efforts to return clothing, jewelry, and other belongings. Sale proceeds go to the General Fund and are credited to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
Treatment participants get support and requirements
Beginning October 1, 2026, covered mental health treatment participants receive supervision from specially trained probation officers with smaller caseloads. Participants must also receive a classification that sets supervision and monitoring standards. Those living outside Connecticut must return for a mental health assessment when the Court Support Services Division directs them. The division may hire treatment providers, and consultation with the state mental health agency on program standards becomes optional.
Five state agency rules are repealed
Beginning June 4, 2026, the law repeals state agency regulation sections 11-10b-1 through 11-10b-5. The supplied text does not explain what those five rules covered or who they affected. It does not establish whether households gain relief or lose protections.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
Steven J. Stafstrom
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/30/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 231
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/30/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/30/2026
House Roll Call Vote 235 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/4/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/26/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/26/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-92
5/19/2026legislatureIn Concurrence
5/5/2026legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026HouseHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026HouseHouse Calendar Number 560
5/1/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
5/1/2026HouseRules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
5/1/2026HouseSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/1/2026SenateSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5719
5/1/2026SenateFile Number 653
4/16/2026legislatureSenate Calendar Number 416
4/16/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/16/2026SenateReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/16/2026legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/15/26 5:00 PM
4/10/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/30/2026legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/30/2026legislaturePublic Hearing 03/20
3/16/2026legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
3/9/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-92
5/1/2026
File No. 653
4/16/2026
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/30/2026
Raised Bill
3/9/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 653
Bill Analysis for SB-475, as amended by Senate "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 653
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5684 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5719 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for SB-475, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 5719)
House Roll Call Vote 235 AS AMENDED
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate LCO Amendment #5684 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 231
Senate Schedule A LCO# 5719 (J)
Summary for Public Act No. 26-92
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