All Roll Calls
Yes: 244 • No: 10
ConnecticutSB 015012025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS.
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To: (1) Make various statutory changes relating to Probate Court procedures and the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct, and (2) require the Probate Court Administrator to convene a working group to study issues relating to the use of conservators in the Probate Court system.
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Adoption decisions protect more prospective parents
Probate Court cannot reject an adoption because of a prospective parent's marital status or because the adoption may receive a subsidy. Differences in race, color, or religion between the child and prospective parent also cannot justify rejection. The court must act in the child's best interests. It can order further investigation, set a written-report deadline, and pause the hearing during that period. If the report is late, the court can deny the application or enter a final decree as the law allows. The final decree must include the child's birth date and birthplace as far as the court can determine them. A copy must go to the Commissioner of Children and Families.
Insured claims against estates can proceed
Beginning October 1, 2025, covered tort claims—such as injury claims—against estates can proceed in Superior Court. The court cannot dismiss them for lack of subject matter jurisdiction solely because they involve an estate. This route allows recovery only from insurance in effect when the harm occurred, up to the policy limits. Recovery cannot reach the estate, its administrator, creditors, or beneficiaries under this exception. The insurance-only limit does not apply when the claimant otherwise followed chapter 802b's estate-claim requirements.
More family notice in representation cases
Beginning June 10, 2025, Probate Court must order certified-mail notice to relatives in specified representation cases. This covers involuntary representation proceedings under section 17b-456. It also covers specified notice proceedings when personal service cannot reasonably occur, an address is unknown, or someone is out of state. Notice goes first to the person's children, then parents if there are no children. Next come siblings or their representatives, then next of kin, if the earlier groups are absent.
Transcript deadline helps probate court appeals
Beginning June 10, 2025, Probate Court must prepare missing transcripts for specified appeals within 30 days. The clock starts when the court receives a copy of the appeal complaint. This applies to appeals from orders, denials, or decrees after recorded hearings covered by section 45a-186a(a). Superior Court can allow more time.
Conservator payment problems get formal review
Effective July 1, 2025, the law requires a working group to study problems facing conservators. Topics include payment delays, fee-waiver requirements, and compensation levels. The Probate Court Administrator convenes judges, social services officials, nursing-home representatives, and attorneys experienced as conservators. The administrator must report findings to the legislature's Judiciary Committee by January 15, 2026. The report can recommend legislation, but the study itself does not raise pay or change fee-waiver rules.
Appeals limit probate order reconsideration requests
Beginning June 10, 2025, requests to reconsider, change, or revoke covered probate orders must precede an appeal. A request can also be made after all filed appeals are withdrawn. For orders other than ex parte orders, requests generally remain due within 120 days and require grounds allowed by law. For ex parte orders—issued without all parties participating—an interested person must show a reason the court accepts.
Longer notice deadline for judicial complaints
Beginning June 10, 2025, the judicial misconduct council has 15 business days to send notice after an investigation ends. The old deadline was 7 business days. The notice must tell the complainant and respondent that the investigation ended and whether probable cause was found.
Birth certificate access expands for families
Beginning June 10, 2025, a physician or midwife attending a birth outside an institution must file the birth certificate. A parent may file if neither is available. If required information is missing, a parent or legal guardian can petition Probate Court before the child's first birthday. The petition goes to the district where the birth allegedly occurred and includes evidence previously given to the town registrar. The court holds a hearing and notifies the petitioner, parent or guardian, registrar, and other interested people. The petitioner must show that parentage, birth date, and birthplace are more likely true than not. If proven, the court must order the registrar to create and file the certificate. The court can order genetic testing; the petitioner generally pays, but the department pays for petitioners found unable to afford it. A result showing at least a 99% probability of parentage is presumed correct unless rebutted.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 145
Yes: 24 • No: 10
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 146
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 4/4/2025
House Roll Call Vote 216 AS AMENDED
Yes: 145 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 41 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/10/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/9/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/5/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-48
6/3/2025legislatureIn Concurrence
5/28/2025legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/28/2025HouseHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/28/2025HouseHouse Calendar Number 598
5/15/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
5/15/2025HouseSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/13/2025SenateSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 8262
5/13/2025SenateFile Number 741
4/23/2025legislatureSenate Calendar Number 394
4/23/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/23/2025SenateReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/23/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/22/25 5:00 PM
4/15/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/7/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
4/4/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 03/31
3/27/2025legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
3/11/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-48
6/3/2025
File No. 741
4/23/2025
JUD Joint Favorable
4/4/2025
Raised Bill
3/11/2025
Bill Analysis For File Copy 741
Bill Analysis for SB-1501, as amended by Senate "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 741
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 8262 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for SB-1501, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 8262)
House Roll Call Vote 216 AS AMENDED
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Senate Roll Call Vote 145
Senate Roll Call Vote 146
Senate Schedule A LCO# 8262 (D)
Summary for Public Act No. 25-48
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